Spider Mountain and Thunderbird Lodge General Manager

MOUNTAIN CAPITAL PARTNERS•Burnet, TX

2d•$100,000 - $200,000

About The Position

Lead the future of Spider Mountain and Thunderbird Lodge as a premier Hill Country destination. Spider Mountain and Thunderbird Lodge is a one-of-a-kind Texas experience: a year-round retreat offering the nation’s first lift-served bike park, lakeside lodging and event center, and a marina with lakeside activities. We’re looking for an entrepreneurial General Manager who will treat the business like their own, and set the vision for a “must-stay” lakeside lodging destination that drives growth in all aspects of lodging and hospitality. This role is built for a hospitality-minded operator with a builder’s mentality. Someone who can create a destination guest experience, lead a team with high standards, and partner with ownership to prioritize capital investments tied to specific revenue goals—from cabin remodels/upgrades to expanded F&B and event infrastructure. Why This Role? Build something real: Take a great foundation and elevate it into a standout lakeside lodging destination in the Texas Hill Country. Own the growth: Drive revenue across lodging, F&B, mountain biking, and weddings/events—while strengthening the overall destination experience. Invest with purpose: Help shape the capital roadmap and tie improvements to clear ROI and revenue milestones. Lead with energy: Create a culture of hospitality—warm, efficient, accountable, and guest-obsessed. About the Role As General Manager, you’ll oversee the full business—strategy, financial performance, team leadership, guest experience, and brand growth. While the bike park remains a core anchor, the priority is clear: unlock the lodging and destination experience and turn it into a consistent driver of year-round revenue. In the first six to twelve months, success looks like a meaningful upward shift in overall revenue, visits, and—especially—events, with clear momentum in bookings, group demand, and guest satisfaction. You’ve defined and started executing a compelling destination vision for the lakeside lodging experience, including how it’s positioned, who it’s for, and what makes it a “must-stay” in the Texas Hill Country. Alongside that, you’ve built a practical, phased capital plan—covering cabin remodels and upgrades, expanded F&B, and targeted guest amenities—with each investment tied to specific revenue goals and a clear path to return. Operationally, the business runs with a stronger rhythm: a weekly KPI cadence, tighter forecasting, higher standards across service and property presentation, and better day-to-day execution that guests can feel.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in hospitality, business, management, or related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
7+ years of leadership experience in hospitality, lodging, resort, or destination operations with clear ownership of results.
Proven track record of revenue growth (lodging and/or F&B and/or events), not just operations maintenance.
Experience developing and executing a business plan that includes capital investment tied to revenue goals/ROI.
Entrepreneurial, hands-on, and relentlessly guest-focused—treats the business like it’s theirs.
Strong commercial instincts (pricing, packaging, conversion, promotions, partnerships).
Strong operator: sets standards, builds teams, drives execution, and improves the details that guests notice.
Comfortable leading change, prioritizing capital projects, and creating alignment with ownership.

Nice To Haves

MBA or advanced hospitality/business training.
Experience with outdoor recreation destinations (bike parks, zip lines, waterfront/lake activities, adventure parks).
Experience building group/event business (weddings, retreats, corporate offsites, festivals).

Responsibilities

Set and execute the vision for Thunderbird Lodge as a lakeside lodging destination—experience, amenities & activities, service standards, property presentation, and brand positioning.
Establish hospitality operating standards (service, cleanliness, maintenance response, guest communication) that consistently deliver a high-quality stay.
Own the guest journey end-to-end: booking → arrival → stay → activities → departure → repeat visit.
Drive lodging performance through revenue management
Improve conversion and booking performance through better web presence, merchandising, photography/storytelling, and guest communications.
Build partnership strategies that move room nights (corporate groups, weddings, regional tourism partners, outdoor brands, Austin-area networks).
Build a robust events engine (festivals, races, retreats, corporate offsites, weddings, lake weekends)—with a calendar that grows year over year.
Own relationships with promoters, organizers, and key community partners.
Lead growth of F&B as a key destination driver—expanded offerings, improved flow, guest satisfaction, and profitability.
Expand the on-site guest experience (lakeside activities, marina/waterfront experiences where applicable, retail/merch, programming) with a clear focus on revenue + guest delight.
Partner with ownership to create a phased capital roadmap: cabin remodels/upgrades, expanded F&B, guest amenities, and infrastructure improvements.
Own P&L performance: budgeting, forecasting, expense discipline, and revenue growth plans.
Hire, develop, and lead department heads; build a high-performance culture rooted in accountability and hospitality.
Maintain strong relationships with local stakeholders, tourism/community partners, and corporate partners.