Vice President, Associate General Counsel - Litigation at Vail Resorts

Job description

Our mission is to create the Experience of a Lifetime for our employees, so they can, in turn, create the Experience of a Lifetime for our guests. We own and operate the most renowned destination resorts in the world as well as regional and local ski areas outside major cities, and connect them all through one unrivaled network. We are looking for ambitious leaders, innovators and creators to join our talented team. If you’re ready to pursue your fullest potential, we want to get to know you! Candidates for year-round positions are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications will be accepted up to 90 days after the posting date, or until the position is filled (whichever is first). Job Summary Vail Resorts has a full-service legal department that serves all resorts and lines of business throughout the Vail Resorts network. This includes a Litigation Team that actively manages litigation and pre-litigation claims on a wide array of general liability and commercial issues. The Vice President, Associate General Counsel for Litigation will report to the General Counsel and oversee the Litigation function, including team management, litigation management, and strategic partnership with the business on litigation-related issues such as waivers, health and safety, and dispute resolution. This role requires an agile and flexible problem solver, exceptional communicator, and team player who can lead complex matters, remain calm under pressure, implement effective systems, and guide the business on high-stakes legal issues. The successful candidate will be both an experienced litigator and impactful leader capable of effectively leading professional teams with humility, collaboration, out-front strategic thinking, practical solutions, and a service mindset. Job Specifications: • Starting Wage: $250,000 - $280,000 + annual bonus + equity • Employment Type: Year Round • Shift Type: Full Time • Minimum Age: At least 18 years of age • Housing Availability: No Job Responsibilities • Provide oversight and management of the Litigation function, including driving key initiatives and priorities and developing high-performing talent across the team; • Manage teams to effectively litigate cases and provide impactful advice and counseling to all business lines and senior business leader throughout the enterprise on a significant and diverse volume of litigation and pre-litigation issues; • Oversee large portfolio of complex litigation matters, including general liability, commercial, attorneys general, and corporate cases; • Efficiently handle all phases of litigation, including initial investigation, case strategy, pleadings, written discovery, depositions, motion practice, and trial – including through both management of external counsel and handling matters internally; • Lead legal strategies from start to finish, partnering with internal teams, insurance carriers, and outside counsel to ensure aligned and effective resolutions and budget responsibility; • Proactively identify and address litigation risks, create efficient processes, implement lessons learned, and help shape the legal infrastructure in a complex and fast-paced environment; • Understand and distill the practical ramifications of complex legal issues (including regulatory requirements) into concise summaries supporting thoughtful, well-reasoned recommendations and clearly and succinctly articulate the associated risks; • Engage with and manage outside counsel to effectively resolve threatened or outstanding guest claims and litigation matters and establish best practices for prevention of litigation; • Adhere to, support, and promote the Mission, Values, standards, and goals of the Company and Legal Department; • Other duties as necessary and assigned, including willingness to travel. Job Requirements: • JD from accredited law school and active state bar license required, with ability to be admitted to the Colorado state bar; • At least 15 years of relevant litigation experience, in an in-house or big law firm setting; • Demonstrated expertise in general liability, commercial, and corporate litigation; • Proven track record of successful management of other lawyers and non-lawyer professionals, including the ability to drive and implement change in the litigation space through training, policy-implementation, and counseling; • Extensive experience managing outside counsel, insurance partnerships, and litigation budgets; • Strong executive presence and interpersonal skills, with the ability to quickly gain the trust of clients and employees at all levels of the Company, including executive leaders; • Excellent ability to communicate effectively and tactfully, both verbally and in writing, at all levels of the organization; • Creative problem solver with strong organizational and time management skills and the ability to simultaneously handle numerous varied cases and assignments; • Demonstrated ability to work under high pressure conditions, meet deadlines, and to effectively handle urgent situations with patience and tact; • Ability to adapt and maintain effective and professional working relationships with a diverse array of co-workers, subordinates, in-house attorneys, and business units; • Passion for promoting a positive, team-oriented culture that furthers the Company mission of "Experience of a Lifetime"; • High integrity and commitment to the highest ethical standards, professional growth, enthusiasm, humility, humor, and feedback culture. Preferred • Experience working in a sophisticated in-house legal department or top-tier law firm; • Experience working with public corporations, particularly in the travel and entertainment industry; • Extensive first- and second-chair trial experience; • Experience managing legal issues in non-U.S. jurisdictions; • Class action experience. The expected Total Compensation for this role is $250,000 - $280,000 + annual bonus + equity. Individual compensation decisions are based on a variety of factors. Job Benefits • Ski/Mountain Perks! Free passes for employees, employee discounted lift tickets for friends and family AND free ski lessons • MORE employee discounts on lodging, food, gear, and mountain shuttles • 401(k) Retirement Plan • Employee Assistance Program • Excellent training and professional development Full Time roles are eligible for the above, plus: • Health Insurance; Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, and Vision Insurance plans (for eligible seasonal employees after working 500 hours) • Free ski passes for dependents • Critical Illness and Accident plans Vail Resorts offers a ‘Hybrid’ work environment for Broomfield-based roles where employees must live within 50 miles of the Broomfield office and work on-site Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and have flexibility to work off-site on Mondays and Fridays. Please note that the ability to work in person or off-site, and the particulars related to such work, are subject to change at any time; and, accordingly, the Company reserves the right to change its policies and/or require in-person/in-office work or off-site work at any time in its sole discretion. In completing this application, and when submitting related documentation, applicants may redact information that identifies their age, date of birth, and/or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution. We follow all federal, state, and local laws including restrictions on child/minor labor. Minors hired into this position will not be asked or permitted to engage in any activities restricted to adult workers. Vail Resorts is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law. Requisition ID 518004 Reference Date: 09/29/2026 Job Code Function: Counsel

Requirements

Must-haves

Candidates for year-round positions are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications will be accepted up to 90 days after the posting date, or until the position is filled (whichever is first).
Employment Type: Year Round
Shift Type: Full Time
Minimum Age: At least 18 years of age
Housing Availability: No
Provide oversight and management of the Litigation function, including driving key initiatives and priorities and developing high-performing talent across the team;
Oversee large portfolio of complex litigation matters, including general liability, commercial, attorneys general, and corporate cases;
Lead legal strategies from start to finish, partnering with internal teams, insurance carriers, and outside counsel to ensure aligned and effective resolutions and budget responsibility;
Proactively identify and address litigation risks, create efficient processes, implement lessons learned, and help shape the legal infrastructure in a complex and fast-paced environment;
Engage with and manage outside counsel to effectively resolve threatened or outstanding guest claims and litigation matters and establish best practices for prevention of litigation;
Adhere to, support, and promote the Mission, Values, standards, and goals of the Company and Legal Department;
Other duties as necessary and assigned, including willingness to travel.

Nice-to-haves

Starting Wage: $250,000 - $280,000 + annual bonus + equity
Experience working in a sophisticated in-house legal department or top-tier law firm;
Experience working with public corporations, particularly in the travel and entertainment industry;
Extensive first- and second-chair trial experience;
Experience managing legal issues in non-U.S. jurisdictions;
Class action experience.
The expected Total Compensation for this role is $250,000 - $280,000 + annual bonus + equity. Individual compensation decisions are based on a variety of factors.
Job Benefits
Ski/Mountain Perks! Free passes for employees, employee discounted lift tickets for friends and family AND free ski lessons
MORE employee discounts on lodging, food, gear, and mountain shuttles
Excellent training and professional development
Full Time roles are eligible for the above, plus:

Application prep

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agile

Platform: successfactors
Effort: medium

Benefits

Benefits detected in the listing.

Health Insurance

Dental

Vision

401(K)

Professional Development