Orchard and Vineyard Agritourism General Manager
18 days ago
Castleton-on-Hudson
General Manager Farm Operations, Hospitality, Agritourism Company Description Windy Hill Estate, the Capital Region’s longest family-owned apple farm, is entering an exciting new chapter under the ownership of agricultural entrepreneurs Neviana Zhgaba and Ardian Llomi—owners of the award-winning Aquila’s Nest Vineyards in Connecticut. Rooted in over 115 years of agricultural heritage, the estate is being thoughtfully reimagined into a premier agri-tourism destination. Set to reopen in Summer 2026, Windy Hill will blend tradition with innovation through a revitalized orchard, newly planted vineyard, cidery and winery production, farm store, and curated events. With a vision centered on experience, community, and quality, Windy Hill Estate aims to become one of the region’s most sought-after New York destinations—where agriculture, hospitality, sustainability, and culture come together. Role Description The General Manager at Windy Hill Estate is a full-time, on-site leadership role based in New York’s Capital Region. This individual will oversee all day-to-day operations across the estate, including the orchard, vineyard, cidery, winery, farm store, and events. The General Manager will lead and develop a cross-functional team, coordinate with vendors and partners, and ensure operational excellence across all areas of the business. This role is responsible for delivering a high-quality guest experience while driving revenue growth, managing budgets, and optimizing performance. Working closely with ownership and key team members—including the Farm Manager—the General Manager will help execute the vision of transforming Windy Hill Estate into a leading agri-tourism destination. This includes balancing the preservation of the property’s legacy with innovative strategies that enhance efficiency, expand offerings, and create memorable, experience-driven moments for guests. This is a rare opportunity to lead and shape a 116 year farm into a premier agritourism destination from the ground up. As the General Manager, your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: Operations & Leadership • Lead and oversee business operations across all lines, partnering closely with key leaders to align teams and drive execution of the overall business vision., • Serve as the primary on-site leader, aligning all departments with ownership’s vision and strategic goals, • Build, train, and lead a high-performing, cross-functional team, • Establish and refine SOPs, systems, and workflows to drive efficiency, and scalability Team Collaboration & Workforce Management • Work closely with the Farm Manager, Events Coordinator, and Winemaker, partnering to ensure seamless operations across agriculture, events, and guest experience, • Recruit, train, schedule, and manage full-time and seasonal staff, • Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and pride while ensuring productivity, quality, and safety Farm Operations & Property Oversight • Partner with the Farm Manager to oversee orchard and vineyard operations, including crop planning, pruning, spraying, irrigation, and harvest, • Ensure proper maintenance and utilization of equipment, facilities, and overall property presentation, • Oversee repairs, capital improvements, and the safety and cleanliness of the estate Guest Experience, Events & Hospitality • Ensure a high-quality, consistent guest experience across all touchpoints, • Oversee reservations, private events, and on-site experiences, • Address guest needs and resolve issues with a hospitality-first approach Revenue Growth, Retail & Business Strategy • Drive revenue across farm sales, retail, events, and agritourism, • Oversee farm store operations, including merchandising, inventory, and vendor relationships, • Identify and implement new experiences, partnerships, and offerings to grow the business, • Analyze performance and optimize pricing, operations, and profitability Marketing, Community & Brand • Collaborate with key staff to execute marketing initiatives across social media, email, and event platforms, • Align campaigns with seasonal programming and event strategy, • Represent Windy Hill Estate in the community and build strong customer and wholesale relationships Financial Management & Compliance • Manage budgets, purchasing, payroll coordination, and financial performance tracking, • Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including DEC, OSHA, EPA, NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets, NYS Liquor Authority, and other agricultural, labor, food safety, and alcohol production requirements., • Oversee safety protocols, certifications, and inspection readiness Qualifications • Strong leadership and team management experience in hospitality, agriculture, or a related field, • Proven ability to manage operations, budgets, and compliance, • Experience with events, marketing, and community engagement, • Knowledge of orchard, vineyard, or farm operations preferred, • Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, • Highly organized, adaptable, and solutions-oriented, • Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Business, Agriculture, or Hospitality Management preferred Who You Are • A hands-on leader who takes ownership and leads by example, • A builder who thrives in creating and scaling something meaningful, • A strategic thinker who can also execute day-to-day operations, • A leader who balances structure with creativity and vision Compensation & Growth • Salary range: $75,000 – $105,000, commensurate with experience, • Performance-based bonuses tied to operational success and overall business growth, • Opportunity to play a key leadership role in a growing agri-tourism destination, • Future benefits to be introduced as the business expands, including 401(k) and additional long-term incentives Work Schedule • This is a full-time role with a dynamic schedule driven by seasonal demands. Flexibility is required, including extended hours, weekends, and holidays during peak periods. Equal Opportunity Employer Windy Hill Estate is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status.
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