Hotel manager

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Hospitality, catering and tourism
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Career outlook for hotel manager

UK Salary Ranges

Entry-level

£20,000

Experienced

£60,000


Currently employed in Scotland

8,200

Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would oversee all aspects of running a hotel so guests can enjoy their stay and the hotel makes a profit.

You’d be responsible for making sure that the hotel runs smoothly. You’d oversee housekeeping services, such as cleaning the rooms, and general maintenance. You’d use your business skills to manage the budget and marketing.

Large hotels may have a manager for each department, reporting to the general manager. In smaller hotels, the manager is more involved in the day-to-day running of the hotel, often dealing directly with guests. You will need to be tactful and quickly sort out any problems that guests may have.

You would:

  • Set annual budgets
  • Analyse financial information and statistics
  • Set business targets and marketing strategies
  • Manage the staff
  • Organise the maintenance of the building
  • Make sure security is effective
  • Deal with customer complaints and comments
  • Make sure the hotel follows regulations such as licensing laws
  • Persuade companies to book the facilities for entertainment and conferences

In larger hotels you will spend a lot of time in meetings with the heads of departments.

Working conditions

Hours

Your working hours will include evenings, weekends and public holidays. You will usually work shifts, including split shifts, especially as a junior manager.

Environment

In a small hotel you might help out in the bar or restaurant during the day.

UK employment status

Full-time

44%

Part-time

5%

Self employed

51%

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  • Positive attitude
  • Cooperating
  • Verbal communication
  • Attention to detail
  • Developing a plan
  • Managing resources
  • Delegating
  • Making decisions
  • Motivating others
  • Taking responsibility

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Foundation Apprenticeships

Choosing a Foundation Apprenticeship as one of your subjects in S5 and S6 can help you get a head start with this type of job.

You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification (the same level as a Higher) plus valuable work placement experience and skills you can't learn in a classroom.

Interested? Find out what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.

Qualifications

You would need a Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) or degree (SCQF level 9/10) in hospitality and tourism management, hospitality management or a business-related subject. Or a degree in an unrelated subject and then a postgraduate qualification (SCQF level 11) in hospitality management. 

Relevant work-based experience and qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Hospitality Management Skill (SVQ level 4).  

You can enter Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma courses (SCQF level 8) with National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers or equivalent qualifications.

You can enter a degree course (SCQF level 9/10) with National 5 qualifications and three to five Highers.

Useful subjects

  • Maths
  • English
  • Business Management
  • ICT
  • Modern languages
  • Health and food technology

You will also need

A driving licence may be essential for some jobs.

Helpful to have

Qualifications and experience that demonstrate an understanding of the industry, customer care and management skills such as Skills for Work Hospitality (SCQF level 4/5)

Relevant industry qualifications such as Scottish Vocational Qualifications in Hospitality (SVQ level 2/3/4) or Management (SVQ level 3/4/5).  

Ability in a foreign languages.