Villa General Manager / Estate Manager - Santa Teresa

About the role

Utopia, an ultra-luxury hospitality and lifestyle brand that develops private villa retreats, is looking for a highly organized, service-minded General Manager to oversee the operation of a luxury private property in Santa Teresa. The role ensures the residence is kept to impeccable standards year-round, coordinates vendors and seasonal staff, and delivers a seamless guest experience. It is an on-site position based near Santa Teresa; Utopia does not provide visa sponsorship or a relocation package.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee and coordinate all maintenance and service activities so the property stays in pristine condition year-round.
• Build and manage seasonal operational plans for summer guest seasons and off-season care.
• Develop and control the annual budget, tracking expenses, vendor contracts and service quality.
• Lead and supervise external vendors and seasonal staff (cleaning, gardening, pool, catering, security).
• Prepare the property before guest arrival, run day-to-day operations smoothly and respond to urgent needs.
• Ensure compliance with local regulations, permits and safety requirements.
• Report regularly to ownership and suggest improvements to efficiency, cost-effectiveness and guest experience.

Required profile

• Proven experience as a General Manager, Estate Manager or in senior operations roles in luxury hospitality, property or private residences (8+ years).
• Strong technical understanding of property maintenance, vendor management and facility operations.
• Excellent organizational and budgeting skills, able to manage multi-vendor contracts and seasonal workflows.
• Discreet, professional, guest-focused mindset and strong English communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, solve problems under pressure and anticipate owner and guest needs.
• Familiarity with local compliance, safety regulations and contractor oversight in Costa Rica.

What we offer

• Exposure to luxury hospitality projects across Europe, Africa and Latin America.
• An international team and a growth path as the company scales.
• Flexible collaboration formats, including fully remote, hybrid and on-site options depending on the role.