FEATURED JOB OPENING: Resident Manager Couple for a Unique Rural Lodging Property in Eastern Wisconsin

Our family-owned business located in beautiful eastern Wisconsin is growing and we are seeking an experienced resident manager couple looking for a potential forever home. This is a 5-star “Super Host” Airbnb/” Preferred Host” VRBO property with some RV parking that is typically fully reserved on all weekends during the May to September season.  Located on a 120-acre farm, this is a best fit for fun loving, problem solving, independent, energetic, self-motivated couple to manage & run all aspects of the lodging business including our expansion plans.  Ideally, both persons should be able to share responsibilities.

The primary responsibility of this role will be keeping our properties maintained and ready for incoming guests.  A day-to-day can mean responding to reservation inquiries, cleaning guest suites, time on the phone with contractors, and general observations and remedies of the conditions of the main house and living quarters.

Qualifications:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Friendly and professional demeanor.
• Good business acumen and the ability to quickly learn new processes.
• Associate degree required; bachelor’s degree preferred.
• One year minimum of any combination of short-term rental management or hospitality is preferred.
• Housekeeping and light maintenance skills including carpentry, painting, electrical, and plumbing are needed. 
• Must possess a valid Driver’s license and currently registered motor vehicle in reliable working order with insurance.

Responsibilities:

• The marginal functions of this position have not been included and this description in no way implies that these are the only duties to be performed.  You should expect to follow any other job-related instructions and duties requested by the owner.
• Managing day-to-day operations of the facility.
• Maintaining an exceptionally clean guest suite, including outside maintenance
• Greeting and interacting with guests and others in a friendly, professional manner.
• Accepting and managing reservations through the Airbnb and VRBO platforms.
• Positive and timely communications with the lodging guests to provide exceptional service and maintain five-star ratings.
• Monitoring local events (like Green Bay Packer’s games, etc.) in order to manage the property calendar on the rental platforms and adjust rates accordingly.
• Purchasing and replenishing housekeeping and maintenance supplies as needed.
• Performing typical housekeeping duties of a fine lodging property including laundry, cleaning, vacuuming, restocking of supplies, garbage removal, and cleaning the guest deck to remove leaves, spider webs, etc.  The guest suite must be kept squeaky-clean and fully ready for the next guests’ arrival.
• Monitoring heating and air conditioning and adjust accordingly for guest comfort.
• Typical seasonal grounds maintenance including mowing, weed whacking, weed removal, debris removal, snow removal, and keeping the grounds neat and tidy. All equipment is supplied.
• Some local contractor contact, light negotiations, and outside worker scheduling should be expected.
• Occasional observation and reporting of any changing conditions in the pastures or woods.

Requirements:

• Self-starter couple capable of working with little supervision.
• A positive, can-do attitude.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Organizational skills with a strong attention to detail.
• Any combination of experience in lodging, hospitality, sales, marketing, or customer service.
• The successful candidates must have a strong customer service drive to provide exceptional service to our guests to maintain our high standards and five-star ratings.
• Help guests by answering questions or requests for information.
• Reservations or inquiries must be quickly responded to as a performance indicator, with responses within one hour during the day.
• Basic proficiency with MS Word and Excel.
• If you consider interacting with guests as being officially as “work”, then weekends are required since that’s when most of our reservations occur, but you typically set your own schedule and are welcome to enjoy the area.
• General office and clerical skills including record keeping and computer bookkeeping.
• You should have broad experience in both financial and operational responsibility, marketing, community involvement, sales and customer service experience.
• Must be well organized and able to work independently with little supervision and keep the owners informed on a frequent basis. 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills are needed to assure a positive guest experience.  We are child and pet friendly, and the managers should be prepared accordingly.
• General maintenance and upkeep the physical appearance of the property including sweeping, power washing, weed control, painting, cleaning and minor light carpentry, plumbing, and electrical systems.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel programs is required, including broad familiarity with other MS Office 365 programs.
• Ability to quickly learn and operate Airbnb and VRBO reservation platforms and lighting fast communications is required.  
• Experience operating a small, category 1 farm tractor and 3-point attachments such as post hole digger, brush hog, and box blade is desirable but not required. Some training is provided.
• The managers will actively participate in development activities to include the renovation of the barn to an event center and adding additional short-term rental listings in order to generate revenue for preservation activities.

Compensation:

This is not a position with predetermined work hours and there is extensive free time. Any “time crunch” would occur only if reservations require a same-day turnaround for incoming guests which infrequently occurs but should be expected.  Thorough suite housekeeping tasks require about 3.5-4 hours and must be completed between check out time of 11:00am and check in at 3:00pm.

This is a "lifestyle" job with many unique aspects and is anything but hectic.  Experienced Innkeepers looking for a change are encouraged to apply.  No food service is involved.  Pets are welcome, but extreme care must be taken if our guests are staying with their pets to avoid any contact that might result in a negative experience.  Most guests have their own activities already planned and if you want to entertain guests during their stay it’s purely your decision.

The total compensation package will be dependent on experience and is negotiable.

Since we’re still growing and there is seasonal demand, the managers should ideally have another income source such as retirement or social security.  The area has a cost of living lower than the national average with a high quality of rural living. There may be an opportunity to gain an equity position in the company after two years of work.

Included are living quarters that are located on the ground floor of a 100-year-old renovated farmhouse, with additional storage in the full basement and a large machine shed.  The property is located on an actively cultivated farm (separately managed, no livestock) with a well and septic, electric, propane (heating), cell phone service, and internet included.    The 3-bedroom guest suite is located on the entire second floor of the house with a separate entrance and deck. The guest suite was completely remodeled in 2020 and receives exceptional reviews from guests and there are several repeat customers.  There is an exceptional lake view, and the surrounding woods and pastures are beautiful, have abundant wildlife, and yours to explore. Hunting for turkey and deer may be allowed depending on whether guests are present.

Personal contact with our guests is vitally important.  The amount of guest interaction varies with the guest’s needs, though, so you should be able to quickly “read” the guests.  Some guests desire to relax on their own and some want to chat and explore the farm.  We let them determine the amount of interaction they want. It is expected that every effort is made to greet and welcome our guests as they arrive and as they leave.  Your presence and availability to help with their needs is paramount.

Your own vehicle is required with at least one licensed driver however, you will have the use of a company pick up truck when needed. A background and credit check may be required.

Please submit either a combined or separate resumes including work experience and a photo of each of you.  The successful candidates are expected to be on-site within thirty days of acceptance.

Please review our website for a full description of the property.