Ben Lawson

General Manager @Yhb Hospitality Group

San Francisco, CA, US

Accepted the opportunity to turn around a distressed property still functioning under Covid protocols and without a General Manager for over six months. Implemented both basic and advanced procedures for all departments, developed checklists and employee accountability, worked closely with ownership to repair years of deferred maintenance and neglect.Selected Accomplishments: Repositioned the hotel within its Comp Set by rebuilding strategies/promotions without a Revenue Manager or Revenue Management Software. I was able to increase all STR Metrics above 90% Index in a highly competitive and diverse Comp Set. Managed an aggressive Union environment without the support of a Housekeeping Manager or Human Resources Manager. Worked through and prevailed in several grievances related to productivity, performance, entitlement, and attendance. This re-stored labor productivity to within Budget and added accountability for all Union employees which had been lacking for years. Guided the hotel through its Façade Inspection without a Chief Engineer in place. Coordinated with Structural Engineers, Inspection Consultants, and Waterproofing Contractors over a year-long process while also managing day-to-day operations. Managed tenant relations with two restaurants and a parking garage. Negotiated lease agreements, managed repairs, and ensured seamless partnerships.