General Manager

Job Title: General Manager

Department / Division: Summer Waves / Amenities

Status: Exempt/ Full-time (Year-round)

Pay: $62,000 - $72,000 (DOQ)

Reports to: Senior Director of Amenities

Benefits: Full Benefits eligible including health insurance, flex benefits, SmartDollar membership,10 paid holidays, vacation and sick leave accrual, amenities and parking pass.
Retirement: State Employee Retirement System - GSEPS (Pension plus matching 401k)

Closing Date: 4:00pm January 14, 2026.

To Apply: Fill out the application completely and attach your resume and cover letter. Incomplete applications or applications without accompanying documents when required will not be considered. Applicants are highly encouraged to include and communicate their relevant skills and experiences for this role.

Jekyll Island is dedicated to maintaining the delicate balance between nature and humankind through conservation, education, and preservation. Surrounded by salt marshes, expansive oceanfront, and ancient maritime forests, it is situated within the chain of the Golden Isles and just a few miles from St. Simons Island, Sea Island, and Brunswick. As a State Park, Jekyll Island is a coastal haven where nature and humans peacefully co-exist.

Job Summary:
Under general direction and utilizing broad objectives and guidelines, Summer Waves provides strategic direction, fiscal management, and evaluation of operations for the park within or greater than Georgia Department of Public Health Regulations and Standards. The General Manager operates Summer Waves at a high standard providing a safe and inclusive environment for the public and staff. The General Manager builds and maintains good working relationships and communication with internal and external partners of the JIA which includes the JIA executive team, the Board of Directors, the JIA Conservation Director, Landscaping Superintendent, Park Services Superintendent, Retail Director, and Roads & Grounds Superintendent. Responsibilities include staff management/supervision, regulatory compliance oversite, facility maintenance, Summer Waves promotion, master planning, and community engagement.

• Direct the operations of the Revenue Manager, Operations Manager, Aquatics Manager, and Parks Services Supervisor for Summer Waves, including attraction safety, facility and attraction cleanliness, master planning and development, daily operations and accountability, staff training and certification, fiscal planning and management, park promotion and marketing, and staff management.
• Collaborates with the Director of Retail and Summer Waves Retail Team Lead to establish and maintain high-quality, front-line customer service, cross promotions of retail and admission, and season pass initiatives.
• Works with the JIA Human Resources Dept. for personnel hiring, onboarding, training, and evaluation including annual performance review, promotion plans, coaching, technical training, and support.
• Assure compliance with ethical, fiscal, and professional standards aligned with JIA requirements for all staff and departmental assets (e.g., fleet vehicles, park equipment, attractions, chemicals).
• Ensure that all permits are in place and all reports are filed with the appropriate regulatory bodies.
• Collaborate with the JIA Marketing department to develop and implement a marketing plan that promotes Summer Waves, grows the season pass program, promotes the Summer Waves website, and drives daily admission.
• Ensures the smooth and efficient operation of the waterpark facilities by directing activities including daily inspections/checklist, proper staff scheduling and training, monitoring ticket and season pass sales, and maintain obtainable off season work plans for equipment and attraction repairs and maintenance.
• Prepares an annual report and budget for Summer Waves; strives to operate Summer Waves within budget parameters; works to increase park revenues and minimize losses.
• Monitors and oversees maintenance, work collaboratively with other JIA departments to always ensure proper and safe working conditions of all attractions. Monitors work for repair, construction, and design of various structures, facilities, and operations of waterpark.
• Monitors and provide direction in safety and aquatics programs, ticketing and memberships, etc.
• Provides the Sr. Director of Amenities forward thinking for programs and facilities related to waterpark activities to ensure Summer Waves maintains and grows positive customer impressions.
• Provides the Sr. Director of Amenities monthly reporting on profitability, expenses, season passholder use, etc.
• Oversees the development and maintenance of operating procedures and training manuals for Summer Waves.
• Develops and maintains crisis plans and implements strategies in conjunction with appropriate JIA departments and other officials in event of emergencies and natural disasters.
• Follows established safety and first aid procedures, including proper documentation of accidents.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• High School Diploma plus seven (7) years of directly related experience, or Bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Business Administration, or related field from an accredited college or university plus five (5) years or related experience
• Minimum of three (3) years leadership and supervisory experience in water park or similar facility is required.
• The following certifications must be valid at time of hire or be obtained within three (3) months of hire: Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) Certification, or Certified Pool Operator (CPO).
• Water Safety Instructor and American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor with water park module a plus.
• Strong business management skills including development, management and growth of annual operating budget.
• Strong leadership capabilities including communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Practices active listening to fully understand and address customer concerns, handles difficult situations with professionalism.
• Motivates and inspires employees to achieve goals and work as a team, facilitates team meetings to ensure all employees are engaged and informed.
• Ability to work cooperatively, diplomatically, and effectively with other departments in the organization.
• Must be available to work weekends, holidays, evenings during season.
• Must have a valid drivers license

• Ability to crouch, kneel, and/or bend up to one half hour per normal workday.
• Ability to stand, walk, crouch, climb, kneel, crawl, bend at waist, or remain in a prone position during an emergency situation.
• Ability to work with arms bent up to two-thirds of working day, and with arms extended up to one-third of normal working day.
• May be required to have arms extended for a longer period of time during an emergency situation.
• Ability to push and pull with arms with a force of up to two pounds for one half hour each normal working day.
• May be required to push and pull with arms with greater than fifty pounds of force during emergency situation.
• May be required to twist and rotate arms during and emergency situation.
• May be required to lift and carry heavy emergency equipment weighing up to seventy pounds during an emergency situation.
• Ability to grasp and manipulate objects and perform fine finger dexterity movements for up to one-third of normal working day. This work involves eye-hand coordination and some bilateral coordination. May be required to grasp and manipulate objects and perform finer finger dexterity work with exceptional speed and bilateral coordination during emergency situations.
• Majority of work is conducted outside, will be exposed to extreme temperatures or humid conditions routinely.
• May be exposed to noisy environments during emergency situations.
• May be exposed to hazardous materials such as chemicals.
• May be exposed to exhaust or chemical fumes.
• Most work is conducted on concrete, natural ground and in water. May be required to work on inclines or ramps, or stairs and ladders. Working surface is both wet and dry conditions.
• May work with one or two other people. May work with a large group of people.

This description of job responsibilities is intended to reflect the major responsibilities and duties of the job but is not intended to describe minor duties or other responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time.

This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified. Applicants who complete the online application process will receive an email receipt of submission to the email address provided. If the email confirmation is not received, applicants may contact Human Resources at 912-635-4024 for confirmation; however, due to the volume of applicants received, we cannot provide information on application status after receipt. Applicants who need assistance to accommodate a disability may request accommodation by contacting Human Resources at 912-635-4024.

All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Incomplete applications or applications without accompanying documents when required will not be considered. Selected applicants will be contacted for the next steps in the selection process. Successful completion of background checks is required, including credit when applicable to the position. Relocation expenses are not authorized; applicants should consider this when applying.

Jekyll Island Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Authority supports equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. The Jekyll Island is a Drug-free Workplace.