Position OverviewWe are seeking an accomplished and highly engaged Managing Director to lead Santa Monica Proper. As the senior executive at the property, the Managing Director will hold full responsibility for the hotel's overall performance, positioning, culture, and continued evolution as one of Los Angeles' most distinguished luxury destinations.
This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership role for an operator who combines strong commercial instincts with an uncompromising commitment to the guest experience. The Managing Director will lead Santa Monica Proper's Executive Committee, drive financial and operational performance, cultivate an exceptional workplace, and ensure every aspect of the property reflects the standards and spirit of Proper Hospitality.
Lead the Business- Own the overall strategy, performance, and day-to-day leadership of Santa Monica Proper Hotel
- Maintain full accountability for financial performance, including revenue, profitability, labor, operating expenses, forecasting, and annual budgets
- Translate company and ownership objectives into clear property-level priorities, operating plans, and measurable results
- Identify and execute opportunities to grow revenue and profitability across rooms, food and beverage, events, wellness, and other ancillary experiences
- Maintain a sophisticated understanding of the Santa Monica and greater Los Angeles luxury hospitality landscape, anticipating changes in demand, competition, consumer behavior, and market opportunity
- Review financial and operational results regularly, identifying performance gaps and ensuring leaders take timely, effective action
- Partner closely with Proper Hospitality's corporate leadership and ownership on business strategy, capital priorities, property positioning, and long-term growth
Deliver an Exceptional Guest Experience- Set a clear and ambitious vision for service, ensuring every guest interaction reflects the warmth, individuality, and attention to detail synonymous with Proper Hospitality
- Maintain a highly visible presence throughout the hotel, engaging with guests, residents, team members, and community partners
- Establish and uphold exceptional standards across rooms, food and beverage, wellness, events, and all public-facing areas
- Use guest feedback, service metrics, and operational insights to identify opportunities and continually elevate the experience
- Personally engage in the recovery of significant guest concerns, turning challenges into opportunities to build trust and loyalty
- Ensure the hotel's physical environment, service delivery, and programming remain aligned with its luxury positioning and distinct creative identity
Drive Commercial Performance- Partner with Sales, Marketing, Revenue Management, and Food and Beverage leadership to develop an integrated commercial strategy
- Strengthen the hotel's positioning within the luxury leisure, corporate, group, entertainment, and local markets
- Drive performance across occupancy, average daily rate, RevPAR, market share, group production, outlet revenue, and overall profitability
- Identify opportunities to expand the hotel's relevance within the Santa Monica and Los Angeles communities through thoughtful programming, partnerships, and events
- Ensure commercial initiatives are both financially disciplined and consistent with the Proper brand
- Build strong relationships with key clients, industry partners, community leaders, and local stakeholders
Champion Food, Beverage & Lifestyle- Provide strategic leadership across the hotel's dining, rooftop, nightlife, events, and wellness experiences
- Partner closely with culinary and food and beverage leaders to drive quality, consistency, innovation, and profitability
- Ensure each outlet maintains a distinct identity while contributing meaningfully to the energy and overall positioning of the hotel
- Cultivate experiences that resonate with hotel guests while establishing the property as a compelling destination for the local community
- Maintain a strong understanding of Los Angeles dining, culture, wellness, and entertainment trends, translating relevant opportunities into the guest experience
Build an Exceptional Leadership Team- Recruit, develop, and retain a high-performing Executive Committee and senior leadership team
- Establish clear accountability across departments while fostering a collaborative, solutions-oriented operating culture
- Coach leaders to become commercially minded, operationally disciplined, and deeply invested in both the guest and employee experience
- Create a culture in which leaders are visible, engaged, and actively connected to their teams and the daily operation
- Build meaningful succession plans and development opportunities for high-potential talent
- Set clear expectations, provide direct and constructive feedback, and recognize exceptional performance
- Foster an inclusive workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to do their best work
Protect the Brand and the Asset- Serve as the principal steward of Santa Monica Proper's identity, reputation, and market position
- Ensure all areas of the hotel are maintained to the highest standards of quality, design integrity, cleanliness, and presentation
- Partner with Engineering and corporate leadership to establish preventive maintenance plans and prioritize capital improvements
- Safeguard the hotel's assets through strong financial controls, risk management, safety practices, and regulatory compliance
- Balance operational needs with the thoughtful preservation of the property's architecture, interiors, and overall design vision
- Represent Santa Monica Proper and Proper Hospitality with professionalism and credibility in the industry and local community
What You Bring- Significant senior leadership experience within luxury or highly regarded independent hotels
- Previous experience as a Managing Director, General Manager or senior operations executive overseeing a complex, high-performing property
- Demonstrated success leading a hotel with substantial rooms, food and beverage, rooftop, wellness, group, and event operations
- Strong financial acumen with direct responsibility for budgeting, forecasting, profitability, labor management, and overall property performance
- A proven ability to grow revenue, strengthen market positioning, and improve operational results
- Deep understanding of luxury service delivery and the expectations of a discerning, globally minded guest
- A visible, hands-on leadership style and the ability to create accountability at every level of the organization
- Strong executive presence, sound judgment, and the ability to communicate effectively with ownership, corporate leadership, employees, guests, and external partners
- A genuine appreciation for design, culture, food and beverage, wellness, and experience-driven hospitality
- Experience within the Los Angeles or Southern California hospitality market is strongly preferred
- Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred
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