Hiring the right General Manager is one of the most impactful decisions in the outdoor hospitality industry. For campground owners, this role directly influences guest experience, team culture, and long-term performance. Whether you operate a single property or oversee multiple locations, these strategies will help you make smarter leadership hires that support sustainable growth.
1. Match Experience to Your Property Type
Not all outdoor hospitality properties operate the same way, and campground owners in the United States should be intentional about hiring experience that truly matches their operation. A candidate who has managed a small seasonal RV park may struggle in a large, activity driven resort environment, while someone from a luxury background may not be prepared for high volume family operations. Look for experience that aligns with your property’s size, amenities, guest demographics, and operational complexity. When a GM understands the type of property they are walking into, they are better equipped to make confident decisions, manage teams effectively, and deliver a consistent guest experience from day one.
2. Prioritize Leadership and Team Management
A successful General Manager leads people, not just processes, which is especially important in outdoor hospitality labor management where seasonal hiring and turnover are common. Your GM must be able to recruit, train, motivate, and retain staff while keeping morale high during busy periods. They should be comfortable coaching supervisors, handling performance issues, and creating a positive workplace culture that encourages accountability and teamwork. Strong leadership directly impacts guest satisfaction because happy, well managed employees deliver better service. Ask candidates how they build trust, manage conflict, and keep teams engaged when workloads are high.
3. Evaluate Their Guest Experience Mindset
Outdoor hospitality is built on experiences and memories, not just overnight stays, and this is where campground branding truly comes to life. The right GM understands that every interaction, from check in to maintenance response, shapes how guests perceive your property. They should be focused on creating a welcoming atmosphere, solving problems quickly, and finding small ways to exceed expectations. During interviews, look for candidates who naturally talk about guest experience, service flow, and creating moments that families remember. A GM who prioritizes the guest journey helps strengthen your brand and encourages repeat visits.
4. Assess Financial and Operational Strength
General Managers play a major role in campground financial management, which goes far beyond reviewing reports. They should understand budgeting, labor control, expense tracking, and forecasting while still keeping operations running smoothly. A strong GM knows how to balance cost control with guest satisfaction and can explain how they have improved profitability without cutting corners. Ask about their experience managing P&Ls, controlling seasonal labor costs, and planning maintenance to avoid costly surprises. Financial awareness is essential for long term stability and for making smart decisions about improvements and growth.
5. Test Problem Solving and Adaptability
Weather changes, maintenance issues, staffing gaps, and last minute group needs are part of daily life in recreational property management. A strong GM stays calm under pressure and looks for solutions rather than excuses. They should be comfortable making quick decisions, communicating clearly with guests and staff, and adjusting plans when conditions change. Use scenario based questions to understand how candidates prioritize tasks, delegate responsibilities, and handle unexpected challenges. Adaptability is one of the strongest indicators of how well someone will perform in a fast moving outdoor hospitality environment.
6. Assess Openness to Learning, Growth, and Feedback
A General Manager’s willingness to learn and grow is critical to both their success and the success of the property. Receiving feedback can be difficult, but leaders who resist constructive input often limit team development and stall progress. Much of this assessment is relational, especially in how the GM interacts with their direct report. As an interviewer, you are not only evaluating skills, but also asking yourself, Can I lead this person? Will we work well together? Will they receive difficult feedback with professionalism and assume positive intent? Ask candidates how they have responded to feedback in the past, how they seek input from supervisors and teams, and how they handle moments of disagreement. A GM who is coachable, self aware, and growth minded creates stronger teams and healthier properties over time.
7. Look for Marketing and Sales Awareness
While the GM may not manage campaigns directly, they should understand how campground marketing strategies connect to occupancy, revenue, and guest demand. A strong candidate can explain how they have supported promotions, worked with marketing teams, or helped improve booking flow at previous properties. They should understand the importance of local partnerships, seasonal offers, and guest communication in driving visits. When a GM understands the business side of marketing, they can better align operations with demand and support overall growth goals.
8. Consider Culture and Brand Fit
Every campground and resort has its own personality, and culture fit is critical, especially for top resort operators in the United States that rely on brand consistency. Some properties are high energy and activity focused, while others are quiet and nature driven. The right GM should naturally align with your brand voice, guest expectations, and service style. Pay attention to how they communicate, their energy level, and their values. A GM who fits your culture will build stronger relationships with guests and staff, leading to better retention and a more positive reputation.
Understanding how to hire a general manager is essential for building a strong foundation in outdoor hospitality. The right leader supports guest satisfaction, team performance, financial health, and brand reputation. By focusing on experience alignment, leadership ability, guest mindset, operational strength, adaptability, openness to feedback, marketing awareness, and culture fit, campground owners and hospitality groups can make confident hiring decisions that drive lasting success.