What does a Hospitality Manager do?

A hospitality manager provides services to the public, usually in the form of overseeing and supervising other hospitality staff. Typical job locations in the hospitality field include various types of accommodations, such as hotels, recreational camping facilities, and cruise lines. Some hospitality managers work behind the scenes, while others interact regularly with their customers. A manager's top priority is usually providing the best customer service possible. Depending on the size of the business, he or she may be in control of a whole property or one part of a larger organization.

The types of available hospitality manager careers can vary widely. The daily responsibilities and workloads can differ from one person to the next, depending on factors such as the hours of operation and the number of assistants he or she has. In addition to lodging experience, most hospitality managers also must possess a range of business skills, from working with computers to overseeing human resource issues.

In resorts and hotels, for example, the hospitality manager duties usually include overseeing the other staff, including front desk personnel, concierges, food service workers, and housekeeping and maintenance staffers. His or her job description depends mainly on the hotel’s size and the number of other staff members. Those who work on large cruise ships have similar job responsibilities. Hospitality managers may also be known as lodging managers. Some common examples of their duties include overseeing hostels, bed and breakfasts, campgrounds, or other privately owned facilities that accommodate guests for one or more nights.

To be a successful hospitality manager, one must usually have a minimum amount of business sense or relevant experience. He or she should have sales or marketing expertise as well as basic accounting and budgeting abilities. Some helpful personality traits include people skills and a willingness to travel. The work schedule usually varies, so a hospitality manager must be flexible and willing to work long hours, especially during holidays.

There are various types of professional training that one can pursue in order to become a hospitality manager. Many people start in lower positions and work their way up through the business to become managers. Others enroll in management training programs offered by academic institutions. Some typical hospitality courses include hotel and restaurant management, marketing, and general business classes. The course curriculum is often part of a two- or four-year degree program. Training options also are commonly available for those who wish to study either in a traditional classroom setting or online.