Senior Resort Planner

Job Summary

Vail Resorts is seeking an experienced Senior Resort Planner to support the development of the long-term vision, land use strategy, and entitlement pathway for resort communities across the Company’s portfolio. This role sits at the intersection of master planning, land use strategy, and real estate development.

Job Responsibilities

• Support the development and evolution of master plan visions for destination resorts, aligning land use, infrastructure, guest experience, and operational needs.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to translate long-term vision into actionable planning frameworks and strategy.
• Serve as a key internal resource on zoning, PUDs, density allowances, and development entitlements, providing continuity across multi-year planning and permitting efforts.
• Track and maintain density reports, entitlement capacity, and land use assumptions across resort base areas and surrounding parcels.
• Monitor and interpret changes to local land use policies, development codes, and comprehensive plans that may impact resort development.
• Conduct research on zoning, land use regulations, and permitting processes to support planning decisions and prepare entitlement applications.
• Support preparation, review, and coordination of entitlement applications, amendments, and development agreements.
• Attend and participate in public hearings, planning commission meetings, and community workshops, supporting project leads in engagement with external stakeholders.
• Cook up with consultants, architects, engineers, and municipal contacts to support the entitlement process and ensure alignment with local regulations and Company goals.
• Support planning and development initiatives by coordinating across internal teams to align design intent, operational needs, and regulatory strategy.
• Track planning schedules, entitlement milestones, and permitting pathways across multiple projects.
• Help prepare materials for internal and external stakeholders, including presentation decks, reports, and visual aids for executive briefings and community meetings.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, real estate development, or related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
• AICP or other professional certification in planning, real estate, or development is a plus.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in master planning, land use planning, entitlement management, or early-stage real estate development.
• Familiarity with resort communities and ski area operations strongly preferred.

Skills & Capabilities

• Strong understanding of resort and mountain planning processes, including environmental impact assessments, sustainability considerations, and public agency coordination.
• Ability to connect long-range planning vision with regulatory and development issues.
• Navigate ambiguity and translate complex land use issues into clear guidance.
• Strong communicator, highly organized, and effective working with municipal staff and consultants.