Career as Hotel Manager

Hotel management is a service industry which focuses on serving the needs of its clients. Training in hotel management develops niche working skills which are transferable in the service industries. Hotel Managers are responsible for the efficient and profitable operation of their establishments.

rnMost hotels have key departments.

Hotel managers

Are responsible for the efficient and profitable operation of their establishmentsControls all financial aspectsEstablishes norms of service to be provided to guests, the standard of housekeeping, food quality, decoration and banquet operationsrnAssistant managers

Oversee the day-to-day operations of their departmentsResident managers (in large hotels) resolve problems or emergencies round the clockUnder the supervision and guidance of the top management work the various departmental managers rnFront office

Front office manager

Oversees the work of receptionists, information clerk, reservation clerk and other services personnel like bell captain, bell boy and doormanAt the reception, the guest 'checks in' and are assisted to go with his baggage to the room with bellboys in attendanceFront Office Managers coordinate reservations and room assignmentsrnCatering departmentrnThe Catering department includes:

The culinary departmentThe steward departmentThe food service departmentrnExecutive Chefs

Head each of these specialized kitchens under whose direction the chef de parties turn out exquisite preparations and mealsrnThe Assistant Managers

Supervise service in the dining room and other areas of the operationrnStewards

Head the restaurant arrangementsSee that everything is in order for the food service department. Under the Maitre d' Hotel are the trained hotel personnel who serve and attend to the guests in the hotel with drinks and foodrnFood and Beverage Manager

Plans, organizes and controls the work of the catering departmentDeal with customers in all kinds of dining establishments from small informal diners to large restaurants. The job is very hectic during parties and conventionsrnRestaurant and Food Service Managers

Are responsible for stocks of tableware, linens, paper, cleaning supplies, cooking utensils, and furniture and fixturesArrange for equipment maintenance and repairsMaintain records of hours and wages of employees, payrolls, and taxes, etc. rnBanquet Managers

In-charge of catering assignmentsrnHousekeeping Department

Executive Housekeeper are

Responsible for ensuring that guest rooms, meeting and banquet rooms and public areas are clean, orderly and well maintainedThey train, schedule and supervise the work of housekeepers, inspect rooms and order cleaning suppliesThey work with a team of housekeepers, maids, cleaners, seamstresses. Aesthetic upkeep and maintenance of equipment is often a round the clock. Shift duties are assigned to most of this staffrnFloor Supervisors

They supervise the work of room maids and linen maids and are in-charge of rooms on a floorrnAccounts Department

The Chief Accountant

Is a chartered accountant, has a team of accountants, auditors, cashiers and accounting clerks working in the departmentWorks directly under the executive manager rnMarketing Department

Sales and marketing division works to identify the needs of prospective customers and sell the services which have been developedrnEngineering Department

Procures, installs and maintains all equipment used in hotelsrnPersonnel Department

Personnel departments engaged in the process of recruiting and training fresh personnel as well as providing in service trainingIt looks into the personnel needs and requirements of its employeesrnForecasting Department

Key role in the enhancement of profitability of businessrnProjects growth in terms of business to arranging financial investments is the task of this department

Skills requiredrnAttitude/ aptitude suitabilityrnFlair for creativityrnLiking for peoplernAbility to shoulder responsibilityrnAbility to work odd hoursrnOutgoing and pleasant personalityrnCapacity for hard workrnFlair and flamboyance along with discipline, commitment and dedicationrnTeam spirit

Employment OpportunitiesrnBesides working in hotels, the job options hotel management diploma/degree holders have are in:rnRestaurant managementFast food joint managementClub managementRecreation and health centre cateringCruise ship hotel managementHospital administration and cateringInstitutional and industrial cateringAirline catering and cabin servicesManufacturers and suppliers of hotel and restaurant equipment and servicesHotel and catering institutesHotel and tourism associationsCatering departments in banks and insurance housesWith government owned catering departments, e.g., railway, armed forces, ministerial conventions, etc.In food, confectionery, beverage production industries

Recruiting SectorsrnAll HotelsArmed ForcesCruise shipsGovernment canteensIndustries having catering facilityRailwaysResortsrn