Lake Compounce Amusement and Water Park General Manager

About the role

The General Manager of Lake Compounce Amusement - Water Park and Campground is responsible for setting the vision and leading all aspects of park operations, driving exceptional guest experiences, fostering an engaging and high-performing culture for hosts, and achieving strong financial results. The ideal candidate brings extensive theme park and water park leadership experience with a proven ability to develop and execute strategies that deliver operational excellence, sustainable growth, and long-term success.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Partner and collaborate with the Property Support Center to align and execute strategies and initiatives that support overall business objectives.
• Drive strategic planning to support organizational growth and leadership development.
• Measure, monitor, and improve key performance indicators (KPIs) to achieve operational excellence.
• Develop, manage, and achieve annual revenue and expense budgets.
• Provide operational insight and executive leadership to the property leadership team.
• Lead and collaborate with operating and functional leaders across Attractions, Entertainment, Finance, Food & Beverage, Human Resources, Maintenance, Marketing, Retail, and Safety & Security to achieve shared business goals.
• Oversee the full-cycle operation of the property, ensuring teams effectively respond to business demands, including staffing levels, operating hours, attractions, and guest experiences.
• Maintain Park quality, cleanliness, maintenance, and aesthetic standards while holding leaders accountable for delivering exceptional experiences.
• Champion an exceptional guest experience by partnering with the Property Support Center to implement guest-focused strategies and initiatives.
• Foster a culture where hosts feel welcomed, valued, and loved while advancing Herschend's Leading with Love culture.
• Ensure hosts have the resources, training, and support necessary to consistently exceed guest expectations.
• Promote a positive, inclusive workplace through strong host relations programs and engagement initiatives.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to leaders and hosts by providing guidance on company policies, procedures, and standards.
• Support organizational and leadership development through coaching, succession planning, and talent development initiatives.
• Establish, monitor, and reinforce safe work practices across all areas of the property.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable city, county, state, and federal regulations, as well as company policies and operating standards.
• Partner closely with Safety & Security to ensure adherence to all safety protocols and operating procedures.
• Participate in the development and execution of park-wide emergency preparedness, readiness, and response plans.

Experience & Education

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or a related field required, Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in theme parks and water parks.
• Proven experience developing and executing strategic initiatives that drive operational excellence, guest satisfaction, host engagement, and financial performance.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams and managing complex, multi-department operations.

Skills & Qualifications

• Leadership & Business Acumen: Strong strategic thinking, business acumen, and problem-solving abilities; proven track record of driving initiatives, achieving measurable results, and leading change; committed to continuous improvement and operational excellence; strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make informed business decisions.
• Communication & Relationship Building: Excellent communication, presentation, interpersonal, and conflict management skills; demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships at all levels of the organization; able to collaborate effectively with leaders, departments, and properties to share best practices and achieve common goals.
• Professionalism & Integrity: Demonstrates the highest level of integrity, professionalism, sound judgment, and confidentiality when handling sensitive information; self-motivated, disciplined, and highly accountable; able to prioritize multiple responsibilities and consistently meet deadlines; adaptable and effective in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Culture & Guest Focus: Embodies the organization's Lead with Love culture by demonstrating Heartspitality; promotes a collaborative, team-oriented work environment by supporting and assisting fellow hosts and leaders; passionate about creating exceptional guest experiences and empowered to meet guest needs within company guidelines; demonstrates genuine friendliness and care in delivering exceptional service and operational excellence.

Work Requirements

• Available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as business needs require.