General Manager - City Express by Marriott

Vagabond Inn Sacramento converting to City Express by Marriott Sacramento Old Town

Vista Investments is looking for a hands-on General Manager for the Vagabond Inn Sacramento, which is converting to a City Express by Marriott. The conversion is targeted for completion around March 2027.

At first, you'll keep the hotel operating smoothly in its current format while construction is underway. You'll maintain day-to-day operations, support the team, serve guests and protect revenue while coordinating around the renovation. In parallel, you'll help prepare the property and team for the conversion to Marriott's City Express brand, including brand standards, systems, training and certification. Once the conversion is complete, you'll take the lead in operating the hotel as a City Express by Marriott.

The hotel sits a few blocks from Old Sacramento's riverfront, near the State Capitol, Golden 1 Center and the convention center, and draws government, business, event and leisure travelers.

About Vista Investments

Vista Investments develops, designs, owns, manages and franchises hotels, all under one roof. Our development, design and operations teams work side by side, so decisions move quickly. We're growing, which means direct access to senior leadership and a real path to larger roles across our portfolio.

What you'll do

During the renovation

• Lead day-to-day operations and the team, keeping service, cleanliness and safety on standard while construction is underway
• Protect revenue as rooms and public areas come offline in phases: manage inventory, pricing and group commitments around the renovation schedule
• Keep guests informed and comfortable through noise, closures and changes, and protect online ratings
• Work closely with Vista's development team and contractors on phasing, room turnover, life safety and access
• Keep the current team engaged through the change and identify who will grow into City Express roles

Preparing for Marriott (through about March 2027)

• Work with Marriott's City Express brand team and Vista's corporate team on the conversion plan and timeline
• Apply City Express brand standards and close gaps in operations, staffing and the physical product before inspection
• Oversee FF&E installation and the cutover to Marriott's PMS, POS and revenue management systems
• Recruit and onboard new department heads and staff as needed
• Deliver brand training so the whole team is certified and ready on reflag day
• Prepare for brand inspection and certification, and update all licenses and permits
• Move reservations, accounts and online listings from Vagabond Inn to Marriott with no gap in bookings

After the conversion

• Own the commercial strategy (pricing, distribution and positioning) and grow RevPAR and market share
• Call on key accounts and build relationships with corporate, government, group and travel-agency clients
• Build the annual budget, forecast monthly and act on P&L results with your managers
• Keep labor, accounting, invoicing and audit procedures on standard, with reports to corporate on time
• Lead a guest-first culture, stay visible on the floor at peak times, and turn guest scores into action plans
• Coach and develop your management team and hold it accountable, including performance reviews
• Keep the hotel compliant with Marriott brand standards, OSHA, and local, state and federal requirements

What you bring

Required

• 5+ years of progressive hotel management experience, including 2+ years as a General Manager or Assistant General Manager
• Experience keeping a hotel running and profitable through a renovation, brand conversion or opening
• A track record of hitting budget, RevPAR and guest satisfaction targets
• Strong command of P&Ls, budgeting, forecasting and revenue management
• Experience hiring, training and leading a team
• Comfort with hotel PMS, revenue management and reporting tools
• Clear communication with guests, staff, owners, contractors and brand partners
• Availability for a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends and holidays

Preferred

• Experience at a Marriott-branded hotel, with hands-on knowledge of Marriott systems and brand standards (strongly preferred)
• Experience leading a reflag to Marriott or another major brand
• Bachelor's degree in hospitality, business or a related field (equivalent experience considered)
• Select-service or extended-stay experience
• Existing relationships in the Sacramento market

What we offer

• Performance bonus tied to hotel KPIs
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Life insurance and an employee assistance program
• 401(k) plan with a 2% company match
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Employee discount
• The chance to lead a hotel's move to a Marriott brand and shape its team and culture
• Direct access to senior leadership and room to grow with an expanding portfolio

This is an on-site role in Sacramento, CA. If you've kept a hotel running through a renovation, reflag or opening, we'd like to hear from you. Apply and tell us about it.