General Manager – New Marriott Hotel Opening | Danbury, CT

We are seeking an experienced, energetic, and highly organized Hotel General Manager to lead the opening of a newly constructed Marriott-branded hotel in Danbury, Connecticut, scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2026. This is a unique opportunity for an accomplished hospitality leader to take ownership of a hotel from the pre-opening phase through opening and stabilization. The General Manager will play a key role in building the leadership team, establishing the hotel's culture, implementing operating standards, preparing the property for Marriott opening requirements, and positioning the hotel for long-term success. We are looking for a hands-on leader who is highly visible in the operation, develops strong teams, understands hotel financial performance, and takes ownership of results. The ideal candidate has previous Marriott management experience, strong hotel operational knowledge, and a demonstrated record of achieving results in guest satisfaction, associate engagement, revenue performance, profitability, and brand compliance. What You'll Be Responsible For Pre-Opening and Hotel Launch The General Manager will lead the hotel through the critical pre-opening period and successful transition into daily operations. Responsibilities Include: Partner with Ownership and Corporate Operations throughout the pre-opening processRecruit, hire, train, and develop the hotel's leadership team and associatesEstablish a strong service culture and clear performance expectations from day oneCoordinate pre-opening operational readiness across Front Office, Housekeeping, Maintenance, Food and Beverage, Sales, and other departmentsEnsure Marriott brand standards, training requirements, systems, operating procedures, and opening milestones are completedCoordinate operational setup, inventories, supplies, equipment, and OS&E readinessParticipate in pre-opening sales, revenue management, and market positioning strategiesDevelop opening schedules, staffing plans, labor models, and operating proceduresEnsure the hotel is prepared for required Marriott inspections and opening approvalsDrive a successful opening and stabilization period Leadership and Team Development Provide visible, engaged leadership throughout the hotelRecruit, retain, develop, and motivate a high-performing management and associate teamEstablish accountability and clear expectations for department leadersConduct daily huddles, leadership meetings, and regular departmental reviewsCoach department leaders and provide ongoing performance feedbackEnsure new associates receive a strong onboarding and training experiencePromote internal growth, associate engagement, recognition, and developmentBuild a culture where leaders and associates take ownership of the guest experience and hotel resultsMaintain appropriate staffing levels while balancing service standards and labor productivity Hotel Financial Performance The General Manager is responsible for achieving established revenue, profitability, and operating goals. Responsibilities Include: Manage the hotel's annual operating budget and financial performanceMonitor revenue, labor, operating expenses, and departmental productivityReview monthly P&L statements and identify opportunities to improve profitabilityDrive GOP performance while maintaining guest service and brand standardsPartner with Revenue Management and Sales leadership to maximize occupancy, ADR, RevPAR, and total hotel revenueMonitor competitive hotel performance and local market conditionsEnsure department leaders understand their budgets and financial responsibilitiesDevelop action plans when financial performance is below expectationsMaintain effective purchasing, inventory control, and expense management practices Revenue, Sales, and Market Positioning Work closely with Sales and Revenue Management to establish and execute the hotel's commercial strategyUnderstand competitive hotels, demand generators, local businesses, corporate accounts, and market opportunitiesSupport sales efforts and develop relationships within the Danbury business communityParticipate in revenue strategy meetings and evaluate pricing, segmentation, and market positioningIdentify opportunities to increase market share and drive profitable revenueMaintain strong relationships with key accounts and community partners Guest Experience and Brand Standards Create a culture focused on exceptional guest serviceMonitor guest feedback, scores, reviews, and Marriott performance metricsEnsure guest concerns are addressed promptly and professionallyDevelop corrective action plans when service opportunities are identifiedConduct regular guest room and property inspectionsMaintain high standards for cleanliness, property condition, service, and presentationEnsure compliance with Marriott brand standards and Ownership expectationsPrepare for and successfully complete Marriott quality assurance and brand inspections Asset Management Maintain the physical condition and appearance of the hotelConduct routine property inspections and ensure deficiencies are correctedDevelop and manage Repair and Maintenance and Capital expenditure prioritiesProtect the hotel's physical assets through preventive maintenance programsEnsure approved projects are completed properly and within established timelinesMaintain compliance with safety, security, life-safety, and regulatory requirements Human Resources and Compliance Ensure compliance with company policies and all applicable federal, state, and local employment lawsOversee hiring, onboarding, associate documentation, training, counseling, and performance managementEnsure department managers complete required evaluations and employee development initiativesMaintain proper associate records and documentationReview payroll and labor productivityEnsure workplace safety programs and required postings are maintainedPromote a professional, respectful, and positive workplace environment Experience And Qualifications Required or Strongly Preferred Minimum 3 years of hotel General Manager or senior hotel leadership experiencePrevious Marriott hotel management experience strongly preferredPrevious hotel opening, conversion, renovation, or transition experience highly preferredDemonstrated success managing hotel financial performance and increasing profitabilityStrong understanding of hotel P&L statements, budgets, forecasting, labor management, and expense controlProven ability to recruit, develop, and lead high-performing hospitality teamsStrong guest service and brand compliance backgroundExperience working collaboratively with Sales and Revenue ManagementAbility to operate effectively in a fast-paced, hands-on environmentStrong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills Experience with Marriott systems and hospitality platforms is highly desirable. Knowledge Of Systems Such As: Marriott property management and brand systemsM3Revenue Management systemsSales and CRM platformsMicrosoft Office/ Excel ProficientGoogle Workspace Additional Qualifications Strong leadership and interpersonal skillsExcellent written and verbal communication skillsAbility to analyze financial and operational data and translate it into actionStrong sense of urgency and follow-throughAbility to manage multiple priorities during a hotel openingComfortable holding leaders accountable while developing and supporting their successAbility to remain calm and make sound decisions in challenging situationsStrong attention to detailLocal Danbury or Fairfield County market knowledge is a plusMarriott General Manager certification is a plusFood Safety, TIPS, CPR, and related hospitality certifications are a plus Benefits Salary range of $75,000 to $90,000 per yearQuarterly performance-based bonus opportunityPaid vacationPaid holidaysMedical benefit optionsDental and vision benefitsCell phone allowanceHotel employee travel discountsEmployee referral bonus opportunitiesProfessional development and trainingOpportunity for continued advancement within a growing hotel portfolio Why This Opportunity Is Different This is not simply an opportunity to manage an existing hotel. You will have the opportunity to build the operation from the ground up, helping select your team, establish the culture, implement operating standards, prepare the hotel for opening, and lead the property through its first chapter. For a hospitality leader who enjoys building teams, developing people, driving performance, and taking true ownership of an operation, this is an opportunity to make an immediate and lasting impact.