Job Description
Backcountry Programs Manager - Rhythm Rides
Location: Niseko
Dates: November 1st 2026 through to 12th April 2027
Salary Range:
Monthly from ¥522,095 to ¥623,475 per month
Seasonal from ¥3,517,513 to ¥4,177,414
Plus performance-based incentives
Please note that the actual amount will vary depending on the actual number of working days, hours, and shift conditions.
Position Type: Seasonal Fixed Term Salary
Reports to: Niseko Operations Manager - Rhythm Rides
Direct Reports: Guide Supervisor, Lead Guides - Niseko; Backcountry Guides - Niseko
Functional Technical Leadership: National Training Manager for training and guide-development standards
Department Scope: Lift-Accessed Backcountry, Backcountry Touring
About us:
Rhythm is about creating epic experiences for our customers, which starts with our people. We live by our values and put people first. We take pride in creating working and living environments that foster innovation, adventure, and balance. Working at Rhythm is more than a job; it's an experience you will have forever.
The Role:
The Backcountry Programs Manager - Niseko fully owns the people, daily guide operations, local guide safety program and performance of Rhythm Rides' Niseko Backcountry Department.
The role holds final local technical authority for daily Niseko terrain, operating limits and safety-related changes or cancellations. It owns execution of the Guide Safety Program in Niseko within the national operational system and structure set by the Head of Operations.
The manager also executes the national Guide Training Pathway locally. The National Training Manager owns the pathway system, structure, progression framework and national performance monitoring; the Backcountry Programs Manager owns local delivery, technical assessment and evidence of guide performance.
Guides may work across Rides departments during the season. The Backcountry Programs Manager acts as the Primary Manager for staff allocated to Backcountry and works with Receiving Managers to ensure clear operational authority and consistent feedback when staff are deployed elsewhere.
Backcountry Programs Manager is accountable for:
- Safe, consistent and effective daily backcountry operations in Niseko
- Ownership and execution of the Niseko Guide Safety Program
- Execution of the national Guide Training Pathway and development of the Niseko guide team
- Final local technical authority for Niseko terrain and daily safety decisions
- Strong cross-department coordination and shared-staff leadership
- Strong guest, utilisation, labour and departmental performance
Key Responsibilities and Duties:
Department Leadership and Workforce
- Lead, support and develop the Backcountry Programs Supervisor, Lead Guides and Backcountry Guides.
- Set clear expectations, daily priorities and performance standards.
- Own staff performance, wellbeing, development, coaching and formal reviews for guides allocated to Backcountry as their Primary Department.
- Monitor guide workload, fatigue and readiness and adjust allocations where required.
- Plan staffing, rosters and seasonal preparation with the Niseko Operations Manager within approved labour budgets.
- Build a positive, accountable and collaborative culture focused on safety, service and continuous improvement.
Daily Guide Operations
- Plan and lead the daily delivery of Lift-Accessed Backcountry and Backcountry Touring products.
- Review bookings, guest profiles, guide availability, qualifications, conditions, equipment, logistics and operational constraints.
- Allocate guides according to approved capability, qualifications, experience, guest needs and operating conditions.
- Confirm group objectives, terrain plans, alternatives and communication arrangements.
- Coordinate departures, field communication, end-of-day debriefs and next-day planning.
- Adjust staffing, capacity or product delivery when conditions, fatigue or demand change.
- Ensure guide logbooks, guest notes, incident reports and operational records are complete and accurate.
Guide Safety Program and Local Technical Authority
- Own and execute the Guide Safety Program for Niseko within the national operational system and structure set by the Head of Operations.
- Maintain local terrain systems, operating procedures, emergency arrangements and safety records required for Niseko delivery.
- Lead the daily review of weather, avalanche information, field observations, terrain, hazards and human factors.
- Lead the daily safety briefing and set terrain, operating limits, closures and safety priorities.
- Hold final local technical authority for daily Niseko terrain and safety-related changes or cancellations.
- Modify, restrict, suspend or cancel activity when risk cannot be managed within acceptable limits.
- Appoint an appropriately qualified technical delegate when unavailable or when duties limit oversight.
- Lead the technical response to guide-related incidents and ensure significant matters are escalated to the Niseko Operations Manager and Head of Operations.
- Review safety observations, incidents and near misses and implement required local corrective actions.
Guide Training Pathway Execution
- Execute the national Guide Training Pathway in Niseko within the system and structure maintained by the National Training Manager.
- Plan and deliver local guide training, terrain orientation, rescue practice, technical refreshers, observed guiding and practical development.
- Assess guide readiness for products, terrain and conditions and document clear evidence of performance.
- Provide progression recommendations, development needs and performance information to the National Training Manager for national monitoring.
- Support individual development plans and identify guides requiring mentoring, supervision, additional training or temporary restrictions.
- Identify emerging talent and support progression toward senior guide and technical-lead responsibilities.
- Provide feedback to the National Training Manager on pathway effectiveness, capability gaps and future training needs.
Cross-Department Staff Leadership
- Guides may be rostered to other Rides departments, and suitably qualified staff from other departments may support Backcountry according to business and operational needs.
- The Backcountry Programs Manager is the Primary Manager for staff allocated to Backcountry and retains overall responsibility for their seasonal experience, performance, wellbeing, development and formal reviews.
- When a Backcountry staff member works in another department, the Receiving Manager has operational authority for that shift or product delivery.
- When staff from another department work within Backcountry, the Backcountry Programs Manager or delegated Backcountry leader acts as the Receiving Manager and holds operational authority for that assignment.
- Actively share relevant feedback with other Primary Managers and gather cross-department feedback for Backcountry staff.
- Resolve routine shared-staff issues directly with other department managers and escalate significant resource or priority conflicts to the Niseko Operations Manager.
Cross-Department Coordination and Business Performance
- Work closely with Guest Services and Operations Logistics to coordinate guest requirements, equipment, transport, lift passes and daily logistics.
- Provide timely updates on guide availability, capacity, conditions, restrictions, product changes and operational requirements.
- Resolve guide-delivery issues and support complaint investigation where guide operations are involved.
- Monitor revenue, wages, guide utilisation, operating expenses and departmental performance.
- Use safety observations, guest feedback, guide feedback and business results to improve workflows and product delivery.
- Support other departments during peak periods or disruptions when appropriate while maintaining clear functional ownership.
Role Boundaries
- The Head of Operations owns the overall national operational system and structure used across Rides locations.
- The National Training Manager owns the Guide Training Pathway system, structure, progression framework and national performance monitoring.
- The Backcountry Programs Manager - Niseko owns execution of the Guide Safety Program in Niseko, execution of the Guide Training Pathway locally and final daily Niseko technical decisions.
- The Niseko Operations Manager retains overall accountability for Niseko location performance and significant cross-department matters.
- The Guest Services Manager owns local Guest Services delivery and guide-product sales, bookings and guest communication within approved processes.
- The Operations Logistics Manager owns Backcountry Rentals & Operations Support, including rental equipment, guide equipment and associated logistics.
- Commercial, staffing or guest pressures must not override authorised technical safety decisions.
Key Measures of Success:
- Safe, compliant and effective daily Niseko backcountry operations
- Clear and consistently applied terrain and safety decisions
- The Niseko Guide Safety Program is maintained, executed and continuously improved
- The Guide Training Pathway is delivered effectively and guide performance evidence is reported clearly
- Strong guide performance, development, engagement and retention
- Cross-department staff deployment is well coordinated with clear Primary and Receiving Manager accountability
- High guest satisfaction and effective guide utilisation and labour control
- Strong collaboration with Guest Services, Operations Logistics, Training and location leadership
What you need to succeed:
Qualifications and Experience
- Avalanche Operations Professional Level 1 or recognised equivalent;
- or a Diploma-level mountain guide qualification
- Current Wilderness First Responder or recognised equivalent.
- At least five years of professional backcountry guiding experience, including lead-guide, technical-lead or management responsibilities.
- Experience leading daily hazard assessments, terrain decisions, guide briefings and emergency response.
- Demonstrated experience managing, coaching and developing professional guide teams.
- Experience implementing guide safety systems and structured training pathways.
- Experience with backcountry rental or technical-equipment operations is preferred.
- Strong knowledge of Niseko terrain, access, hazards, weather systems and emergency procedures.
- Valid Japanese or recognised international driver licence.
Skills and Attributes
- Advanced judgement in snow, avalanche, terrain and group risk management.
- Clear, conservative and timely decision-making under pressure.
- Strong operational leadership, planning and team-management skills.
- Ability to lead effective technical briefings and communicate decisions clearly.
- Strong coaching, mentoring and performance-management capability.
The Perks and Benefits:
As a Rhythm employee, you'll experience the same legendary hospitality we extend to our guests. We're passionate about looking after our crew, and here are just a few of the perks you'll enjoy when you join our team:
- Live, Work, and Play in Paradise: Immerse yourself in one of the world's top mountain resorts.
- Work with a Legendary Crew: Join a team that's passionate, fun-loving, and deeply connected to the industry.
- Subsidised Staff Accommodation: Affordable housing options and housing assistance to help you settle in.
- Epic Social Scene: From team ride days and department dinners to staff parties, events, and day trips, our social calendar is packed with opportunities to connect and unwind.
- Wellness and Lifestyle Benefits: Access the Rhythm Wellness program, enjoy free snowsports or bike demos, and take advantage of generous store discounts for you, your friends, and your family.
At Rhythm, we work hard, but we play even harder. If you know anyone who's worked with us before, they'll tell you this isn't just a job- it's an experience of a lifetime. Our fun, supportive culture is the heart of everything we do because people like you make Rhythm what it is.
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