General Manager - The Nell New York

Aspen Skiing Company; New York (NY); On-site; USD 250,000 - 325,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Nell Hotels seeks a General Manager for its flagship luxury property pre-opening, shaping culture, assembling a world-class team, and delivering an opening experience aligned with iconic brand standards.

Role reports to VP of Operations; salary is $250,000–$325,000 with bonus eligibility; prior luxury pre-opening leadership is essential for success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, Hotel and Restaurant Management or related field or equivalent experience.
• 7 years of progressive hotel leadership experience.
• 3 years as a General Manager of a five-star property.
• 3 years of people leadership.
• Proven track record in leading pre-opening or major repositioning projects.
• Experience in multi-branded or independent luxury hotels.
• Membership in HSMAI/AHLA or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Lead all pre-opening planning activities and cross-functional coordination.
• Recruit, hire, and onboard the full leadership team; establish luxury service culture.
• Develop opening marketing/PR strategy to generate momentum and brand awareness.
• Build relationships with contractors, vendors, government, and brand reps during construction and soft-opening.
• Establish SOPs, service standards, and training aligned with brand requirements.
• Coordinate soft-opening events and VIP previews to build community buzz.

Skills

Leadership

Executive presence

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree (business administration)

Hospitality mgmt degree

Equivalent experience

Tools

ProfitSword

Medallia

HMS

MS Office

Job description

• Compensation: USD 250,000 - USD 325,000 - yearly

Company Description

Nell Hotels is a collection of distinctive luxury hotels and residences united by a shared commitment to warm, intuitive hospitality, cultural connection and unparalleled access. Founded on the legacy of The Little Nell in Aspen, Colorado, the portfolio includes The Little Nell, Aspen’s only Five-Star, Five-Diamond ski‑in/ski‑out hotel; the Residences at The Little Nell; and The Nell New York, opening in 2027 as the first hotel within Rockefeller Center and New York City’s only Relais & Châteaux property.

At each Nell Hotels property, the guest experience is guided by four defining pillars: creating a sense of home, unveiling distinctive access, engaging with intention and sparking après‑energy. Rooted in the belief that true luxury is defined by familiarity, Nell Hotels creates deeply personal experiences that make guests feel welcomed, recognized and connected to the destinations they visit.

Position Summary

The General Manager of our flagship five‑star luxury property will lead a pre‑opening hotel from the ground up, defining the culture, assembling the team, and delivering an opening experience worthy of the brand's global prestige. This position requires deep expertise in luxury hotel operations, a proven record of driving measurable business outcomes, and a genuine passion for community engagement. This role serves as the face of the property to guests, ownership, civic leaders, and industry partners alike, setting the standard for excellence in every dimension of the hotel experience. This position reports to the Vice President of Operations.

The salary range for this position is $250,000 - $325,000. Actual pay will be dependent on budget and experience; all our salaried roles are eligible for bonus.

Job Posting Deadline

Applications for this position will be accepted until August 26, 2026.

Essential Job Functions/Key Job Responsibilities

Pre‑Opening Leadership

• Lead all pre‑opening planning activities including timeline development, milestone tracking, and cross‑functional coordination across Rooms, F&B, Sales, Finance, HR, and Engineering.
• Recruit, hire, and onboard the full property leadership team; establish a culture of luxury service, accountability, and continuous improvement from day one in partnership with Talent Acquisition and Human Resources.
• Develop and execute opening marketing and PR strategy in partnership with the Sales & Marketing team; establish early revenue momentum, local partnerships, and brand awareness campaigns.
• Build productive relationships with contractors, vendors, local government, and brand representatives throughout the construction and soft‑opening phases.
• Establish all operational SOPs, service standards, and training programs aligned with brand requirements prior to opening.
• Coordinate soft‑opening events and VIP preview experiences to build community buzz and loyalty from the outset.

Community Engagement

• Serve as the primary ambassador for the hotel in the local market; actively represent the property at civic, cultural, business, and charitable events.
• Develop strategic alliances with local officials, business leaders, tourism boards, neighborhood associations, and cultural organizations.
• Champion local sourcing, hiring, and partnership initiatives that reinforce the property's commitment to the community.
• Design and lead community‑facing programming, events, and sponsorships that strengthen brand identity and drive local loyalty.
• Establish the hotel as a preferred venue for community gatherings, celebrations, and civic occasions through proactive outreach and relationship management.
• Identify and pursue cause‑related marketing and corporate social responsibility opportunities that align with Aspen One brand values and resonate with local audiences.

Business Strategy & Financial Performance

• Develop and execute comprehensive annual business plans designed to maximize guest satisfaction, profitability, and market share.
• Work closely with the Revenue Management team to develop dynamic pricing strategies that balance seasonality, demand, customer segmentation, and competitive positioning.
• Partner with the Sales & Marketing team to identify new business leads, develop tailored sales approaches, and actively pursue opportunities aligned with brand strategy.
• Identify and capitalize on strategies to grow occupancy, RevPAR, and market share through ongoing competitive analysis and market intelligence.
• Verify the property operates within approved budgetary guidelines, achieving or exceeding profit margin goals while maintaining product and service standards.
• Maintain full accountability for labor planning and capital expenditure decisions; ensure resources are deployed strategically and efficiently.

Operational Leadership

• Oversee all hotel operations including Rooms, Food & Beverage, Spa & Wellness, Engineering, Security, and ancillary services.
• Ensure the physical product is maintained and presented to brand standards; oversee capital improvement planning and project execution.
• Verify compliance with all brand standards, regulatory requirements, health and safety codes, and licensing obligations.
• Monitor service quality through direct guest interaction, quality audits, mystery guest programs; take swift corrective action when standards fall short.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, Hotel and Restaurant Management or related degree or equivalent additional experience in the hotel industry.
• 7 years of progressive hotel leadership experience required.
• 3 years as a General Manager of a five‑star property required.
• 3 years of people leadership required.
• Demonstrated success leading a hotel pre‑opening or major repositioning from pre‑launch through ramp‑up.
• Experience in multi‑branded or independent luxury hotel environments.
• Membership in industry organizations such as HSMAI, AHLA, or equivalent.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Proficient knowledge in leading revenue growth and profit enhancement through efficient and streamlined operations.
• Strong track record of delivering RevPAR index growth, GOP margin achievement, and top‑quartile guest satisfaction scores.
• Fluency in hotel financial management: P&L ownership, budgeting, forecasting, and capital planning.
• Deep familiarity with Forbes Five Star luxury hotel brand standards, guest journey design, and service culture development.
• Exceptional executive presence with the communication skills to engage ownership, civic leaders, media, and discerning guests with equal credibility.
• Experience in problem‑solving with the ability to handle multiple complex tasks in parallel.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Access), ProfitSword, Medallia, and HMS.
• Ability to use operational and guest insight to identify opportunities, proactively resolve service gaps, and hold leaders accountable for delivering exceptional guest experiences that consistently exceed expectations.
• Ability to stay current with luxury travel trends, market dynamics, and competitive activity; adapt strategy proactively to changing conditions.
• Ability to build and sustain a high‑performance leadership team; hold department heads accountable for delivery of business plans, service standards, and team engagement.
• Builds trust through visible, authentic leadership and open communication while fostering an inclusive, respectful culture that reflects our values and inspires engagement at every level.
• Ability to implement effective work processes, cross‑functional systems, and communication rhythms that enable individual and collective performance.
• Ability to conduct regular performance conversations; provide coaching, feedback, and recognition that motivates the team and elevates standards and actively support internal mobility and career development to retain top talent.

Additional Information

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Ability to stand, walk or be on your feet for extended periods of time, kneeling and bending may be required.
• Regularly work indoors with no adverse conditions.
• Must be able to occasionally lift, push or pull up to 50 lbs. individually or with assistance (weight limits can vary according to position, but no more than 50).

Job Benefits

This position is classified as a regular full‑time position eligible for the following benefits:
Enrollment dates differ across the various programs.

• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance Programs
• Flexible Spending Account Programs
• Life Insurance Programs
• Paid Time Off Programs
• Paid Leave Programs
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Employee Ski Pass and Dependent Ski Passes
• Other company perks

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. By accepting a position with Aspen One, Aspen Snowmass, Aspen Ventures or Aspen Hospitality you acknowledge that you are able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. To request accommodation during the application and interviewing process, please contact Human Resources at 970-300-7700.

This job description is designed to indicate the general nature and level of work. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

Aspen One is an equal opportunity employer (Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran). At Aspen One, inclusion, equity, and diversity are fundamental to fulfilling our vision of building a better workplace and better world. From our hiring practices through the entire employee experience, we embrace and celebrate the unique experiences, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds that each employee brings to the workplace. We encourage diverse points of view which allows us to develop innovative solutions to the ever‑evolving world of work. Aspen One strives to foster an environment where our employees feel respected, valued and empowered, and our team members are at the forefront of helping us promote and sustain an inclusive workplace that works for all.