General Manager

Opening General Manager. | Richmond, Virginia

• Annual Performance Bonus
• Relocation assistance for the right candidate
• Dental and Vision Coverage
• 401(k) Program
• Paid Time Off
• Professional Growth Opportunities

Melton Hospitality Advisors has been retained by our client to identify an experienced and dynamic Opening General Manager to lead an exciting new hotel opening in the Richmond, Virginia market.

This is a unique opportunity for a hospitality leader who enjoys building teams, shaping culture, driving operational excellence, and creating memorable guest experiences from the ground up. The selected candidate will play a pivotal role in the pre-opening process and will be responsible for establishing the foundation for long-term success.

Our client is seeking a proven leader who combines strong business acumen with a passion for developing people, delivering exceptional service, and achieving outstanding financial results.

The Opening General Manager will have overall responsibility for all aspects of hotel operations, including:

• Pre-opening planning and execution
• Recruiting, training, and developing department leaders and associates
• Financial management, budgeting, and forecasting
• Revenue growth and market share strategies
• Guest satisfaction and service excellence
• Brand standards and operational compliance
• Associate engagement and culture development
• Community engagement and business development
• Ownership communication and reporting

This role requires a highly visible leader who can successfully balance operational execution, financial performance, and team development while creating an exceptional experience for both guests and associates.

• Previous experience as a Hotel General Manager
• Experience with Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, or other nationally recognized brands
• Strong leadership and team-building skills
• Demonstrated success in driving guest satisfaction scores
• Experience developing and mentoring department leaders
• Strong sales, revenue management, and business development acumen
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• A reputation for professionalism, accountability, and integrity

• Upscale, lifestyle, premium select-service, or full-service hotel experience
• Experience leading renovations, repositionings, or major operational transitions
• History of exceeding financial and operational performance goals

Opportunities to lead a hotel from opening day are rare.

This role offers the chance to:

• Build an entire hotel team from the ground up
• Establish the property's culture and leadership foundation
• Influence operational strategy before opening
• Partner closely with ownership and key stakeholders
• Create a lasting impact on a significant hospitality investment

For the right leader, this is an opportunity to build something special while advancing their career with a respected hospitality organization.

Melton Hospitality Advisors is a hospitality-focused executive search and advisory firm dedicated to helping hotel owners and operators build stronger organizations through leadership stability, thoughtful hiring, and culture-focused talent solutions. We understand hotel operations because our work is grounded in real hospitality experience. Our focus is not simply filling positions, but helping organizations identify leaders who can create lasting impact for guests, associates, and ownership.