About the Hotel Manager role
A Hotel Manager runs the day-to-day operations of a property and owns its results. They oversee front office, housekeeping, food and beverage, and maintenance, set service standards, manage budgets and occupancy targets, and step in personally when a guest situation needs senior attention. Everything a guest experiences, from check-in speed to room cleanliness, ultimately traces back to the standards this role sets.
The job blends leadership with commercial judgment. Strong hotel managers hire and develop department heads, keep staff turnover low in an industry where it runs high, and read daily reports on occupancy, average daily rate, and RevPAR to adjust pricing and staffing. They also maintain relationships with owners or the brand, ensure health, safety, and licensing compliance, and represent the property in the local market.
In your posting, describe the property clearly: number of rooms, service level, brand affiliation or independence, and the size of the team the manager will lead. State which metrics they will be accountable for, who they report to, and whether the role requires living on or near the property. Experienced candidates read these details closely and will self-select accordingly, which saves you screening time.
Hotel Manager job description template
Job brief
We are looking for a Hotel Manager to lead daily operations across all departments and deliver an excellent guest experience alongside strong financial results. You will supervise department heads, manage budgets and occupancy performance, uphold brand and service standards, and ensure full compliance with health, safety, and licensing requirements. To succeed in this role, you should combine hands-on hospitality operations experience with proven people leadership and a sharp eye for the numbers that drive a property's profitability.
Responsibilities
- Oversee daily operations across front office, housekeeping, food and beverage, and maintenance
- Hire, train, and develop department heads and hold regular performance reviews
- Set and monitor budgets, control costs, and drive revenue against occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR targets
- Uphold service standards and resolve escalated guest complaints personally when needed
- Review daily performance reports and adjust pricing, staffing, and inventory decisions accordingly
- Ensure compliance with health, safety, fire, licensing, and employment regulations
- Manage relationships with owners, brand representatives, suppliers, and travel partners
- Plan and oversee maintenance, renovations, and capital expenditure projects
- Monitor online reviews and guest satisfaction scores, and lead improvement plans
- Prepare and present operational and financial reports to ownership or head office
Requirements and skills
- Proven experience as a Hotel Manager, Assistant Hotel Manager, or senior department head in a comparable property
- Strong understanding of hotel financials, including budgeting, forecasting, occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR
- Demonstrated ability to lead, schedule, and retain teams across multiple departments
- Working knowledge of a property management system such as Opera or a comparable PMS
- Solid knowledge of health, safety, and licensing requirements for hospitality operations
- Excellent guest service instincts and composure in high-pressure situations
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for staff, guests, and ownership
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays, and to be on call for emergencies
- Degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent experience
Nice to have
- Experience with a branded property and its brand standards and audit processes
- Revenue management experience, including channel and OTA relationship management
- Fluency in a second language relevant to your guest base
- Experience leading a renovation, rebranding, or property opening
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