Property Overview
The Cottages at Charleston Harbor is an intimate collection of ten waterfront cottages and a clubhouse, doubling as one of the Lowcountry's premier wedding and private event destinations. Guests include leisure travelers, corporate retreat attendees, wedding parties, and long-term residents who return for the property's personalized, unhurried style of hospitality.
Location: Charleston, South Carolina.
Description
The General Manager is the property's chief steward and lead salesperson — a hands-on leader who drives revenue and bookings while personally overseeing daily cottage operations, guest relations, and event venue management. This is a dual-role position requiring equal strength in sales and operations.
Job Duties Include But Are Not Limited To:
- Drive direct bookings, corporate retreats, and wedding/event sales; manage dynamic pricing and seasonal packages to maximize RevPAR.
- Serve as primary host and point of contact for guests, curating personalized local experiences and maintaining detailed guest preference profiles.
- Oversee day-to-day management of all ten cottages and the clubhouse, including housekeeping standards, maintenance scheduling, and curb appeal.
- Manage the wedding and private event program, including vendor coordination, client planning through day-of execution, and venue setup/breakdown standards.
- Own the property's operating budget and monthly P&L; track RevPAR, ADR, occupancy, and event revenue, reporting results to ownership.
- Recruit, train, and lead a lean team across housekeeping, groundskeeping, maintenance, and guest services.
- Maintain waterfront grounds, docks, and common areas, and ensure compliance with health, safety, and licensing requirements.
- Resolve guest concerns swiftly and with genuine care, reaching fair resolutions for guest and property alike.
Qualifications
- 5+ years of progressive hospitality leadership experience, including at least 2 years as a General Manager or Director of Operations, ideally in a combined sales and operations capacity.
- Proven experience in boutique or luxury lodging, with a track record managing wedding or event venue operations.
- Deep knowledge of the Charleston, SC luxury hospitality, dining, and events market preferred.
- Exceptional interpersonal, sales, and relationship-building skills; polished guest-facing communication.
- Strong financial acumen, including budget ownership and revenue strategy.
- Proficiency with Property Management Systems (PMS), event management platforms, and digital sales/channel tools.
- Flexible availability, including weekends, holidays, and evenings as guest and event needs require.
- Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive base salary, commensurate with experience.
- Performance-based incentive compensation tied to occupancy, revenue, and guest satisfaction.
- Comprehensive benefits, including healthcare, 401(k), and paid time off.