Lone Mountain Ranch (LMR), situated on 148 acres in beautiful Big Sky, Montana, was first homesteaded in 1915 and has long been recognized as one of the premier guest ranch resorts in the country. The property consists of 30 rooms located within 24 unique cabins as well as the Horn & Cantle Restaurant and Saloon, the Ranch Hall, the Outpost, equestrian facilities, event venues and meeting spaces. A National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World, LMR is listed on the National Registry of the Historic Places, a member of the Dude Rancher’s Association, and once voted the #1 Nordic Ski Resort in North America by Cross Country Skier Magazine, LMR offers authentic luxury accommodations, genuine Montana cuisine, exceptional service, and a stunning array of outdoor recreational pursuits. Combine these attributes with proximity to Yellowstone National Park, Big Sky Resort, as well as Bozeman Airport, and we believe the LMR guest experience is unlike any other in the American West.
LMR VISION
Lone Mountain Ranch is a destination where guests disconnect from the world, while connecting with others through unforgettable adventures in a natural setting. Moments are crafted through discovery, exceptional people, fun activities, and a breathtaking environment.
SUMMARY
As the Ranch Manager at Lone Mountain Ranch, you will play a key role in shaping and maintaining the unparalleled guest experience. You will oversee and direct the operations of several departments, including the Maintenance Department, Grounds Maintenance, Horse Program, Grooming and Trail Maintenance, Fishing Program, rodeo events, and sleigh ride events. Your leadership will ensure all departments work seamlessly together to provide guests with memorable, world-class experiences, while maintaining the integrity, safety, and beauty of the ranch’s property. A central part of this role is building and executing well-structured operational systems — from maintenance plans and snow removal strategies to the use of SOPs, schedules, and checklists — ensuring that every detail of ranch operations is thoughtfully managed and consistently delivered.
We are looking for a seasoned and highly skilled Ranch Manager with extensive leadership experience, a deep understanding of ranch operations, and a proven ability to inspire and motivate teams. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional interpersonal and team-building skills, ensuring the development of a strong, united team that delivers exceptional service to our discerning guests. You will also be committed to upholding the magic, culture, and history of our ranch while ensuring the safety and well-being of both guests and staff.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
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Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Maintenance Department, Grounds Maintenance, Nordic trail Grooming, Horse Program, Fishing Program, rodeo events, and sleigh ride events, ensuring that each department meets its performance goals and provides a seamless guest experience.
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Build out and execute comprehensive plans for ranch maintenance, grounds maintenance, snow removal, and grooming, ensuring the property is safe, well-maintained, and guest-readyat all times.
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Establish and ensure consistent use of SOPs, schedules, and checklists across Grounds, Vehicle, and Cabin Maintenance to drive accountability and efficiency.
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Manage vehicle fleet and heavy equipment maintenance.
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Create and manage a centralized work-order tracking system for preventative and corrective maintenance, ensuringtimelyresolution of tasks and long-term property upkeep.
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Develop andmaintainpunch lists for cabin inspections, overseeing corrective action and ensuring cabins consistently meet quality and safety standards.
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Take full responsibility for maintenance-related outcomes, including resource allocation, staffing, scheduling, and operational oversight.
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Oversee and support the Barn Manager and the Horse Program to ensure the highest standards of horse care, guest safety, and program execution, with clear systems for training, daily operations, and long-term planning.
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Foster a strong internal culture within the Horse Program where wranglers and staff collaborate effectively, uphold professionalism, and deliver warm, authentic hospitality to guests.
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Ensure the Horse Program works seamlessly with other departments, aligning communication and schedules so that every guest experience is safe, memorable, and reflective of the ranch’s values.
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Lead and motivate the entire ranch team by fostering a positive work culture focused on hospitality, team morale, employee development, and professional growth.
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Ensure the overall safety and operational integrity of the ranch, including trail system maintenance, signage, andappropriate safetymeasures.
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Lead, mentor, and provide training to department heads, ensuring consistent delivery of exceptional hospitality standards and ongoing staff development.
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Anticipate guest needs and proactively address any concerns related to ranch services, accommodations, or property maintenance.
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Monitor, assess, and improve guest satisfaction levels, ensuring consistent delivery of high-caliber service and experiences.
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Oversee the implementation of sustainable and efficient practices for property management, ensuring maintenance, upkeep, and readiness of the ranch property year-round.
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Collaborate with the General Manager and other executive-level leadership to ensure alignment of ranch goals,objectives, and performance standards with the overall resort strategy.
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Oversee staffing, scheduling, budgeting, and resource allocation for each department under your supervision, ensuring fiscal responsibility without compromising guest experience.
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Maintain effective communication and coordination between all departments, ensuring operational efficiency and providing consistent updates to the General Manager.
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Stay current on industry trends and hospitality best practices to continually elevate the ranch's reputation.
LEADERSHIP EXPECTATIONS
As a Manager of the Ranch, this position is expected to embody the following values:
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Lead by Example— Model professionalism, respect, humility, and integrity in all settings.
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Foster a Positive Culture— Build collaboration across departments, celebrate contributions, and reject gossip or divisive behavior.
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Practice Exceptional Hospitality— Extend thoughtfulness and care to both guests and employees; ensure decisionsbenefitthe Ranch as a whole.
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Accountability & Ownership— Take responsibility for mistakes, focus on solutions, andeliminatethe “that’s not my job” mentality.
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Initiative & Decision-Making— Use authority with confidence, avoid silos, and make decisions with awareness of their effect on the Ranch and guest experience.
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Communication & Collaboration— Share information acrossall Ranch departments,maintainconfidentiality when required, and practice transparency to build trust. Consult HR and the Employee Handbook when disciplinary action or policy questions arise.
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Accessibility & Presence— Be available to your team for questions and support. If you are unavailable, communicate in advance and ensure coverage or points of contact are in place so your team is not left without direction. Approachability and presence build trust and continuity.
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Respect the Chain of Command— Support decisions made by senior leadership, communicate them clearly to teams, and model alignment. Feedback and questions should be raised through proper channels with respect.
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Professional Conduct On & Off Duty— Maintain sound judgment and professionalism in all settings; remember your words and actions always reflect on you as a leader and on the Ranch.
QUALIFICATIONS
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At least 5 years of senior leadership experience in resort or hospitality management, with a proventrack recordof overseeing multiple departments in a ranch setting.
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Demonstratedexpertisein building and managing operational systems, including SOPs, schedules, checklists, and preventive maintenance programs.
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Strong knowledge of property maintenance, including ranch infrastructure, grounds care, snow removal, grooming, vehicle upkeep, and cabin inspections.
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Proven ability to implement and manage centralized work-order systems for preventative and corrective maintenance.
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A passion for hospitality and a commitment to creating exceptional guest experiences in a serene and natural environment.
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Excellent leadership, communication, and team-building skills, with a demonstrated ability to inspire and motivate a diverse workforce.
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Ability to balance operational excellence with a focus on staff morale, development, and retention.
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Experience in strategic planning, budgeting, and resource management, with a solid understanding of fiscal accountability in a luxury resort environment.
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High degree of professionalism, integrity, and attention to detail.
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Knowledge of fire mitigation strategies and safety protocols for propertieslocatedin wildfire-prone regions is preferred.
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Proven ability to work collaboratively with executive leadership, including the General Manager and other department heads, to achieve organizational goals.
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Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to respond effectively to unforeseen challenges in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
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Work is performed across the ranch property, often in varying and sometimes extreme weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and heavy snow.
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Frequently required to walk, stand, and move between various locations across the property, including trails, grounds, facilities, barns, and guest accommodations.
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Active involvement in overseeing and occasionallyassistingwith maintenance operations such as grounds upkeep, snow removal, grooming, and cabin inspections.
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Must be capable of lifting and carrying items weighing up to 40lbswhenassistingin property upkeep, grounds projects, or supporting team efforts.
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Frequent exposure to outdoor environments where hands-on oversight is essential to ensure safety and quality standards.
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Occasional travelrequiredfor staff training, meetings, and industry events.
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Must be available to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, andeveningsas necessary.
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Strong focus on safety, ensuring all employees and guests adhere to safety standards and protocols across all areas of the ranch.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time or without notice.
