SUMMARY:

The General Manager (GM) at Big Kahuna Waterpark provides overall leadership, strategic vision, and operational oversight for the entire park. This role ensures an exceptional guest experience while driving team performance, operational excellence, and profitability. The GM oversees all functional areas—including aquatics, attractions, food & beverage, guest services, maintenance, and safety—while maintaining full compliance with regulatory standards. This is a hands-on leadership position that fosters a safe, fun, and engaging environment for guests and team members alike.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership and vision for Waterpark, ensuring an exceptional guest experience, strong team performance, and profitable operations.
• Oversee daily park operations across all areas: aquatics, attractions, food & beverage, retail, admissions, and facilities.
• Lead, coach, and develop department managers and supervisors to achieve operational excellence, efficiency, and safety standards.
• Maintain top-tier standards for guest service, cleanliness, and safety throughout the park.
• Ensure full compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, including health, food service, and aquatic safety requirements.
• Partner with HR and department leaders to manage hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations for all staff.
• Support and guide the aquatics team to ensure lifeguards are properly trained, StarGuard Elite certified, and equipped to uphold water safety protocols.
• Manage operational budgets, labor forecasting, expense control, and financial reporting to meet revenue and profitability goals.
• Inspect and maintain park facilities and attractions to guarantee safe, clean, and fully functional equipment for guests.
• Develop and enforce emergency response plans, conduct safety drills, and manage risk mitigation strategies.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on guest satisfaction, employee engagement, operational processes, and cost efficiency.
• Represent Waterpark professionally, fostering positive relationships with guests, vendors, partners, and community stakeholders.
• Promote a culture of respect, accountability, and positivity across all levels of the organization.
• Ensure all park operations align with our standards, health codes, and company policies.
• Act as the primary decision-maker during critical operational issues or emergencies.
• Serve as a brand ambassador, championing a fun, safe, and welcoming environment for guests and team members.

Qualifications and Experience

Required:

• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience in hospitality, attractions, theme park, or waterpark operations.
• Proven ability to manage large teams in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
• Strong knowledge of operations, financial management, labor scheduling, guest service, and safety compliance.
• Experience with aquatics operations and lifeguard programs (StarGuard Elite or similar).
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and operational systems (POS, scheduling).
• Ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Preferred/Required Upon Hire: 

• Certified Pool Operator (CPO).
• CPR/AED/First Aid Certification.
• ServSafe and TIPS Certifications for food & beverage oversight.
• Familiarity with emergency action planning and safety protocols.
• Experience managing capital improvement projects or operational upgrades.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

• Comfortable working indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift for extended periods.
• Must be on-site during operational hours and available for emergencies outside of business hours.
• Regular weekend, evening, and holiday work required.

Lucky Strike Entertainment, formerly Bowlero Corp, is one of the world’s premier location-based entertainment platforms. With over 360 locations across North America, Lucky Strike Entertainment provides experiential offerings in bowling, amusements, water parks, and family entertainment centers. The company also owns the Professional Bowlers Association, the major league of bowling and a growing media property that boasts millions of fans around the globe. For more information on Lucky Strike Entertainment, please visit ir.luckystrikeent.com.

The pay range for this position is $120,000 to $140,000.

Lucky Strike Entertainment offers performance-based incentives and a competitive total rewards package which includes healthcare coverage and a broad range of other benefits.  Incentives and/or benefit packages may vary depending on the position.  More details regarding benefits are available here: www.bowlerocorp.com/careers/benefits