Vice President of Sustainability

At Xanterra Parks & Resorts (Xanterra), the nation's largest National and State park concessionaire, environmental stewardship is fundamental to everything we do. In the last several years, Xanterra has established itself as the industry leader in protecting and preserving the environment in more than 21 Xanterra operations in National and State parks and private resorts.

The company's 7,500 employees provide superior guest service to visitors from around the world who visit the company's 31 hotels and lodges with more than 5,300 guest rooms, 52 retail stores, 68 restaurants, 5 marinas, 9 golf courses, and 1,700 campsites within national and state parks. Each year, more than 18 million people visit the national and state parks where Xanterra operates.

These include the national parks at Yellowstone, South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Zion, Crater Lake, Death Valley, Rocky Mountain, Petrified Forest, and Mount Rushmore National Memorial, as well as facilities at 8 Ohio State Parks and 2 privately-owned resorts, Kingsmill Resort in Virginia and the Grand Canyon Railroad in Arizona.

Position Overview:

Xanterra is seeking a vice president of sustainability to oversee all of its hospitality operations serving as the company's environmental conscience, ambassador, and spokesperson, working to further Xanterra's reputation as a national leader in environmentally responsible business and tourism practices.

The position will involve developing, implementing, refining, and maintaining sustainability strategies and programs for Xanterra. The vice president will also be responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable environmental laws and regulations.

This corporate agenda is supported at the highest levels in the company, a key ingredient for success. This senior management position will report directly to Xanterra's President and CEO and will serve on Xanterra's senior management team. Few positions in any organization afford such tremendous influence over such unique areas of the world, as well as the communities in which the company does business.

This is a rare opportunity to apply passion, technical knowledge, and communication and people skills to facilitate cutting-edge business practices that benefit the local park, resort and nautical environments, as well as the planet.

Responsibilities:

1. Develop, implement, and maintain sustainability and environmental strategies and programs for all Xanterra operations.
2. Supervise, hire, mentor, and provide technical assistance and leadership to Xanterra's team of property sustainability managers and directors. Supervise and mentor the corporate directors, including the Director of Sustainability and ensure that all ISO 14001 internal audits are conducted and passed.
3. Work with the corporate Executive Team, property General Managers, and operations departments to set sustainability standards and goals.
4. Ensure legal compliance with local, National Park Service, state and federal environmental statutes and regulations and minimize legal liabilities from potential hazards. This may include regulatory requirements with hazardous materials, hazardous waste (RCRA), universal waste, CFCs/halons, asbestos, lead-based paint, PCBs, pesticides, air emissions control/permitting, storm water management, SARA Title 3 reporting, and UST/AST fuel storage and delivery system management. This includes providing training to staff on changes in regulations affecting operations.
5. Research, prepare, and draft environmental sections of company bids for concession contracts and conduct cost and feasibility analyses of all measures proposed. Complete all environmental due diligence requirements related to new business opportunities and company acquisitions.
6. Develop and implement appropriate training programs to enhance sustainability and ensure compliance with environmental regulations and company requirements.
7. Work with properties on planning and approving annual capital expenditures that improve or benefit Xanterra's sustainability strategies.
8. Monitor environmental programs for effectiveness and develop projects for improvement, as needed.
9. Monitor regulatory developments and assist, advice, and communicate changes affecting company operations to appropriate departments.
10. Serve as environmental spokesperson for Xanterra: communicating with and educating guests, employees, media, partners and prospective clients on environmental matters; and working with the National Park Service and other governmental agencies on resolving environmental challenges and achieving goals.
11. Develop and implement environmental messaging, education, and promotion both internally and for guests. This includes publishing a biannual sustainability report.
12. Promote company environmental stewardship with local, regional, and national environmental groups through committee participation and other external venues.
13. Develop and maintain good working relationships with National Park Service staff, state and federal agencies, and outside stakeholders.
14. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 

Education and Experience Requirements:

Must hold at a minimum a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, or related field, plus have a minimum 10 years professional experience, preferably within the hospitality/leisure industry, in all aspects of environmental management or corporate sustainability. Individual reputation, knowledge and experience in the environmental and sustainability sectors will be key criteria. 

Talents:

• The individual selected for this position must have recently held a similar position as the top environmental or sustainability executive. Recognition as a leader in this discipline is desirable.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, with extensive experience in technical writing, public speaking, and interacting with the media. Must demonstrate a political sensibility and be keenly sensitive to various constituencies and the diplomacy appropriate for each.

Work Skills and Knowledge Requirements:

• The VP needs to have a personal presence and management style that inspires others, encourages employees to present their ideas and motivates a highly diverse group of people to understand what is expected and how to achieve/own those objectives. He or she must gain the respect of others by virtue of style, character, expertise and example, rather than through force or position.
• He or she must be highly-organized and have strong administrative and leadership skills, including experience with operating budgets and the related accountability.
• Must be experienced in environmental report writing including EMS development, ISO 14001 certification, and environmental compliance auditing.
• Must have experience in developing environmental initiatives and implementing all phases of a company-wide environmental program.
• Must be familiar with environmental laws and regulations as they relate to the hospitality industry, and have the ability to keep abreast of this developing and complex field.
• Must have well-developed personal computer skills.
• Must possess the proven ability to build productive relationships by positively interacting with coworkers and clients.
• Must have a passion for national parks and public lands.

EEO/M/F/D/V