Hotel General Manager Job Description

A hotel general manager job description should define the property's operations, the department heads the GM leads and the results ownership expects. Adapt the template to your room count, service level, outlets, brand requirements and management structure before starting a search.

What a hotel general manager does

The GM translates ownership's priorities into an operating plan and leads the managers who deliver it. The role brings together financial performance, team development, guest experience and coordination across the whole operation rather than a single department.

Who the GM reports to

A GM may report to an owner, asset manager or management company leader, with separate brand standards and reporting obligations. State the direct supervisor and who approves budgets, capital spending and key hires, so brand requirements do not create conflicting lines of authority.

Core duties

• Lead RevPAR and revenue strategy with sales and revenue leaders
• Own the property's P&L and operating budget
• Hire, develop and coordinate department heads
• Monitor guest scores and lead service recovery
• Maintain brand standards and operating requirements
• Report results, operating risks and recommendations to ownership

Skills and experience to look for

Look for comparable property size, service level and department scope, along with financial fluency and department-head leadership. Ask candidates to explain RevPAR, operating profit and guest-score results they have influenced, and how they work with owners, asset managers, management companies and brands.

KPIs to put in the job description

• RevPAR and revenue performance against the property's plan
• Operating profit and budget variance
• Department labor and cost control
• Guest scores and service recovery
• Brand standards and compliance results
• Department-head development and retention

Use measures the GM can influence and explain how they are calculated. Set targets from the operation's approved plan rather than treating a template as a universal benchmark.

Hotel GM vs. assistant GM vs. director of operations

The GM owns the whole property's results and reporting relationship with ownership or the management company. An AGM supports daily operations and covers agreed GM responsibilities. A director of operations may lead several departments; the exact scope varies by property. Define responsibilities before comparing titles.

Job description template

Position: Hotel General Manager
Reports to: [Owner, asset manager or management company leader]
Location: [Operation and market]
Scope: [Rooms, service level, outlets, departments and brand]

Purpose
Lead the operation's managers, financial performance and guest experience in line with ownership expectations.

Responsibilities
Lead RevPAR and revenue strategy with sales and revenue leaders
Own the property's P&L and operating budget
Hire, develop and coordinate department heads
Monitor guest scores and lead service recovery
Maintain brand standards and operating requirements
Report results, operating risks and recommendations to ownership

Experience
Comparable operating scope, budget ownership, manager development and clear reporting. Specify any property, concept or brand experience the operation requires.

Measures of success
[Approved revenue, cost, profit, guest-experience and retention measures]

Compensation
[Approved base range, bonus, benefits and relocation terms]

Application
[Contact, required materials and confidential application process]

Hotel general manager salary

BLS reports median annual pay of $69,250 for lodging managers in May 2025, with the top 10% earning more than $128,880; the category includes hotel GMs and managers of smaller properties. Our hotel general manager salary guide explains the source, state figures and factors to consider for your property's scope.

How to hire a hotel general manager

Set the property's scope, reporting line and compensation, then screen candidates for comparable operations and results they can explain. Our hotel general manager recruiters and hotel recruiters work on direct-hire property and department leadership. If the seat is still filled, ask about a confidential search.