A leading international operator in the student housing and hospitality sector is seeking a General Manager.
The Role
Based in Bologna, the General Manager will be responsible for the pre-opening phase and the long-term performance of a new student residence. The role carries full accountability for the property, with a strong focus on:
* operational management,
* health, safety and regulatory compliance,
* team leadership.
The General Manager will work closely with central teams and other General Managers across the portfolio, while maintaining full ownership and accountability for the residence.
Key Responsibilities
* Oversee the day-to-day operations of the residence, ensuring a safe, clean and high-quality environment in line with company standards.
* Lead, manage and develop the Operations team (Front Desk, Housekeeping, Maintenance), including shift planning and training programs.
* Drive the achievement of operational and commercial targets through a proactive, results-oriented approach.
* Manage the property’s financial performance, including budget control, costs, P&L, forecasting and KPI reporting (occupancy, revenue, NPS, costs).
* Drive revenue growth through:
* B2B contracts and partnerships (universities, agencies, corporates, relocation partners),
* local sales initiatives,
* optimisation of pricing and occupancy strategies.
* Build strong relationships with the local community, while monitoring competitors and market demand trends.
* Coordinate the Facilities team, ensuring preventive maintenance and timely escalation of critical issues.
* Ensure full regulatory compliance (Health & Safety, fire safety, audits, water compliance).
* Oversee arrivals and departures, seasonal turnover periods and refurbishment programmes.
* Manage HR-related matters and relationships with external suppliers.
* Safeguard the resident experience, handling complaints and sensitive situations effectively and professionally.
* Collaborate with central offices and support portfolio-wide audits when required.
Candidate Profile
* Strong focus on guest / resident experience.
* Solid commercial background, with a track record in sales, occupancy growth and B2B partnerships.
* Experience managing multidisciplinary teams.
* Advanced financial skills, including P&L, budgeting, forecasting and KPI analysis.
* Strong familiarity with PMS and IT systems (e.g. StarRez, Mews).
* Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
* High level of autonomy, accountability and problem-solving ability.
* Experience in Health & Safety, fire safety, operational audits and preventive maintenance.
* Sensitivity to student wellbeing and the ability to manage complex or sensitive situations.
* Willingness to attend training and travel to other properties as required.
* Proven ability to manage the complexity of a new hospitality opening, from pre-opening through to full occupancy.
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