Hotel manager

In a small hotel you may plan and organise all of its services. In a larger hotel you may have more specific responsibilities.

You could:

• set budgets, sales targets and forecast income
•  promote the hotel through different types of marketing
•  plan and organise accommodation, catering and any other services offered
•  make sure the hotel meets licensing and health and safety laws
•  oversee fire safety, building security and site maintenance
•  manage corporate bookings and events
•  recruit, train and organise staff
•  meet and greet customers and deal with complaints

• customer service skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• to be flexible and open to change
• persistence and determination
• the ability to motivate and manage staff
• business management skills 
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role

Your career prospects will depend on the size of the business, your experience and whether you are willing to relocate.

In larger hotel chains, you could move into regional management or specialise in areas like corporate finance or training. You may also have the chance to work overseas with an international hotel group.