General Manager Student Accommodation

Bravo Students SL , a leading student accommodation group in Spain, currently operating more than 3,000 beds across Spain , is looking for an experienced Residence Director to lead the operations of Bravo Bologna , our new student residence located in the heart of Bologna, Italy.

This is a key leadership position within the Group, as Bravo Bologna will be our first residence in Italy . The successful candidate will be responsible for the overall management and performance of the residence, ensuring an outstanding student experience while delivering strong operational and commercial results.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Opening & Launch

• Work closely with the developer, construction company and project partners to ensure the residence is delivered on time, to the required standards and ready for opening.
• Support the pre-opening strategy and implementation , including operational procedures, staffing, suppliers, systems and processes.
• Help establish and implement Bravo Students' operational standards and culture in the Italian market.
• Coordinate the transition from construction to full operational management.

Commercial Management

• Lead and manage the commercial activity of the residence , including enquiries, bookings, viewings, follow-ups and resident communication, with the objective of achieving high occupancy and maximising revenue.
• Monitor occupancy, pricing, cancellations and commercial performance, identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Develop strong relationships with students, parents, universities, agents and other relevant local partners.
• Contribute to the implementation of the Group's sales and marketing strategy in Bologna.

Operations & Financial Management

• Take overall responsibility for the day-to-day management of the residence , ensuring efficient, high-quality operations.
• Oversee housekeeping, front desk/reception, maintenance, security, facilities and the overall condition of rooms and communal areas.
• Manage operational incidents and ensure that issues are resolved quickly and effectively.
• Oversee budgets, P&L, cost control, invoices, contracts and operational expenditure .
• Monitor key operational and financial KPIs and implement corrective actions when required.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable health & safety, legal, operational and regulatory requirements .
• Participate in the recruitment and selection of the residence team .
• Lead the onboarding and training process and establish clear responsibilities, objectives and performance expectations.
• Build, motivate and develop a strong, professional and service-oriented team.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and manage disciplinary matters when required.
• Promote a positive team culture based on accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.

Student Experience

• Ensure a warm, welcoming and safe environment for students, parents and visitors.
• Take ownership of resident satisfaction and service quality.
• Respond to and resolve resident and parent enquiries, complaints and incidents in a professional and timely manner.
• Organise and support community-building activities and initiatives that enhance the student experience and strengthen resident engagement.
• Ensure that the residence consistently delivers a high-quality customer experience aligned with Bravo Students' brand standards.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the main point of contact for key external and internal stakeholders at residence level.
• Build strong relationships with suppliers, contractors, universities, local partners and other relevant stakeholders.
• Work closely with the central Bravo Students team to ensure alignment with Group strategy, processes and objectives.
• Represent Bravo Students professionally within the Bologna market.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Tourism, Hospitality Management, Business Administration or a related field .
• Minimum 3–5 years of relevant management experience in student accommodation, hospitality, serviced apartments, property management or a similar operational environment.
• Proven experience managing large-scale operations and teams .
• Previous experience in a pre-opening or opening project will be highly valued.
• Strong understanding of the student accommodation and/or hospitality sector .
• Solid knowledge of P&L management, budgeting, revenue and cost control .
• Fluent English (C1 lev