Job Description

Our client is preparing to launch a new hotel in St. Julian's, Malta, and is seeking an experienced and hands-on Hotel General Manager to lead its pre-opening preparations and oversee the hotel's operations following its opening.

The property will feature approximately 60 guest rooms and will operate within the 3-star hotel segment, offering an exciting opportunity for an experienced hospitality professional to take ownership of the hotel's setup, team development, guest experience, and commercial performance.

About the Role

Reporting directly to the Directors, the successful candidate will take the lead in preparing the hotel for its planned opening in June 2027 and subsequently managing its day-to-day operations.

The role will involve establishing operational procedures, recruiting and developing the team, managing budgets, driving revenue, and ensuring high standards of guest satisfaction and operational efficiency.

This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated hotel leader who enjoys building operations from the ground up and taking an active role in the overall success of a property.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Opening Responsibilities

• Lead and monitor the hotel opening plan, ensuring key milestones, deadlines, budgets, and operational requirements are met.
• Develop the hotel's organisational structure, staffing requirements, and payroll budget.
• Recruit key personnel, coordinate onboarding, and organise staff induction and training.
• Establish departmental procedures, service standards, operational policies, and staff schedules.
• Coordinate suppliers, service agreements, purchasing, and opening stock requirements.
• Oversee the selection, implementation, and testing of hotel management systems, booking platforms, and payment systems.
• Work closely with revenue-management support to establish room rates, inventory, distribution channels, and initial sales strategies.
• Coordinate room and public-area readiness, operational inspections, and equipment checks.
• Ensure operational licensing, health and safety requirements, and other compliance matters are addressed ahead of opening.
• Organise trial operations and soft-opening preparations.

Post-Opening Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily operations of Front Office, Housekeeping, Maintenance, and other hotel departments.
• Ensure consistently high standards of cleanliness, guest service, and operational efficiency.
• Monitor guest feedback and online reviews, addressing complaints and implementing improvements where necessary.
• Prepare budgets and forecasts in collaboration with Finance, monitoring financial performance and operating costs.
• Manage occupancy, Average Daily Rate (ADR), and Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR), working closely with revenue-management support.
• Oversee online distribution channels, third-party booking platforms, and direct booking strategies.
• Develop and maintain relationships with corporate clients, local businesses, and leisure travel partners.
• Lead recruitment, staff training, performance management, and employee retention.
• Monitor staffing levels, productivity, payroll, and departmental expenditure.
• Oversee preventive maintenance, security, fire safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Provide regular performance updates to the Directors, identifying operational challenges and opportunities for improvement.
• Recommend initiatives and investments to improve the hotel's performance and guest experience.

Requirements

• Only candidates residing in Malta will be considered for this role.
• Proven senior management experience as a Hotel General Manager, Hotel Manager, or Operations Manager ready to take on broader responsibility.
• Previous experience overseeing hotel operations, including Front Office, Housekeeping, Maintenance, and guest services.
• Strong understanding of hotel budgeting, financial management, payroll, and operational costs.
• Good knowledge of revenue management, online distribution channels, and hotel management systems.
• Experience recruiting, developing, and leading hotel teams.
• Strong organisational, leadership, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving abilities.
• Fluent spoken and written English.
• Ability to work on-site in St. Julian's and provide operational leadership during evenings, weekends, and as required.

Previous pre-opening experience will be considered a strong advantage.

Additional advantages include:

• Experience within independent 3-star or 4-star hotels.
• Knowledge of the Maltese hospitality market and local suppliers.
• Relevant hospitality or hotel management qualifications.
• Knowledge of Maltese or other languages.

What Our Client Offers

• Gross annual salary of €52,000 – €55,000, depending on experience and suitability.
• Annual performance-related bonus of up to 10–15% of gross annual basic salary, subject to agreed targets and conditions.
• Company-paid mobile phone and business communication expenses.
• Opportunity to lead the pre-opening and launch of a new hotel in St. Julian's.
• Direct involvement in strategic and operational decision-making.
• Opportunity to build and lead a hotel team from the ground up.

Planned Hotel Opening

The hotel is expected to open in June 2027, subject to project readiness. The successful candidate will be expected to join sufficiently in advance to oversee the pre-opening preparations. The joining date will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Are you an experienced hospitality leader ready to take on an exciting pre-opening opportunity? Apply today and play a key role in launching and leading a new hotel in Malta!