General Manager

SONO Hotels & Resorts Asia is a renowned international hotel management company headquartered in the Asia Pacific region. The organization provides comprehensive management services for hotels, resorts, villas, serviced apartments, and branded residences. SONO expertly supports property owners through every phase, from project development and technical services to pre-opening and ongoing professional management. The company focuses on delivering exceptional hospitality experiences. For additional information, visit sonohotelsresorts-apac.com.

The General Manager will lead the pre-opening and ongoing operation of a 130-room hotel in Nagoya, Japan. This is a key leadership role and the first General Manager appointment in Japan.

The role requires a hands-on, fast-paced leader who can deliver a successful opening by Q3 2026 while building strong operations, teams, and brand standards from the ground up.

• Lead all pre-opening activities including setup, recruitment, training, systems, and operational readiness
• Develop and execute the pre-opening timeline and opening strategy
• Prepare and deliver the annual business plan and opening budget
• Establish the hotel's commercial positioning, pricing strategy, and market presence
• Work closely with Corporate Office and key stakeholders to ensure alignment

• Deliver planned revenue, profitability, and cost control targets
• Prepare annual budgets and monthly forecasts
• Review monthly P&L, identify risks, and implement corrective actions
• Control payroll, operating expenses, and procurement in line with budget
• Ensure strong alignment between revenue strategy and cost management

• Oversee all hotel operations including Rooms, Food & Beverage, Engineering, and Support Departments
• Ensure high standards of service quality, cleanliness, and efficiency
• Work with Revenue and Front Office teams to maximize occupancy, ADR, and yield
• Ensure preventive maintenance and asset protection from pre-opening onward

• Ensure brand standards and service excellence are consistently delivered
• Monitor guest feedback, online reviews, and quality reports
• Lead continuous improvement and guest satisfaction initiatives
• Ensure all departments are fully prepared to deliver brand experience from Day One

• Recruit, lead, coach, and develop a strong management and operations team
• Set clear objectives and conduct regular performance reviews
• Ensure effective training plans, pre-opening training, and ongoing development
• Build strong employee engagement and clear two-way communication
• Ensure compliance with Japanese labor laws and company policies

• Ensure full compliance with Japanese legal, safety, and regulatory requirements
• Lead crisis management, emergency preparedness, and health & safety standards
• Maintain a safe and secure environment for guests and employees

• Act as the key liaison with Owners and Corporate Office
• Ensure compliance with management agreements, reporting, and governance

• Support and implement group CSR initiatives aligned with local community needs
  

• Proven experience as a General Manager or senior hotel leader, preferably with pre-opening experience
• Strong commercial, financial, and operational leadership skills
• Hands-on, resilient, and able to work in a fast-paced pre-opening environment
• Strong understanding of Japanese business culture and regulations
• Fluent Japanese and English communication skills