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Hotel manager

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

About skillsGetting in

About the job

Salary

Source: National Careers Service

Weekly

£385

Entry level

£1,154

Experienced

Monthly

£1,667

Entry level

£5,000

Experienced

Yearly

£20,000

Entry level

£60,000

Experienced

8,000

people are currently employed

High growth

600 more jobs in 5 years

These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics

A day in the life — hotel manager

What it's 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.

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.

Explore more information about this job

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  • Tourism
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Top skills

Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!

It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.

Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:

  • taking responsibility
  • motivating others
  • making decisions
  • delegating
  • managing resources
  • developing a plan
  • attention to detail
  • verbal communication
  • cooperating
  • positive attitude

Your skills are important

Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.

Discover skills

Getting in

Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.

You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.

Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:

  • Administration and Information Technology

  • Business in Practice

  • Business Management

  • Cantonese

  • French

  • German

  • Italian

  • Mandarin

  • Skills for Work: Hospitality

  • Spanish

  • Urdu

  • Foundation Apprenticeship: Business Skills

You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.

You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.

Discover what's on offer at your school on  Apprenticeships.scot.

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.

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.

A driving licence may be essential for some jobs.

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