National Training Manager

Job Description

National Training Manager - Rhythm Rides

Location : National role; Niseko-based with regular travel to Hakuba and Furano

Dates: October through to April

Salary Range: DOE

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

Position Type: Seasonal Fixed Term Salary

Reports to: Head of Rides Operations

Direct Reports : None

Functional Leadership : Snowsports Trainers,, Examiners and Senpai Mentors, in-resort trainers and department training leads

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'll carry with you forever.

The Role:

The National Training Manager owns the national training framework across Rhythm Rides. The role creates clear pathways, competencies, systems and development plans that support business needs, product quality and staff progression.

The role is not the technical authority for every training subject. It works with Senior Leadership, Location Managers, Department Managers and qualified technical leaders to define the required outcomes, then builds the structure and systems needed to deliver and monitor them.

The role also owns the national Guide Training Pathway system, structure, progression framework and performance monitoring. Qualified local guide leaders retain responsibility for technical delivery, practical assessment and guide-safety decisions.

The National Training Manager is accountable for:

Clear and consistent national training pathways and competency frameworks

Training priorities aligned with business and people-development needs

Strong collaboration with managers and technical specialists

A consistent Guide Training Pathway with clear visibility of guide progression

Reliable training systems, records and development data

Continuous improvement in staff capability and product delivery

Responsibilities and Duties:

National Training Strategy & Pathways

Develop annual and seasonal training priorities with the Head of Operations, Location Managers and Department Managers.

Translate capability gaps and business needs into practical training plans, calendars and measurable outcomes.

Create clear pathways, competencies, progression stages and assessment frameworks for key Rides roles.

Maintain practical learning resources, session plans and development tools using approved systems.

Review and simplify training structures so expectations are clear and consistent across locations.

Manager & Technical Collaboration

Work with Location and Department Managers to ensure training supports operational, product and people-development needs.

Agree required outcomes with the manager or technical lead responsible for the work before creating or changing a training program.

Use qualified subject-matter experts to define specialist technical content where authority sits outside the Training function.

Review outcomes with managers and adjust programs where staff performance, guest feedback or business results identify a gap.

Ensure new products, processes or operating changes are supported by appropriate training before implementation.

Guide Training Pathway

Own the national Guide Training Pathway system, structure, progression framework and performance-monitoring process.

Define guide development stages, competencies, evidence requirements and progression criteria with qualified guide technical leaders.

Maintain consistent records of guide capability, training completion and progression.

Work with the Backcountry Programs Manager - Niseko and Furano guide technical leadership to ensure the pathway is practical and supports safe product delivery.

Monitor guide progression and capability gaps nationally and provide clear visibility to the Head of Operations and relevant managers.

Local qualified guide leaders retain responsibility for technical delivery, practical assessment, local progression recommendations and daily guide-safety decisions.

Snowsports & Rides-Wide Training

Coordinate instructor development across Niseko and Hakuba through the Head Alpine Trainer and other trainers.

Support the Senpai program with clear frameworks, resources and development expectations.

Ensure each Rides department has an agreed training plan and clear development priorities.

Coordinate training across Lessons, Backcountry, Guest Services and Operations to reduce duplication and improve consistency.

Deliver training directly where appropriate and support local trainers and department training leads.

Systems, Records & Continuous Improvement

Maintain accurate training records, qualifications, competency evidence, learning resources and development data.

Monitor participation, completion and progress against agreed priorities.

Use manager feedback, staff feedback, operational results and guest trends to improve training programs.

Manage the national training calendar, budget, travel, logistics and trainer scheduling.

Report progress, capability gaps and key recommendations to the Head of Operations and relevant managers.

Role Boundaries

The National Training Manager owns training strategy, pathway structure, competency frameworks, systems, coordination and visibility of progress.

Technical authority for specialist content, practical assessment and operational decisions remains with the relevant qualified manager, technical lead or subject-matter expert.

The Head of Operations owns the overall national operational system and structure and sets operational priorities for training.

Location and Department Managers remain accountable for staff performance, product delivery and implementation of required training within their teams.

The Backcountry Programs Manager - Niseko and Furano guide technical leadership own local Guide Training Pathway execution and their location Guide Safety Programs.

The Head Alpine Trainer executes agreed alpine training delivery and technical coaching within priorities set by the National Training Manager.

What You Need to Succeed:

Qualifications and Experience

Strong experience designing, coordinating and delivering training or staff-development programs.

Experience in snowsports, outdoor experiences, hospitality or another operational service environment.

Proven ability to work with managers and subject-matter experts to turn specialist knowledge into practical training systems.

Experience building competency frameworks, development pathways or assessment structures is highly desirable.

Experience with guide, outdoor or technical-development pathways is desirable.

Trainer, examiner, learning and development or facilitation qualifications are highly desirable.

Valid Japanese or recognised international driver licence.

Skills and Attributes

Strong program design, facilitation and training-planning skills.

Strong systems thinking and ability to create clear competency and progression frameworks.

Excellent communication and collaboration across managers, trainers and technical specialists.

Confident influencing outcomes without needing to be the technical authority or direct manager.

Highly organised and able to coordinate multiple locations and priorities.

Comfortable using technology and digital tools to organise, deliver and track training.

Improvement-focused and willing to travel between Niseko, Hakuba and Furano as required.

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 resor