General Manager | Hotel Free West

Columbia-Hospitality; Big Sky (MT); On-site; USD 170,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary range: $170-180k DOE

Cell phone reimbursement

Incentive eligible

Paid daily

PTO

Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, 4

401K

HSA/FSA with employer contribution

Discounted lodging, dining, spa, golf

Employee assistance program

Volunteer opportunities

Referral bonus

Discounted travel

Job summary

Columbia Hospitality seeks a General Manager for Hotel Free West (opening 2027) in Big Sky, MT. The GM will provide leadership across all departments, oversee financial planning, and drive guest satisfaction while building community partnerships.

The role requires 5+ years in GM leadership at a similar property, strong communication, and robust budgeting skills. Expect a growth‑driven, values‑based culture with a focus on exceptional experiences.

Qualifications

• 5+ years progressive GM experience at a property of similar size.
• Knowledge of applicable laws, codes and regulations.
• Strong writing skills for contracts, reports, and operations manuals.
• Strong general management skills including planning, organizing, decision making, and delivering results.
• Strong financial management including budgeting and forecasting.
• Strong people management, coaching, motivating, delegating, scheduling and relationship building.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall direction, coordination and leadership for all departments in the property.
• Lead group sales outreach, negotiations, planning and service.
• Direct liaison to community organizations, city officials, industry associations and PR entities.
• Ensure standards, policies and procedures are implemented in all departments.
• Participate in annual operating budget and financial plans.
• Create and monitor annual operating goals and strategies to drive profitability and growth.
• Manage budgeting, pricing policies, expense control and reporting.
• Direct preparation, production and distribution of reports.
• Protect assets through maintenance, security and capital improvements.
• Analyze guest feedback and implement service improvements.
• Promote the property in local community and with industry partners.
• Select, train, develop, and coach staff; conduct performance assessments.
• Provide timely trainings on job standards.

Skills

GM experience

Communication

Financial management

People management

Planning & organizing

Laws & regulations

Contract writing

Job description

General Manager | Hotel Free West (Opening 2027)

Let’s start off with the most important part – what’s in it for you:

The Perks

• Salary Range: $170-180k DOE
• Cell phone Reimbursement
• Incentive Eligible
• Get Paid Daily (Make any day payday)
• Self-Managed PTO (Because Balance Matters)
• Benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, 401K
• HSA/FSA Plans -with employer contribution
• Values Based Culture (#OMGLIFE)
• Culture Add (Creating Space for Fresh Perspectives)
• Referral Bonus (Get Paid to Recruit)
• Discounted Lodging, Dining, Spa, Golf, and Retail (Yes, Discounted Travel!)
• Employee Assistance Program
• “Columbia Cares” Volunteer Opportunities
• Committee Participation Opportunities (Fun, Philanthropic, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion)
• Task Force Work Opportunities (Grow your career in idyllic locations across the globe)
• Online Learning Platform to Help You Grow!
• Third Party Perks (Including discounts on Pet Insurance, Rental Cars, Movie and Concert Tickets, Theme Park and Attractions & so much more)

Our Commitment to you:

“People never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou’s famous statement serves as a rallying cry throughout Columbia Hospitality and fuels our collective drive - and success.

Our people are our purpose, and our brand is our people. We seek extraordinary individuals who drive our brand promise of Creating Exceptional Experiences. We are a people‑first organization, ignited from the inside to succeed on the outside. We are a tight‑knit, inclusive, values‑driven team and we trust one another to have each other’s backs. We show up every day with open hearts, an inclusive mindset, and a genuine respect for those around us. We have fun, grow together, and strive to leave a positive lasting impression on everyone we meet.

What Success Looks Like

Your Impact

• Provides overall direction, coordination and leadership for all departments in the property
• Primary support for all group sales outreach, negotiations, planning and service
• Direct liaison to all community organizations, city officials, industry associations and public relations entities
• Ensures all applicable standards, policies and procedures are fully implemented in all departments
• Participates in preparation of the annual operating budget and financial plans which support the overall objectives of the property
• Creates and monitors annual operating goals, addressing all the drivers (Financial, Guests, Infrastructure, and Learning and Growth)
• Works with department leaders to meet or exceed established budgetary guidelines for the hotel. Establishes sound pricing policies for guest services. Reviews and approves operating expenses. Develops and implements strategies to enhance profitability and revenue generation
• Directs the accurate and on‑time preparation, production and distribution of all required reports
• Protects and enhances the value of all property assets through appropriate programs in maintenance, security, emergency preparedness, housekeeping and capital improvements
• Analyzes guest feedback and discusses findings with department leaders. Institutes changes and upgrades in service as necessary
• Promotes the property by building and maintaining an active and visible position in the local community and with industry partners
• Selects, supervises, trains, develops, schedules, disciplines, and counsels staff. Demonstrates positive leadership characteristics that empower and inspire employees to meet and exceed standards
• Provides timely formal assessment of individual team members in alignment with the performance review policy and procedures
• Conducts training on job standards and areas of responsibility as needed

What You Bring

• At least 5 years progressive experience in a General Manager role at a property of similar size and level of service
• Working knowledge of all applicable laws, codes and regulations
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to write contracts, reports, business correspondence, and operations manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from team members, managers, clients, guests or the general public
• Strong general management skills, including time management, information analysis, planning and organizing, decision making, problem solving, and delivery of results
• Strong financial management skills, including budget management, expense control, forecasting and analysis of financial statements
• Strong people management skills, including coaching, motivating, delegating, scheduling and relationship‑building

Where You’ll Work

Hotel Free West, framed by the stunning backdrop of Montana’s landscape, is the result of years of vision, planning, and purpose. More than just a place to stay, it’s designed to be a vibrant hub for the community, a welcoming gathering space for locals, and a thoughtfully curated destination for travelers. Set amid the lively shops, restaurants, and events of Town Center, Hotel Free West represents the next chapter in Big Sky’s evolution.

Blending elevated design, warm hospitality, and an authentic sense of place, Hotel Free West promises an experience that’s uniquely Big Sky in every detail.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Columbia Hospitality we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles.