Operation Manager Jobs in Chester, VT (NOW HIRING)

Kedron Valley Inn
South Woodstock, VT 05071, USA

JOB SUMMARY:
The General Manager is responsible for the overall leadership and performance of the property, overseeing hotel operations, food and beverage, guest experience, sales, financial performance, team leadership, and community engagement.
This role requires a highly visible, hands-on leader who enjoys being present with guests and employees while building systems that support sustainable growth. The General Manager will lead the property's transition into a professionally managed boutique destination while preserving the personal hospitality and community relationships that make the inn unique.

The successful candidate is an entrepreneurial hospitality leader who enjoys wearing multiple hats and thrives in an independent hotel environment. They are equally comfortable greeting guests in the lobby, supporting restaurant service during a busy dinner, touring a prospective wedding client, reviewing financial performance, mentoring department leaders, and representing the property at a local community event.
They appreciate the traditions of a family-built business while bringing the systems, leadership, and operational discipline necessary to elevate performance and prepare the property for its next phase of growth.

• Lead all day-to-day operations of the inn, restaurant, and supporting departments.
• Foster a culture centered on genuine hospitality, teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Maintain an active presence throughout the property, engaging with guests, employees, and community partners.
• Lead by example with a hands-on management style appropriate for an independent boutique property

• Oversee Front Office, Housekeeping, Maintenance, and Guest Services.
• Optimize occupancy, ADR, RevPAR, and overall guest satisfaction.
• Implement operational standards and SOPs consistent with EOS Hospitality.
• Lead the property's transition to modern hospitality technology, including PMS and reservation platforms.
• Ensure exceptional execution across every stage of the guest journey.
• Provide operational oversight of the restaurant while partnering closely with culinary and restaurant leadership.
• Understand both front-of-house and back-of-house restaurant operations.
• Support menu execution, service standards, labor management, and profitability.
• Maintain operational continuity should leadership changes occur within the restaurant team.
• Collaborate with culinary leadership to preserve the restaurant's strong local reputation while identifying opportunities for continued growth.
• Serve as an ambassador for the property throughout the region.
• Support and cultivate weddings, corporate retreats, social events, room blocks, and group business.
• Personally engage with prospective clients and key accounts when appropriate.
• Partner with EOS Hospitality marketing and revenue management teams to maximize business opportunities.
• Develop relationships with local organizations, tourism partners, businesses, and community leaders.

• Actively promote the property within the local and regional community.
• Support marketing initiatives designed to increase awareness, direct bookings, restaurant traffic, and event business.
• Help position the property as a premier destination for leisure travel, weddings, and special events.
• Participate in community organizations and local events that strengthen the property's visibility and reputation.
• Partner with the Director of Finance to develop annual operating budgets, capital plans, and periodic forecasts for the property.
• Own the financial performance of the property by managing labor, expenses, revenues, and departmental profitability while balancing the guest experience.
• Review monthly financial statements and operating results, providing meaningful analysis and action plans in partnership with corporate finance and ownership.
• Monitor operating trends, identify opportunities to improve profitability, and implement initiatives that increase revenue, control costs, and maximize return on investment.
• Review and approve all property invoices prior to payment. Centralized Accounting will manage vendor setup, accounts payable processing, payment execution (with the exception of certain local operational purchases required on delivery such as liquor invoices).
• Manage daily cash handling procedures, including bank deposits and submission of supporting documentation to Centralized Accounting for financial recording.
• Review and approve payroll for accuracy, ensuring all hours, wage adjustments, and supporting documentation are complete prior to processing. Payroll administration, processing, corrections, and tax reporting are managed by Centralized Accounting.
• Partner with ownership and corporate leadership to identify, prioritize, and execute capital improvement projects, balancing routine replacement needs with strategic investments that enhance guest experience and generate long-term returns.
• Collaborate closely with Centralized Accounting, which is responsible for daily revenue reconciliation, balance sheet accounting, monthly financial close, bank and credit card reconciliations, financial reporting, and the preparation of ownership reporting packages.
• Recruit, develop, coach, and retain exceptional team members.
• Build a collaborative leadership team across all departments.
• Establish accountability through regular communication, performance management, and professional development.
• Preserve the property's family-oriented culture while introducing scalable operational practices.

• Assist with opening planning, operational readiness, staffing, training, and guest experience as new inventory comes online.
• Identify operational improvements that support long-term growth without sacrificing authenticity.

• Minimum 5 years of progressive hotel leadership experience, preferably as a General Manager, Resort Manager, or Director of Operations.
• Experience in boutique hotels, independent inns, resorts, or luxury hospitality preferred.
• Working knowledge of food and beverage operations, including both front-of-house and back-of-house. Deep culinary expertise is not required, but candidates should comfortable leading restaurant operations.
• Demonstrated experience driving sales, cultivating group business, and supporting weddings or events.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, forecasting, labor, and profitability.
• Experience implementing or utilizing hotel technology platforms, including property management systems. Experience with Stayntouch, OpenTable, or similar platforms is preferred.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills.
• Comfortable working closely with ownership during a period of transition and growth.
• Passion for boutique hospitality and creating memorable guest experiences.

• Ability to remain standing for up to 8 hours
• Ability to remain seated for up to 8 hours
• Ability to walk the property and grounds frequently
• Ability to move up and down stairs regularly
• Ability to move quickly based on guest needs
• Ability to visibly survey property areas clearly
• Ability to view a digital computer/tablet screen for extended period of time, up to 8 hours
• Ability to communicate and exchange information effectively, often in a public/group setting
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English
• Ability to complete a satisfactory background check
• Ability to work flexible hours based on business needs including midweek and weekend days

• Performance-based incentive opportunity
• Opportunity to lease a designated General Manager residence located near the property. The home is available at a preferred employee rental rate with rent and utilities being the responsibility of the General Manager.
• Professional development opportunities through EOS Hospitality

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.