General Manager

About the Role

As part of Aparium Hotel Group, Surety Hotel is more than a hotel. It's a gathering place where history, hospitality, and community come together to create unforgettable experiences for guests, associates, and the city of Des Moines. Located in the beautifully restored Hippee Building, Surety Hotel is an award-winning lifestyle hotel in the heart of downtown Des Moines. Rich in history and modern in spirit, Surety is a gathering place for travelers, locals, creatives, and community leaders alike.

We're seeking an experienced and passionate General Manager to lead the next chapter of this remarkable hotel. If you're an entrepreneurial hospitality leader who thrives on building culture, driving performance, connecting deeply with the community, and creating unforgettable guest experiences, this role is for you.

As General Manager, you won't simply operate a hotel. You'll shape an experience. You'll serve as the strategic leader, culture champion, community ambassador, and business driver for one of Iowa's premier lifestyle hospitality destinations. Working closely with ownership, Aparium's executive leadership team, and your hotel leadership team, you'll have the opportunity to influence every aspect of the business, from guest experience and food & beverage performance to talent development and long-term profitability. This role is ideal for a leader who loves both the art and science of hospitality and understands that exceptional results come from exceptional people.

Responsibilities

• Lead the hotel’s overall strategy, daily operations, guest experience, associate engagement, financial performance, and revenue generation.
• Partner with Food + Beverage leaders to deliver locally inspired, high-quality restaurant and bar experiences that reflect the community.
• Serve as a visible ambassador for the hotel by building relationships with local merchants, operators, civic leaders, partners, and community organizations.
• Attract, hire, coach, and develop exceptional talent while guiding the executive team in building an inclusive, high-performing workplace.
• Champion Aparium’s Art + Science approach, modeling translocal hospitality, intuitive service, and collaboration across every department.
• Use guest feedback, associate feedback, performance data, and market insight to continuously improve service delivery and business results.
• Collaborate closely with Aparium headquarters, hotel ownership, and operational leaders to align priorities, address risks, and achieve business goals.

Requirements

• Three or more years of General Manager experience in a full-service, lifestyle hotel.
• Strong business acumen with a deep understanding of hotel profitability, revenue management, market positioning, and driving extraordinary guest experiences.
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to navigate ambiguity, inspire others, and lead with authenticity.
• Experience with dynamic food & beverage environments is highly valued.
• A bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.

About the Company

Aparium is a nationally recognized hospitality company known for creating distinctive hotels deeply connected to their communities. We believe in empowering leaders, embracing individuality, and building teams that care as much about each other as they do about our guests.