Shadowcliff Mountain Lodge (Grand Lake, CO)

About Shadowcliff

Perched above Grand Lake at the headwaters of the Colorado River, Shadowcliff Mountain Lodge is a nonprofit lodge and retreat center built and sustained by volunteers. For more than six decades, Shadowcliff has been a gathering place for travelers, groups, and artists seeking rest, renewal, and connection with nature and one another.

We are a mountain sanctuary with a mission to hold space for individual and collective transformation, and a vision to inspire a more kind and loving world through the power of connection and our values of healing, growth, community, and hospitality.

Position Summary

The General Manager (GM) is the heart of Shadowcliff’s day-to-day operations during our summer season and a key partner to the Executive Director in stewarding the guest experience and the lodge’s overall wellbeing.

The GM leads a small, dedicated staff team to create a warm, safe, and welcoming environment that embodies Shadowcliff’s values of simplicity, sustainability, and community.

This is an ideal position for someone who thrives in people-centered work, enjoys problem-solving in dynamic environments, finds meaning in place-based service, and enjoys the blend of logistics, leadership, and hospitality that comes with managing a small mountain campus.

Schedule

• Part-time remote: October–mid-May (Flexible off-season structure available for qualified
  candidates, particularly when it supports a multi-season commitment.)
• Full-time on-site: mid-May–end of September
• Rotating on-call for urgent after-hours issues during the season (on-call time is
  compensated per policy)

Compensation & Benefits

• Cash compensation: $24,000-$29,000 total for Jan-Dec (depending on final off-season structure; non-exempt; overtime paid per Colorado COMPS Order where applicable)
• Room & board: Provided at no cost while on-site (private room and bath; shared meals included). Estimated value ~$1,300/month
• End-of-season bonus: Discretionary and performance-based
• Laptop provided for work use
• Paid Sick Leave: Accrued and available in compliance with Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA)
• Shadowcliff does not currently offer employer-sponsored health insurance

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day seasonal operations and staff (10-15 seasonal team members) with warmth, accountability, clarity, and strong operational systems.
• Oversee guest services, housekeeping, kitchen coordination, basic maintenance, and group logistics.
• Build a positive, respectful staff culture grounded in Shadowcliff’s mission of hospitality, healing, and community.
• Maintain clear systems for scheduling, inventory, vendor coordination, and communication.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and food-service regulations (ServSafe certification required, training provided if not already certified).
• Support the Shadowcliff residencies, programming, and community events as needed.
• Partner closely with the Executive Director and Administrative Manager; provide concise monthly operational updates.

Who You Are

• 3+ years of experience in hospitality, operations, retreat center, nonprofit management, or other relevant leadership setting — or equivalent lived/professional experience in people management and mission-driven work
• Skilled in staff supervision, conflict resolution, fostering a positive and solutions-oriented work culture, and maintaining calm in complex or emergent moments
• Strong communicator and systems thinker who values both people and process.
• Comfortable with technology (Google Suite, spreadsheets, reservations systems).
• Deep respect for the natural world and interest in sustainable, place-based operations.
• Valid driver’s license (MVR and background check required).
• Able to live and work at altitude and move comfortably around a multi-building campus in mountainous terrain (reasonable accommodations available).
• Interested in creating a long-term position over several seasons.

Note: Shadowcliff maintains a no pets, no smoking, and no weapons policy for all campus spaces.

Work Environment, Hours, & Overtime

This position involves frequent walking, standing, and stair climbing, with occasional lifting (up to ~40 lbs). The lodge environment is rustic, collaborative, and evolving. Flexibility, a calm presence, a spirit of collaboration and problem solving, and a sense of humor are essential.

Shadowcliff operates as a Seasonal Recreational Establishment under Section 13(a)(3) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). As a result, certain federal and state overtime provisions do not apply during our operational season.

Even with this exemption, Shadowcliff is committed to humane, sustainable scheduling, including:

• A published weekly schedule
• Shared rotating on-call duties
• Reasonable work-hour expectations that allow for rest, days off, and long-term well-being

All hours worked—including on-call response—are recorded and either paid or flexed as legally compliant comp time, per written agreement and applicable law.

Equity, inclusion, & belonging

Shadowcliff Mountain Lodge is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity in all forms. We believe our mission of holding space for transformation is strengthened by the inclusion of voices, perspectives, and life experiences from all backgrounds.

We welcome applications from people of all races, religions, genders, sexual orientations, national origins, abilities, and ages. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants and employees throughout the hiring process.

How to apply

Please submit your resume and a short cover letter using our online application form:

https://airtable.com/appIjc0TDjOk566Uq/pagH9jBcUM7wfvSNo/form

Please include two references familiar with your leadership and hospitality experience.

Priority review begins December 1 and continues until the position is filled.