What are the responsibilities and job description for the General Manager, American Gardens position at The Cooper?
ABOUT BHC:
Founded in 2021, BHC is a Charleston, SC-based luxury urban resort destination whose sole purpose is to create meaningful ways for people to connect and share extraordinary experiences. With a focus on generational ownership and longstanding partnerships, BHC is building a portfolio of interconnected hospitality and entertainment experiences designed to stimulate the senses and enrich lives. The collection originated with the acquisition of BHC’s flagship property The Charleston Place, a landmark in the heart of historic downtown Charleston, and has continued to grow with the development of The Cooper, downtown Charleston’s only luxury waterfront hotel, opening in 2025; Sorelle, a multi-level Italian restaurant concept; The Riviera Theater, a revitalized iconic entertainment venue; and Credit One Stadium, a world-class venue for sports and entertainment.
OUR VALUES:
- Excellence
- Integrity
- Passion
- Grace
- Communication
- Learning
- Humility
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The General Manager of American Gardens Park is responsible for all aspects of park management, ensuring seamless execution of activations, events, guest experience, and overall operational efficiency. The GM will lead the park’s strategic vision, oversee financial performance, manage vendor and landscape contracts, and develop a team to uphold the high standards of Beemok Hospitality Collection (BHC). The ideal candidate is a dynamic leader with experience in luxury hospitality, large-scale event management, and outdoor venue operations. This role requires expertise in revenue optimization, guest engagement, operational excellence, and landscape management to maintain the park's pristine condition and ensure its success as a premier luxury destination.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Act with integrity, honesty, and knowledge that promote the culture, values, and mission of BHC.
- Ensure that all guests feel welcome and receive responsive, professional, and gracious service.
- Represent the park and BHC professionally through effective communication, cooperation, and relationship-building with guests, vendors, and business partners.
- Display consistent attention to detail, organization, and follow-through of all operational initiatives.
- Create and maintain a positive, professional work environment that fosters opportunities for team members to learn, grow, and develop.
- Ensure that all events, activations, and operational strategies align with BHC’s ultra-luxury standards and elevate the guest experience.
- Collaborate with marketing, finance, HR, and operations teams to ensure fluid communication and alignment with company goals.
- Maintain strong visibility in the park, engaging with guests, staff, and vendors to ensure smooth execution of activations and day-to-day operations.
OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
- Implement BHC operational standards and best practices to maintain consistency and excellence across all aspects of park operations.
- Lead all guest experience initiatives, ensuring that activations and services align with the highest level of luxury hospitality.
- Manage all facility operations, including infrastructure, vendor contracts, and regulatory compliance.
- Ensure that all permits, licenses, and operational requirements are met in compliance with local and state regulations.
- Develop and oversee emergency preparedness plans and safety protocols.
- Manage the scheduling and logistics for all activations, events, and third-party collaborations.
- Partner with the marketing team to create and execute promotional initiatives that drive attendance and engagement.
EVENT & ACTIVATION MANAGEMENT
- Oversee the execution of weekly activations (e.g., yoga, farmers' markets, live music) and major holiday events (e.g., Christmas Village, July 4th Celebration).
- Manage relationships with vendors, artists, performers, and event partners to create exclusive, high-end experiences.
- Ensure seamless event execution with a focus on guest experience, operational efficiency, and revenue generation.
- Collaborate with internal and external teams to curate activations that align with BHC’s brand identity.
LANDSCAPE & FACILITY MANAGEMENT
- Fully responsible for sourcing, vetting, managing, and holding a landscape company accountable for the upkeep and maintenance of the park.
- Ensure that all grounds, walkways, green spaces, and facilities are impeccably maintained to reflect BHC’s luxury standards.
- Implement sustainability initiatives that align with environmentally friendly practices.
- Oversee repairs, maintenance contracts, and upgrades in coordination with vendors and contractors.
- Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal safety and environmental regulations.
TEAM LEADERSHIP & HUMAN RESOURCES
- Recruit, train, and mentor a high-performing operations and guest services team.
- Foster a culture of hospitality, professionalism, and service excellence among all team members.
- Ensure that all team members receive proper onboarding, training, and professional development.
- Conduct regular performance evaluations, coaching sessions, and team meetings to ensure alignment with operational goals.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
- Develop and oversee the park’s operating budget, ensuring financial targets are met or exceeded.
- Identify revenue-generating opportunities, including activations, private event sales, and sponsorships.
- Implement effective cost-control strategies to optimize operational efficiency.
- Analyze financial reports and key performance indicators to make data-driven decisions.
- Collaborate with finance and corporate leadership on forecasting and budget planning.
REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:
- 5 years of experience in luxury hospitality, event venue management, outdoor venue operations, or a related field.
- Proven leadership experience managing high-end guest experiences and large-scale activations.
- Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, revenue optimization, and cost control.
- Experience sourcing and managing vendor relationships, including landscape and maintenance contractors.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to multitask and adapt to fast-paced, high-pressure environments.
- Strong knowledge of safety and regulatory compliance for outdoor venues.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and event management software.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a colleague to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods (up to 8 hours per day).
- Frequent movement across park grounds.
- Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs (e.g., event equipment, barricades, supplies).
- Occasional pushing, pulling, or maneuvering of carts, tables, tents, and other event materials.
- Ability to set up event-related structures (e.g., signage, tents, seating).
- Manual dexterity for handling small tools or electronics (e.g., radios, tablets, ticketing devices).
- Willingness to work outdoors in varying weather conditions (heat, cold, rain, etc.).
- Exposure to dust, pollen, and other natural outdoor elements.
- Ability to move quickly in response to emergencies.
- Capability to assist in crowd control and direct evacuation if necessary.
CLOSING DETAILS:
BHC is an equal employment opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs, and are not based on race, color, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, uniformed service, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other factor or characteristic protected by applicable law.