General Manager - New Marriott Hotel Opening | Danbury, CT

Job Description

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced, energetic, and highly organized Hotel General Manager to lead the opening of a newly constructed Marriott-branded hotel in Danbury, Connecticut, scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2026.

This is a unique opportunity for an accomplished hospitality leader to take ownership of a hotel from the pre-opening phase through opening and stabilization. The General Manager will play a key role in building the leadership team, establishing the hotel's culture, implementing operating standards, preparing the property for Marriott opening requirements, and positioning the hotel for long-term success.

We are looking for a hands-on leader who is highly visible in the operation, develops strong teams, understands hotel financial performance, and takes ownership of results.

The ideal candidate has previous Marriott management experience, strong hotel operational knowledge, and a demonstrated record of achieving results in guest satisfaction, associate engagement, revenue performance, profitability, and brand compliance.

What You'll Be Responsible For

Pre-Opening and Hotel Launch

The General Manager will lead the hotel through the critical pre-opening period and successful transition into daily operations.

Responsibilities include:

• Partner with Ownership and Corporate Operations throughout the pre-opening process
• Recruit, hire, train, and develop the hotel's leadership team and associates
• Establish a strong service culture and clear performance expectations from day one
• Coordinate pre-opening operational readiness across Front Office, Housekeeping, Maintenance, Food and Beverage, Sales, and other departments
• Ensure Marriott brand standards, training requirements, systems, operating procedures, and opening milestones are completed
• Coordinate operational setup, inventories, supplies, equipment, and OS&E readiness
• Participate in pre-opening sales, revenue management, and market positioning strategies
• Develop opening schedules, staffing plans, labor models, and operating procedures
• Ensure the hotel is prepared for required Marriott inspections and opening approvals
• Drive a successful opening and stabilization period

Leadership and Team Development

• Provide visible, engaged leadership throughout the hotel
• Recruit, retain, develop, and motivate a high-performing management and associate team
• Establish accountability and clear expectations for department leaders
• Conduct daily huddles, leadership meetings, and regular departmental reviews
• Coach department leaders and provide ongoing performance feedback
• Ensure new associates receive a strong onboarding and training experience
• Promote internal growth, associate engagement, recognition, and development
• Build a culture where leaders and associates take ownership of the guest experience and hotel results
• Maintain appropriate staffing levels while balancing service standards and labor productivity

Hotel Financial Performance

The General Manager is responsible for achieving established revenue, profitability, and operating goals.

Responsibilities include:

• Manage the hotel's annual operating budget and financial performance
• Monitor revenue, labor, operating expenses, and departmental productivity
• Review monthly P&L statements and identify opportunities to improve profitability
• Drive GOP performance while maintaining guest service and brand standards
• Partner with Revenue Management and Sales leadership to maximize occupancy, ADR, RevPAR, and total hotel revenue
• Monitor competitive hotel performance and local market conditions
• Ensure department leaders understand their budgets and financial responsibilities
• Develop action plans when financial performance is below expectations
• Maintain effective purchasing, inventory control, and expense management practices

Revenue, Sales, and Market Positioning

• Work closely with Sales and Revenue Management to establish and execute the hotel's commercial strategy
• Understand competitive hotels, demand generators, local businesses, corporate accounts, and market opportunities
• Support sales efforts and develop relationships within the Danbury business community
• Participate in revenue strategy meetings and evaluate pricing, segmentation, and market positioning
• Identify opportunities to increase market share and drive profitable revenue
• Maintain strong relationships with key accounts and community partners

Guest Experience and Brand Standards

• Create a culture focused on exceptional guest service
• Monitor guest feedback, scores, reviews, and Marriott performance metrics
• Ensure guest concerns are addressed promptly and professionally
• Develop corrective action plans when service opportunities are identified
• Conduct regular guest room and property inspections
• Maintain high standards for cleanliness, property condition, service, and presentation
• Ensure compliance with Marriott brand standards and Ownership expectations
• Prepare for and successfully complete Marriott quality assurance and brand inspections

Asset Management

• Maintain the physical condition and appearance of the hotel
• Conduct routine property inspections and ensure deficiencies are corrected
• Develop and manage Repair and Maintenance and Capital expenditure priorities
• Protect the hotel's physical assets through preventive maintenance programs
• Ensure approved projects are completed properly and within established timelines
• Maintain compliance with safety, security, life-safety, and regulatory requirements

Human Resources and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with company policies and all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws
• Oversee hiring, onboarding, associate documentation, training, counseling, and performance management
• Ensure department managers complete required evaluations and employee development initiatives
• Maintain proper associate records and documentation
• Review payroll and labor productivity
• Ensure workplace safety programs and required postings are maintained
• Promote a professional, respectful, and positive workplace environment

Experience and Qualifications

Required or Strongly Preferred

• Minimum 3 years of hotel General Manager or senior hotel leadership experience
• Previous Marriott hotel management experience strongly preferred
• Previous hotel opening, conversion, renovation, or transition experience highly preferred
• Demonstrated success managing hotel financial performance and increasing profitability
• Strong understanding of hotel P&L statements, budgets, forecasting, labor management, and expense control
• Proven ability to recruit, develop, and lead high-performing hospitality teams
• Strong guest service and brand compliance background
• Experience working collaboratively with Sales and Revenue Management
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, hands-on environment
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills

Experience with Marriott systems and hospitality platforms is highly desirable.

Knowledge of systems such as:

• Marriott property management and brand systems
• M3
• Revenue Management systems
• Sales and CRM platforms
• Microsoft Office/ Excel Proficient
• Google Workspace

Additional Qualifications

• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to analyze financial and operational data and translate it into action
• Strong sense of urgency and follow-through
• Ability to manage multiple priorities during a hotel opening
• Comfortable holding leaders accountable while developing and supporting their success
• Ability to remain calm and make sound decisions in challenging situations
• Strong attention to detail
• Local Danbury or Fairfield County market knowledge is a plus
• Marriott General Manager certification is a plus
• Food Safety, TIPS, CPR, and related hospitality certifications are a plus

Benefits

• Salary range of $75,000 to $90,000 per year
• Quarterly performance-based bonus opportunity
• Paid vacation
• Paid holidays
• Medical benefit options
• Dental and vision benefits
• Cell phone allowance
• Hotel employee travel discounts
• Employee referral bonus opportunities
• Professional development and training
• Opportunity for continued advancement within a growing hotel portfolio

Why This Opportunity Is Different

This is not simply an opportunity to manage an existing hotel.

You will have the opportunity to build the operation from the ground up, helping select your team, establish the culture, implement operating standards, prepare the hotel for opening, and lead the property through its first chapter.

For a hospitality leader who enjoys building teams, developing people, driving performance, and taking true ownership of an operation, this is an opportunity to make an immediate and lasting impact.