Overview
General Manager Antal International • Bologna, Italy
A leading international operator in the student housing and hospitality sector is seeking a General Manager.
The Role
Based in Bologna, the General Manager will be responsible for the pre-opening phase and the long-term performance of a new student residence. The role carries full accountability for the property, with a strong focus on:
- operational management
- financial performance
- service quality
- health, safety and regulatory compliance
- team leadership
The General Manager will work closely with central teams and other General Managers across the portfolio, while maintaining full ownership and accountability for the residence.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of the residence, ensuring a safe, clean and high-quality environment in line with company standards.
- Lead, manage and develop the Operations team (Front Desk, Housekeeping, Maintenance), including shift planning and training programs.
- Drive the achievement of operational and commercial targets through a proactive, results-oriented approach.
- Manage the property’s financial performance, including budget control, costs, P&L, forecasting and KPI reporting (occupancy, revenue, NPS, costs).
- Drive revenue growth through: B2B contracts and partnerships (universities, agencies, corporates, relocation partners), local sales initiatives, and optimisation of pricing and occupancy strategies.
- Build strong relationships with the local community, while monitoring competitors and market demand trends.
- Coordinate the Facilities team, ensuring preventive maintenance and timely escalation of critical issues.
- Ensure full regulatory compliance (Health & Safety, fire safety, audits, water compliance).
- Oversee arrivals and departures, seasonal turnover periods and refurbishment programmes.
- Manage HR-related matters and relationships with external suppliers.
- Safeguard the resident experience, handling complaints and sensitive situations effectively and professionally.
- Collaborate with central offices and support portfolio-wide audits when required.
Candidate Profile
- Proven experience in hospitality, hotellerie or PBSA.
- Strong focus on guest / resident experience.
- Solid commercial background, with a track record in sales, occupancy growth and B2B partnerships.
- Experience managing multidisciplinary teams.
- Advanced financial skills, including P&L, budgeting, forecasting and KPI analysis.
- Strong familiarity with PMS and IT systems (e.g. StarRez, Mews).
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- High level of autonomy, accountability and problem-solving ability.
- Experience in Health & Safety, fire safety, operational audits and preventive maintenance.
- Sensitivity to student wellbeing and the ability to manage complex or sensitive situations.
- Energetic, results-driven leadership style.
- Willingness to attend training and travel to other properties as required.
- Proven ability to manage the complexity of a new hospitality opening, from pre-opening through to full occupancy.
Location: Bologna
Check Your Resume for Match
Upload your resume and our tool will compare it to the requirements for this job like recruiters do.
General Manager • Bologna, Italy