Hotel Manager

At a Glance
Hotel managers direct the operations of entire hotels, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and that the hotel is profitable.

Michigan Career Pathways

Business, Management, Marketing & Technology

Earnings
Typical Earnings Range: 28K - 86K

Level of Education
2-Year College or Technical Training 4-Year College or University

Core Tasks
Oversee the hotel departments, including housekeeping and the front desk Organize and supervise hotel staff nteract !ith guests and handle their complaints "onitor the hotel#s financial performance and look for !ays to improve it $lan advertising and promotion campaigns

Attributes & Abilities

%ood !ith people Calm Communication skills $ro&lem-solving skills 'elf-motivated

Workplace
(mployed &y hotels and resorts )ork *+ to *2 hours a day "ay !ork evenings and !eekends Usually on call !hen not !orking The !ork can &e stressful

Job Description
Hotel managers are master jugglers, but not the kind that work in the circus. Rather than juggling tennis balls and knives, managers juggle all of the different responsibilities that come with running a hotel. These responsibilities include being a courteous host to guests, supervising a wide range of departments, and managing the hotel as profitably as possible. In their role as host, hotel managers interact directly with the hotels guests. If the hotel is busy, they may spend time at the front desk, greeting and checking in new arrivals. They may also help customers plan special events, such as weddings and birthday parties. If a guest is unhappy with the hotels level of service, he or she will often ask to speak with the manager. Hotel managers may also interact with guests on an informal basis. Simply approaching guests and asking if they are enjoying their stay helps them feel welcome and appreciated. Behind the scenes, managers oversee a wide range of departments. These include housekeeping (which makes sure that the rooms and public areas are clean), the front desk, reservations, and food and beverages (including room service, and hotel restaurants and bars). Other departments they oversee include laundry, security, hotel maintenance, and the front office, which deals with purchasing, marketing, hiring, training, and accounting. To run all of these departments effectively, managers must have a detailed understanding of how a hotel operates. The ability to effectively organize, supervise, and motivate staff is important. Ultimately, the manager is responsible for setting the policy of each department and making sure that these policies are followed. Ensuring that the hotel is run profitably requires managers constant attention. They regularly review the financial performance of the hotel to search for possible areas of improvement. If it appears that their hotel is spending too much on food and beverages, they will investigate to see if costs can be reduced. Hotel managers also plan and execute advertising and promotion campaigns designed to attract more guests. In addition, they develop financial forecasts that are used to help manage the hotel.

Working Conditions
Hotel management is a service-oriented business. Employees of a hotel must make every effort to ensure that guests enjoy a pleasant stay. Managers spend a great deal of time interacting with guests and hotel staff. In general, hotel managers work 10 to 12 hours a day. Evening and weekend work is common, although this can vary depending on the location and size of the hotel, and the time of year. In addition, hotel managers are on call 24 hours a day. Even if they work from 8:00 in the morning to 6:00 at night, they may have to stay another 4 hours to make sure that a wedding reception runs smoothly. If there is an emergency during the night (for example, if a rainstorm causes flooding in the basement of the hotel), managers may have to come in to handle the crisis. Although the work of hotel managers is not physically demanding, it can be stressful. Guests are sometimes demanding and hard to satisfy, and ensuring operations run smoothly across the entire hotel can be hectic.

Earnings
Hotel managers are generally paid a yearly salary, though some employers also provide performance-based bonuses which can be up to 25% of the base salary. This means that the more money the hotel makes, the larger the managers bonus. Many managers work their way up from entry-level or junior management positions. As they do so, their annual earnings increase. For example, front desk clerks often make between $16,000 and $25,000 a year, while front desk supervisors or managers may earn $25,000 to $30,000 a year, or more. The annual income for hotel managers varies greatly depending on the size and location of the hotel. Typically, the more rooms a hotel has, the more money its manager makes. Similarly, managers of hotels in rural areas make less than managers of hotels in big cities. Most hotel managers earn somewhere between $28,000 and $86,000 a year, with a median annual income of about $46,000. However, those who operate large luxury hotels in high demand areas can earn well over $100,000 a year.

In addition to their salaries, hotel managers usually receive benefits, including health insurance, paid sick leave, and paid vacation time. Some managers may receive other perks, such as free meals, accommodation, and laundry service. Hotels may also offer profit sharing plans, which means managers are given a portion of the hotels profits.

Michigan Wages
Occupation: Lodging Managers

Level of E perience !ourly Annual

(ntry )age ,*-.-/ ,/4,-++ "edian )age ,2/.** ,40,+1+ (2perienced )age ,20.1+ ,34,1*+
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov

Michigan Outlook
Occupation: Lodging Managers

E"ploy"ent

#$%$ #$#$
Change

04+ 4*+

&u"ber 1+ Percentage 0
Annual Average 'penings

Total (rowth )eplace"ent /+ 1 2/

Source: Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget, Labor Market Information http://www.milmi.org

Education
Hotel managers are generally expected to have some form of post-secondary education. Associate and bachelors degrees in hotel and restaurant management, as well as hospitality and tourism, are available at 2-year and 4-year colleges across the country. There are also similar programs offered through technical institutes and vocational and trade schools. Education in hotel management is the most direct route to this career. Graduates from these kinds of programs can often find work as trainee assistant managers right out of school, and then work themselves into the top spots over time. An alternative educational path is to take business or financial studies at college. Hotel chains often look for managers who are professionally qualified in accounting, budgeting, planning, cost-control, or finance. It may be possible in certain situations (usually smaller, independent hotels and motels) to become a manager without formal post-secondary education. This is usually done by starting out in an entry-level position, such as front desk clerk, and then working your way up through the ranks as you gain experience. However, this is increasingly rare. To obtain an entry-level position at a hotel, most establishments require at least a high school diploma. Some high schools offer a 2-year lodging management program, which would be a great way to get started. Many colleges grant students of these programs credit towards completion of their own hotel management programs. Part-time or summer work experience at a hotel is also helpful.

Related College Programs

Hotel/Motel Administration/Management

Hotel, Motel, and Restaurant Management Hospitality Administration/Management, General Tourism and Travel Services Marketing Operations

Other Suggested Qualifications

Hotel managers need to be able to get along with all different kinds of people and remain calm and in control even when customers have become aggravated. They also need excellent communication and problem-solving skills. Self-motivated people with the ability to organize and direct a large number of people tend to excel in this field. Large chains offer better opportunities for advancement but also require more frequent relocation. The completion of a certification program through a professional association can be helpful for career advancement.

Suggested High School Subjects

(rade * (rade %$

(nglish "athematics 'cience 'ocial 'tudies - %eography Creative 5rts 6usiness 7ealth 8 $hysical (ducation nternational 9anguages
(rade %%

(nglish "athematics 'cience 'ocial 'tudies - 7istory 6usiness nternational 9anguages 7ospitality 8 Tourism

(rade %#

(nglish "athematics 'cience 9a! 8 %overnment 5ccounting 6usiness 8 "anagement nternational 9anguages 7ospitality 8 Tourism
Important

(nglish "athematics (conomics 5ccounting 6usiness 8 "anagement 'mall 6usiness "anagement nternational 9anguages 7ospitality 8 Tourism

Check with your advisor to make sure that your course selections satisfy your graduation requirements. Courses available may vary from school to school.

Sample Career Path

People take different pathways through their careers, but no one starts at the top. This is an example of how the earnings, education and experience requirements, and responsibilities might progress for someone in this occupation.

Level %

+a"ple Title Earnings

:ront ;esk Clerk ,*-,+++ to ,23,+++ a year < 7igh school diploma < (nergetic and engaging personality )e,uire"ents < (2perience in the hospitality industry recommended < $ost-secondary education recommended )esponsibilities )elcoming guests= checking in guests and assigning them their rooms= issuing keys= providing guests !ith information a&out the hotel#s services= ans!ering telephone

Level %

calls and directing callers to the appropriate department= checking out guests and receiving payment for their stay.
Level #

+a"ple Title Earnings )e,uire"ents

:ront ;esk 'upervisor ,23,+++ to ,/3,+++ a year < 2 years of !ork e2perience as a front desk clerk 'upervising the daily operation of the front desk= performing all of the tasks of a )esponsibilities front desk clerk, as necessary= handling guests# pro&lems.
Level -

+a"ple Title Earnings )e,uire"ents

;epartment 7ead ,/+,+++ to ,3+,+++ a year < 2 years of !ork e2perience as a front desk supervisor "anaging an entire department >for e2ample, rooms, reservations, maintenance, or )esponsibilities food and &everage department?= training, hiring, and firing staff= ensuring that the department maintains a high level of service.
Level .

+a"ple Title Earnings )e,uire"ents

7otel "anager ,/+,+++ to ,4+,+++ a year < / to 4 years of !ork e2perience as a department head in at least t!o departments "anaging the entire hotel= overseeing the activities of many different departments >including reservations, housekeeping, maintenance, and pu&lic relations?= )esponsibilities supervising staff= controlling costs= planning marketing strategies= improving the profita&ility of the hotel.

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National Employment by Industry

/ndustry 0 E"ployed

5ccommodation and :ood 'ervices 33

/ndustry

0 E"ployed

'elf-(mployed

4+

Source: O*Net Online, Browse by Industry, US Department of Labor http://online.onetcenter.org/find/industry

Other Resources
!ospitality Manage"ent 1 2 +teps to 3eco"e a !otel Manager This site gives a fe! tips on ho! to get started as a hotel manager. 6e sure to &ro!se through other helpful articles on the site. http@AA!!!.hospitalitymanagement.comA3-steps-to-&ecome-a-hotel-manager !careers 1 3ehind the +cenes with a !otel Manager :ind out more a&out !hat hotel managers do and !hat a typical day is like. http@AA!!!.hcareers.comAusAta&idA/+-AarticleidA202Adefault.asp2 A"erican !otel & Lodging Association 4A!&LA5 This is a national organization that represents hotel o!ners and others in the lodging industry. Check out the nformation Center for useful resources. http@AA!!!.ahla.com !otel 'nline 5 site for hotel professionals. 7ave a look at the latest industry updates &y clicking on Be!s. http@AA!!!.hotel-online.com !ospitality 'nline This site provides hospitality Co& postings. 6ro!se the site to see !hat career possi&ilities are availa&le in this industry. http@AA!!!.hospitalityonline.com !otelManage"ent6&et This site provides up-to-date industry ne!s and information. http@AA!!!.hotelmanagement.net 'ccupational 'utlook !andbook 1 Lodging Managers Career information from the U' ;epartment of 9a&or. http@AA!!!.&ls.govAoohA"anagementA9odging-managers.htm