📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: VP of Partnerships
🔹 Company: Aspen Skiing Company
🔹 Location: Aspen, Colorado, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Hospitality
🔹 Date Posted: June 18, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and executing strategic partnerships to support the company's long-term strategy
- Collaborating with internal stakeholders to create business and revenue driving initiatives
- Negotiating and managing partnerships with top-tier brands to enhance brand awareness
- Maximizing earned media opportunities through well-executed partnerships
- Leading cross-functional projects to bring partnerships to life and deliver results
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of business acumen, strategic thinking, and strong communication skills to successfully pitch, prospect, and execute partnerships that drive business growth.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Define and evolve partnership strategy to maximize brand awareness, guest experience, and business impact
✅ Create business and revenue driving initiatives for the business units
✅ Own the development of pipeline and relationship building with key prospects to ensure successful outcomes
✅ Drive cross-functional projects with key teams to bring partnerships to life
✅ Execute brand partnership opportunities that drive outsize awareness through affiliation with top-tier partners
✅ Maximize earned media opportunities through well-executed partnerships that create buzz for the brands
✅ Responsible for negotiating and developing deals in partnership with legal, Aspen One leadership, and vertical business leaders
✅ Lead communication with partners and across departments to seamlessly execute programs and deliverables while hitting deadlines
✅ Develop decks, presentations, and pitch materials for internal and partner-facing needs
✅ Partner locally to develop community relationships to drive connectivity
✅ Support wholesale partnerships or collaborative opportunities as needed
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of autonomy and requires strong project management skills to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously and drive them to completion.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's Degree or higher in business administration or other appropriate related field of study is required.
Experience: A minimum of ten years of direct experience working across brand, product, marketing, and distribution partnerships is required.
Required Skills:
- Proven experience defining business objectives, strategy, value equation, and executing unique partnerships and collaborations that increase brand awareness, enhance the guest experience, and drive business growth
- Has experience owning a deal process from pitch to successful launch
- High level of business acumen, research, and analytical skills
- Outstanding communicator with excellent presentation and strong written and oral communications skills
- Exceptional organizational and project management skills with the ability to meet deadlines
- Exceptional ability to lead through influence with internal and external partners to build consensus
- Ability to structure and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously and drive to completion
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically and execute methodically on tactical projects
- Ability to work within a complex and often ambiguous environment, to drive rigorous, fact-based recommendations to senior management
- Ability to build strong working relationships with both internal and external partners
- Ability to lead through change and the fast pace of a growing brand
- Ability to handle sensitive or proprietary company information in a confidential manner
- Highly adaptable and capable of working in a dynamic, evolving, and cross-functional environment
- Proficiency in MS Office including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working in the ski or hospitality industry
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Given the nature of the role, candidates with a strong background in strategic partnerships, business development, and marketing are likely to be the best fit.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: The budgeted salary range for this position is $132,000 - $185,000. Actual pay will be dependent on budget and experience; all salaried roles are eligible for bonus.
Benefits:
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with occasional overtime as needed
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on the information given in the job description. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as experience, skills, and market conditions.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Hospitality
Company Size: 11-50 employees
Founded: 2020
Company Description:
- Aspen Hospitality, a division of Aspen One, owns and operates a portfolio of hotels and residences that currently consists of The Little Nell, Aspen's only Five-Star, Five-Diamond, ski-in/ski-out hotel and its affiliated Residences at The Little Nell, both of which are located at the base of Aspen Mountain; the Limelight Hotel Aspen and Limelight Hotel Snowmass in Colorado; the Limelight Hotel Ketchum near Sun Valley in Idaho and the Limelight Denver, adjacent to Denver’s Union Station. Two additional Limelight Hotels in Mammoth, California, and Boulder, Colorado, are currently in development as well as a new Nell property at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Aspen Hospitality also owns and operates the Aspen Mountain Club and Snowmass Mountain Club. Aspen One is the parent company of Aspen Skiing Company, Aspen Hospitality, and Aspen Ventures and leverages its influence across all of its business units to advance climate action, community engagement, and racial justice.
Company Specialties:
- Hotel and residence management
- Ski resort operations
- Event planning and management
- Community engagement and racial justice initiatives
Company Website: www.aspenhospitality.co
ASSUMPTION: Aspen Hospitality is a growing company with a strong focus on community engagement and sustainability, making it an attractive place for candidates who share these values.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Executive
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the CEO of Aspen One and works closely with the leadership teams of Aspen Skiing Company, Aspen Hospitality, and Aspen Ventures.
Work Arrangement: This is an on-site position with occasional travel required as necessary.
Growth Opportunities:
- As Aspen One continues to expand, there may be opportunities for the VP of Partnerships to grow into a more senior role or take on additional responsibilities within the organization.
- This role offers the opportunity to work closely with senior leadership and gain exposure to various aspects of the business, providing valuable learning and development experiences.
ASSUMPTION: Given the company's growth trajectory, there may be opportunities for career advancement within the organization for the right candidate.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Upscale ski resort setting
Office Location(s): Aspen, Colorado, United States
Geographic Context:
- Aspen is a popular ski destination with a vibrant arts and culture scene
- The area offers a high quality of life with excellent outdoor recreation opportunities
- The cost of living in Aspen is higher than the national average
Work Schedule: The work schedule for this role is Monday through Friday, with occasional weekend and evening work required as needed to attend events or meet deadlines.
ASSUMPTION: The work environment for this role is dynamic and fast-paced, with a strong focus on collaboration and cross-functional teamwork.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Initial phone or video screen with the HR team
- First-round interview with the hiring manager and a member of the leadership team
- Second-round interview with additional stakeholders, including representatives from Aspen Skiing Company and Aspen Hospitality
- Final-round interview with the CEO of Aspen One
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and partnership development skills
- Communication and presentation skills
- Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams
- Problem-solving and analytical skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Be prepared to discuss your approach to strategic partnerships and business development
- Demonstrate your understanding of the Aspen One brand and its commitment to sustainability and community engagement
ATS Keywords: Strategic Partnerships, Business Development, Marketing, Brand Awareness, Revenue Generation, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Project Management, Communication, Analytical Skills, Relationship Building
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role is likely to be comprehensive and competitive, with a strong focus on assessing the candidate's strategic thinking and partnership development skills.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Presentation software (e.g., Keynote, Prezi)
ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard for the industry and can be learned by candidates with relevant experience in strategic partnerships or business development.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Excellence in all we do
- Community engagement and sustainability
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Integrity and accountability
- Innovation and continuous improvement
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic
- Collaborative and cross-functional
- Results-driven and focused on delivering exceptional outcomes
- Adaptable and able to thrive in a changing environment
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment?
- Are you able to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to deliver exceptional results?
- Do you have a proven track record of developing and executing strategic partnerships that drive business growth?
ASSUMPTION: Aspen One values candidates who are adaptable, results-driven, and able to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The high cost of living in Aspen may be a barrier for some candidates
- The fast-paced and dynamic work environment may be challenging for candidates who prefer a more stable and predictable work environment
- The competitive interview process may be challenging for candidates who are not accustomed to high-stakes interviews
- The need to occasionally travel as necessary may be a challenge for candidates with family or other commitments that limit their availability
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent to the role and the company's fast-paced, dynamic work environment, and candidates should carefully consider whether they are a good fit for this type of work environment before applying.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on strategic partnerships and business development across the entire Aspen One platform, rather than within a specific business unit
- Unlike traditional hospitality roles, this role requires a strong background in strategic partnerships and business development, rather than operations or management
- Career progression in this role may involve growing into a more senior role within the organization, rather than moving into a different functional area
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should carefully consider their career goals and whether this role aligns with their long-term aspirations before applying.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a strategic partnership with a major consumer brand to enhance brand awareness and drive revenue growth
- Negotiating and managing a complex, multi-faceted partnership with a key industry player to drive outsize value for both organizations
- Leading a cross-functional team to execute a high-profile event that showcases the company's unique offerings and generates significant earned media coverage
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are illustrative of the types of initiatives the VP of Partnerships may be responsible for, but the specific projects will vary based on the company's strategic priorities and market conditions.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the company's long-term strategy for growth and expansion?
- What are the key priorities for the first 90 days in this role?
- How does the leadership team support the growth and development of the VP of Partnerships?
- What are the key challenges facing the company in the next 12-24 months, and how can this role help address them?
- How does the company measure the success of its partnerships, and what metrics are most important for this role?
ASSUMPTION: These key questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role, the company's strategic priorities, and the expectations for success in this position.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for your interviews by researching the company, its values, and its commitment to sustainability and community engagement
- Follow up with the HR team one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about the status of your application
- If selected for an interview, be prepared to discuss your approach to strategic partnerships and business development, as well as your understanding of the Aspen One brand and its commitment to sustainability and community engagement
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
