We are seeking an experienced General Manager to lead the opening and successful launch of a new, full-service Residence Inn in Wilmington, DE. This is a rare opportunity for a seasoned hospitality leader to build a team from the ground up, establish a strong service culture, and oversee the debut of both the hotel and a vibrant on-site beer garden.

As the opening General Manager, you will play a pivotal role in bringing this property to life—guiding pre-opening planning, hiring and developing an exceptional staff, shaping guest experiences, and ensuring a smooth, on-schedule launch.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Guest Services

• Maintains guest service as the driving philosophy of the hotel.

• Personally demonstrates a commitment to guest service by responding to guests’ needs.

• Is committed to making every guest 100 percent satisfied.

• Ensures hotel staff, including all new-hires, know AND understand the importance of guest satisfaction, and are trained to meet service standards; develops added-value customer service programs.

• Empowers hotel staff to deliver guest service by encouraging and rewarding responsive guest assistance.

• Ensures hotel standards contribute to the delivery of consistent guest service.

• Implements and practices guest service initiatives.

Marketing and Sales Management

• Develops and implements marketing and action plans based on demand segments to maximize revenue per available room.

• Knows why competitors are successful in each demand segment and directly markets/sells against them.

• Ensures that marketing and sales plans are appropriate for each sales period, including special plans to maximize room revenue during forecasted low occupancy.

• Coordinates advertising, public relations, and promotional programs.

• Knows key accounts and actively “sells” through sales calls, property tours, etc.

Profit Management

• Meets or exceeds budgeted profit margin for hotel.

• Accurately forecasts revenues/expenses.

• Prepares annual budget that accurately reflects the hotel’s business plan.

• Anticipates revenue/cost problems and manages the timing of discretionary expenditures to stabilize cash flow.

• Analyzes financial and operating information on ongoing basis to adjust business plans, labor requirements and operating costs.

• Ensures hotel staff is trained in financial control procedures for cash, vouchers, inventories and receivables, and that these procedures are regularly followed.

• Produces accurate, timely financial reports.

• Knows the hotel’s demand segments and sources of business for each.

• Knows the principal competition for each demand segment and can take advantage of the hotel’s relative strengths against each.

• Identifies major revenue and expense opportunities and possible problems.

• Accurately forecasts occupancy changes based on the changing market conditions (e.g. increased competition).

• Translates business plans into action and manages those actions toward the achievement of revenue and cost objectives.

Human Resource Management

• Manages human resources functions including recruiting, selection, orientation, training, performance planning and evaluation and pay/reward programs to maintain a qualified workforce.

• Maintains a positive, cooperative work environment between staff and management.

• Emphasizes employee selection, training and development as a way of doing business.

• Ensures all hotel employees know hotel objectives.

• Ensures personnel files are accurate and comply with both local and federal laws and regulations.

• Administers personnel policies fairly and consistently.

• Resolves employee grievances in a fair and timely way.

• Ensures employees understand policies, pay procedures, bonus plans and benefits.

• Helps to develop management talent by acting as a mentor for direct reports.

• Ensures training objectives and development plans are completed.

• Monitors and maintains acceptable turnover levels.

Asset Management

• Maintains physical product standards by managing preventive maintenance programs and by scheduling deep-cleaning activities.

• Ensures ongoing staff and employee involvement in preventive maintenance programs.

• Protects the interests of the hotel during capital projects.

• Coordinates capital projects within budget, on time, and with minimal disruption to the guests.

• Has outstanding property Quality Assurance Evaluations.

• Personally conducts a weekly property audit with the hotel’s maintenance supervisor and executive housekeeper.

• Inspects rooms, building exterior, parking lot, etc.

Safety and Security Management

• Knows local health and safety codes and regulations that apply to the hotel.

• Understands and implements “Right to Know” laws.

• Recognizes and corrects potential safety hazards such as broken doors or railings, fire hazards, etc.

• Recognizes and corrects potential security problems such as locking doors after hours, etc.

• Understands and follows policies and procedures for the hotel’s key control system and ensures others are trained in same.

• Uses ongoing safety training to minimize worker’s compensation claims.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Manages and directs all aspects of the hotel operations, human resources, profitability, and service standards in accordance with brand and company policies.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE 

• 2 years hotel experience in operations, food and beverage or administrative

• Hilton or Marriott Experience 

• Bachelor's degree in hospitality, accounting or business. 

• May be required to work nights, weekends, and/or holidays.