Hotel Manager
What is the work like?
Hotel managers oversee all aspects of running a hotel, from housekeeping and general maintenance to budget management and marketing.
Large hotels may have managers who are responsible for each department and report to the general manager. In smaller hotels, the manager is more involved in the day-to-day running of the hotel, often dealing directly with guests.
As a hotel manager your tasks would typically include:
- setting annual budgets
- analysing financial information and statistics
- setting business targets and marketing strategies
- managing staff
- organising building maintenance
- making sure security is effective
- dealing with customer complaints and comments
- making sure the hotel follows regulations such as licensing laws
- securing corporate bookings for entertainment and conference facilities.
In larger hotels you will spend a lot of time in meetings with the heads of departments.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You could become a hotel manager by:
- working your way up to management level from a more junior position, or
- entering management after completing a degree, postgraduate qualification, or BTEC HNC/HND in a relevant subject.
Suitable degree and HNC/HND subjects include:
- Hospitality Management
- International Hospitality Management
- Hotel and Hospitality Management
- Hospitality and Licensed Retail Management.
You can also do foundation degrees in relevant subjects, such as Hospitality Business Management. These are vocational courses that are usually studied over two years. You can study part-time whilst in relevant employment or full-time with work placements.
For information about foundation degrees see Foundation Degree Forward. To search for colleges and universities offering foundation degrees, HNDs and degrees see Universities and Colleges Admissions Service.
If you have a degree you may be able to join a graduate management training scheme. These are run by some hotel chains, and involve taking on high levels of responsibility from the start.
You may be able to get into this job through an Apprenticeship scheme. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. To find out more about Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
What further training and development can I do?
Once you are working as a hotel manager, you will usually train on the job, getting experience in all aspects of the hotel.
You may be able to start at a lower level, such as administrator or department manager, and work towards qualifications including:
- NVQ Level 2 in Multi-Skilled Hospitality Services
- NVQ Level 3 in Hospitality Supervision.
You can also add to your skills by completing the following Insitute of Hospitality qualifications for managers:
- Level 2 Business Skills Certificate for Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism
- Level 3 Certificate in Management for Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism
- Level 4 Diploma in Management for Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism.
As a member of the Insitute of Hospitality you will have access to seminars, networking events and opportunities for continuing professional development. Check the Institute's website for details.
Where can I go for more information?
2nd FloorArmstrong House
38 Market Square
Uxbridge
Middlesex
UB8 1LH
Tel: 0870 060 2550
http://www.uksp.co.uk/ (careers information)
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Trainee and assistant hotel managers earn around £15,000 a year.
- Managers of small hotels or deputy managers of larger ones can earn from £20,000 to £35,000.
- Senior or general managers can earn up to £60,000 or more.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You will work long and unsocial hours, including evenings, weekends and public holidays. You will usually work shifts, including split shifts, especially as a junior manager.
In a small hotel you might help out in the bar or restaurant during the day. You may have the option to live-in at the hotel.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- business skills
- the ability to manage staff
- good written and spoken communication skills
- tact and diplomacy
- the ability to keep calm under pressure and solve problems quickly
- energy and enthusiasm
- good organisational skills.
What opportunities are there?
You could work as a hotel manager in hotels all over the UK. With some large hotel chains you could also have the opportunity to work abroad. If you start as a trainee with a hotel chain you will need to be prepared to travel to different areas of the country.
Your prospects for progression will depend on the size of the hotel and your experience. You can improve your prospects if you are willing to move around the country. As an experienced manager you could open your own hotel.
In hotel chains, you may be able to specialise in areas such as marketing or training, perhaps after completing further qualifications.
Jobs are advertised in newspapers, in specialist publications such as Caterer and Hotelkeeper, and by specialist recruitment websites and agencies. Hotel groups also advertise vacancies on their websites.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and further reading (links open in new window):
caterer.com
catersearch.com
hcareers.co.uk
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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