Director of Hotel Operations

Managing Director / Director of Hotel Operations

The Celestine | New Orleans, LA

LeBLANC+SMITH

About The Celestine

The Celestine is a Michelin Key awarded boutique hotel located in the heart of New Orleans' French Quarter. Known for its elevated design, genuine warmth, and an intimate cocktail bar, Peychaud's, that has become a destination in its own right, The Celestine offers something the city's larger hotels simply cannot: the feeling that New Orleans herself has welcomed you in, poured you a drink, and pulled up a chair.

The Celestine is part of LeBLANC+SMITH, a New Orleans-based hospitality group with a portfolio that includes Sylvain, Barrel Proof (NOLA, ATL, Nashville), The Chloe (NOLA + Nashville), The Will & The Way, Anna's, and Mahony's. We build places where people belong, and we hold ourselves to a standard that is both ambitious and deeply human.

The Role

We are looking for a Managing Director to provide holistic leadership across The Celestine and Peychaud's. This is a full-property leadership role, one that requires someone who can hold the big picture and the smallest detail with equal care.

You will be the cultural heart of the property. The person guests remember. The reason staff stay. The one who makes sure the numbers work and the experience sings.

You will report directly to Elizabeth Harris, Director of Hotels, and serve as a key partner to LeBLANC+SMITH ownership and leadership.

What You Will Do

Lead with vision. Set the tone for the culture and carry The Celestine's identity into every department and every interaction.

Deliver exceptional guest experiences. Maintain a 4.7+ star rating across platforms by building a team that genuinely loves what they do.

Operate with excellence. Strengthen systems, hold standards, and ensure that every corner of the property, rooms, bar, events, and shared spaces, reflects the quality guests expect.

Own the financials. Manage budgets, labor strategy, and cost controls with a 25%+ net profit margin as the benchmark.

Develop people. Recruit, coach, and retain a high-performing leadership team. Create an environment where careers are built and people are proud of their work.

Represent the brand. Build community partnerships, attend industry events, and ensure that The Celestine and Peychaud's are recognized as must-visit destinations in New Orleans.

Who You Are

You are an experienced hospitality leader with a track record of running complex, multi-revenue-center properties. You know how to build a team that cares. You are comfortable with budgets and P&Ls and you never let the spreadsheet become more important than the guest. You lead with your presence.

You also live by values, and ours will resonate with you:

• I See You, I Love You
• Be Inspiring
• Do Cool Sh*t and Stay Humble
• Teach Why
• Create Contagious Joy

What We Offer

• Competitive base salary (commensurate with experience)
• PTO accrual from date of hire
• 2 Weeks Paid Parental Leave (after 2 years of employment)
• Affordable health insurance with LeBLANC+SMITH contributions
• Dental, Vision, Life, Disability, and Critical Illness coverage
• Free access to Mental Health Services through Oyster Sunday Benefits
• Oyster Sunday Wellness Dashboard with discounts on gyms, education, and more
• Annual stay at The Celestine
• Employee discounts across all LeBLANC+SMITH venues

To Apply

Send your resume and a brief note about why this role speaks to you to ***email_hidden***. We read everything.

LeBLANC+SMITH is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that the best hospitality comes from teams that reflect the richness of the communities we serve.