General Manager (Pre-Opening), Candlewood Suites, Jackson, TN

Athena Hospitality Group; Jackson (TN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Athena Hospitality Group seeks a General Manager to open Candlewood Suites in Jackson, TN. You will recruit and lead the founding team, set up systems, and drive culture from day one in a pre-opening role. You’ll ensure brand standards, vendor relations, and opening milestones are met.

As the ongoing leader, you’ll manage operations, budgets, and labor planning while growing long-stay revenue and ensuring safety and guest satisfaction throughout the opening phase and beyond.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in hotel operations, with 3+ years in management.
• Pre-opening or new-build experience is a strong plus.
• Extended stay or IHG brand experience is a plus.
• Strong communication and budget/labor planning skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the pre-opening plan with construction, operations, and corporate teams to hit milestones.
• Recruit, hire, and train the opening team.
• Complete IHG brand opening requirements and ready the hotel for first guest.
• Set up vendor relationships, systems, and property procedures.
• Lead all departments post-opening and uphold standards.
• Own the numbers: manage labor budget, costs, and long-stay revenue.

Skills

Leadership

Team building

Financials

Operations management

Education

Bachelor's degree in hospitality

Tools

Microsoft Excel

POS systems

Job description

Description

Build a Home Away From Home. Open Our New Candlewood Suites in Jackson, TN.

At Candlewood Suites, guests aren’t passing through. They’re here for projects, relocations, and long work assignments, and for a while, this hotel becomes home. We’re looking for a General Manager to open our new Candlewood Suites in Jackson, TN and build a team that treats extended stay guests like neighbors. Sitting right between Memphis and Nashville, with major industrial growth in West Tennessee, Jackson is seeing real long stay demand.

This is a pre-opening role. The hotel is scheduled to open in March 2027, and you’ll be the leader who gets it there. You’ll hire and train the founding team, set up systems and processes, and shape the culture from day one. If you’ve opened a hotel before, or you’ve always wanted to, this is your chance to build something from the ground up.

Athena Hospitality Group manages hotels across Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana, and New Jersey, and we’re growing.

What you’ll do

• Lead the pre-opening plan, working closely with our construction, operations, and corporate teams to hit every milestone
• Recruit, hire, and train the full opening team
• Complete IHG brand opening requirements and get the hotel ready for its first guest
• Set up vendor relationships, operating systems, and property procedures
• Once open, lead every department and hold the property to IHG and Athena standards
• Own the numbers: review financials, manage the labor budget, control costs, and grow long stay revenue
• Partner with sales to line up project based, corporate, and relocation accounts before opening day
• Oversee accounting functions including payables, receivables, payroll, banking, and period end
• Keep the property safe and clean, with a strong key control program and OSHA compliance

What you bring

• At least 5 years of hotel operations experience, with 3 or more years in management
• Pre-opening or new build experience is a strong plus
• Extended stay or IHG brand experience is a plus
• Confidence with financial statements, budgets, and labor planning
• A leadership style that’s accountable but human
• Strong communication skills, in person and in writing
• Flexibility to work nights, weekends, and holidays when the business needs it
• High school diploma or GED required; a degree in hospitality or business is a plus

Why Athena

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Room to grow with a company that’s adding hotels and promoting from within
• A corporate team that shows up, supports you, and knows your name

Expected start date:

March 2027

Requirements

This position requires the ability to lift up to 40 lbs and to use a computer and standard office equipment. Athena Hospitality Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.