From the front desk to concierge, most hospitality jobs are generalized as entry-level positions with room for growth and advancement. So how do you go about climbing the ladder and securing yourself a career in hotel management and leadership?
Hotel management jobs encompass a diverse range of opportunities for professionals interested in tourism, guest relations, event planning, entertainment and leisure, and food and beverage. The skills earned from a high-level position can propel your future down many possible career paths, not to mention the potential to earn a higher salary.
There are many exciting hotel management and leadership roles beyond being a hotel general manager. Executive chef, conference organizer, sommelier, and spa director are just a handful of the many rewarding roles. Climbing the hospitality career ladder takes many different shapes. Here are five hotel management positions worth considering.
1. Hotel General Manager
To be a successful hotel general manager, you need excellent people management skills and a calm, professional, approachable demeanor. Hotel management requires a high level of commitment, as the work is demanding, with irregular hours and constant pressure. However, working as a hotel GM can be a rewarding career path for the correct person.
As a general manager, you’ll be responsible for budgeting and financial management, as well as planning, organizing, and directing all hotel services. This involves wearing many hats for different departments, including front-of-house (reception, concierge, and reservations), food and beverage operations, and housekeeping.
Despite some administrative work, most of your time as a hotel GM will be spent dealing directly with guests and staff. In addition to promoting and marketing the hotel, GMs handle the planning and organizing of accommodation, food service, and other hotel services.
Glassdoor estimates the average hotel general manager salary at $68K.
2. Hotel IT Manager
Hotel IT managers are specialized positions that provide technical support and oversight across hotel computers, software systems, and networks. The hotel IT manager handles system administration and maintenance, vulnerability management, data protection/backup, and disaster recovery duties.
Also known as hotel IT director, analyst, or operations manager, the IT manager often works with hotel WiFi providers and other technology vendors to keep networks and communication systems operating. These managers also handle the financial aspects of the hotel IT department, including expense management and new technology investments.
The average salary for Hotel IT managers, according to ZipRecruiter is $78K.
3. Tour Manager
Tour managers, sometimes known as tour directors, provide holidaymakers with practical support throughout their trip to ensure travel arrangements run as smoothly as possible. Having in-depth local knowledge of a particular area or region is crucial for tour manager roles, as they often serve as guides for tours and maintain relationships with attractions and destinations.
As a tour manager, you have the flexibility to not only work for a hotel but to branch out into tourism or freelancing. Tour managers are always on the spot during a tour, so interpersonal skills, appearance, and attitude must be exemplary. Being a tour manager lends itself to flexible opportunities, including international positions that are well-suited for multilingual candidates.
Depending on the job dynamics of being a tour manager, the pay can be lucrative. $50K is a general average, according to Glassdoor.
4. Accommodation Manager
Much like hotel GMs, accommodation managers are responsible for the efficient operations of a hotel and fulfilling guest needs on a day-to-day basis. Duties range from ensuring standards of cleanliness and maintenance while staying within a budget, to rectifying any problems that arise. An accommodation manager is also responsible for making sure staff are well trained and supervised.
Job titles vary depending on the role and nature of the hotel. For example, accommodation managers may be known simply as housekeeping managers. In more senior-level positions, associated job titles may include facilities manager or director of accommodations.
According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a senior-level accommodation manager position is $68K.
5. Event Manager
Event managers are hands-on, people-driven professionals responsible for planning and organizing promotional, industry, and social events. In a fast-paced and dynamic position, event managers spearhead a wide range of events, ensuring audiences are engaged, and the event’s message is properly communicated.
As an event manager, you’ll organize a wide range of events, including conferences, seminars, tradeshows, and exhibitions, as well as parties, retreats, and corporate incentive trips. You’ll oversee the entire process from the planning stage right through to running the event and carrying out the post-event evaluation.
The average salary for a hospitality events manager, according to Glassdoor is $55K.
In hospitality, the hotels and accommodation sector is growing more and more diverse with new concepts and properties coming to the industry. In turn, more and more management and leadership jobs are made available, including particular roles that require specialized skills and focus.
