General Manager | Palihotel San Diego

GENERAL MANAGER | PALIHOTEL SAN DIEGO

POSITION PROFILE

The General Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, performance, and strategic direction of Palihotel San Diego, overseeing Front Desk, Housekeeping, Engineering, Overnight Operations, and Food & Beverage. This role serves as the on-site leader and culture driver, ensuring alignment with Palisociety’s service philosophy, design standards, and operational expectations. This position requires a hands‑on, detail‑oriented operator who can balance day‑to‑day execution with financial oversight and long‑term performance. The General Manager is directly responsible for driving profitability through disciplined expense management, operational excellence, and a continued focus on the guest experience. This description is a summary of primary responsibilities and qualifications. It is not intended to include all duties or qualifications that may be required now or in the future.

ABOUT PALIHOTEL SAN DIEGO

Palihotel San Diego is a vibrant and bustling mainstay located in the heart of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. Featuring 122 guest rooms, Palihotel San Diego brings a youthful, design‑centric offering to San Diego’s hotel landscape, showcasing a preppy, nautical‑inspired charm, and complete with Saint James French Diner restaurant and bar and a guest‑exclusive roof deck offering daily social hour and the best views of the city. If you’re passionate about creating genuine connections, thrive in a dynamic hospitality environment, and find joy in elevating guest experiences, we invite you to join our team at Palihotel San Diego!

TASKS AT HAND

Directing Team Members Ensure the hotel operates in alignment with Palisociety’s approach to community‑driven, design‑forward, service‑oriented hospitality. Hire, train, supervise, coach, and develop all team members to ensure performance consistency, strong follow‑through, and ownership at all levels. Lead performance management processes, including regular feedback, coaching, and formal evaluations. Establish clear expectations and hold leaders accountable for execution of all operational standards and deadlines. Maintain a positive, professional work environment while ensuring compliance with all employment laws and company policies. Ensure consistent communication across all departments through structured meetings (daily briefings, weekly department meetings, monthly leadership meetings). Oversee onboarding and training to ensure alignment with Palisociety standards, systems, and service expectations. Maintain strict adherence to all operational manuals, SOPs, and company standards; identify gaps and drive continuous improvement. Ensure all team members meet grooming, uniform, and presentation standards. Lead property Safety Committee and ensure full compliance with all safety, OSHA, and local regulatory requirements. Respond appropriately to emergencies and ensure preparedness across all departments. Partner closely with the Regional Director of Operations on staffing, culture, performance, and disciplinary matters. Conduct regular property walks and audits to ensure consistent execution across all departments. Managing Guest Experience Drive a culture of hospitality that is both highly personalized and operationally consistent. Continuously monitor and improve guest satisfaction metrics, with a focus on achieving and maintaining a 4.0+ rating across key platforms. Ensure all guest reviews and feedback are responded to in a timely, professional, and brand‑aligned manner. Actively engage with guests on property to gather feedback and identify opportunities for improvement. Lead guest recovery efforts and coach team members on service excellence and problem resolution. Identify trends in guest feedback and implement operational changes to improve the overall experience. Ensure all tools that are used to improve the guest experience are used to their fullest potential (i.e. Akia, Optii). Property Maintenance & Housekeeping Maintain the property to the highest cleanliness, maintenance, and design/styling standards through daily inspections and ongoing oversight. Conduct routine walkthroughs and structured weekly inspections with Housekeeping and Engineering teams. Ensure all spaces align with Palisociety styling standards and Eye for Detail expectations. Oversee preventative maintenance programs and ensure all work is tracked and completed in a timely manner. Manage vendor relationships, repair projects, and capital improvements with a focus on quality and cost efficiency. Partner with Regional Director of Operations and Design teams on FF&E updates, repairs, and replacements. Ensure all housekeeping and maintenance programs are consistently executed and continuously improved. Food & Beverage Oversee all aspects of the Food & Beverage operation at Saint James French Diner/In‑Room Dining/Roof Top, ensuring alignment with brand standards and guest expectations. Maintain a strong, visible presence in F&B outlets, particularly during peak periods. Partner with F&B property and corporate leadership to drive revenue, control labor and cost of goods, and improve overall profitability. Ensure all F&B spaces meet cleanliness, maintenance, and design/styling standards consistent with the hotel. Collaborate on activations, programming, and local partnerships to position the restaurant as both a guest amenity and neighborhood destination. Regularly review performance metrics and implement strategies to improve efficiency and guest satisfaction. Submit photos and content to the corporate social media team, meeting all deadlines. Be present for events as needed. Property Cost Control & Revenue Goals Own the financial performance of the property with a strong focus on expense control, labor management, and margin improvement. Actively manage departmental checkbooks on a weekly basis to ensure spending aligns with budget expectations. Review labor models and scheduling practices to ensure efficiency while maintaining service standards. Identify cost‑saving opportunities and operational efficiencies across all departments. Ensure accurate purchasing practices, inventory controls, and proper invoice coding. Lead monthly cost review meetings and hold department heads accountable for financial performance. Ensure timely completion of inventories and proactive management of variances. Financial Reporting and Owner Relations Partner with Accounting and the Regional Director of Operations to ensure timely and accurate completion of all financial reporting. Produce detailed and accurate monthly variance commentary with clear explanations and actionable insights. Maintain strong ownership relationships through transparent communication and consistent performance. Support the development and execution of annual budgets and forecasts. Proactively identify risks and opportunities and communicate them effectively to leadership. Sales & Marketing Partner with Sales, Marketing, and Revenue Management teams to drive topline performance, including RevPAR, ADR, and occupancy. Support the execution of sales strategies and ensure the property is positioned effectively within the market. Identify and support initiatives that drive incremental revenue, including F&B programming and local partnerships. Act as a brand ambassador within the local community to build awareness and demand.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Strong leadership presence with a hands‑on, roll‑up‑your‑sleeves approach. This role will be expected to support, as needed, any area of the property. Highly service‑oriented with a passion for hospitality and guest experience. Strong financial acumen with proven ability to manage budgets, control costs, and improve profitability. Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem‑solving skills. Ability to prioritize, multi‑task, and execute with a high level of attention to detail. Clear communicator with strong interpersonal and leadership skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and hotel operating systems; experience with systems such as Craftable preferred. Ability to remain calm under pressure and make sound decisions in a fast‑paced environment. Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in a hotel environment, preferably boutique or lifestyle. Strong Food & Beverage operational experience required. Flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed. Ability to stand, walk, and perform physical duties throughout the day, including lifting up to 40 lbs.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU

A competitive compensation package including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. 401(k) retirement plan (future you will love this one) Paid time off, holiday pay, and sick pay when you’re under the weather. Career advancement in an organization committed to helping star employees thrive. There’s also an opportunity to expand your career trajectory as we are a fast‑growing company with hotels and restaurants in multiple cities. Professional development that sets you up for success across multiple hospitality career paths. A collaborative work environment where your creative ideas can come to fruition. Amazing employee discounts on hotels and dining across our entire portfolio (18 hotels and more to come) Hands‑on training with a nimble team. For more information, visit or follow @palisociety For more information, visit or follow @arrivehotels Palisociety is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. Palisociety does not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status or any other basis protected under federal, state, or local laws. Privacy Notice For information on the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (“CCPA”), California Privacy Rights Act of 2020 (“CPRA”), and other California privacy laws, please go to the Palisociety Careers page at and to view the notice. We are an E-Verify Employer/Somos un empleador de E-Verify #J-18808-Ljbffr Ontario Trillium Foundation