Chief Operating Officer

By the Sea Resorts is seeking a dynamic and experienced Chief Operating Officer to lead and oversee the operational functions of our premier hospitality company based in Panama City Beach, FL.This executive role requires a strategic leader capable of driving growth, enhancing guest experiences, and optimizing operational efficiency across all resort properties. Role Overview The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is responsible for the full operational performance of By The Sea Resorts, a multi-property hospitality portfolio consisting of independent and branded beachfront and back-beach hotels, food & beverage outlets, and employee housing.The COO is accountable for translating ownership strategy into disciplined, repeatable execution across Operations, Engineering, Housekeeping, Front Office, and Food & Beverage. This role exists because the portfolio has outgrown informal, reactive operating models.The COO must establish structure, standards, and accountability while improving guest experience, asset condition, labor productivity, and cost control—simultaneously. The COO is expected to be hands-on, analytical, decisive, and systems-driven, with the credibility to lead General Managers and department heads through change. Core Responsibilities Portfolio Operations Leadership Own day-to-day operating performance across all hotels and operating entities Directly manage General Managers and senior operational leaders Ensure consistent operating standards while respecting brand and asset differences Drive alignment between Operations, Commercial, Finance, and Ownership priorities Guest Experience & Quality Execution Be accountable for Guest Sentiment Scores (GSS) and review performance across all properties Eliminate chronic issues tied to housekeeping, maintenance, cleanliness, and asset condition Ensure guest issues are solved structurally, not repeatedly patched Establish clear operating expectations tied to measurable guest outcomes Engineering & Asset Stewardship Oversee Engineering and Facilities performance across the portfolio Ensure preventative maintenance (PM) programs are properly designed, staffed, scheduled, and executed Shift engineering from reactive “fix-it” mode to planned asset preservation Partner closely with the VP of Facilities to enforce planning discipline, bid rigor, and capital coordination Ensure maintenance staffing levels reflect asset age, condition, and guest expectations Labor Strategy & Productivity Ensure each property is staffed appropriately for its size, age, and service level Balance labor efficiency with service quality—no false economies Implement scheduling, productivity benchmarks, and accountability systems Address turnover, training gaps, and performance management proactively Financial & Operating Discipline Own operational expense performance in collaboration with Finance and Commercial leadership Ensure budgets are executable, realistic, and adhered to Understand CPOR, productivity metrics, and cost drivers by department Hold GMs accountable for variance explanations and corrective action Leadership, Culture & Accountability Build a culture of ownership, accountability, and operational pride Replace informal habits with clear processes and expectations Coach, develop, and—when necessary—upgrade leadership talent Establish clear performance standards and consequences Required Experience & Profile Senior multi-property hospitality operations experience (hotel or resort portfolio) Proven success running both independent and branded assets Demonstrated strength in engineering oversight, housekeeping execution, and labor optimization Strong financial acumen; comfortable managing budgets, labor models, and cost controls Experience leading operational turnarounds or fixing under-maintained assets strongly preferred Comfortable operating in an ownership-led environment with high expectations Personal Attributes Structured, disciplined, and highly organized Comfortable making hard decisions and holding leaders accountable Not reactive; thinks in systems, plans, and processes Respected operator—not theoretical, not hands-off Direct, credible, and calm under pressure Reporting Structure Reports directly to Ownership Works in close partnership with the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) and Finance leadership Oversees all property-level operational leadership