General Manager

HI Whistler

Come join the fun, life-loving team at HI Whistler! Whether it’s for summer, winter - or both - you’ll have a bunch of friends to explore all of what #whislife has to offer! Whether you are a mountain newbie or a mountain shredder, you’ll find like-minded teammates to create lifelong memories with at our hostel.

With discounts on ski passes, deals on adventure activities, super-subsidized housing, and a plethora of free outdoor adventures, HI Whistler can be your basecamp for everything. We work hard and make it look easy with our relaxed atmosphere, offering shifts that help you make the most of your time with us. You've heard all about Whistler, now come and enjoy it as part of an unforgettable community culture!

What's in it for you

• 2-bedroom Manager accommodation Townhouse available at a cost of $500 per month
• Have fun on and off shift with fellow adventurers.
• Meet like-minded travelers every day and become their local guide.
• Free laundry, Wi-Fi, and access to sports gear and staff bikes!
• A laid-back, casual work environment.
• 40% off all food and drink at Cheaky's Café!
• FREE STAYS across HI Canada's extensive network with more than 40 HI locations across Canada, the world is your oyster!
• Constant events to join in on with other guests and staff, such as pub crawls, BBQs, spikeball tournament ... or borrow one of the mountain bikes or camping gear and head out with your teammates for your own adventure!
• Extended health and dental benefits after 4 months
• Eligibility for a retirement savings plan (RSP) after 4 months
• Employee & Family Assistance Program
• Salary: $55,000 - $64,000

What you will be doing

• Lead day-to-day hostel operations with a hands-on approach, setting the tone through active involvement across departments
• Ensure an exceptional guest experience by maintaining high service, cleanliness, and safety standards
• Hire, train, develop, and support a high-performing team, including onboarding and ongoing coaching
• Manage staff performance, scheduling, and workforce planning, including recruitment and terminations where needed
• Foster a positive workplace culture by addressing employee concerns and resolving conflicts effectively
• Monitor financial performance, including occupancy, revenue, and expenses, and take action to meet targets
• Develop and manage budgets, while supporting long-term planning and capital projects
• Identify opportunities to grow revenue and enhance the guest experience through programming and partnerships
• Work closely with Sales & Marketing to build the hostel’s presence and strengthen its connection to the local community
• Maintain strong operational systems, including reporting, compliance with policies, and risk management practices
• Collaborate with internal teams and leadership to align operations with HI Canada’s goals and standards
• Regularly conduct inspections to ensure all aspects of the hostel meet or exceed brand and industry standards.
• Demonstrate strong leadership during emergencies, making informed decisions to protect guests, staff, and assets.

What we look for

• A hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced, guest-focused environment
• Strong communicator who can engage and motivate a diverse team
• Proven ability to manage operations, people, and budgets effectively
• Skilled at problem-solving, conflict resolution, and decision-making under pressure
• Highly organized with strong time management and prioritization skills
• Passion for delivering excellent customer service and creating memorable experiences
• Solid understanding of hospitality operations and guest service standards
• Experience in team leadership, recruitment, and employee development
• Financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and performance analysis
• Comfortable using systems and tools (e.g., property management, revenue management, Microsoft 365)
• Community-minded, with an interest in building local partnerships and enhancing the hostel’s profile
• Ability to think critically and strategically, identifying opportunities for growth and innovation within the competitive hospitality landscape.
• Progressive experience in the hostel industry, with demonstrated leadership in a senior management role.
• Experience managing a food and beverage outlet, including staff supervision, cost control, inventory management, health and safety compliance, and delivering a high-quality guest experience.
• A bachelor's degree in hospitality management, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred.

Join our community

If everything you read above got you excited, you'll be a great fit for our team. Whether you're on a working holiday and this will be a short stop on a longer trip, or you're looking to stay connected to the hostel lifestyle by working among travellers, this is the kind of place for you.

Our team is made up of people from all over the world who are bound by our shared desire to discover new places. You recognize that what draws you to Whistler is what draws our guests here, and you're committed to working with a team of like-minded people to share the best of Whistler and the accessibility of travel with the world.

Whether this is just a short stop on your backpacking journey, or you are looking to join a community of folks committed to travel, there is a spot for you at HI Whistler where you can belong.

Check out what it's like to live and work here:

Background Checks

As part of our standard hiring procedure, successful candidates will be subject to comprehensive background checks. These checks may include employment verification, reference checks, educational qualifications verification, and criminal record checks where applicable.

About HI

We love travelling. To us, travel isn’t just about going places, it’s also about meeting people, discovering cultures, eating new food and most of all, learning how people do things differently than we do back home.

We believe that through hostelling, we become more conscious about the world around us; and we can even make the world a better place. Our mission is to build a community of conscious travellers who share a greater understanding of people, places and cultures through our network of hostels and people.