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Hospitality & Catering

Hotel Manager

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Primary Secondary Post-16

A hotel manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of a hotel, ensuring guests have a positive experience and that the business runs efficiently. Duties typically include managing staff, handling customer complaints, overseeing budgets and finances, maintaining hotel standards, and coordinating marketing activities. Hotel managers often work long hours, including evenings and weekends, especially during busy periods. Strong leadership, organisational, and communication skills are essential, as well as the ability to solve problems quickly. Many hotel managers start their careers in entry-level hospitality roles and work their way up, often with a foundation degree, HND, or a university degree in hospitality management or a related field.

Hotel Manager

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📊 Statistics

Average Salary

Hotel managers in the UK typically earn between £25,000 and £60,000 per year, with higher salaries possible in luxury or large hotels.

Number of Positions

There are approximately 30,000 hotel manager positions in the UK, according to recent industry surveys.

Job Growth

The hospitality sector is expected to grow by around 3 percent annually, increasing demand for skilled hotel managers.

🚀 Careers in this path

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Front Office Manager

Responsible for overseeing the reception area, managing guest check-ins and check-outs, and leading the front desk team in a hotel.

Events and Conference Manager

Organises and manages events, conferences, and meetings within a hotel, ensuring guests and clients have a smooth experience.

Housekeeping Manager

Supervises the cleaning and maintenance staff in a hotel to ensure all guest rooms and public areas are kept to high standards.

Achieve Relevant Qualifications

Complete GCSEs or Equivalent

Achieve at least five GCSEs at grades 4 or above, including English and Maths.

Having good GCSE results is important as it provides a foundation for further study. English and Maths are particularly valued in hospitality management, as good communication and numeracy skills are essential.

Study Hospitality or Business

Take A-levels, BTECs, or a relevant college course such as a Level 3 Diploma in Hospitality.

Courses in hospitality, business, or travel and tourism will give you a good understanding of the industry. You could also consider a T Level in Management and Administration if available at your college.

Consider a Hospitality Degree or Apprenticeship

Pursue a university degree in hospitality management or join a higher/degree apprenticeship in hospitality leadership.

A degree in hospitality management, business, or international hotel management can give you a competitive edge. Alternatively, apprenticeships offer paid, practical experience and lead to recognised qualifications.

Gain Practical Experience

Start in Entry-Level Roles

Work in hotels as a receptionist, waiter, or housekeeping staff to understand how hotels operate.

Experience in different hotel departments helps you learn how the business runs and develops your customer service skills. Many hotel managers start out in junior roles and work their way up.

Progress to Supervisory Positions

Aim for roles such as shift supervisor, front office manager, or assistant manager.

Supervisory roles help you build management skills and take on more responsibility. You will start to manage small teams, deal with customer complaints, and handle some administrative tasks.

Develop Management Skills

Undertake Further Training

Take short courses in leadership, finance, or customer service.

Many hospitality organisations offer management training programmes. Courses in budgeting, people management, and health and safety are especially useful for aspiring managers.

Build Your Professional Network

Attend industry events, join hospitality associations, or connect with professionals on LinkedIn.

Networking can help you learn about job opportunities, gain advice from experienced managers, and stay updated with industry trends.

Apply for Hotel Manager Roles

Look for job openings as an assistant manager or hotel manager when you have enough experience.

Highlight your qualifications, work experience, and management skills in your application. Be ready to demonstrate how you can lead a team and ensure excellent guest satisfaction.

🎯 View Apprenticeships

Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Hotel Manager. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.

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Career Progressions

No career progressions found for

Sample Qualifications

The role of a hotel manager most closely aligns with the role of a Facilities manager because both involve overseeing the operations, ensuring the quality of services, managing staff, and maintaining the physical premises. Both positions require strong organisational and leadership skills to ensure the smooth running of a service-oriented environment.

How to become

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.

This role is open to graduates of all subjects, though a related course may give you an advantage. These include:

  • hotel management
  • hospitality management
  • hospitality business management
  • international hotel management
  • travel and tourism

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

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Apprenticeship

You can apply to do a Hospitality Supervisor Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, or Hospitality Manager Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship, to train to become a hotel manager.

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

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Work

You may be able to get into this career by getting experience as a deputy manager in front of house, guest services or catering operations. With further training on the job, you could be promoted to a more senior managerial position.

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Career tips

Experience in any kind of customer facing role will be useful for this career.

Some hotels offer live-in accommodation as part of their salary and benefits package.

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 how to become a hotel manager from Caterer.com.

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