Hotel manager, job definition and duties

Today, it’s impossible to imagine a property without the hotel manager. In fact it’s an important figure in the balance of a project that wants to move toward good results. For many, he is still the classic hotel manager; in reality, his duties have increased over the years.

The same fact concerns the responsibilities. But before proceeding at a rapid pace toward hiring a professional hotel manager attentive to the properties needs, it is only fair to delve into what he or she should be doing over time, training, and the strengths that must never be lacking.

Who is the hotel manager: job definition

Let’s start with a simple explanation: the hotel manager is the equivalent of the director. His or her main tasks mainly involve managing and organizing the various services in a property.

Not forgetting also the inclination toward the development of new areas or services. In short, it is the professional figure who answers to the name of hotel manager and holds the responsibility for good management.

What are the duties of the hotel manager?

A general manager has several tasks to follow. Broadly speaking, the end result he or she must pursue is the achievement of set economic goals and set the stage for exceeding these standards over time. But, in detail, what are the tasks in a hotel?

Operations

Although the tasks of a hotel manager change depending on the size and type of facility, operations is always a central aspect. Specifically, we refer to everything related to coordinating and organizing staff to achieve the standards defined upstream.

Relationships

A hotel director must be able to pursue guest satisfaction by responding to guests’ needs and handling any complaints. On the staff side, it will be the hotel manager who will select the employees and make decisions that can guide the services of the facility in question.

Budget

The task of a hotel manager is to manage available finances in order to balance budgets and make virtuous use of available resources. Everything must be managed with this in mind, from maintenance to finding suppliers to activating lean organization strategies.

Marketing

A crucial aspect of the general director job. Those in this role must take care of and monitor hotel promotion, maintain good media relations, and work to improve the hotel’s reputation through reviews, interviews, digital PR, and strategic social media activity.

What are the responsibilities of the director?

L’hotel manager ha il compito di gestire un albergo e questo impone una serie di responsabilità. In primo luogo rispetto alla sicurezza dei dipendenti e degli ospiti – per questo sovrintende i controlli e le certificazioni – poi per gli obiettivi economici da rispettare. Altre responsabilità si palesano su:

• Budget management.
• Efficiency of activities.
• Departmental coordination.
• Suppliers and procurement.
• Administrative department.
• Complaints and feedback.

To summarize, we can say a hotel manager (especially of luxury or 5-star hotels) must be a leader of reference for the public and employees. He or she will be a professional who can manage multiple aspects of hotel management to ensure the success and profitability of the hotel.

How to become a hotel manager?

The path to becoming a general manager is determined by a series of steps. There is no degree requirement, but this degree is a prerequisite for becoming a manager.

Especially if you choose a faculty with a business focus, perhaps related to marketing and the hospitality industry. Specifically, you can consider the degree program in Hotel Marketing, Sales & Revenue Management at Luiss. Then, there are specific master’s degrees that give a very specific set of knowledge for those who want to pursue the career. And become a successful hotel manager.

Clearly, experience in the hospitality industry is also important. One must have acquired the necessary skills in terms of hotel management, hotellerie, knowledge of hotel management systems, CRM software, booking engines, principles of business administration, marketing applied to revenue management. Revenue management means maximizing available resources.

A number of soft skills are also essential and make a difference here. And, more generally, you need to have good knowledge of the tourism industry, food & beverage, quality management.

Who can become a hotel manager?

The skills needed are clear. But who can aspire to this position? Usually, those who start in the concierge or reception area may have good opportunities to pursue a career as a hotel manager. And to continue the path with intermediate steps. Perhaps becoming operation or assistant manager before aspiring to the role of general director.

That is to say, a prestigious position, especially for value hotels, which guarantees a very good salary. Even more 60k euros in Europe. In the face, however, of great responsibility and ongoing commitments. Certainly, to be a hotel manager you need a great passion for hospitality.