General Manager - Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

Hilton; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 300,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligibility

Long-term incentive (LTI)

Job summary

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort is seeking a General Manager to provide strategic and operational leadership across the property. The GM will drive financial performance, guest satisfaction, and a high-performing team, while fostering strong relationships with ownership, Hilton, and the local community.

The ideal candidate will have luxury-hospitality leadership experience, strong commercial acumen, and a passion for service to position the resort for continued growth in Santa Barbara.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years as General Manager for a property with at least $30M revenue.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen with budget oversight and profitability focus.
• Demonstrated ability to lead luxury hospitality teams and deliver elevated guest experiences.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all hotel operations and departments, aligning with Hilton brand standards.
• Drive financial performance through budgeting, forecasting, and revenue optimization.
• Develop a high-performing team and build community partnerships in Santa Barbara.

Skills

Financial acumen

Leadership

Operational excellence

Team development

Community relationships

Budget management

Revenue optimization

Guest experience

Job description

Job Identification: 221191

Job Category: General Manager/Hotel Manager

Job Schedule: Full time

Salary $300K - $320K / Eligible for Bonus and LTI

Equal Opportunity Employer EOE, including disability/vets

Exceptional Hospitality Starts with You

About the Opportunity

The General Manager will provide strategic and operational leadership for the resort, driving financial performance, operational excellence, and exceptional guest experience. This leader will oversee all aspects of the property while developing a high-performing team and fostering strong relationships with ownership, Hilton, and the local community.

The ideal candidate will be a proven hospitality executive with experience leading a large-scale luxury or upper-upscale resort. The successful GM will bring strong commercial acumen, operational discipline, and a passion for service, while positioning the resort for continued growth and success in the Santa Barbara market.

About the Property

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort is a premier oceanfront destination set across 24 acres along Santa Barbara's iconic East Beach. Offering the perfect blend of coastal beauty, elevated amenities, and classic California hospitality, the resort features 360 guest rooms and suites, multiple dining outlets, a full-service spa, swimming pool, tennis and pickleball courts, and direct access to the beach.

With approximately 60,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, the resort is a sought-after destination for leisure travelers, meetings, weddings, and special events. Its stunning oceanfront setting, expansive resort amenities, and proximity to all that Santa Barbara has to offer make Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort a standout hospitality destination and one of the market's most distinctive properties.

What are we looking for?

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years' General Manager experience managing a property with minimum $30 million revenue.

• Strong financial and commercial acumen, with expertise in budget management, financial oversight, revenue optimization, and driving profitability.

• Demonstrated eye for detail and a commitment to delivering elevated, luxury-level hospitality and guest experiences.

• Demonstrated ability to drive high team member engagement and build a strong culture, with a proven track record of developing talent, improving retention, and leading high-performing teams.

• Strong community leadership and relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish a trusted presence within Santa Barbara, while building meaningful local partnerships, and leveraging community connections to drive business and long-term success.

• Adept at identifying opportunities for business expansion and driving long-term profitability in the hospitality industry.

• Experience managing owner relations and fostering positive partnerships.

Preferred Qualifications

• Resort experience.

• Local market experience.

• Hilton brand experience.

As General Manager, your responsibilities will also include:

• Managing and optimizing hotel operations: You will lead the hotel with strategic oversight of all departments - ensuring alignment with Hilton brand standards. Through effective budgeting, forecasting, and service delivery, you'll drive operational excellence and a seamless guest experience. By identifying inefficiencies and leveraging guest feedback, you'll implement targeted improvements that enhance workflow, reduce waste, and elevate service. Your focus on continuous improvement, coaching, and innovation will strengthen team performance and consistently exceed guest expectations.

• Managing commercial financial performance: