General Manager

Location: Element by Westin - Milpitas, California

JOB SUMMARY

The General Manager functions as the primary strategic business leader of the hotel with responsibility for all aspects of the operation. They ensure implementation of the brand service strategy and brand initiatives with the objective of meeting or exceeding guest expectations.

Responsible for active supervision of all hotel disciplines, including but not limited to the front office, guest services, food service, housekeeping, maintenance, sales operations and personnel, ensuring that there is an atmosphere of good public relations towards guests and associates and community. Also ensures the hotel is meeting and constantly striving to meet its sales and profitability goals, and compliant with local and federal laws and regulations.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Recruits, hires, trains, counsels and motivates all team members in all departments of the hotel.
• Actively supervises department heads and all personnel with authority to issue oral and written warnings and reprimands when policies and procedures have been violated or to document poor work performance, and to discharge team members, with grossly negligent cases being approved by an above property representative or in conjunction with Human Resources.
• Responsible for department payroll administration.
• Conducts all department head performance appraisals and bonus calculations, where applicable.
• Participates in departmental expense and labor budgeting preparation.
• Schedules personnel within budget guidelines to assure adequate staffing to maintain service levels.
• Develops department attitude of attentiveness and anticipation of guest needs.
• Ensures guest special requests are fulfilled promptly and team members take ownership of issues.
• Ensures proper delivery of all guest services, including but not limited to social hour, breakfast service, dry-cleaning, mail delivery, shuttle, grocery shopping, newspaper delivery, Business Center, wireless Internet, etc.
• Resolves guest complaints with Guest Relations concerning the hotel or guest billing and chargeback inquiries.
• Processes and reconciles daily cash deposits.
• Monitors posting of guest charges to minimize lost revenue.
• Ensures Front Desk team members perform bucket checks each shift and monitor rate variances.
• Coordinates reservations and efficient group registration with the Sales Department.
• Monitors suite availability and develops the hotel's yield management system with Sales to maximize suite revenue.
• Ensures an effective cash control system is in place and that all credit card and check cashing policies are followed.
• Maintains efficient operations and inventory controls for the hotel Market (i.e. gift shop).
• Responsible for the administration of key control procedures.
• Ensures proper procedures for guest safety deposit boxes, guest mail and packages.
• Educates department personnel on emergency procedures, safety precautions, and safe work habits.
• Drives defensively and safely when driving the hotel van, wears seatbelt at all times, and uses the van only for Company business.
• Promotes good team member communication through department meetings, team member feedback, oral and written communication, and proper training.
• Participates in the weekend MOD development program and hosts social hour (if relevant), as assigned.
• Assists in monitoring van upkeep and maintenance schedule.
• Processes and tracks brand certificates (frequent guest programs, brand coupons and reimbursements, etc.) when presented as forms of tender to ensure we receive reimbursement from the brand.
• Oversees and approves the monthly Direct Bill accounts and statements and sends out invoices as often as necessary to maintain the accounts receivable balance within 60 days past due.
• Ensures all hotel supplies are properly stocked and/or all hotel equipment is in proper working condition.
• Processes accounts payable invoices for the hotel, including monitoring travel agent commission requests.
• Leads and conducts the brand daily stand-up meetings.
• Carries out any reasonable request by management.
• Participates in and actively contributes to weekly Sales meetings and conducts monthly team meetings.
• Conducts monthly department meetings or continuous improvement meetings (CIM).
• Attendance is a key component of this position.
• Maintains a professional appearance in accordance with Company standards; wears the appropriate uniform or attire.
• Maintains open and effective communication with team members and management.
• Attends and participates in team meetings.
• Adheres to established safety and emergency procedures and protocols, this includes Company, federal, and state specific regulations and guidelines.
• Completes all required Company training/compliance courses as assigned.
• Adheres to Company standards and maintains compliance with all policies and procedures.
• Performs other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or equivalent in Business Administration, Hotel and Restaurant Management, or related major.

EXPERIENCE

• A minimum six (6) years of experience in the hotel industry required.
• A minimum four (4) years of progressive leadership experience in hotel operations, sales and marketing, or related professional areas required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Oversees and coordinates the department's activities, with a focus on supervisory and organizational goals. While a portion of the time may involve performing tasks similar to those of direct reports, the primary responsibilities are related to management and coordination. Analyzes and resolves issues, establishes work methods, ensures regulatory compliance, and maintains productivity. Uses judgment within established procedures and policies to make appropriate decisions and take necessary actions.

Specific supervisory duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Determines and creates policies, procedures, and manuals for direct reports.
• Establishes objectives and goals for the team.
• Assigns, monitors, and reviews work; evaluates direct report's performance.
• Recruits and interviews.
• Orientates and trains.
• Issues corrective action and makes recommendations for termination.
• Investigates and resolves concerns and complaints.
• Creates department work schedules.
• Approves time records and time off requests; submits payroll.
• Proactively assesses risk to establish systems and procedures to protect organizational assets.
• Ensures compliance with safety regulations.
• Develops and oversees the department's budget.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

This position requires the capability to understand and follow both oral and written directions, as well as the ability to communicate effectively with others in English and interact successfully with internal and external customers.

• Proficient in time management; the ability to effectively organize and manage multiple priorities.
• Recognizes an emergency situation and takes appropriate action.
• Emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong working relationships with team members at all levels.
• Skilled in building and motivating a team, fostering a collaborative environment and inspiring high performance.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong focus on accuracy and precision.
• Performs well with frequent interruptions and/or distractions.
• Understands how to develop and implement business strategies.
• Ability to interpret and create policies, procedures, and manuals.
• Able to communicate appropriately and effectively with all levels of management and external stakeholders.
• Business acumen, including but not limited to financial management, budgeting, cost control, and revenue optimization.
• Ability to effectively listen, understand, and resolve challenges and concerns from management, team members, and/or customers (internal/external).
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to include coaching, counseling, and mentoring.
• Able to identify and seize revenue-generating opportunities while effectively managing costs and resources.
• Knowledge of key industry trends, best practices, regulations, and the current industry landscape.
• Proven ability to drive revenue growth, optimize costs, and achieve financial targets.
• Able to engage diplomatically and effectively with third party operators and owners, empathizing, and reacting appropriately to partner feedback and helping resolve issues where necessary.
• Proficient in negotiations.
• Basic math skills.
• Proficient in Google Docs/Microsoft Word.
• Proficient in Google Sheets/Microsoft Excel.
• Proficient in Google Slides/Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Proficient in Gmail/Microsoft Outlook.
• Ability to adjust effectively to evolving work environments and shifting customer (internal/external) requirements.
• Able to maintain a positive and professional working environment.
• Fosters a culture of excellence.
• Able to work effectively in a culturally diverse environment and support diversity and inclusion within the organization.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• 10% travel required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks. Specifically, for long distances or moving from one work site to another often.
• Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward, or outward.
• Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, haul, or tug objects in a sustained motion.
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Specifically, if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discriminations in sound.
• Hands to Fingers: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
• Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Close Vision: Clear vision at 20 inches or less. Required to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, extensive reading or visual inspections.
• Distance Vision: Clear vision at 20 feet or more. Required to perform an activity where the seeing job is arm's reach or beyond.
• Color Vision: Ability to identify and distinguish colors.
• Peripheral Vision: Ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point.
• Depth Perception: Ability to judge distances and spatial relationships (three-dimensional).
• Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a minor amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

DISCLAIMER

This job description provides a general overview of the work performed, including the typical responsibilities and level of duties associated with this position. It should not be construed as an exhaustive list of tasks or obligations for any individual team member. This description does not alter the employment relationship between the Company and its team members.

The Essential Job Functions, Physical Requirements, and Work Environment characteristics outlined are intended to reflect the requirements needed to perform the essential functions of this role effectively. Management retains the authority to modify, adjust, or revoke job duties and responsibilities as needed, and to make reasonable accommodations to enable qualified team members to fulfill the essential functions of their roles.

The Company is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and is committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are made based on merit, qualifications, and business needs without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status/characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

ABOUT LODGING DYNAMICS:

Based in Provo, Utah, Lodging Dynamics Hospitality Group is a nationally recognized, award-winning operator of premium-brand, select service, and extended-stay hotels and one of a few third-party operators approved by Marriott and Hilton. Founded in 1991 after developing the first Marriott franchise in Utah, Lodging Dynamics continues its long history by providing award-winning operating services for hotels throughout the continental United States and Hawaii. The company has managed hotels in the Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG premium-brand families. For more information, visit www.lodgingdynamics.com.