Guest Experience Manager - Inn at Canaan

The INN at Canaan; Davis (WV); On-site; USD 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision, and life

401(k) retirement plan

Short term and long term disability

Paid holidays, vacation, personal, and

Relocation assistance negotiable

Employee discount programs

Job summary

The Inn at Canaan in Davis, West Virginia, seeks a Guest Experience Manager to design and own the guest journey from arrival to departure, shaping a unique hospitality culture at a 22-room property managed by Up to Par Management.

You’ll lead daily operations, mentor a small team, build partnerships with local guides and vendors, and drive guest satisfaction while maintaining financial performance.

Qualifications

• 2-4 years of hotel leadership or guest services experience.
• Experience supervising and developing teams.
• Passion for outdoor adventure and local culture.
• Strong relationship-building with guests and community partners.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with MS Office / Google Workspace.
• Hospitality degree preferred; real-world experience valued.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily hotel operations and guest experience initiatives.
• Serve as the public face of the Inn and build guest trust.
• Coach and develop a small hospitality team.
• Design and execute on-property experiences (events, partnerships).
• Balance guest satisfaction with budget and revenue goals.

Skills

Guest experience leadership

Team supervision

Guest services

Communication skills

Business acumen

Education

Hospitality degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Do you believe the best hospitality isn’t about rooms—it’s about becoming the trusted local expert who turns a mountain getaway into the trip guests never stop talking about?

At The Inn at Canaan, we’re looking for a creative, hands‑on hospitality leader to build something rare: a true “Concierge to Canaan.”

Nestled on 10 scenic acres at 4,000 feet in the heart of Canaan Valley, West Virginia, our 22-room inn (18 rooms + 4 two‑bedroom suites) is the perfect base camp for outdoor adventurers, families, and weekend explorers. Guests come forBlackwater Falls, Dolly Sods Wilderness, three ski resorts within 10 minutes (Timberline, Canaan Valley Resort, and White Grass), world‑class trout fishing, mountain biking, and the charming towns of Davis and Thomas with their galleries, live music, and breweries. On property they find our 18‑hole mini‑golf course (complete with Glow Golf nights), fire pit, and the kind of cool mountain air that makes July feel like heaven. This is not a traditional hotel operations role. This is your chance to design and own the entire guest experience culture from the ground up at a small, high‑potential property managed by a rapidly growing company.

What You’ll Be Doing

As the Guest Experience Manager, you’ll lead the daily operations of the hotel while focusing on what matters most—our guests.

• Serve as the creative force and public face of the Inn, transforming us into the definitive “Concierge to Canaan.”
• Champion an exceptional guest experience from arrival through departure, ensuring every interaction exceeds expectations.
• Lead by example, maintaining a visible presence throughout the hotel and building meaningful relationships with guests, team members, and the local community.
• Invent and execute memorable on‑property experiences: live music nights, local artist events and pop‑ups, mini‑golf competitions and leagues, outdoor gear exhibits/sales (ski/snowboard, fishing, climbing), themed evenings around the fire pit, and more.
• Inspire, coach, and develop a team that shares a passion for hospitality and service excellence.
• Foster a positive workplace culture built on teamwork, accountability, recognition, and continuous improvement.
• Build a curated network of trusted local partners—artisans, fly‑fishing guides, ski pros, climbing trainers, mountain guides, and outfitters—who become extensions of the Inn’s brand.
• Turn every guest interaction—from arrival to departure and beyond—into a reason they return and recommend us.
• Oversee daily hotel operations, ensuring departments work together seamlessly to provide an outstanding guest experience.
• Support revenue growth through thoughtful pricing strategies, operational efficiencies, and outstanding service that keeps guests returning.
• Assist in developing and managing hotel budgets while maintaining financial performance goals.
• Inspire, coach, and grow a small, passionate team that shares your obsession with creating “wow” moments.
• Stay current with hospitality trends and continually seek innovative ways to elevate the guest experience.

Full time team members are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Short term and long term disability
• Paid holidays, vacation, personal, and sick time
• Relocation assistance negotiable as part of the offer
• Employee discount programs through HR partner LL Roberts

Compensation: $50,000 - $55,000 based on experience

What We’re Looking For

• 2-4 years of hotel leadership, hospitality management, or guest services experience (or equivalent).
• Previous experience supervising, coaching, and developing teams.
• Genuine passion for outdoor adventure, local culture, and creating memorable moments
• Strong relationship‑building skills with both guests and community partners
• Comfortable balancing creative experience design with day‑to‑day operational leadership
• Excellent communication, organization, and problem‑solving skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office / Google Workspace
• Hospitality or related degree preferred; equivalent real‑world experience equally valued
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational and problem‑solving abilities
• The ability to balance guest satisfaction with operational and financial performance

You’ll Thrive Here if You

• Lead with heart and creativity
• Love being the person guests remember years later
• Get energy from building something new rather than following a rigid playbook
• Enjoy a hands‑on mountain environment
• Want your work to have visible impact every single day

Why Join The Inn at Canaan?

At Inn at Canaan, hospitality is more than a service—it’s our culture. We believe every interaction is an opportunity to create lasting memories for our guests while building a workplace where our team members are supported, empowered, and proud of what they do.

If you’re ready to lead with heart, inspire an incredible team, and help create unforgettable guest experiences in one of West Virginia’s most beautiful destinations, we’d love to meet you.

Additional Information:Kindly, be aware that the job description provided is not an exhaustive account of the activities, duties, or responsibilities entailed for this role. Standard Operating Procedures, Training Checklists, and Departmental Handbooks will be provided to ensure the Team Member is trained in all duties and responsibilities of the position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Up to Par Management and Taylor Hospitality are Equal Employment Opportunity companies, we are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, or disability.

About the Company:Up to Par Management | Taylor Hospitality Vision is to be an Exceptional Hospitality and Golf Management Company built by Exceptional Team Members who are Delivering on our Purpose to Positively Impact Others.