The Vesta Group
Founding General Manager (On-Site)
The Vesta Group, Eureka Springs, Arkansas, United States, 72631
Founding General Manager (On‑Site)
Forest Springs Resort — Eureka Springs, AR
Build the #1 Emerging Wellness Resort in the Midwest
On‑site residency required during build & stabilization phase.
About Forest Springs Resort Forest Springs Resort is a 59‑room boutique wellness hotel and wedding destination located in the Ozark Mountains of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Backed by The Vesta Group™, the property is being fully reimagined into a next‑generation wellness retreat where nature, design, and intentional hospitality come together.
This is not a stabilized hotel and not a passive management role.
This is a founding leadership opportunity to help build a $2M+ annual revenue hospitality business from the ground up.
The Opportunity We are hiring a Founding General Manager to lead the build, launch, and stabilization of Forest Springs Resort. This role is designed for a high‑performing Assistant GM, Operations Manager, or senior Department Head from a boutique or lifestyle hotel who is ready to step into their first true GM seat.
You will be the on‑site operational heartbeat of the resort—responsible for building systems, leading teams, owning outcomes, and delivering exceptional guest experiences in a founder‑led environment.
What This Role Is (and Is Not) This role IS:
Hands‑on
Builder‑focused
Ownership‑driven
Growth‑oriented
High‑responsibility with upside
This role IS NOT:
A corporate GM role
A lifestyle‑only innkeeper position
A desk‑based management job
A role with rigid brand playbooks or layers of support
Key Responsibilities Operational Leadership
Oversee daily operations across front desk, housekeeping, maintenance, bar and guest services
Ensure smooth execution during launch, ramp‑up, and stabilization
Be hands‑on when needed—including guest issues and staffing gaps
Guest Experience
Own the end‑to‑end guest journey
Set and uphold service standards aligned with a luxury wellness brand
Drive 5‑star guest reviews and repeat visitation
Team Building & Culture
Recruit, train, and lead a high‑performing hospitality team
Create accountability, ownership, and calm leadership on property
Uphold company values: Care as Craft, Ownership, Kaizen
Financial & Performance Management
Manage labor, payroll, vendors, and operating expenses
Track and report KPIs (occupancy, guest satisfaction, labor %, margins)
Use dashboards and SOPs to drive continuous improvement
Weddings & Events Support
Oversee operational execution of weddings and events
Ensure flawless guest and client experience during high‑stakes events
Coordinate across departments to deliver consistent outcomes
Ownership Mindset
Operate the property as if it were your own
Flag issues early, solve problems decisively, and take responsibility for outcomes
Serve as the primary on‑site representative of the Forest Springs brand
Compensation & Benefits Founding GM Compensation (Builder Role)
Base Salary:
$70,000–$80,000 annually
On‑Site Housing:
Included (valued at approximately $18,000–$25,000 per year)
Performance Bonus:
$15,000–$25,000 annually (tied to occupancy, guest satisfaction, and operational performance)
Estimated Total Compensation:
$95,000–$115,000+
Compensation will be
formally re‑benchmarked after stabilization
based on performance.
Location Eureka Springs, Arkansas
A high‑demand destination drawing over 1 million visitors annually, surrounded by forests, lakes, caves, and a thriving arts and wellness scene.
Qualifications Required
Experience as a General Manager, Assistant GM, Operations Manager, or senior Department Head
Experience in properties with 40+ rooms
Hands‑on leadership style with strong judgment
Direct accountability for operations, teams, and outcomes
Comfort working in a fast‑moving, founder‑led environment
Willingness to live on‑site during build and stabilization
Preferred
Experience with weddings, events, or experiential hospitality
Exposure to wellness, retreat, or design‑forward hospitality
Strong operational and financial instincts
Why You’ll Love This Role
Live on‑site in a nature‑immersed setting
Lead the creation of a flagship wellness destination
Real autonomy and decision‑making authority
Long‑term growth with the business
Be part of a values‑driven hospitality group scaling nationally
How to Apply Go to https://forestspringsgm.lovable.app and fill out a quick short form.
This role is for builders. If you’re seeking comfort, predictability, or a corporate structure, this is not the right fit.
If you’re excited to build something meaningful, we’d love to meet you.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Build the #1 Emerging Wellness Resort in the Midwest
On‑site residency required during build & stabilization phase.
About Forest Springs Resort Forest Springs Resort is a 59‑room boutique wellness hotel and wedding destination located in the Ozark Mountains of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Backed by The Vesta Group™, the property is being fully reimagined into a next‑generation wellness retreat where nature, design, and intentional hospitality come together.
This is not a stabilized hotel and not a passive management role.
This is a founding leadership opportunity to help build a $2M+ annual revenue hospitality business from the ground up.
The Opportunity We are hiring a Founding General Manager to lead the build, launch, and stabilization of Forest Springs Resort. This role is designed for a high‑performing Assistant GM, Operations Manager, or senior Department Head from a boutique or lifestyle hotel who is ready to step into their first true GM seat.
You will be the on‑site operational heartbeat of the resort—responsible for building systems, leading teams, owning outcomes, and delivering exceptional guest experiences in a founder‑led environment.
What This Role Is (and Is Not) This role IS:
Hands‑on
Builder‑focused
Ownership‑driven
Growth‑oriented
High‑responsibility with upside
This role IS NOT:
A corporate GM role
A lifestyle‑only innkeeper position
A desk‑based management job
A role with rigid brand playbooks or layers of support
Key Responsibilities Operational Leadership
Oversee daily operations across front desk, housekeeping, maintenance, bar and guest services
Ensure smooth execution during launch, ramp‑up, and stabilization
Be hands‑on when needed—including guest issues and staffing gaps
Guest Experience
Own the end‑to‑end guest journey
Set and uphold service standards aligned with a luxury wellness brand
Drive 5‑star guest reviews and repeat visitation
Team Building & Culture
Recruit, train, and lead a high‑performing hospitality team
Create accountability, ownership, and calm leadership on property
Uphold company values: Care as Craft, Ownership, Kaizen
Financial & Performance Management
Manage labor, payroll, vendors, and operating expenses
Track and report KPIs (occupancy, guest satisfaction, labor %, margins)
Use dashboards and SOPs to drive continuous improvement
Weddings & Events Support
Oversee operational execution of weddings and events
Ensure flawless guest and client experience during high‑stakes events
Coordinate across departments to deliver consistent outcomes
Ownership Mindset
Operate the property as if it were your own
Flag issues early, solve problems decisively, and take responsibility for outcomes
Serve as the primary on‑site representative of the Forest Springs brand
Compensation & Benefits Founding GM Compensation (Builder Role)
Base Salary:
$70,000–$80,000 annually
On‑Site Housing:
Included (valued at approximately $18,000–$25,000 per year)
Performance Bonus:
$15,000–$25,000 annually (tied to occupancy, guest satisfaction, and operational performance)
Estimated Total Compensation:
$95,000–$115,000+
Compensation will be
formally re‑benchmarked after stabilization
based on performance.
Location Eureka Springs, Arkansas
A high‑demand destination drawing over 1 million visitors annually, surrounded by forests, lakes, caves, and a thriving arts and wellness scene.
Qualifications Required
Experience as a General Manager, Assistant GM, Operations Manager, or senior Department Head
Experience in properties with 40+ rooms
Hands‑on leadership style with strong judgment
Direct accountability for operations, teams, and outcomes
Comfort working in a fast‑moving, founder‑led environment
Willingness to live on‑site during build and stabilization
Preferred
Experience with weddings, events, or experiential hospitality
Exposure to wellness, retreat, or design‑forward hospitality
Strong operational and financial instincts
Why You’ll Love This Role
Live on‑site in a nature‑immersed setting
Lead the creation of a flagship wellness destination
Real autonomy and decision‑making authority
Long‑term growth with the business
Be part of a values‑driven hospitality group scaling nationally
How to Apply Go to https://forestspringsgm.lovable.app and fill out a quick short form.
This role is for builders. If you’re seeking comfort, predictability, or a corporate structure, this is not the right fit.
If you’re excited to build something meaningful, we’d love to meet you.
#J-18808-Ljbffr