General Manager

General Manager

Full-Time | Salaried | Theater Operations

Lead the Team. Elevate the Experience. Bring Movies to Life.

Are you a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys developing people, and takes pride in delivering exceptional guest experiences?

VIP Cinemas is looking for a motivated, energetic, and results-driven General Manager to lead the daily operations of one of our movie theaters. As the leader of your location, you will be responsible for building a strong team, creating a welcoming and clean environment, oversee local marketing, handle local administrative functions, and ensuring every guest enjoys a great moviegoing experience.

This is an opportunity for a leader who takes ownership, solves problems, leads by example, and understands that a successful theater starts with a successful team. A passion for movies is a plus, but a passion for people, service, and operational excellence is essential.

Position Overview

The General Manager is responsible for the overall performance and operation of the theater, including team leadership, guest satisfaction, financial results, facility maintenance, safety, and compliance with company policies and procedures.

The ideal candidate combines strong business judgment with a hands-on management style. They can balance the demands of running a business with the responsibility of developing employees, maintaining high standards, and creating an outstanding experience for every guest.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, motivate, and develop the theater management team and hourly employees.
• Recruit, interview, hire, onboard, train, and retain qualified team members.
• Create employee schedules that align staffing levels with business volume, guest demand, and labor budgets.
• Establish clear expectations, provide ongoing coaching, recognize strong performance, and address performance concerns promptly.
• Identify and develop high-potential employees for future leadership opportunities.
• Build a positive, accountable, team-oriented culture where employees understand their roles and take pride in their work.
• Lead by example by demonstrating professionalism, dependability, urgency, and exceptional guest service.

Guest Experience & Customer Service

• Ensure every guest receives friendly, efficient, and welcoming service throughout their visit.
• Maintain high standards for theater cleanliness, presentation, comfort, and overall appearance.
• Proactively resolve guest complaints and service issues with professionalism, sound judgment, and urgency.
• Monitor guest feedback, online reviews, and recurring service concerns to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure consistent execution of company service standards, promotions, and guest experience initiatives.
• Create an environment that encourages guests to return and recommend the theater to others.

Financial & Business Performance

• Take ownership of the theater's financial performance, including labor costs, operating expenses, and efforts for profitability.
• Monitor key performance indicators and use available reporting to identify trends, opportunities, and areas requiring corrective action.
• Manage labor and operating expenses while maintaining appropriate staffing, service quality, and operational standards.
• Oversee cash handling, deposits, registers, reconciliations, and compliance with company financial controls.
• Manage concession inventory, purchasing, waste, product availability, and inventory accuracy.
• Identify opportunities to increase attendance, concession sales, group sales, and overall revenue.
• Review performance regularly and develop action plans to address missed goals and improve results.
• Protect company assets and maintain accurate records in accordance with company procedures.

Theater Operations & Facility Management

• Oversee all daily theater operations, including box office, concessions, auditoriums, restrooms, lobby areas, and other guest-facing spaces.
• Ensure the theater is clean, safe, properly staffed, and ready for business at all times.
• Maintain consistent opening, closing, cleaning, inspection, and operational procedures.
• Monitor equipment and building conditions, report maintenance needs, and coordinate repairs with appropriate vendors and company personnel.
• Develop a working knowledge of theater operating systems and perform basic troubleshooting when issues arise.
• Ensure movies, showtimes, concessions, and other guest services are delivered accurately and efficiently.
• Coordinate vendor activities and monitor the quality, timeliness, and cost of services provided.
• Maintain appropriate procedures for emergencies, equipment failures, severe weather, and other operational disruptions.

Safety, Security & Compliance

• Enforce company policies, operating procedures, and applicable safety requirements.
• Maintain compliance with applicable employment, food safety, accessibility, and other regulatory requirements.
• Ensure employees are trained on safety procedures, emergency response, and proper equipment use.
• Maintain appropriate controls for cash, keys, alarm systems, inventory, and other company property.
• Promptly report workplace injuries, safety concerns, security incidents, and other significant operational issues.
• Promote a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for both employees and guests.

Communication, Marketing & Community Engagement

• Maintain timely, professional communication with company leadership regarding theater performance, staffing, guest concerns, facility needs, and significant incidents.
• Execute company marketing initiatives, promotions, loyalty programs, and special events.
• Partner with corporate marketing and sales teams to support local promotions, community outreach, group sales, and business development.
• Build relationships with local businesses, schools, churches, community organizations, and other potential partners.
• Monitor local competition and identify opportunities to strengthen the theater's position in the market.
• Respond to time-sensitive operational communications outside scheduled hours when reasonably necessary to address urgent business needs.

Accountability & Continuous Improvement

• Take ownership of the theater's results, standards, and overall condition.
• Consistently execute company initiatives, policies, and operational expectations.
• Use reports, inspections, guest feedback, and employee input to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Establish priorities, follow through on commitments, and communicate challenges before they become larger problems.
• Demonstrate sound decision-making, adaptability, and composure in a fast-paced environment.
• Continuously look for ways to improve efficiency, employee engagement, guest satisfaction, and profitability.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Minimum of two years of management experience, preferably in hospitality, retail, food service, entertainment, or another customer-focused business.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, coach employees, and hold individuals accountable to established standards.
• Strong customer service, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Basic understanding of sales, labor management, budgeting, inventory control, and business performance.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and peak business periods.
• Ability to learn and use point-of-sale systems, scheduling tools, reporting platforms, and other theater operating technology.
• Ability to remain calm, make sound decisions, and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to work hands-on alongside the team and assist with operational duties as needed.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position

What Success Looks Like

A successful General Manager consistently demonstrates the following:

• Strong Leadership: Builds a capable, engaged team and develops future leaders.
• Exceptional Guest Service: Creates a clean, welcoming, and enjoyable moviegoing experience.
• Financial Accountability: Understands the numbers and takes action to achieve business goals.
• Operational Excellence: Maintains high standards for cleanliness, safety, staffing, and execution.
• Ownership: Takes responsibility for results, addresses problems promptly, and follows through.
• Communication: Keeps employees and company leadership informed and aligned.
• Continuous Improvement: Looks for practical ways to make the theater better every day.

Performance will be evaluated using established company expectations and applicable performance measures, which may include financial results, labor management, guest feedback, cleanliness, safety, employee retention, training, and operational compliance.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications.
• Group health insurance.
• Dental and vision insurance.
• Paid time off.
• Opportunities for career advancement and professional development.
• Employee movie and concession discounts.
• The opportunity to lead a team in a fun, fast-paced entertainment environment.

Join the VIP Cinemas Team

At VIP Cinemas, the General Manager plays a critical role in delivering great movies, memorable experiences, and value to the communities we serve. We are looking for leaders who take pride in their work, invest in their people, and are committed to making their theater a place guests want to visit again and again.

If you are ready to take ownership, develop a great team, and make a meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply.

Location: 2509 Hurst Dr, Mattoon, IL 61938, USA

Employment Type: Full-Time, Salaried

Pay: Starting at $46000.00 per year

VIP Cinemas is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made in accordance with applicable laws.

Work schedule

• Weekend availability
• Other
• Day shift
• Night shift
• Holidays
• On call

Supplemental pay

• Bonus pay

Benefits

• Paid time off
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Employee discount
• Paid training

Pay: Starting at $46,000.00 per year