General Manager

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,
• financial performance,
• service quality,
• 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

• Proven experience in hospitality, hotellerie or PBSA .
• 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.
• Energetic, results-driven leadership style.
• 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.

Location: Bologna