Yes. I would make that a hard minimum qualification, while allowing either an AGM/operations background or a strong Director of Sales background. Since you're hiring a GM for a renovation and conversion, I would also emphasize that you're looking for someone capable of growing into the GM role, not necessarily someone who has already been a GM.
I would revise the opening and qualifications like this:
General ManagerHotel Renovation & Holiday Inn Conversion
Location: Akron/Fairlawn, Ohio
Position: Full-Time
Reports To: Ownership
POSITION SUMMARY
We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated General Manager to lead our hotel through a major renovation, operational transition, and eventual conversion to Holiday Inn by IHG.
This is a unique opportunity for an experienced hotel leader who wants to be directly involved in rebuilding and repositioning a property rather than simply taking over an established, stabilized hotel.
The successful candidate must have prior hotel management leadership experience at a minimum level of Assistant General Manager or Director of Sales.
We are open to candidates who have not previously held a General Manager title but have demonstrated the leadership, operational knowledge, accountability, and decision-making ability necessary to successfully lead a hotel.
The ideal candidate will be a hands-on hotel operator and leader who can manage employees, interact with guests, maintain operational standards, and help build a strong hotel culture during a period of significant change.
MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT
Candidates must have at least one of the following:
- Previous experience as an Assistant General Manager at a hotel; or
- Previous experience as a Director of Sales at a hotel, preferably a full-service or similarly complex property; or
- Equivalent hotel management experience demonstrating the ability to lead hotel employees and manage significant hotel operations.
Candidates without prior hotel management leadership experience will not be considered.
Previous General Manager experience is preferred but not required.
We are particularly interested in candidates who have demonstrated that they are ready to take the next step in their hotel management career and assume overall responsibility for a property.
THE OPPORTUNITY
This property is undergoing a substantial transformation.
The hotel is transitioning from its current Radisson operation through an interim operating structure and ultimately into a Holiday Inn by IHG.
The General Manager will be responsible for leading the hotel operation throughout this process.
This is not a traditional "take over an established hotel and maintain operations" GM position.
The successful candidate will be joining during a period when:
- Guest rooms are being renovated.
- Public areas are being renovated.
- Hotel amenities are changing.
- Hotel operations are evolving.
- Employees will need to learn new systems and procedures.
- The hotel will transition between brands and operating standards.
- The property will eventually need to operate according to Holiday Inn/IHG standards.
The General Manager will be expected to lead the people and operation through that change.
RENOVATION RESPONSIBILITIES
The General Manager will not be responsible for directly managing contractors or construction crews. Ownership will oversee the renovation project and contractor relationships.
Instead, the GM's responsibility is to ensure that the hotel continues to operate effectively while renovation work is occurring.
This includes:
- Understanding how renovation activity affects hotel operations.
- Managing available room inventory as rooms and floors are taken offline and returned to service.
- Keeping employees informed of operational changes.
- Maintaining guest service standards throughout the renovation.
- Managing guest expectations regarding temporary closures and inconveniences.
- Resolving guest complaints related to renovation activity.
- Working with housekeeping and maintenance to maintain available rooms and public areas.
- Ensuring employees remain focused on service and operational standards.
- Maintaining staff morale during a period of significant change.
- Identifying operational problems and finding practical solutions.
GUEST & EMPLOYEE LEADERSHIP
The General Manager will be highly visible and actively involved in the daily operation of the hotel.
The GM is expected to be a leader who knows the employees, interacts with guests, and understands what is happening throughout the property.
Responsibilities include:
- Leading and developing the hotel management team.
- Hiring, training, coaching, and retaining employees.
- Establishing clear performance expectations.
- Holding employees accountable.
- Handling employee relations issues.
- Resolving guest complaints and service recovery issues.
- Maintaining a strong guest-service culture.
- Conducting regular property inspections.
- Monitoring housekeeping, front desk, maintenance, and overall hotel operations.
- Ensuring the hotel is clean, safe, professional, and guest-ready.
- Creating an environment where employees understand that guest service is the hotel's top priority.
SALES & REVENUE LEADERSHIP
Because a strong sales background is valuable during the hotel's repositioning, candidates with Director of Sales experience are strongly encouraged to apply.
The General Manager will work closely with the sales team to:
- Develop strategies to increase occupancy and revenue.
- Identify new business opportunities.
- Build relationships with corporate, group, and local accounts.
- Support group and event business.
- Monitor occupancy and revenue performance.
- Work with the sales team to establish realistic revenue goals.
- Help reposition the hotel in the local market.
- Prepare the hotel for the increased sales opportunities associated with the Holiday Inn brand.
A candidate coming from a Director of Sales background must demonstrate the ability and willingness to become deeply involved in overall hotel operations, not just sales.
HOLIDAY INN / IHG CONVERSION
The General Manager will play a critical role in preparing the hotel and its employees for the eventual Holiday Inn conversion.
Responsibilities will include:
- Learning Holiday Inn/IHG brand standards.
- Participating in IHG training and preparation activities.
- Helping implement new hotel procedures and standards.
- Preparing employees for new systems and expectations.
- Establishing operational procedures that support the future Holiday Inn operation.
- Helping ensure the hotel is operationally prepared for conversion.
- Building a team culture that aligns with the future Holiday Inn brand.
- Supporting pre-opening and transition activities.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We are looking for a leader, not simply a title.
The ideal candidate may be:
- An experienced Assistant General Manager ready to become a GM.
- A strong Director of Sales ready to take the next step into overall hotel leadership.
- A former GM looking for an opportunity to help rebuild a property.
- An experienced hotel operations leader who has demonstrated the ability to manage people, guests, and financial performance.
The most important qualities are leadership, accountability, communication, problem-solving, hotel knowledge, and the ability to adapt.
THE RIGHT PERSONALITY
This position requires someone who is:
- Hands-on.
- Highly organized.
- Calm under pressure.
- Comfortable with change.
- Guest-focused.
- Employee-focused.
- Accountable.
- A strong communicator.
- Willing to make decisions.
- Comfortable addressing difficult employee situations.
- Comfortable dealing with upset guests.
- Willing to be visible throughout the hotel.
- Able to work independently.
- Excited by the opportunity to build something.
The successful candidate should not be someone who needs everything to be perfect before they can operate effectively.
The hotel is being rebuilt. The team is being developed. The systems are evolving. The brand is changing.
We need a GM who can embrace that environment and lead the hotel through it.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Minimum previous experience as an Assistant General Manager OR Director of Sales in a hotel.
- Strong understanding of hotel operations.
- Demonstrated leadership and employee-management experience.
- Strong guest-service skills.
- Strong communication and organizational skills.
- Ability to make decisions and solve problems independently.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends and holidays as necessary.
- Ability to learn new hotel systems and brand standards.
- Strong computer and technology skills.
Preferred:
- Previous General Manager experience.
- Full-service hotel experience.
- IHG/Holiday Inn experience.
- Hotel renovation, conversion, turnaround, or opening experience.
- Experience working with hotel PMS/POS and revenue-management systems.
- Strong sales and revenue-management knowledge.
A CHANCE TO BUILD SOMETHING
This position offers the opportunity to become part of a major transformation of the property.
The General Manager will have the opportunity to help build the team, establish the culture, improve the guest experience, increase hotel performance, and ultimately help launch the property as a Holiday Inn by IHG.
We are looking for someone who wants to take ownership of the operation, develop as a leader, and be proud of what the hotel becomes.
If you are an experienced Assistant General Manager or Director of Sales who is ready to take the next step in your career, we want to hear from you.
Pay: $48,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
