Pre-Opening Operations Intern | Nightsky | San Luis Obispo, CA

We are seeking one Spring 2026 Pre-Opening Operations Intern to work directly alongside the General Manager during the critical launch phase of Nightsky.

This internship offers rare hands-on exposure to what it truly takes to bring a nature-forward hospitality concept to life from operational buildout and systems design to hiring strategy programming vendor partnerships and guest journey creation. You wont be observing from the sidelines. You will be embedded in the work.

This position is structured as a paid internship in alignment with the California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo Experience Industry Management (EIM 465) Internship Program which requires a 400-hour full-time professional experience completed within one academic term. The pay for this internship is $20/hour.

Nightsky

Nightsky San Luis Obispo is an elevated nature-immersive hospitality experience set atop a hill with sweeping views of the Nine Sisters. Designed for connection rejuvenation and simple-but-beautiful moments our luxurious eco-tents al fresco gathering spaces and curated activities offer guests a refined comfortable immersion in nature.

Our personality is warm adventurous neighborly stylish yet approachable. We believe in the power of shared humanity in balance in embracing natures rhythm and in taking it easy while delivering thoughtful meaningful hospitality.

Set within Nightsky Marcerro features a creative and cleverly-designed F&B program to minimize service complexity while guests are encouraged to mingle together through communal programming for a memorable experience. Marcerroa name born from the union of mar(sea) and cerro(hill)pays homage to the stunning natural convergence of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Lucia Mountains that cradle our site. This unique positioning inspires everything we do from the ingredients we source to the atmosphere we create.

We operate a streamlined light-touch service modelwhere guests may encounter only a few hosts but every detail feels curated intentional and inspired by the natural world around us.

Who We Are

• Passionate about hospitality the outdoors and creating meaningful guest experiences.
• Culture-driven committed to respect teamwork accountability and entrepreneurial spirit.
• Unique in our approach encouraging individuality authenticity and creativity.
• Innovators constantly evolving to enhance experiential programming and guest engagement.
• A growing team seeking leaders who recognize the importance of associate engagement and guest connection.
• Proud to promote from within and build diverse inclusive teams that thrive.

What You Will Be Doing

Pre-Opening Support

• Assist the General Manager in tracking and advancing all pre-opening milestones and critical path items
• Support coordination between development design brand and operations partners
• Help build opening operating procedures host responsibilities and workflow systems
• Assist in organizing vendor onboarding procurement tracking and operational readiness checklists
• Support opening inventory management tracking and operational pars
• Contribute to shaping a seamless intuitive guest journey before the first arrival

Operational Foundations

• Support development of staffing models and labor planning tools
• Collaborate on cross-department coordination and training
• Assist in drafting training materials and onboarding resources
• Participate in systems implementation (PMS POS scheduling etc.)
• Develop exposure to guest account oversight billing processes and administrative reporting
• Help organize safety compliance and environmental stewardship documentation

Brand & Experience Activation

• Contribute to experience mapping across eco-tents gathering spaces and Marcerro
• Support programming design that reflects Nightskys pillars: connection balance shared humanity and responsible travel
• Conduct local market research and community partnership mapping
• Assist in preparing launch-phase guest touchpoints and storytelling elements

Strategic Exposure

• Participate in leadership discussions and planning sessions
• Observe financial forecasting and pre-opening budget tracking
• Develop exposure to guest experience performance analysis
• Gain insight into balanced scorecard thinking performance engagement safety asset care and guest satisfaction
• Support special projects aligned with Nightskys mission of setting the standard in positive impact hospitality

What You Bring to the Table

Experience & Qualifications

• Enrolled in Cal Polys Experience Industry Management (EIM) program and eligible for the required 400-hour internship
• Completion of prior industry experience hours required by the university
• Prior hospitality outdoor recreation or experiential service experience preferred
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills
• Professional communication skills written and verbal
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic evolving environment
• Comfort working in outdoor settings and pre-opening conditions

Who You Are

• Curious proactive and energized by building something from the ground up
• Comfortable rolling up your sleeves you learn by doing
• Detail-oriented but able to see the bigger picture
• Passionate about nature hospitality and creating meaningful experiences
• A team player who values respect accountability and ownership
• You understand that in a staff-light high-touch environment every action matters.

What Youll Gain

• Direct mentorship from the General Manager
• Executive-level exposure during a hotel pre-opening
• Experience shaping operations before they launch
• A deeper understanding of how brand vision becomes operational reality
• Professional development aligned with entry-level leadership readiness

Non-Negotiables (Our Core Values)

• SERVE OTHERS.
• LIVE 360.
• BUILD A POSITIVE TEAM.
• COMMUNICATE.
• BE WILDLY PASSIONATE.
• TAKE OWNERSHIP.
• LEARN INNOVATE.
• EMBRACE CHANGE.

As part of an organizational culture that embraces change and progress this job description does not seek to limit the tasks and responsibilities of the position. Rather it acts as a springboard for future career and personal development within the property team and entire Modus Hotels community.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We actively respect the right of any qualified individual who performs to Modus standards to work. Discrimination based on gender age race religion national origin marital status sexual orientation disability or any other characteristic not related to performance ability or attitude protected by state or federal law is disrespectful bad business and wont be tolerated. Its also illegal.

Modus by PM Hotel Group will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about discussed or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge (b) in furtherance of an investigation proceeding hearing or action including an investigation conducted by the employer or (c) consistent with the contractors legal duty to furnish information.

This description is subject to change at the sole discretion of the Company and in no way creates an employment contract implied or otherwise; each associate remains at all times an at will associate.

While this is a salaried position be prepared to accommodate varying schedules including nights weekends and holidays as required. This position will require moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments. The position may require moving greater than 50% of the time.

Required Experience:

Intern