At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a dynamic team to deliver exceptional guest experiences.
- Company: Join Sonder, a global hospitality brand reshaping travel with tech-enabled service.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, health perks, flexible vacation, and exclusive travel discounts.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and thrive in a supportive, innovative workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the hospitality industry while growing your career.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in hospitality management with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Sonder (NASDAQ: SOND) is a leading global hospitality brand, offering premium, design-forward apartments and intimate boutique hotels for the modern, savvy traveler. Founded in 2014, Sonder combines thoughtfully designed spaces with seamless, tech-enabled service - all delivered through a single, beautifully integrated experience. Our properties are located in the world's most sought-after neighborhoods, spanning 40+ markets across nine countries and three continents. Through the Sonder app, guests enjoy full control over their stay - from self check-in to 24/7 support - making every detail of travel easier, more flexible, and more inspiring.
In 2024, we announced a strategic partnership with Marriott International, bringing Sonder properties to the Marriott Bonvoy app. This integration connects our inventory and front of house and back of house systems with the world's largest travel loyalty platform - unlocking exciting new possibilities for our guests and employees. Sonder is focused on delivering amazing experiences for the modern traveler while driving smart, sustainable growth. Our team blends the agility of a tech company with the standards of a global hospitality brand - and we're building something that's reshaping the future of travel.
Life at Sonder: We aspire to build a workplace where employees can thrive. Our culture shapes how we make decisions, how we conduct meetings, how we communicate, and how we treat each other. It's the coordinated way in which we work that gives us a shot at achieving the epic tale we hope to be part of. Our Leadership Principles are a foundational part of our culture and they play a vital role in guiding the values and actions of our team members. Each of these principles is at the heart of what we do.
The General Manager position is one of the most impactful roles at Sonder. As the leader of Sonder, you will be responsible for ensuring the success of properties under your guidance, which includes delivering an upscale guest experience, driving growth, maximizing revenue and controlling costs to achieve strong results against key metrics, and creating a memorable guest experience that drives repeat guests. The General Manager will also build and maintain a hospitality-focused culture to deliver the Sonder vision and experience to thousands of guests. You will be responsible for consistently delivering upon financial and guest satisfaction metrics framed within our brand promise across your assigned properties within a city or across markets.
If you have an entrepreneurial mindset and natural desire to get stuff done, we definitely want to hear from you.
AT SONDER YOU WILL:
- Recruit, build and lead a dynamic team of individuals focused on authentic hospitality and efficient operations.
- Create, deliver, and maintain a service-oriented local team culture rooted in guest centricity, helping us to create amazing experiences.
- Manage your assigned properties, including forecasting targets, tracking performance, and driving innovative initiatives to maximize profitability.
- Define and execute strategic vision: translate Sonder goals into operational plans that will guide the Sonder experience at a local level.
- Build and develop strong relationships with support departments, especially Sales, Revenue, Technology, Finance and People Services in order to communicate needs and drive change, leveraging a cross functional matrix to support local operations.
- Build and manage relationships with landlords, asset managers, and property owners of both hotel and apartment buildings to ensure successful operating partnerships.
- Develop a strong understanding of the regulatory framework for the relevant country/market, ensuring compliance to the applicable rules as to Fire & Life Safety, Hotel Star systems, apartment use restrictions, property tax and local tourism tax schemes, and government reporting requirements.
- Overcome obstacles, solve problems, and develop a path forward through ambiguity, operating a dynamic and rapidly growing business.
- Partner with other Sonder properties in your market or region to create and share scalable best practices.
WHAT WE LOOK FOR:
- Minimum ten (10) years of experience in hospitality, hotel operations, management, professional services or other related fields.
- Preferred experience with managing Marriott branded hotels.
- An analytical and data-driven decision making mentality.
- A visible, hands-on leader with experience within a lean operating model.
- Proven track record of leading, managing, and developing high-performing teams.
- An ultimate team player with strong written, verbal and asynchronous communication skills.
- Strength in building positive cross-functional relationships to accomplish goals.
- Out-of-the-box thinker who will find creative ways to hit growth targets, yet understands our "freedom within a framework" culture.
- Ability to thrive autonomously in an individual market while leveraging central resources and supporting effectively.
- A productive leader who embraces and is comfortable with modern tools like Google Workspace, Slack and Asana.
Benefits:
We offer attractive employee travel perks for any Sonder location as well as health and lifestyle benefits. For eligible employees, benefits may include:
- Competitive compensation.
- Medical, dental and vision insurance (where applicable).
- Flexible vacation.
- Wellness and volunteering days.
- Annual free credits and discounts to stay in Sonders.
- Workplace flexibility (for remote-specified positions only).
Equal Opportunity:
We are an equal-opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other classification protected by applicable state, federal or local law. Extend Hospitality To All is one of Sonder's Leadership Principles. Living up to that principle means fully embracing diversity: ensuring that all of our employees, guests, partners, and communities feel safe, respected, included, cared for, and empowered.
As part of our commitment to creating a workplace open to all, we have created Sonder Circles, also known as employee resource groups. These groups aim to foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace aligned with the communities they serve.
If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to.
Our Benefits & Perks:
- Competitive Salaries: We strive to be at or above market rates for base salaries.
- Stock Options: Our Success is your success. Exempt employees are part of our generous equity program.
- Health & Well-Being: Eligible employees have access to our medical, dental, life, vision, and disability insurance plan. (If applicable, depending on location).
- Travel: Annual credits toward Sonder bookings as well as stay discounts for friends and family.
General Manager, London employer: Sonder
Sonder is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and well-being, offering competitive salaries, comprehensive health benefits, and unique travel perks for its team members. With a vibrant work culture rooted in hospitality and innovation, employees are empowered to thrive in their roles while contributing to a transformative experience for guests in one of the world's most dynamic cities, London. The company's commitment to diversity and inclusion, alongside opportunities for professional development, makes Sonder a truly rewarding place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager, London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the hospitality industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to current Sonder employees on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for hospitality! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to express your enthusiasm for creating amazing guest experiences. Share stories of how you've gone above and beyond in previous roles – it’ll set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching Sonder’s culture and values. Familiarise yourself with their Leadership Principles and think about how your experience aligns with them. This will help you demonstrate that you’re not just a fit for the role, but for the company too!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Sonder team. So, what are you waiting for? Get that application in!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the hospitality industry shine through. We want to see that you’re genuinely excited about the role and how you can contribute to our mission at Sonder.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in hospitality and management. We love seeing how your background aligns with what we do, so don’t be shy about showcasing your achievements and skills that fit the General Manager role.
Be Authentic:We value authenticity, so be yourself in your application. Share your unique perspective and experiences that have shaped your approach to leadership and guest satisfaction. This helps us get to know the real you!
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to review your application and see how you could fit into our Sonder family!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sonder
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into Sonder's mission, values, and recent developments. Understanding their unique approach to hospitality and tech integration will help you align your answers with their goals and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a General Manager, your leadership style is crucial. Be ready to discuss your experience in building and leading teams, especially in a hospitality context. Share specific examples of how you've fostered a service-oriented culture and driven team performance.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle ambiguity. Think of past challenges you've faced in hotel management and how you overcame them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Emphasise Cross-Functional Collaboration
Sonder values strong relationships across departments. Be prepared to discuss how you've successfully collaborated with sales, finance, and technology teams in previous roles. Highlight any innovative initiatives you've led that required cross-functional input.