CLAREMONT HOTEL
Director of Operations (Resort) – Pre-Opening & Year-Round
We are a 52-key, waterfront resort offering an intimate and thoughtfully curated guest experience across hotel rooms, cottages, and houses. The property also features full-service restaurants, spa, gardens, and waterfront programming designed to connect guests with the setting in a meaningful way.
We are seeking a highly engaged, hands-on Director of Operations to lead final pre-season opening efforts and shape the day-to-day guest experience once the resort is live. This role is central to how guests feel when they arrive, stay, and return.
This is not a desk-based role. We’re looking for someone who leads from the floor, is present, observant, and actively involved in ensuring every detail contributes to a seamless and memorable stay.
Key Responsibilities
Pre-Opening (Immediate Start)
- Lead final setup across all guest-facing areas, ensuring each space is ready to deliver a polished and welcoming experience
- Onboard a team aligned around hospitality, warmth, and attention to detail
- Enhance daily operating systems that support consistency, communication, and responsiveness
- Coordinate across departments to ensure a cohesive and guest-ready opening
- Identify gaps through a guest lens and implement thoughtful, practical solutions
Ongoing Operations
- Oversee all aspects of daily resort operations with a focus on the full guest journey from arrival through departure
- Set and maintain a high standard for service, presentation, and atmosphere across rooms, F&B, spa, and outdoor experiences
- Lead and develop department heads and team members to deliver intuitive, personalized service
- Actively engage with guests, using feedback and observation to continuously refine the experience
- Anticipate and resolve issues before they impact the guest experience
What We’re Looking For
- Proven leadership experience in resort or multi-outlet hospitality environments
- Strong operational background across rooms (food & beverage, spa/outdoor experience a plus)
- Pre-opening or turnaround experience strongly preferred
- A hands-on, visible leadership style with a genuine passion for hospitality
- Ability to adapt quickly and lead confidently in a dynamic environment
- Strong communication skills and an instinct for creating alignment across teams
What Success Looks Like
- A smooth, well-executed opening that reflects care and attention to detail
- A team that feels supported, engaged, and committed to delivering exceptional service
- Guests who feel welcomed, cared for, and eager to return
- An operation that runs with consistency, clarity, and pride
Details
- Full-time, year-round position
- Competitive salary based on experience
- Comprehensive health insurance and 401(k) benefits
- Performance based bonus structure
- Single unit housing available
Necessary Skills and Attributes:
- Customer service
- Work experience as a Hotel Rooms Division Manager or similar role
- Effective ability to supervise and motivate staff to maintain optimal department operations and staff development
- Must have a desire to grow into a General Manager/Managing Director role.
- Possess strong computer/technical skills
- Possess skills in time management, conflict resolution and cost controls
- Promotes a safe, secure and healthy work environment.
- Demonstrated energetic, self-motivating and a “can do” positive attitude.
- Take accountability and ownership for work performance
- Meticulous attention to detail, motivational skills, verbal communication skills, written communication skills and manageability.
- Is a team player
- Ability to work with minimal supervision
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Manages time well, correctly prioritizes tasks and able to balance the needs of multiple guests or co-workers at a time without compromising service standards.
Success Factors:
- Ambassador of Joy: Embody and promote a culture of positivity and enthusiasm, ensuring that both guests and staff feel welcomed, valued, and inspired.
- Customer-Centric Focus: Understand and anticipate the needs of both internal and external guests, consistently exceeding expectations.
- Meticulous Attention to Detail: Deliver work that is precise, thorough, and up to the highest standards of luxury hospitality.
- Effective Communication: Provide clear, concise, and actionable information to ensure colleagues, guests, and stakeholders are well-informed.
- Ownership & Accountability: Take full responsibility for tasks, ensuring they are followed through to achieve the desired results.
- Foster Team Collaboration: Work collaboratively within teams, motivating others to sustain exceptional levels of performance.
- Build Strong Relationships: Establish trust and foster cooperation with colleagues, guests, and partners to promote mutual success.
Safety and Security
- Recognizes and reports potential safety hazards in the hotel, such as broken doors or railings, fire hazards, etc.
- Recognizes and reports potential security problems in the hotel, such as locking doors after hours, etc.
- Understands and follows policies and procedures for the hotel’s key control system and ensures others follow them.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Any other duties assigned by Supervisor.