We understand it's really hard to plan right now with the uncertainties around travel to Japan, due to Covid. We also know that things can change pretty quickly so we're feeling optimistic! We have therefore begun our recruitment process for the 22/23 season.
Located in Nagano, with direct access from Tokyo on a 2-hour bullet train, the resort offers 20 chair lifts and easy access (within 40 mins) to neighboring resorts like Myoko and Nozawa Onsen. Madarao is growing a reputation for openly encouraging inbound tree-skiing within its bowl-like terrain!
Active Life Japan owns and operates 3 hotels, 1-5 minutes walking distance to Madarao Kogen: Active Life Madarao, Hakken by Active Life, and Xplore by Active Life. Active Life Japan also offers an English speaking International Ski School in Madarao, along with Miyuki Snow Sports, our retail and rental operation servicing all of Madarao Resort guests. As one of Madarao’s largest employers, we offer an immersion into the Japanese winter resort lifestyle and a working-holiday unlike anywhere else.
Many seasons of employing staff have helped us learn and improve in every aspect as an international employer.
We’re looking for mature and authentic people with absolute respect for other cultures and people, a high level of emotional intelligence, a sense of humor, and a strong work ethic.
If this truly sounds like you, email us at activelife.applications@beactive.life with your CV and tell us why you want to work in Madarao, with Active Life, along with the role and your suitability.
Active Life Japan is an Australian owned Adventure Resort operator that has been in business in Japan since 2016 with properties in the Madarao and Tsumagoi areas. We are committed to healthy living and keeping people active in nature for their full life.
We are currently looking for a talented Marketer who also has a passion for the outdoors, skiing or snowboarding as well as the hospitality industry.
Role & Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement strategic marketing plans and initiatives.
- Plan and manage the annual marketing budget.
- Drive brand awareness through idea generation and execution of the marketing strategy across all areas of the marketing mix – from sales to advertising, promotions to events, digital to sponsorships.
- Define, create and execute integrated marketing campaigns
- Collaborate with designers to devise original concepts for marketing collaterals e.g. videos, infographics, case studies, etc.
- Manage all marketing communications (website, blog, social media, etc.)
- Develop and maintain marketing & sales collaterals.
- Manage relationships with agencies/ vendors and internal departments, in particular creative and PR, ensuring the best management of marketing spend and taking the plan through to effective delivery.
- Measure the success of all marketing campaigns and strategies, and optimize your approach based on the resulting data.
Qualifications:
- A highly competent marketer with 3 - 5 years’ experience (preferably B2C)
- Solid English communication skills
- Fluent in Japanese language
- Excellent organizational skills to work independently and manage projects with many moving parts
- Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and results-driven
- Demonstrated experience managing content for websites and social media as well as an understanding of current trends
- An outstanding communicator and creative thinker, with an ability to use data to inform decisions
- Passionate about travel, skiing, or snowboarding
- If the person has worked in the skiing/snowboarding/ski resorts will be an advantage
- This person is good at working with a tight budget and timeline
- The ability to excel at working at an international level across varying cultures, languages, and backgrounds
Available Positions:
- Housekeeping Staff
- Hotel Reception and front office Staff
- Ski and Snowboard rental technicians
- Ski and Snowboard Shop retail sales
- Ski and Snowboard Instructors
- Chefs and Sous Chefs
- Kitchen hands
- Bar & Restaurant staff
- Cafe Baristas
- Snow Clearing and fleet drivers
- Yoga Instructors
Employment:
- Start mid-December 2022 to early/mid-March 2023 (varies with positions)
- Accommodation and food provided options provided
- Paychecks through a legitimate Japanese payroll system
- Regular time off to ski, snowboard and travel
- Working hours vary from depending on your position however generally, hours will range from approximately 20 – 40 hours per week, with plenty of time to ski and ride the beautiful, DEEP, FLUFFY MadaPOW!
Snow School Team Leader (2)
We are after two qualified, friendly, instructor professionals with exceptional communication skills to lead our Ski and Snowboard School (Active Life Snow Club). These two positions will have multiple direct reports (instructors) and be responsible for delivering amazing guest service (snow school lessons) to our guests, organising and allocating daily lessons, scheduling instructor rosters and in leading the snow school team.
Required skills & attributes:
- Exceptional customer service skills
- Strong written and verbal communication skills (English)
- Comfortable with technology such as navigating reservation systems, rostering, and scheduling applications
- Excellent at multi-tasking and dealing with distractions while maintaining high customer service standards
- Sharp problem solver with a knack for dealing with difficult customers
- Strong attention to detail, time management and organisation skills
- Social, energetic and enjoy engaging with customers and colleagues of different cultures
- Great use of initiative and highly safety conscious
- High level of emotional intelligence
- Ability, desire and skills to lead people
- Openness to undertake lessons during the season when required
- An interest in developing a career as a snow sports professional
Required Qualifications and Availability:
- Minimum of 4 years customer service experience
- Minimum of 2 years teaching skiing or snowboarding
- Instructor qualification equivalent of AASI/PSIA Level 2, NZSIA/SBINZ Level 2, BASI Level 3, APSI Level 3
- Eligible for the Japan Working Holiday Visa (if not a Japanese Citizen)
- Must be able to provide 2 relevant references
- AU/NZ/UK Full drivers license
- Availability to work between approximately 15 December 2022 to 10 March 2023
- Availability to setup and undertake some pre-season planning and administration work (paid) with the wider Active Life Japan team
Ski/Snowboard Instructor (Multiple Positions)
Required skills & attributes:
- Exceptional customer service skills
- Strong written and verbal communication skills (English)
- Excellent at multi-tasking and dealing with distractions while maintaining high customer service standards
- Sharp problem solver with a knack for dealing with difficult customers
- Strong attention to detail, time management and organisation skills
- Social, energetic and enjoy engaging with customers and colleagues of different cultures
- Great use of initiative and highly safety conscious
- High level of emotional intelligence
- An interest in developing a career as a snow sports professional
- Desire and openness to work across two resorts (Madarao and Palcall Tsumagoi by Active Life)
Required Qualifications and Availability:
- Minimum of 2 years customer service experience
- Instructor qualification equivalent of AASI/PSIA Level 1, NZSIA/SBINZ Level 1, BASI Level 1, APSI Level 1
- Eligible for the Japan Working Holiday Visa (if not a Japanese Citizen)
- Must be able to provide 2 relevant references
- AU/NZ/UK Full drivers license
- Availability to teach between approximately 25 December 2022 to 17 February 2023
Bar & Restaurant Staff
Desired skills & attributes:
- Strong communication skills (English)
- Excellent customer service skills with strong attention to detail
- Experience with cash handling and POS systems
- Adaptable, quick learner with great time management and organisation skills
- Social, energetic and enjoy engaging with customers and colleagues
- Comfortable working under pressure and on your feet for extended periods
- Happy to take direction and receive feedback
- Willing to help set-up and pack-down hotels at the start and end of the season
- Open to cross-training in other hotel functions to help out as required
Requirements:
- Bar staff applicants must be 20 years old & over
- Minimum 2 years of customer service experience, preferably in the hospitality
- Eligible for the Japan Working Holiday Visa (if not a Japanese Citizen)
- Must be able to provide 2 relevant references
Cafe Baristas
We are after reliable and friendly baristas to work across several of our hotel coffee shops (shift work).
Desired skills & attributes:
- Excellent knowledge of coffee making and proven barista skills
- Strong communication skills (English) and experience with cash handling/POS systems
- Great time management and organisation skills with the ability to multi-task
- Punctual and happy with early morning starts
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain exceptional customer service in any situation
- Social, energetic and enjoys engaging with customers and colleagues
- Able to work well as part of a team and unsupervised
- Willing to help set-up and pack-down hotels at the start and end of the season
- Flexible, adaptable and open to cross-training across other functions and fill in other functions across the hotels as required
Requirements:
- Minimum 1-year customer service experience, including barista experience
- Eligible for the Japan Working Holiday Visa (if not a Japanese Citizen)
- Must be able to provide 2 relevant references
Sous chef and kitchen hands
Fancy yourself a whiz in the kitchen? We are after talented and passionate Sous Chefs and Kitchen Hands to work across several of our hotel restaurants and bars for breakfast, lunch, dinners and bar hours (shift work).
Desired skills & attributes:
- Proven kitchen experience
- Strong communication skills (English)
- Excellent time management and organisation skills
- Happy with some early starts and late nights
- Exceptional Food Safety & Hygiene standards
- Ability to work under pressure without compromising the quality of food delivery
- Open to different cuisines and learning new things quickly
- Attention to detail with the ability to multitask
- Happy to take direction and receive feedback
- Basic customer service skills and the ability to work as part of a team or solo
- Willing to help set-up and pack-down hotels at the start and end of the season
- Flexible, adaptable and open to cross-training across other functions and fill in other functions across the hotels as required
Requirements:
- Minimum 2 years’ experience in a commercial kitchen (or relevant experience)
- Eligible for the Japan Working Holiday Visa (if not a Japanese Citizen)
- Must be able to provide 2 relevant references
Hotel Maintenance, Snow Clearing & Fleet Management team
Love playing in the snow on diggers? Are you an all-around handy person to have around?
We are after versatile, strong, and hardworking staff to be part of the Snow Clearing and Fleet Management team. This small team will be clearing the relentless/amazing JaPow from all of the Active Life Properties as well general maintenance across all properties as needed.
Desired skills & attributes:
- Reliable and highly safety conscious
- Comfortable working out in the elements, including driving
- Able to handle early starts, daily snow clearing, and the ability to operate snow clearing machinery (or willingness to learn)
- Physically able to manually dig snow if needed
- Strong communication skills (English) and great time management skills
- Proven knowledge and experience in a trade
- Happy to take direction and receive feedback
- Basic customer service skills and the ability to work as part of a team or solo
- Willing to help set up and pack-down hotels at the start and end of the season
- Flexible, adaptable, and open to cross-training across other functions and fill in other functions across the hotels as required
Requirements:
- Minimum 1-year experience in plumbing, heating, general construction and/or maintenance work
- Valid international drivers’ licence
- Eligible for the Japan Working Holiday Visa (if not a Japanese Citizen)
- Must be able to provide 2 relevant references
Housekeeping Staff
We are after thorough, hardworking and professional housekeeping staff to work across all Active Life Hotels (shift work).
Desired skills & attributes:
- Exceptionally high standard of cleanliness
- Strong communication skills (English)
- Organised with strong time management skills
- Excellent attention to detail and uses initiative
- Happy to take direction and receive feedback
- Great team-player while also able to work independently
- Basic customer service skills and the ability to work under time-pressure without compromising the quality of your work
- Willing to help set-up and pack-down hotels at the start and end of the season
- Flexible, adaptable and open to cross-training across other functions and fill in other functions across the hotels as required
Required:
- Minimum of 1-year experience in housekeeping duties such as making hotel beds, cleaning, handling hotel linen etc. (or relevant experience)
- Eligible for the Japan Working Holiday Visa (if not a Japanese Citizen)
- Must be able to provide 2 relevant references
Hotel Reception and front office staff
We are after friendly, professional and resilient hotel reception staff to work across several of the Active Life Hotels (shift work). Arguably the most important role in a hotel, so we are after the best in the biz!
Desired skills & attributes:
- Enjoy and take pride in being the face of the brand
- Exceptional customer service skills that never falter
- Strong written and verbal communication skills (English)
- Comfortable with technology such as emails, navigating reservation systems, POS systems and experience with cash handling
- Excellent at multi-tasking and dealing with distractions while maintaining high customer service standards
- Sharp problem solver with a knack for dealing with difficult customers
- Strong attention to detail, time management and organisation skills
- Social, energetic and enjoy engaging with customers and colleagues of different cultures
- Great use of initiative and highly safety conscious
- Happy to take direction and receive feedback
- Willing to help set-up and pack-down hotels at the start and end of the season
- Must be open to cross-training across other functions and fill in other functions across the hotels as required
Required:
- Minimum of 4 years customer service experience
- Minimum of 2 years front office/reception experience in a hotel or similar high-pressure environment dealing with a variety of customers/guests
- Eligible for the Japan Working Holiday Visa (if not a Japanese Citizen)
- Must be able to provide 2 relevant references
