Director, Hotels

Find Your Future in Paradise! 

Catalina Island Company welcomes all guests and visitors to our very special island.  Beyond being warm and courteous, our exceptional team members are knowledgeable and helpful - anticipating and personalizing their service on an individualized basis.

We seek individuals like YOU to create the finest personal service and extraordinary experiences for our guests.  

WHY CATALINA ISLAND COMPANY?

The Catalina Island Company offers more than just a workplace – it is a destination for service, adventure and inspiration!

In 1919, chewing gum entrepreneur William Wrigley Jr. bought nearly every share of the Santa Catalina Island Company until he owned a controlling interest. He then invested millions in his vision to create a "playground for all" on Catalina Island, building infrastructure, a reservoir, Hotel Atwater, Bird Park, and other attractions. In 1921, he made Avalon the Spring Training home of his beloved Chicago Cub’s, building the Catalina Country Club to house the team’s lockers and provide a gathering place for players. The team continued to train on the island until 1951. In 1929, Wrigley built the iconic Catalina Casino, which boasts the world’s largest circular ballroom and the first theatre designed and built to show talking motion pictures. During World War II, the island served as a military training facility and was closed to tourists. The island was a popular spot with Hollywood's elite during the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. It also became a popular location for production companies to shoot movies. More than 500 films, documentaries, commercials, and TV shows have been shot in and around Catalina over the years, especially in Two Harbors on the island's west end. To this day, descendants of William Wrigley Jr. still own the Catalina Island Company and carry on his vision to create a world-class island resort.

We are a welcoming community that believes in fostering a positive, team-oriented atmosphere where every team member plays a part in creating unforgettable memories for our guests.  Join a team that is as vibrant, dynamic, and unique as the island itself!

The Director of Hotels oversees all aspects of hotel operations for the Catalina Island Company. This includes, but isn’t limited to, front office, housekeeping, guest services, F&B, Laundry and maintenance. The role requires a strong leader who puts guest experience at the forefront and ensures that each hotel maintains high standards of operational efficiency, and strong financial performance. The Director of Hotels will lead, mentor, and develop teams, ensure compliance with company policies and brand standards, collaborate with the management teams at each property and ensure compliance with all legal requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Management:

• Ensure quality and consistency in service standards and procedure throughout the hotels
• Develop, implement, and monitor operational policies and procedures that align with company goals
• Lead and inspire the front office, housekeeping, and service teams to achieve service excellence
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and professional development
• Provide F&B support to our on-site & off-site Food and Beverage outlets
• Stay on top of industry trends and best practices to keep hotels fresh and exciting for guests

Guest Experience & Satisfaction:

• Ensure that all guest interactions are handled professionally, and that guest satisfaction is prioritized
• Monitor and respond to guest feedback in person and in online reviews, identifying areas for improvement and implementing necessary changes
• Collaborate with the front office and housekeeping teams to enhance the guest experience, with a focus on quality, timeliness, and attention to detail

Operational Efficiency:

• Establish operational KPIs (key performance indicators) and ensure that each property meets or exceeds performance targets for guest satisfaction, cleanliness, and room turnover
• Oversee staffing levels and labor management, ensuring efficient scheduling and cost control without compromising service standards
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and maintenance in guest rooms and public areas

Financial Performance:

• Develop and manage the Hotel budgets, focusing on maximizing profitability through effective cost control and revenue management
• Analyze financial reports and key performance data to identify areas for improvement and implement strategies to enhance operational efficiency
• Work closely with the sales and marketing teams to drive room occupancy and revenue across all properties

Collaboration & Communication:

• Act as a liaison between the hotels and other departments (such as Sales, Marketing, F&B) to ensure a seamless guest experience
• Foster strong relationships between internal and external stakeholders, such as those in the community running parallel businesses
• Ensure effective communication between hotel management teams to share best practices and insights
• Attend management meetings and contribute to overall strategic planning for the properties

Compliance & Standards:

• Ensure that all rooms division operations comply with local regulations and brand standards
• Conduct regular inspections to ensure that housekeeping, front office, and maintenance standards are consistently upheld across all hotels
• Implement and monitor sustainability initiatives, including energy conservation and waste management programs
• Ensure compliance with all industry health & safety standards

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in hospitality management or a related field preferred
• A minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience in hotel operations, with at least 2-3 years in a leadership role managing multiple properties or a large hotel
• Strong understanding of front office, housekeeping, laundry, maintenance and F&B operations
• Proven track record of driving guest satisfaction and operational excellence
• Financial acumen, with experience managing budgets, labor costs, and revenue management.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to travel between properties as needed

Core Competencies:

Leadership: Ability to lead and inspire teams across multiple properties

Problem-Solving: Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills

Customer Focus: Passionate about delivering exceptional guest experiences

Financial Acumen: Proficiency in financial management, budgeting, and reporting

Attention to Detail: Commitment to maintaining high operational standards

Adaptability: Ability to thrive in a dynamic, multi-property environment

Housing:

The Catalina Island Company offers shared housing as an option for eligible employees at a subsidized rate.  Employees are responsible for paying a portion of the housing cost, typically deducted through payroll.  Housing is subject to availability and cost will vary based on location. 

Pay Transparency:

The pay range for this position is $100,000-$140,000 annually. 

The total compensation package is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience and education or training. 
 

Location Requirements:

This role can be based in Avalon, CA and will require residing on Catalina Island. 

Physical Required Qualifications:

Our workplace is clean, lighted and ventilated with proper safety compliance.  Noise levels are considered medium and daily physical activities are considered moderate.  Employees must have the stamina to work long hours if assigned.  Hours and days of work may vary by position.  Most work tasks are performed indoors and outdoors. Indoor temperature is moderate and controlled by HVAC systems. Must be able to bend, stoop, squat and stretch to fulfill tasks. Must be physically able to lift items, up to 15 lbs. Also, you must be physically able to walk without assistance on various surfaces for an extended period of time. This position requires manual dexterity, grasping, writing, standing, sitting, walking, repetitive motions, bending, and climbing.  

Language Skills:

English fluency required.  Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to effectively respond to questions from managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

SCHEDULE

This position requires a flexible schedule, with rotating weekday and weekend shifts, including day, night, and holiday hours.

LIFE ON CATALINA ISLAND

• A fast paced, exciting work environment with upward mobility and growth opportunities.

• Meet and engage with people from all over the country and world!
  

COMPANY PERKS

• Employee discounts and perks – restaurant, hotels and activities. 

• Beautiful island views and a summer of adventure!

BEING YOU AT CATALINA ISLAND COMPANY:
We are inclusive of, celebrate our differences, and welcome a broad range of perspectives and ideas without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status.

We welcome applications from people with disabilities and provide reasonable accommodations as needed for our candidates. Please discuss this with our Talent Acquisition team during our selection process.