General Manager

Lucky Strike Entertainment; Kendall Township (IL); On-site; USD 108,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Employee stock purchase program

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Paid sick leave

Job summary

Lucky Strike Entertainment seeks a General Manager to lead our waterpark operations, shaping strategy, safety, and guest experiences. You’ll oversee aquatics, guest services, F&B, maintenance, and staffing while driving profitability and regulatory compliance.

You’ll manage a hands-on leadership team, ensure lifeguard certification, and optimize budgets and labor. The role requires on-site presence, flexible hours, and a commitment to a safe, fun environment for guests and staff.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in hospitality, attractions, theme park, or waterpark industry.
• Proven experience managing large teams in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
• Strong understanding of operations, financial management, labor scheduling, guest service, and safety compliance.
• Demonstrated success in managing budgets, analyzing P&L statements, and driving revenue while controlling costs.
• Experience overseeing aquatics operations and lifeguard programs, including StarGuard ELITE, Ellis & Associates, or comparable aquatic safety certification programs.
• Strong leadership and team development skills with a hands-on management style.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and point-of-sale or scheduling systems.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and vision for the waterpark, ensuring an outstanding guest experience, high-performing teams, and profitable operations.
• Oversee day-to-day park operations across all departments, including aquatics, food & beverage, attractions, admissions, retail, and facilities.
• Lead and manage the management team and department heads to drive operational excellence, efficiency, and safety.
• Monitor and maintain high standards of guest service, cleanliness, and safety throughout the park.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, including health, safety, and aquatic standards.
• Oversee hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, and performance management for all staff in partnership with HR.
• Lead aquatics team to ensure lifeguards are trained and certified and equipped for water safety.
• Manage budgets, labor forecasting, expense control, and financial reporting for the park.
• Maintain and inspect park facilities and attractions for safe operation.
• Implement emergency response procedures and safety drills.
• Drive continuous improvement in guest service, employee engagement, operational procedures, and cost efficiency.
• Represent the park professionally, building relationships with guests, vendors, partners, and community stakeholders.
• Promote a culture of positivity, respect, and accountability; ensure park areas meet brand, health codes, and company policies.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Operations

Safety compliance

Guest service

Communication

Staff scheduling

MS Office

Aquatics leadership

Education

Certified Pool Operator (CPO)

CPR/AED/First Aid

ServSafe

TIPS

Tools

POS systems

Scheduling software

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Why Lucky Strike?

We Are Lucky Strike Entertainment, one of the largest and most successful location-based entertainment companies in the World with 360 upscale and traditional Bowling Centers, five expansive and well-located Waterparks, a large Amusement Park in California and 10 upscale Boomers Family Entertainment Centers in major markets.

Who We Are

From a humble beginning with one bowling center in 1997, we redefined an industry and built a powerhouse Company with 14,000 Associates and nearly $1.4 billion in annual revenue. Hospitality is our core and we strive to deliver memorable experiences for every guest on every visit.

When you join Lucky Strike, you join a team of passionate winners and give yourself the best opportunity for sustained career growth and opportunity. It’s not easy to get hired by us - we want only the most talented and committed Managers, but when you do join Lucky Strike, the rewards are abundant.

Overview

Summary

The General Manager (GM) is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction, and daily operations of the waterpark. This role oversees all functional areas, including aquatics, guest services, food and beverage, maintenance, safety, staffing, and financial performance.

The GM ensures an exceptional guest experience while maintaining operational excellence, team performance, profitability, and full compliance with regulatory standards. The GM plays a hands-on leadership role, creating a safe, fun, and engaging environment for guests and team members alike.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and vision for the entire waterpark, ensuring an outstanding guest experience, high-performing teams, and profitable operations.
• Oversee day-to-day park operations across all departments, including aquatics, food and beverage, attractions, admissions, retail, and facilities.
• Lead, develop, and manage the management team and department heads to drive operational excellence, efficiency, and safety.
• Monitor and maintain the highest standards of guest service, cleanliness, and safety throughout the park.
• Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations, including health, safety, food service, and aquatic standards.
• Oversee hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, and performance management for all staff in partnership with HR and department managers.
• Lead and support the aquatics team to ensure lifeguards are properly trained and certified through StarGuard ELITE or Ellis & Associates, as applicable, and equipped to maintain water safety standards.
• Manage and monitor all operational budgets, labor forecasting, expense control, and financial reporting for the park.
• Maintain and inspect all park facilities and attractions to ensure equipment is functioning properly, clean, and safe for guests.
• Implement and monitor emergency response procedures, safety drills, and risk management protocols.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in guest service, employee engagement, operational procedures, and cost efficiency.
• Represent the park in a professional manner, building strong relationships with guests, vendors, partners, and community stakeholders.
• Promote a culture of positivity, respect, and accountability throughout the organization.
• Ensure all areas of the park operate according to brand standards, health codes, and company policies.
• Act as the primary point of contact during critical operational issues or emergencies.
• Serve as an ambassador of the waterpark brand and champion a fun, safe, and welcoming environment.

Qualifications And Experience

Required

• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in the hospitality, attractions, theme park, or waterpark industry.
• Proven experience managing large teams in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
• Strong understanding of operations, financial management, labor scheduling, guest service, and safety compliance.
• Demonstrated success in managing budgets, analyzing P&L statements, and driving revenue while controlling costs.
• Experience overseeing aquatics operations and lifeguard programs, including StarGuard ELITE, Ellis & Associates, or comparable aquatic safety certification programs.
• Strong leadership and team development skills with a hands-on management style.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and point-of-sale or scheduling systems.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Preferred or Required Upon Hire

• Certified Pool Operator (CPO) certification or equivalent.
• CPR/AED/First Aid certification.
• ServSafe and TIPS certifications for oversight of food and beverage operations.
• Knowledge of emergency action planning and safety protocols.
• Experience leading capital improvement projects or operational upgrades.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Must be comfortable working in indoor and outdoor environments in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, lift, and perform physical tasks for extended periods.
• Must be on-site during operational hours and available for emergency calls or urgent needs outside of business hours.
• Regular weekend, evening, and holiday work is required.

Pay & Benefits

The pay rate for this position is $120,000 per year.

Lucky Strike Entertainment offers performance-based incentives and a competitive total rewards package which includes healthcare coverage and other benefits including dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, employee stock purchase program, employee assistance program (EAP), paid vacation, paid holidays, and paid sick leave. More details regarding benefits are available here: Lucky Strike Entertainment Benefits