Job Description

On one of Phang Nga’s most beautiful stretches of coastline, a new Kimpton resort is taking shape, and we’re looking for the General Manager who will bring it to life.

Kimpton Phang-Nga Natai Beach is a new 150-key luxury lifestyle resort under development on Natai Beach, comprising 132 premium rooms and suites and 18 villas. With direct beach access, landscaped gardens, lake features, pools, a seven-room spa, fitness centre and kids’ club, the resort is being created as an intimate, design-led destination with a strong sense of place.

But this is Kimpton, so beautiful surroundings are only part of the story. We want this to be a resort with personality and energy. A place where great design, memorable dining, creative programming and genuine human connection come together, and where guests, locals and the team all feel part of what is happening.

The food and beverage offer will sit at the heart of the resort experience, with four outlets including all-day dining, a specialty restaurant and bar, a beach bar and lobby bar. The property is targeted to open on 30 June 2028. The opportunity is to make these more than hotel outlets: to create places with their own identity and energy that contribute to the personality of the resort.

As General Manager, you will lead the hotel through pre-opening and into operation, building the team and culture from the ground up while establishing Kimpton as a distinctive lifestyle-luxury destination in Phang Nga. This role calls for a proven international General Manager who combines commercial discipline, creative brand leadership and strong owner-facing maturity.

We’re looking for someone who understands that Kimpton is at its best when it feels individual, social and connected to its destination, and who has the personality and creativity to make that come alive through people, experiences, partnerships and the culture of the hotel.

YOUR DAY TO DAY:

As General Manager, you will take full responsibility for the overall success of the resort, delivering exceptional guest experiences, strong commercial performance, and trusted owner relationships.

While no two days will be the same, you will:

• Lead the pre-opening and opening journey, including recruitment, brand immersion, operational readiness, and stakeholder alignment.
• Establish clear performance, development and succession plans for the executive team and department heads, providing coaching, mentoring and ongoing feedback.
• Ensure full compliance with IHG brand standards, service excellence frameworks, and regulatory requirements, while tailoring the guest experience to local and international markets.
• Build strong, visible relationships with owners, government authorities, business partners, travel industry stakeholders, and the local community.
• Drive commercial strategy, including positioning, pricing, digital marketing and revenue management, in a competitive and fast-developing destination.
• Lead capital planning and asset management initiatives to protect long-term asset value and enhance market leadership.
• Oversee financial performance, including budgeting, forecasting and P&L management, to maximize profitability and return on investment.
• Foster a safe, secure and inclusive environment for guests, colleagues and assets, ensuring compliance with all health, safety and regulatory standards.
• Inspire a high-engagement culture through change management, leadership development and performance-driven initiatives.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IN YOU:

• Proven General Manager experience in luxury lifestyle or resort hospitality. This is not a first-time General Manager appointment.
• Demonstrated pre-opening leadership experience, with a track record across recruitment, culture building, systems implementation, owner engagement and opening readiness.
• Experience leading the development and activation of a property’s MUSE in collaboration with ownership and creative partners, translating a distinctive identity into programming, collaborations, culinary experiences, style and guest touchpoints, and ensuring it is understood and consistently brought to life by the team.
• Strong commercial acumen across high-rated leisure FIT, luxury distribution and consortia, suites and villas, resort Food & Beverage, spa and selected group business.
• A creative, marketing-savvy approach and an understanding of how partnerships, collaborations and activations can build brand positioning and drive demand.
• A leader with personality, presence and creative energy, who enjoys being visible in the resort and understands how to build a culture that feels distinctly Kimpton rather than simply operating to luxury standards.
• Credible owner and stakeholder management skills, with confidence operating in a hands-on and strategic ownership environment.
• Experience in Thailand or Southeast Asia strongly preferred; knowledge of Phuket and/or Phang Nga would be advantageous.
• A genuine commitment to developing Thai talent, building a strong leadership pipeline and creating local successors.
• Fluent professional English. Thai language capability is advantageous but not mandatory.

The above is intended to provide an overview of the role and responsibilities and is not an exhaustive list of the duties inherent in the position.

IHG Hotels & Resorts is an equal opportunity employer. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.

At IHG, we’ve made a promise. As one of the world’s leading hotel groups, we’re here to deliver True Hospitality for Good. Making our guests and colleagues feel welcome, cared for, recognised and respected – wherever they are in the world. Want to be part of the journey?