General Manager

WaTiki Indoor Waterpark & La Quinta Inn & Suites Rapid City, SD

Position Summary

WaTiki Indoor Waterpark and La Quinta Inn & Suites are seeking an experienced, energetic, and strategic General Manager to lead one of the Black Hills' premier family entertainment and hospitality destinations.

This position is responsible for the overall leadership, performance, and profitability of both the waterpark and hotel operations. The General Manager will drive financial results, create exceptional guest experiences, build high-performing teams, and lead marketing initiatives that increase visitation, occupancy, market share, and brand awareness.

The ideal candidate is a proven leader with a strong background in hospitality, attractions, or destination marketing. They understand how to create demand, generate excitement, and position a destination for long-term success. This leader combines business acumen with creativity, embraces innovation, and has the ability to turn strategic ideas into measurable results.

Success in this role will be measured by revenue growth, profitability, guest satisfaction, employee engagement, market presence, and the successful execution of sales and marketing strategies.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Operations

• Provide overall leadership for WaTiki Indoor Waterpark and La Quinta Inn & Suites.
• Direct daily operations across all departments, including Front Office, Housekeeping, Maintenance, Food & Beverage, Guest Services, and Waterpark Operations.
• Foster a culture of service excellence, accountability, teamwork, and safety.
• Recruit, develop, coach, and retain high-performing leaders and team members.
• Establish goals, monitor performance, and ensure accountability throughout the organization.

Sales & Marketing Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of strategic marketing initiatives that drive visitation, hotel occupancy, revenue, and guest engagement.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to build awareness of WaTiki as a premier regional destination.
• Collaborate with sales and marketing teams on campaigns, promotions, digital marketing, group sales, packages, and seasonal events.
• Analyze market trends, competitive activity, and guest insights to identify opportunities for growth.
• Build strong relationships with tourism organizations, community partners, convention planners, schools, sports organizations, and other key stakeholders.
• Serve as a brand ambassador for both WaTiki and Liv Hospitality throughout the community and region.

Financial Management

• Develop and manage annual operating budgets, forecasts, and business plans.
• Drive revenue growth through strategic pricing, marketing, group business development, and operational excellence.
• Monitor and improve key performance indicators related to occupancy, visitation, revenue, labor, profitability, and guest satisfaction.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiencies while maintaining outstanding guest experiences.

Guest Experience & Facility Management

• Ensure a safe, clean, and memorable experience for every guest.
• Oversee facility maintenance, capital improvements, preventative maintenance programs, and long-term asset preservation.
• Resolve guest concerns with professionalism and urgency.
• Maintain compliance with all health, safety, brand, and operational standards.

Why Join Liv Hospitality?

This is a unique opportunity to lead one of the largest family entertainment and hospitality destinations in the Black Hills. As General Manager, you'll have the ability to shape the guest experience, grow the business, develop talented teams, and expand WaTiki's presence as a destination of choice for families, groups, and travelers from across the region.

If you're a dynamic leader with a passion for hospitality, marketing, and driving results, we'd love to hear from you.

Qualifications

• Previous hotel leadership experience required; General Manager experience preferred.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, forecasts, and profitability.
• Demonstrated ability to build and lead high-performing teams.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven track record of delivering operational excellence and guest satisfaction.
• Passion for hospitality and creating memorable experiences for guests and team members.
• Must be able to embody the Liv Hospitality values of Leadership. Integrity. Vision.

Benefits for full-time Associates:

• Health / dental / vision / life
• 401k plan with 3% match after one year of employment
• Company-wide discounts on hotel rooms and restaurants

We offer daily pay to all Associates through ZayZoon!!!

An equal-opportunity employer