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

Athena Hospitality Group; Jackson (TN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Athena Hospitality Group is seeking a General Manager to open the TownePlace Suites in Jackson, TN. This pre-opening role leads the founding team, sets up systems, and shapes culture from day one.

You'll work with construction, operations, and corporate teams to hit milestones and ensure a smooth first stay. The ideal candidate has hotel operations leadership, Marriott or extended stay experience, and proven ability to manage budgets, labor, and vendor relationships.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of hotel operations experience with 3+ years in management.
• Pre-opening or new build experience is a strong plus.
• Marriott or extended stay 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead the pre-opening plan, working closely with construction, operations, and corporate teams to hit milestones.
• Recruit, hire, and train the full opening team.
• Complete Marriott 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 uphold Marriott and Athena standards.
• Own the numbers: review financials, manage the labor budget, control costs, and build a strong mix of short and long stay business.
• Partner with sales to line up corporate, healthcare, and project-based 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.

Skills

Hotel operations

Management experience

Financial statements

Leadership

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma / GED

Hospitality or business degree (plus)

Tools

Budgeting tools

Marriott brand standards

Job description

Description

Bring Your Marriott Experience to a Brand New Hotel in Jackson, TN.

TownePlace Suites is built for guests who need room to live, work, and settle in. We’re looking for a General Manager to open our new TownePlace Suites in Jackson, TN and make that experience feel easy from the very first stay. Jackson sits in the middle of West Tennessee’s growth story, with industrial investment, healthcare, and steady corporate travel bringing in guests who stay a week, a month, or longer.

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 Marriott 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 Marriott and Athena standards


• Own the numbers: review financials, manage the labor budget, control costs, and build a strong mix of short and long stay business


• Partner with sales to line up corporate, healthcare, and project based 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


• Marriott or extended stay 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.