General Manager

General Manager ABOUT THE REST

The Rest is a new hospitality concept bringing together the comfort of a hotel with the community of a hostel, without asking guests to choose between the two. It is designed as a collective experience - equal parts place and people - where guests can explore, switch off, travel independently or connect with others.

THE ROLE

We're looking for a General Manager to lead The Rest from pre-opening through to steady-state operations. This is a rare opportunity to shape a new property from the ground up building the team, setting the standards, and bringing the brand to life for every guest who walks through the door. You'll be the on-the-ground owner of The Rest - responsible for the guest experience, the team, the P&L and the day-to-day running of the property, while also playing a central role in the pre-opening journey - procurement, recruitment, systems, licensing, and operational readiness.

About the role KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Pre-opening (through to Feb 2027)

• Take operational lead on the pre-opening critical path, working alongside key stakeholders on procurement, mock up rooms, kitchen and breakfast area fitout, bar operations, PMS setup, fire safety, licensing, and insurance
• Recruit, hire, and train the team across all departments - front desk, housekeeping, F&B & facilities
• Develop and embed operating procedures and service standards ahead of launch
• Support the sales & marketing team to ensure a strong opening pipeline

POST-OPENING

• Own full operational and commercial performance of the property
• Lead, motivate, and develop the team, fostering a culture that reflects the brand - Straightforward, confident and considered
• Ensure guest experience consistently reflects The Rest's standards across all touchpoints, from browsing to check out
• Manage day to day operations across rooms, food and beverage outlets, ensuring smooth cross department coordination
• Maintain the highest levels of statutory compliance.
• Build relationships with local suppliers, partners, and the surrounding community
• Report regularly on commercial and operational performance

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Proven experience as a General Manager or senior operations leader in hotels, hostels, or a comparable hospitality environment
• Experience of opening a new property is a strong advantage
• Confident managing a P&L and commercial performance
• Hands on leadership style - comfortable on the floor and in the numbers • Experience with hotel/hostel PMS.
• Strong people management skills; Capable of building a team and a culture from scratch
• Dynamic, decisive, and responsive • Genuine alignment with a brand that's straightforward rather than try-hard - someone that gets the difference between novelty and character.

WHAT WE OFFER

• The chance to lead a brand new property from the ground up
• A role with real autonomy - an opportunity to shine.

About the company

Windward Management Limited is a trusted leader in hospitality management, renowned for delivering operational excellence and exceptional guest experiences. Established in 2007 and headquartered in Dublin, the company specializes in managing hotels across Ireland, blending strategic expertise with personalized service. With a strong commitment to innovation, employee development, and quality, Windward Management offers an exciting opportunity for professionals passionate about making a meaningful impact in the hospitality industry.