General Manager

General Manager

Location: Geneva, Illinois (Greater Chicago Area)

Compensation: $120,000–$175,000 + 20% Annual Bonus

Benefits: Paid Time Off (PTO) and 401(k) Plan

Relocation: Available for the right candidate

Position Overview

I am hiring on behalf of a client seeking an experienced, commercially minded General Manager to lead a luxury boutique hotel in Geneva, Illinois, just outside Chicago.

The property offers a distinctive hospitality experience, combining upscale accommodations with a full-service restaurant, banquets, corporate events, and a full-service spa. Positioned at the upper end of the market, the hotel benefits from strong average daily rates and limited direct competition in the local area.

Reporting directly to ownership, the General Manager will take full responsibility for the hotel's overall performance, leading day-to-day operations while driving revenue growth, improving profitability, and maintaining exceptional guest service standards.

This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on hospitality leader who thrives in an independent boutique environment and understands the balance between operational excellence, commercial performance, and personalised guest experiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all hotel operations, including front office, housekeeping, food and beverage, banquets, events, and spa operations.
• Lead, develop, and motivate department heads and the wider hotel team.
• Drive commercial performance through effective sales strategies, revenue management, and corporate account development.
• Build relationships with local businesses to increase corporate room nights, group bookings, and repeat business.
• Develop and execute strategies to maximise occupancy, average daily rate (ADR), and overall revenue.
• Manage budgets, forecasting, departmental expenses, and overall financial performance.
• Monitor key performance indicators and implement initiatives to improve profitability.
• Maintain high standards of guest satisfaction, service delivery, and property presentation.
• Oversee sales and marketing initiatives to strengthen the hotel's market position.
• Work closely with ownership to establish strategic priorities and long-term business objectives.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant hospitality regulations, health and safety requirements, and operational standards.
• Foster a positive workplace culture focused on accountability, teamwork, and service excellence.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a General Manager, Hotel Manager, or senior hospitality leader within a boutique hotel, independent hotel, luxury resort, or similar full-service property.
• Strong understanding of hotel operations across rooms, food and beverage, banquets, events, and other guest-facing departments.
• Demonstrated commercial acumen, particularly in hotel sales, corporate account development, and revenue generation.
• Experience managing budgets, forecasting, payroll, and overall property profitability.
• A hands-on leadership style with the ability to work closely with department heads and frontline teams.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and organisational skills.
• Experience working directly with ownership or within an independently operated hospitality business is highly desirable.
• A degree is not required; relevant experience and a strong track record of success are equally valued.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a commercially driven hotelier who understands the demands of an independent boutique property and enjoys being closely involved in the operation. Someone with established connections in the Chicago or wider Midwest market would be particularly attractive, given the importance of local relationships and long-term commitment to the property.