Hotel Brand: Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts
Location: Australia, Victoria, Geelong
Lead a landmark hotel opening in one of Victoria's most exciting waterfront destinations.
In partnership with Plenary Group, IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) is bringing its world-class Crowne Plaza brand to the Victorian regional city of Geelong. The Crowne Plaza Geelong will redefine premium accommodation, offering a sophisticated stay for both leisure and corporate travelers. It will form part of the highly anticipated Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre precinct, a transformative development featuring a 1,000-seat convention centre, exhibition spaces, and a vibrant retail and hospitality hub. Located in the heart of the emerging precinct, this 200-room hotel will feature spacious suites, an extensive restaurant and bar offering, pool, gym, and meeting facilities.
Crowne Plaza empowers guests on their journeys by creating spaces that foster connection, collaboration, and exploration. With over four decades of expertise, Crowne Plaza is a trusted hospitality leader, pioneering blended travel with tailored experiences and warm, unscripted service that meets the needs of modern travelers.
About This Role
We are now on the lookout for a General Manager to lead the hotel's pre-opening strategy and operations, and set the foundation for long-term success.
Your Day-to-Day
As General Manager, every day is different, but mostly you'll be:
* Strategic Planning: Develop and implement pre-opening strategies, timelines, and budgets to ensure an efficient and successful launch.
* Team Building: Recruit, train, and inspire a diverse team to embody our culture of excellence and true hospitality.
* Guest Experience: Set high standards for guest service, ensuring that the property offers memorable and personalized experiences, in accordance with our InterContinental brand standards.
* Operations Management: Oversee daily operations, manage budgets, and ensure the hotel complies with health, safety, and regulatory standards.
* Sales & Marketing: Collaborate with the sales and marketing teams to develop effective launch campaigns and drive occupancy rates.
* Community Engagement: Build strong relationships with the Convention Centre precinct, local businesses and the community to position the hotel as a top destination in Geelong.
You Will Be Responsible For:
* Developing and implementing pre-opening strategies, timelines, and budgets.
* Recruiting, training, and inspiring a diverse team.
* Setting high standards for guest service and ensuring memorable experiences.
* Oversight of daily operations, budget management, and compliance with health, safety, and regulatory standards.
* Collaborating with sales and marketing teams to drive occupancy rates.
* Building relationships with the Convention Centre precinct, local businesses, and the community.
Requirements
* A proven track record as a General Manager within a full-service hotel, preferably with pre-opening experience.
* Strong commercial acumen and a proven track record in driving financial and operational performance.
* Expertise in stakeholder management, fostering key partnerships within the business and local community.
* Capacity to build and lead a high-performing and engaged team.
* Financial acumen and experience with budgeting, forecasting, and P&L management.
* Demonstrated skill-set within Food & Beverage activation and Convention Centre operations.
* Expertise across all aspects of hotel operations, revenue management, and customer and brand service standards.
* Ability to work autonomously and manage workload and key deliverables within a project opening timeline.
* Proficiency in hotel management software and systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a high attention to detail.
* Tertiary education within a Business, Hotel Management or related field (preferred).
* Full Australian working rights.
About Us
We are committed to welcoming everyone and creating inclusive teams where we celebrate differences and encourage colleagues to bring their whole selves to work. IHG Hotels & Resorts provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.
We promote a culture of trust, support, and acceptance. Always welcoming different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.