Hotel manager
A hotel manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of a hotel and its staff. They have commercial accountability for budgeting and financial management, planning, organising and directing all hotel services, including front-of-house (reception, concierge, reservations), food and beverage operations, and housekeeping. In larger hotels, managers often have a specific remit (guest services, accounting, marketing) and make up a general management team. While taking a strategic overview and planning ahead to maximise profits, the manager must also pay attention to the details, setting the example for staff to deliver a standard of service and presentation that meets guests' needs and expectations. Business and people management are equally important elements.
Work activities vary depending on the size and type of hotel, but may include:
The manager of a large hotel may have less contact with guests but will have regular meetings with heads of department to coordinate and monitor the progress of business strategies. In a smaller establishment, the manager is much more hands-on and involved in the day-to-day running of the hotel, which may include carrying out reception duties or serving meals if the need arises.
A significant number of hotel managers are self-employed, which often results in a broader set of regular responsibilities, from greeting guests to managing finances.
Salary data from the UK Skills Council (UKSP). Figures are intended as a guide only.
Although this area of work is open to all graduates and those with an HND, a degree in the following subjects may increase your chances:
Entry to manage a particular environment within the hotel or hotel group, for example advertising or accounting, may require a relevant qualification or professional accreditation.
Some of the management training programmes run by large hotel groups are for graduate entry only, for which a minimum 2:2 degree is usually required. It is possible to enter hotel management without a degree, HND or foundation degree, since employers place a lot of emphasis on relevant experience. A general standard of education is sought and many people then work their way up to management through on-the-job training and external qualifications.
A postgraduate qualification is not normally necessary for entry unless your first degree is in a non-relevant subject or you lack work experience. Masters, diploma and certificate courses in hotel and/or hospitality management are offered at various institutions. Many of these courses are open to graduates from any discipline with little or no experience, as well as non-graduates with significant hotel or managerial experience.
Employers often ask for relevant work experience, not all of which needs to have been in a hotel, although this is particularly helpful. Other experience might include any customer-focused work such as catering, bar or retail work. Language skills may also be an advantage, especially for hotels which are part of an international chain.
Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:
It is important for anyone planning to specialise early on in their hotel management career to select a first job with care, as some hotel groups offer wider opportunities including events, sales, marketing, human resources and training.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
Some large hotel groups operate graduate recruitment programmes for managers, although they are not the only route to top management posts. The length of training varies but is usually between one and two years, with the aim being to create future operations managers.
Graduate programmes differ depending on the employer but, as a general guide, hotels seek to provide graduates with as wide an understanding of the operation as possible. Trainees spend time posted in operational roles such as food and beverage management, which includes restaurants, bars, room service, conference and banqueting. Another typical role is in rooms management, where trainees cover reception, reservations, guest relations, the concierge desk and housekeeping.
Employers often require graduates to be geographically mobile, particularly within larger hotel chains, and trainees must be prepared to relocate during their training, which could involve time spent at hotels abroad or throughout the UK. On successful completion of the programme, trainees will be placed as heads of department or assistant managers.
Throughout the programme, graduates are supported and coached by senior managers and personal development plans are mutually agreed. Regular progress reviews are conducted.
Much of the training is in-house but external qualifications may also be taken, including S/NVQs. Specialist courses in customer service, finance, revenue management, marketing, human resources and food safety are likely to form part of the training where required.
An MBA qualification is an increasingly popular way for managers to improve their business skills. Many senior managers have also obtained financial and accounting qualifications or experience.
The industry has a continuous need for talented, hardworking, energetic and multiskilled staff. As the workforce is generally young and staff turnover is quite high, promotion prospects can be good for motivated people with a 'can do' attitude.
Most organisations operate mentoring schemes and regular appraisals to assess the training and development needs of staff. Typical career development may include either moving to a larger or more prestigious hotel in another part of the country or going abroad to gain more experience. Self-employment is another possible way to progress according to your own priorities.
Speed of promotion to hotel manager mainly depends on the size of the hotel and the flair and success of the trainee in a management role. Promotion can be rapid for capable and flexible entrants, with strong graduate trainees progressing from assistant front-of-house manager or assistant food and beverage manager to deputy manager and head of department roles within two years. It may take some time to reach the post of general manager (perhaps a further five to six years), and may mean relocating and/or changing employer several times. The best paid posts are in larger hotels.
International hotel groups offer career opportunities around the world with the possibility of working overseas, combining travel with a structured training programme. For those who wish to remain in the UK, significant opportunities exist.
Within larger hotel groups, promotion may be to a more strategic role, such as corporate marketing, human resources or finance, for which additional qualifications may be needed. There might also be opportunities to work at head office or regional level. Opportunities also exist for experienced managers to work as management consultants.
There are around 12,000 hotel establishments in the UK employing almost a quarter of a million people (UK Skills Council (UKSP), 2011). Of these employees, just under a fifth have managerial responsibilities.
The hospitality industry is subject to the vagaries of the economic and social climate. There have been changes in the structure of the hotel business in recent years with a gradual reduction in the number of hotel businesses and a consolidation of hotel groups. There has also been a decline in the sector of the market concentrating on the business client and a growth in budget brand hotels.
Having said this, job opportunities in the hospitality industry are increasing steadily and upcoming sporting events, such as the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and the Rugby World Cup in 2015, will generate opportunities across the whole of the hospitality sector.
There is a large range of establishments, from small, family-owned independents to large multinational chains, each offering a different kind of experience for staff and guests. Management opportunities exist in every type of hotel, from the small, privately-owned town hotel, where the manager (who may also be the owner) deals directly with all business issues; to huge, global hotel groups in exotic locations with a variety of restaurants, bars, fitness centres, shops and entertainment facilities that employ hundreds of people.
Other employers include motels, travel lodges, inns, bed and breakfast accommodation and residential and country clubs.
Hotels often advertise specific vacancies locally, which provide entry routes for graduates wishing to work in a specific location.
Larger hotel chains often advertise vacancies on their own websites. It can prove useful to do some research to see if a particular hotel is part of a wider chain.
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