The Big Sky Ski Education Foundation (BSSEF) has opened its search for a new Executive Director to lead the organization’s next phase of growth and development.
The Executive Director will serve as the chief executive officer of BSSEF, overseeing strategic planning, operations, fundraising, athlete development, and community engagement across the organization’s alpine, nordic, freeride, and masters programs.
As one of the fastest-growing winter sports communities in the country, Big Sky presents a unique opportunity for an experienced leader to help shape a high-performance ski club while expanding access to year-round athlete development opportunities.
Leading Growth Across Multiple Disciplines
BSSEF supports alpine ski racing from U8 through FIS levels, nordic programming for athletes of all ages, a developing freeride program, and a community-focused masters program. The organization aims to strengthen athlete pathways while investing in infrastructure, fundraising, and community partnerships.
The Executive Director will lead implementation of BSSEF’s newly developed long-term strategic plan and work closely with Big Sky Resort leadership to expand training venues, competition opportunities, lift access, and mountain infrastructure.
The position also includes oversight of staffing, coach education, operational standards, risk management, and athlete wellness initiatives.
Key Leadership Responsibilities
The Executive Director will:
- Execute BSSEF’s long-term strategic vision for athletic and organizational growth.
- Oversee alpine, nordic, freeride, and masters programming.
- Supervise senior staff, including program directors and administrative personnel.
- Lead hiring, onboarding, professional development, and staff evaluations.
- Maintain Gold Level Certification or higher through U.S. Ski & Snowboard.
- Manage annual budgets and long-range financial planning.
- Drive fundraising efforts, including annual giving campaigns, sponsorships, grants, and donor development.
- Build relationships with parents, alumni, sponsors, resort leadership, and governing bodies.
- Support athlete recruitment, retention, and long-term development pathways.
- Ensure compliance with SafeSport, U.S. Ski & Snowboard standards, nonprofit regulations, and insurance requirements.
Ideal Candidate Profile
BSSEF seeks candidates with at least seven to 10 years of leadership experience in ski racing, winter sports, youth athletics, nonprofit management, or a comparable leadership role in the private sector.
Successful candidates will bring experience in organizational management, staff leadership, strategic planning, fundraising, financial oversight, and partnership development. Knowledge of alpine ski racing pathways and the U.S. Ski & Snowboard system is preferred.
The organization encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds and recognizes that strong candidates may not meet every listed qualification.
“We value diverse perspectives and welcome applicants who are excited to contribute to our mission and community,” BSSEF stated in the job announcement.
Opportunity in a Growing Ski Community
The Executive Director will work closely with BSSEF’s Board of Directors, coaches, athletes, parents, local schools, donors, volunteers, and resort leadership while helping guide the future of winter sports development in Big Sky.
BSSEF plans to continue expanding athlete support systems, fundraising capacity, community partnerships, and potential educational collaborations with local schools.
The organization will negotiate a competitive compensation package based on experience.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume outlining their qualifications and interest in the position to matt@bssef.com.
BSSEF will review applications on a rolling basis until it fills the position.
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