Resident Manager/Boutique Inn Hospitality Host at Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The High Cotton Stays team is excited to launch a brand-new luxury Boutique Inn located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, perched overlooking the stunning Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As a small, intimate property, the focus is providing stellar, personalized hospitality and an unforgettable, warm, and inviting hospitality experience. As a social enterprise, our mission is to not only to provide guests with a stellar hospitality stay, but also to fund programs of our 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The non-profit’s mission is to empower the next generation of professionals working in the field of natural and historic resources (such as for the National Park Service).

Job Summary

We are seeking a dedicated and outgoing “Resident Manager” to serve as the live-on-site hospitality host. This role combines hospitality leadership with hands-on guest interaction and property oversight. The ideal candidate is passionate about people, has a background in hospitality and/or public relations, and thrives in a dynamic environment where socializing and problem-solving go hand-in-hand. You will be the heart of our operations, ensuring every guest feels welcomed and cared for while managing essential day-to-day tasks at the Inn.

Property Oversight Responsibilities 4-8 hours/week

·    Property Maintenance:  Coordinate basic property maintenance tasks, such as minor repairs, landscaping oversight, and ensuring all grounds and common areas are in top presentable condition. As a resident manager, you will be available for after-hours needs to provide seamless 24/7 support in the event an unlikely urgent issue arises. 

·    Housekeeping:  Provide a mid-stay room refresh for guests, and main the common areas to ensure they are clean and in top presentable condition at all times. Recruit, train, and lead a housekeeper to flip rooms between guests to maintain impeccable cleanliness, inspection, and presentation of the property. Train a housekeeper as a back-up host to fill your shoes, and in turn you will be the back-up housekeeper.

·    Administrative Duties: Prepare the property for guests and foster future bookings – tasks are TBD but could include and not be limited to tasks such as ordering/accept shipments of materials and supplies and keeping storage areas tidy. In the spirit of continuous improvement, partner with the property manager for ongoing development and curation of guest amenities and guest experience.

Hosting / Guest Engagement Responsibilities 12-20 hours/week

·    Guest Relations and Hospitality: Greet arriving guests with enthusiasm, provide a personalized welcome. Assist guests as needed by recommending local attractions, planning hikes and other outings in the area, and addressing any concerns promptly to foster a warm, inviting atmosphere. The expectation is a minimum of one face-to-face hosting interaction with each guest each day of stay.

·    Daily Operations: Oversee basic hospitality duties: check-ins/check-outs, coordinating services to enhance guest experiences. Act as the primary point of contact for guests during the dates of stay, promoting a sense of adventure.

·    Community and Social Engagement: Build relationships with guests via socializing, storytelling about the local area, and organizing light activities that align with our mission. Promote the Non-Profit’s programs to guests to foster support.

·    Administrative Duties: Interaction with guests will occur via a shared text program provided by the reservation management software. Direct engagement between the Ranger Resident and the guests starts the week prior to a guest arrival, and will continue until checkout day. Offer and provide if requested concierge assistance to help the guest make advance plans for their Great Smoky Mountains adventure.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in hospitality, food service, hotel management, or public relations; experience in boutique inns or small properties is a plus. Experience giving public presentations a plus. Experience working for a national park and/or in the outdoors an extra plus.

• Strong interpersonal skills; genuine enjoyment of socializing and building connections with diverse guests.

• Ability to handle practical responsibilities, including supervising repair contractors, housekeepers, and performing light maintenance.

• Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities; handle unexpected issues with calmness and grace. Possess the confidence to work independently.

• Knowledge of Gatlinburg / Great Smoky Mountains is a plus but if not, it can be learned quickly.

• High school diploma or equivalent; bachelor’s degree in hospitality, business, public relations, or natural and historic resources or related field is a plus.

• Must be willing to live on-site and embrace a flexible schedule, including weekends and holidays.

What We Offer

Compensation for Property Oversight - In exchange for property oversight, housing is provided at the Inn to the Resident Manager, a benefit valued at $1500/month (FMV for a non-furnished studio in the area with no utilities). This includes private use of one furnished bedroom bath, and private use of common areas when no guests are on site, and shared use of common areas while hosting guests. All inclusive rent includes utilities/internet, furnishings, general household supplies. In exchange for the housing provided, the Resident Manager provides “Property Oversight Responsibilities” on-call availability (see above).

Compensation for Hosting / Guest Engagement – Cash Compensation will range from $2,000-$3,000 or more per month ($3,500-$4,500 including residential benefit). Cash compensation will be volume-based, provided on a fee-based pay schedule based on number of overnight bookings. The more guests hosted, the more compensation to be earned, as well as incentive compensation when guests leave positive feedback. The Resident Manager may provide the primary housekeeping coverage (room flipping) directly for additional compensation, or may recruit and supervise a cleaning contractor to provide it. During the interview, examples will be provided to demonstrate compensation at various levels of performance.

Enhanced Work Experience - Professional growth in a startup-like setting with room for creativity, and an opportunity to contribute to a meaningful nonprofit mission. Working in a breathtakingly beautiful work environment in one of our nation’s most scenic locations, and the number one most visited National Park in the United States.

Flexibility – It is possible to manage this job in addition to another remote, flexible part-time job that can be performed typically after 10 a.m. and before 4 p.m. on weekdays. 

Term of Job Appointment: July 1-2026-December 31, 2026; with a possibility for extension for the 2027 season.

If you are a hospitable leader who loves the outdoors, people, and creating magical experiences, apply today to join our team!

Inquiries: Send resume with a paragraph in the body of the email, summarizing qualifications to admin@highcottonstays.com