General Manager

Sonesta Hotels•Chicago, IL

24d•$200,000 - $225,000

About The Position

We’re Sonesta International Hotels. The 8th largest hotel company in the U.S.—and growing fast. An epic blend of full-service and focused hotels in major cities, Sonesta’s uniquely diverse portfolio of owned, managed, and franchised properties makes us everywhere you want to be. Driven by the human side of hospitality, we deliver service with passion, loyalty with purpose, and experiences that truly connect. Together We Thrive—bringing quality, value, and amazing hospitality to every guest, every stay, across 1000+ properties in eight countries and counting. Job Description Summary Functions as the primary strategic business leader of a full-service property. As General Manager of the property, responsible for all aspects of the operation, including guest and associate satisfaction, human resources, financial performance, sales and revenue generation and delivering a return on investment to both Sonesta and ownership. Leads the leadership team in the development and implementation of property-wide strategies. Ensures implementation of Sonesta Guiding Principles, Missions Statement, the brand service strategy and brand initiatives with the objective of meeting or exceeding guest expectations. Job Description DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Employee Engagement Sets the tone of the hotels assuring Sonesta culture and values are known and lived. Creates appropriate development plans based on individual strengths, development needs, career aspirations and abilities. Conducts annual performance appraisals with direct reports according to Standard Operating Procedures. Hires executive committee team members who demonstrate strong functional expertise, creativity and entrepreneurial leadership to meet the business needs of the operation. Guest Experience Ensures that product quality standards are met in all areas of the area hotels as it relates to the appearance, levels of maintenance and cleanliness; establishes and maintains preventative maintenance programs to protect the physical assets of the hotels. Oversees the guest service function to ensure corrective action is taken to solve guest complaints and ensure superior guest service is delivered at home hotel and area hotels. Ensures guest service and recognition programs are in place to maximize results in overall guest engagement and on-line review sites. Ensures the properties are delivering amazing moments and use on-line review sites to enhance the guest experience Financial / Owner Engagement Supports the property in executing the sales and revenue management activities to maximize performance Work closely with the corporate leadership team to meet and exceed desired results in all areas. Direct and manage property operations to assure optimum performance and continual improvement in the five Key Results Areas (guest service, employees, sales and marketing, property appearance, and profit/financial control). This position is responsible for consistently delivering results that contribute to the mission and overall success of the hotels by accomplishing performance objectives focused on business revenues, guest and associate satisfaction and effectiveness and efficiencies. Develop annual budgets for properties with Sonesta and Ownership focusing on market trends and forecasts optimizing revenue and flow through goals. Create long term Capital Investment Plan in partnership with Ownership for area hotels. Establishes trust and ongoing communication with Ownership and Asset Management and Area General Managers. Other duties and responsibilities as assigned. As a senior leader within the company, the General Manager may be called upon to participate in company-wide initiatives consistent with a growth-oriented company.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Administration, Business Administration or related field preferred.
Three years as a General Manager, Operations Manager, and/or Director of Sales in full-service hotels preferred.
Ability to speak, read, and write fluent English, other languages beneficial.
Professional verbal and written communication skills.
Mathematical skills, including basic math, budgeting, profit/loss concepts, percentages, and variances.
Problem solving, reasoning, motivating, organizational and training abilities.
Ability to prioritize and organize work assignments.
Experience with Microsoft Office and Opera systems preferred.
Ability to travel including some overnight travel is required.
While performing the duties of the job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk and hear.
The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls.

Nice To Haves

Previous Food & Beverage experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Sets the tone of the hotels assuring Sonesta culture and values are known and lived.
Creates appropriate development plans based on individual strengths, development needs, career aspirations and abilities.
Conducts annual performance appraisals with direct reports according to Standard Operating Procedures.
Hires executive committee team members who demonstrate strong functional expertise, creativity and entrepreneurial leadership to meet the business needs of the operation.
Ensures that product quality standards are met in all areas of the area hotels as it relates to the appearance, levels of maintenance and cleanliness; establishes and maintains preventative maintenance programs to protect the physical assets of the hotels.
Oversees the guest service function to ensure corrective action is taken to solve guest complaints and ensure superior guest service is delivered at home hotel and area hotels.
Ensures guest service and recognition programs are in place to maximize results in overall guest engagement and on-line review sites.
Ensures the properties are delivering amazing moments and use on-line review sites to enhance the guest experience
Supports the property in executing the sales and revenue management activities to maximize performance
Work closely with the corporate leadership team to meet and exceed desired results in all areas.
Direct and manage property operations to assure optimum performance and continual improvement in the five Key Results Areas (guest service, employees, sales and marketing, property appearance, and profit/financial control).
Develop annual budgets for properties with Sonesta and Ownership focusing on market trends and forecasts optimizing revenue and flow through goals.
Create long term Capital Investment Plan in partnership with Ownership for area hotels.
Establishes trust and ongoing communication with Ownership and Asset Management and Area General Managers.
Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
As a senior leader within the company, the General Manager may be called upon to participate in company-wide initiatives consistent with a growth-oriented company.