Hotel manager
Guest house manager, hotel general manager
Hotel managers are in charge of the day-to-day running of a hotel.
Salary range: £20,000 to £60,000
How to become a hotel manager
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
University
You can complete a qualification like a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree and enter hotel management through a management trainee scheme.
Relevant subjects include:
- hotel management
- hospitality management
- hospitality business management
- international hotel management
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More information
- equivalent entry requirements
- student finance for fees and living costs
- university courses and entry requirements
Apprenticeship
You can train to be a hotel manager through an advanced apprenticeship in hospitality or a higher apprenticeship in hospitality management.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
More information
Work
You may get into this job by starting in a junior position like front of house manager or events manager. You could apply for promotion as you get more experience.
More information
Professional and industry bodies
You could join the Institute of Hospitality for professional development and networking opportunities.
Further information
You can find out more about careers in hotel management from the Hospitality Guild.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You’ll need:
- persistence and determination
- 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
- customer service skills
- knowledge of human resources and employment law
- business management skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
What you’ll do
Day-to-day tasks
Your day-to-day tasks may include:
- setting budgets and forecasting income
- deciding business targets and marketing
- fire safety and building security
- licensing regulations as they relate to the hotel
- overseeing larger corporate bookings and events
- managing staffing and resources
- organising building maintenance
- dealing with customer complaints and comments
- in charge of health and safety, including environmental health
Working environment
You could work in a hotel.
Career path and progression
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.