About this opportunity
Proper Hospitality lists this Managing Director opportunity in los angeles, California. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Santa Monica Proper Hotel brings together historic character, contemporary luxury, and an unmistakable sense of place in the heart of Santa Monica. Recently named the No. 1 City Hotel in Los Angeles by Travel + Leisure in its 2026 World’s Best Awards, our 267-room hotel seamlessly blends historic architecture with new construction and features inspired interiors by internationally acclaimed designer Kelly Wearstler. Distinctive dining experiences, a celebrated rooftop lounge and pool, and more than 16,000 square feet of sophisticated meeting and event space come together to create an exceptional destination for guests and the local community alike.
Position Overview
We 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, hand-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, hand-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
$275,000-325,000
Why Join Proper Hospitality
At Proper, we build experiences that move people — and that begins with the team behind them. As a best-in-class employer, we’re committed to creating one of the Best Places to Work in hospitality by nurturing a culture where creativity, excellence, and humanity thrive together.
Everything we do is grounded in the belief that hospitality is more than a profession - it’s an opportunity to care for others and make lives better. Guided by the Pillars of Proper , we show up with warmth and authenticity (Care Proper), strive for excellence in everything we do (Achieve Proper), think creatively and resourcefully (Imagine Proper), and take pride in the style and culture that make us who we are (Present Proper).
We believe our people are our greatest strength, and we invest deeply in their wellbeing, growth, and sense of belonging. From comprehensive benefits to meaningful development programs, Proper is designed to help you build a career, and a life, that feels as inspiring as the experiences we create for our guests.
Our Commitment: Building the Best Place to Work
Our Best Place to Work initiative is a living commitment — a continuous investment in our people, our culture, and our purpose. We listen, learn, and evolve together to create an environment where everyone feels empowered to imagine boldly, achieve confidently, care deeply, and present themselves authentically.
At Proper, joining the team means more than finding a job — it means joining a community that believes in build beautiful experiences together , for our guests and for one another.
Proper Hospitality is an equal-opportunity employer. We provide employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other federally or state-protected category
We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in accordance with local Fair Chance Hiring Ordinances
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Worksite address
los angeles, CA, 90079, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.