General Manager - Lakefront Resort

General Manager – Lakefront Resort (Bemidji, MN)

Full-Time | On-Site Housing Included

Position Overview

A rapidly growing, year-round lakefront resort in Northern Minnesota is seeking an experienced General Manager to lead day-to-day operations, elevate guest experience, expand F&B offerings, and drive ambitious growth and redevelopment initiatives. This is a hands-on leadership role ideal for an operator who thrives in hospitality, understands the nuances of resort environments, and is excited about long-term investment in a property undergoing major expansion.

You will be the on-property leader, taking over operational responsibilities currently handled by ownership, allowing them to focus on development and large-scale expansion projects. This role includes on-site housing as part of the compensation package.

Key Responsibilities

Resort Operations & Leadership

• Oversee all daily resort operations, ensuring an exceptional guest experience across lodging, marina, F&B, recreation, maintenance, and guest services.
• Lead a year-round team of 4–6 employees plus a seasonal staff of 30+, including hiring, training, scheduling, performance management, and fostering a culture of hospitality.
• Maintain operational excellence across a diverse property including 25 rental cabins and 14 rental boats.
• Ensure the resort maintains top-tier cleanliness, safety, and service standards year-round.

Food & Beverage Expansion

• Manage the existing bar & grill (currently ~$50K annual revenue), with a mandate to significantly grow and scale the F&B operation over the next 1–2 years.
• Lead and collaborate on a planned expansion of the bar/grill space, including concept development, menu strategy, staffing, and operational systems.
• Implement best-in-class F&B controls to maximize profitability and guest satisfaction.

Revenue Growth & Off-Season Development

• Drive topline revenue growth across lodging, experiences, F&B, and retail.
• Strategically develop off-season programming, packages, partnerships, and promotions (currently 85% of revenue occurs in summer).
• Implement yield management strategies to maximize ADR, occupancy, and ancillary revenue opportunities.

Redevelopment & HOA/Owner Relations

• Work directly with ownership on a multi-year redevelopment plan involving the sale, remodeling, and construction of cabins within an onsite HOA framework.
• Serve as the point of contact for individual cabin owners whose units remain part of the rental pool.
• Support the successful sales process of cabins tied to performance bonus targets.
• Assist with long-term planning and execution of potential expansions, including a future Nordic Spa project (Phase 3).

Financial Management

• Oversee resort financial performance, budgeting, forecasting, labor planning, and P&L accountability.
• Maintain high standards of cost control, inventory management, and operational efficiency.
• Track and achieve revenue, profitability, and performance goals tied to bonus incentives.

Guest Relations & Onsite Presence

• Serve as a visible, accessible leader to guests, owners, and employees.
• Support 24/7 property needs as required; onsite housing is provided so the GM can respond quickly to urgent issues.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of hospitality leadership experience, preferably in resort, lodge, or multi-unit property management.
• Strong background in food & beverage operations with experience expanding or building new outlets.
• Proven ability to manage seasonal staffing fluctuations and high-volume summer operations.
• Experience with property redevelopment, HOA relations, or owner-managed rental units strongly preferred.
• Hands-on operator with excellent communication, problem-solving, and team-building skills.
• Strong financial acumen and experience driving revenue, controlling costs, and managing P&Ls.
• Ability to live onsite year-round (housing provided) and work a flexible schedule including weekends/holidays during peak seasons.
• Passion for outdoor/lake environments and northern climates a plus.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $75,000 – $85,000
• Robust performance-based bonus structure tied to revenue, profitability, and cabin sales targets.
• Long-term incentive: opportunity to earn full ownership of a cabin/house on property, free and clear, after meeting multi-year performance and tenure milestones.
• Onsite housing provided:
• • Year 1: Park model trailer during peak summer season, private cabin in off-season.
  • Year 2+: Transition to a permanent year-round cabin/house on the edge of the property.
• All utilities included with housing.
• Paid Time Off provided.
• No health benefits currently. No 401K at this time (may be introduced later).

Ideal Candidate Profile

You are an entrepreneurial operator who sees this not just as a job, but as an ownership-minded opportunity. You bring hospitality leadership experience, F&B know-how, and a strong business sense—and you’re excited by the chance to help grow, rebuild, and elevate a unique lakefront resort while planting roots in Northern Minnesota.