General Manager-Hotel Tristen, Pensacola, FL

General Manager-Hotel Tristen

Join us for an exciting new hotel opening in early summer: Hotel Tristan in Pensacola, Florida. This is a unique opportunity to be part of the pre-opening team, build the foundation of the operation, and play a key role in bringing the guest experience to life.

Hotel Tristan is a boutique lifestyle hotel located in the East Garden District of Pensacola, Florida, designed to blend the city's historic character with modern hospitality. Inspired by the legacy of explorer Tristan de Luna, the property will offer an elevated guest experience centered around leisure travel, events, and destination-driven stays in a walkable downtown setting. The hotel will feature 121 guest rooms, positioning it as a key addition to Pensacola's growing hospitality and tourism landscape.

Location: Pensacola, FL 32502

Full-Time, Exempt

Reports To: Regional Director of Operations

Position Summary

The General Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, performance, and profitability of the hotel, overseeing all departments including Front Office, Housekeeping, Food & Beverage, Sales & Marketing, and Engineering. This role drives operational excellence, financial performance, and guest satisfaction by leading a high-performing team, executing brand and company standards, and ensuring alignment with company goals. The General Manager serves as the on-property leader, accountable for delivering results across revenue, expense management, team development, and guest experience.

This is a highly visible leadership role requiring a balance of strategic oversight and hands-on execution. The ideal candidate brings strong hospitality leadership experience, the ability to operate in a fast-paced environment, and a proven track record of building teams and driving consistent operational performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of hotel operations, ensuring alignment with company standards, brand expectations, and business objectives
• Drive financial performance by achieving or exceeding revenue, profit, and budget targets
• Partner with Sales and Revenue Management to support pricing, positioning, and demand generation strategies
• Oversee labor management, scheduling, and cost controls to ensure operational efficiency and budget adherence
• Lead, coach, and develop department leaders, building a strong leadership bench and accountability culture
• Ensure exceptional guest experience through consistent execution of service standards and proactive issue resolution
• Establish and maintain effective operating procedures across all departments
• Oversee property-level Human Resources functions, including hiring, performance management, employee relations, and compliance
• Ensure compliance with all safety, OSHA, and regulatory requirements
• Conduct regular property walkthroughs and inspections to ensure cleanliness, maintenance, and brand standards are upheld
• Partner with Engineering to maintain an effective preventative maintenance program and ensure all equipment is operational
• Monitor inventory levels and operational supplies to ensure proper controls and availability
• Lead daily/weekly communication routines (stand-ups, leadership meetings) to ensure alignment and execution
• Participate in revenue strategy and sales calls, contributing operational insight and execution alignment
• Maintain awareness of local market conditions, competition, and demand drivers
• Maintain flexibility to support operations across all shifts as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned to support overall hotel performance

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent experience considered

5+ years of progressive hotel leadership experience, including department head or General Manager level

Strong understanding of hotel operations, financial performance, and labor management

Experience managing multiple departments within a full-service or lifestyle hotel environment

Proven ability to lead teams, develop talent, and drive accountability

Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and P&L management

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

Proficiency in hotel systems (PMS, POS, labor management, reporting tools)

Core Competencies

Operational leadership and execution

Financial management and business acumen

Team development and coaching

Guest experience and service excellence

Problem-solving and decision-making

Communication and leadership presence

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

This role is based on-property and requires frequent interaction with team members, guests, and operational environments.

The position may involve:

• Standing and moving throughout the hotel for extended periods
• Frequent interaction in guest-facing and operational areas
• Occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds
• Participation in property walkthroughs, inspections, and operational support

Schedule Requirements:

Flexible schedule required to meet business needs

Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed

Ability to respond to operational needs outside of standard business hours

Benefits

Eligible team members may participate in the following:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Flexible spending accounts
• Life and AD&D insurance
• Short- and long-term disability
• Employee assistance program
• Hotel employee discount program

About Us

At Tandem Hospitality Group, we believe great hospitality starts with great people. Our philosophy—pedal together, win together—guides how we lead, collaborate, and succeed as a team.

We are a hospitality management company focused on boutique hotels and chef-driven restaurants, with a hands-on, operator-led approach. Our leaders partner closely with their teams to drive performance, elevate the guest experience, and build strong, sustainable operations.

Our culture is rooted in ownership, accountability, and transparency. We empower leaders to think like business owners, lead with intention, and create environments where teams can grow, perform, and stay connected to a shared vision.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Tandem Hospitality Group is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to any protected status under applicable law.