General Manager - Independent Hotel Reopening (Post-Renovation)
Panama City Beach, FL | Target Opening: Late Spring 2026
The Opportunity
We're hiring a hands-on
General Manager to lead the
reopening of an independent hotel in Panama City Beach following a renovation closure. This is a build-and-lead role for an operator who can
recruit and train a team, create simple operating systems, and drive profitable performance in a mid-market environment.
We're not looking for a "luxury playbook." We need a practical leader who understands beach-market realities: seasonality, staffing challenges, guest expectations, and running a clean, efficient operation that wins on value and consistency.
What You'll Own
Reopening Leadership (Pre-Open โ Stabilize)
- Build and execute the reopening plan and readiness timeline through opening day and the first 90-180 days.
- Coordinate punch-list completion, vendor readiness, and operational setup (systems, supplies, contracts, service standards).
- Create "opening week" workflows: staffing plans, training calendar, daily checklists, guest recovery process, safety and security routines.
- Partner closely with ownership and renovation partners, maintaining clear reporting and accountability.
People, Culture & Training
- Recruit, hire, onboard, and retain a full team (department heads and line-level).
- Mentor managers and build a culture of consistency, accountability, and pride.
- Implement clear training standards for guest service, cleanliness, and maintenance response.
- Build schedules and staffing models that balance service delivery with labor discipline.
Revenue & Market Execution
- Drive revenue performance with strong understanding ofRevPAR, ADR, occupancy, comp set dynamics, and channel mix.
- Coordinate marketing and online reputation management (reviews, response cadence, service recovery).
Financial & Operational Performance
- Own the property's financial performance and daily controls:
- Strong command of CPOR, labor productivity, purchasing controls, and flow-through
- Budgeting and weekly performance reporting
- Inventory and invoice discipline; vendor negotiation
- Ensure operational excellence across housekeeping, front office, and maintenance.
- Maintain compliance standards and risk management (life safety, security, cash handling).
What Success Looks Like
By opening and through the first season, you will:
- Open on-time with a trained staff, clear standards, and consistent operating rhythms.
- Stabilize guest satisfaction quickly and build strong online reputation momentum.
- Achieve labor and CPOR targets while protecting cleanliness and service.
- Establish a disciplined revenue routine that improves RevPAR through the season.
- Build a leadership bench that can operate without constant GM firefighting.
The Ideal Candidate
- Proven Hotel General Manager experience (or strong AGM/ops leader ready to step up) with evidence of:
- Reopening after renovation/closure and/or new opening / turnaround experience
- Strong team builder and coach: can recruit fast, train consistently, and retain staff.
- Financial fluency: confident withRevPAR, CPOR, labor %, purchasing, budgets, forecasting, and reading P&Ls.
- Comfortable in a truly hands-on environment-leads from the floor and sets the pace.
- Strong owner communication and reporting discipline.
- Panama City Beach / Emerald Coast market familiarity is a plus.
Why This Role
- Independence and autonomy: build systems that work for this hotel and this market.
- Meaningful impact: lead the reopening and shape the culture from day one.
- Direct partnership with ownership with clear goals and accountability.
How to Apply
Send your resume and a short note covering:
- Your experience with renovation transitions, reopenings, or turnarounds
- How you hire/train staff quickly (your playbook)
- A financial result you drove (RevPAR improvement, CPOR reduction, labor efficiency, etc.)