Kids Program Manager

Job Description

Kids Program Manager - Rhythm Rides

Location : Niseko

Dates: 1st November 2026 to 12th April 2027

Salary Range: DOE .

Travel Allowance: Up to ¥150,000, reimbursed on actual flight cost

Position Type: Seasonal Fixed Term Salary

Reports to : Niseko Operations Manager

Direct Reports: Futures Supervisor, Kids Lesson Instructors

Program Scope: Kids Multi-Day Programs (6 days per week); Futures Seasonal Program (1 day per week)

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 Kids Programs Manager - Niseko is responsible for the leadership, operation and performance of Rhythm Rides' children's snowsports programs, including the Kids Multi-Day Programs and Futures Seasonal Program.

The role owns program staffing, delivery, child safety, parent experience, team performance and business performance. It works closely with Private Lessons, Guest Services, Training, Operations Logistics and People & Culture to deliver safe, fun and high-quality programs.

Programs operate across seven days each week. The Futures Program Supervisor provides primary operational support and manager cover. The Head Alpine Trainer or an approved Lead Hand may also provide delegated coverage when required.

The Kids Programs Manager reports to the Niseko Operations Manager and is expected to independently lead the department within approved budgets, policies and operating standards. Matters outside delegated authority or requiring location-wide decisions are escalated to the Niseko Operations Manager.

The Kids Programs Manager - Niseko is accountable for:

A positive, professional and child-focused team culture

Safe, consistent and high-quality kids program delivery

Effective staffing, group ratios and workforce performance

Exceptional child and parent experiences

Strong staff development, feedback and performance management

Appropriate supervisory and management coverage across the seven-day operation

Accurate payroll, operational records and delivery within approved labour targets

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

Team Leadership and Culture

Lead, support and develop the Futures Program Supervisor and kids instructor and coaching team.

Build a positive, inclusive and accountable culture that is professional, child-focused and aligned with Rhythm values.

Set clear expectations, communicate daily priorities and maintain strong communication across instructors, coaches and support roles.

Provide regular coaching, feedback, recognition and performance reviews.

Own staff performance, conduct, wellbeing and development matters within the department, working with People & Culture and escalating significant issues to the Niseko Operations Manager when required.

Daily Operations and Program Delivery

Own the daily delivery of the Kids Multi-Day Programs and Futures Seasonal Program.

Review bookings, participant needs, staff availability, qualifications, group ratios and operational constraints.

Allocate instructors and coaches based on participant needs, program requirements, staff skills and availability.

Monitor group ratios, capacity and staffing and make daily adjustments to maintain quality, safety and labour targets.

Ensure appropriate supervisory and management coverage across the seven-day operation.

Provide clear delegated responsibilities to the Futures Program Supervisor, Head Alpine Trainer or approved Lead Hand when covering the Manager's absence.

Ensure attendance, lesson records, schedule changes, payroll inputs and operational information are accurate and complete.

Child Safety and Wellbeing

Maintain a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for children on and off snow.

Ensure staff follow approved child-safety procedures, supervision requirements, equipment checks and program safety standards.

Monitor participant wellbeing, ability, fatigue and suitability for the planned group and terrain.

Maintain clear attendance, child handover and parent/guardian collection procedures.

Ensure incidents, injuries, hazards and near misses are reported and managed through the appropriate process.

Parent Experience and Program Quality

Maintain consistent service, coaching and instructional standards across all kids programs.

Ensure parents receive clear information about program expectations, schedules, meeting points and children's progress.

Work with Guest Services to resolve parent concerns and complaints, taking ownership of matters relating to program delivery.

Support serious or complex guest matters and escalate when they sit outside delegated authority.

Monitor parent, child and staff feedback and implement practical improvements within the department.

Workforce and Performance Management

Manage rosters and work allocation in line with bookings, program ratios, staff skills, availability and approved labour plans.

Monitor staff workload, utilisation, fatigue, engagement and team wellbeing.

Ensure work is allocated fairly and according to qualifications, child needs, program requirements and business demand.

Complete and document staff performance feedback and seasonal reviews in line with company requirements.

Own department recruitment, onboarding and return-staff planning in collaboration with the Niseko Operations Manager and People & Culture.

Review payroll accuracy and resolve routine pay or scheduling discrepancies within required deadlines.

Training and Staff Development

Ensure instructors and coaches complete required onboarding, program training and safety briefings.

Work with Training leadership to identify and deliver staff-development priorities for the department.

Provide on-snow coaching, observation and feedback to maintain program quality and support staff progression.

Ensure development supports both the Multi-Day Program and the specialist coaching needs of the Futures Seasonal Program.

Business Performance and Program Improvement

Monitor enrolments, revenue, wages, group ratios, staff utilisation, payroll accuracy and program performance.

Manage daily staffing and operational decisions within approved labour, ratio and service targets.

Identify opportunities to improve capacity, efficiency, program quality and family experience.

Own department-level product, process and service improvements and provide recommendations to the Niseko Operations Manager on significant changes.

Support the implementation of approved product changes, procedures and seasonal priorities.

Cross-Department Staff Leadership

Instructors and guides may be rostered across different Rides departments according to business demand, qualifications and operational requirements.

The Kids Programs Manager is the Primary Manager for staff allocated to Kids Programs and retains overall responsibility for their seasonal experience, performance, wellbeing, development and formal reviews.

When a staff member works in another department, the Receiving Manager has operational authority for that shift or product delivery, including briefing, task allocation, safety requirements, product standards and immediate feedback.

The Kids Programs Manager actively gathers feedback from Receiving Managers and includes relevant cross-department performance in coaching, development and formal reviews.

Significant or recurring performance, conduct, wellbeing or development matters remain with the Primary Manager, with input from managers who have supervised the employee in other departments.

Managers are expected to resolve routine cross-department staffing matters directly and escalate significant resource or priority conflicts to the Niseko