What does a Hotel Operation Manager do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

A Hotel Operations Manager oversees the hotel's entire operations. They develop and implement strategies that will ensure the hotel delivers positive experiences exceeding the guest's expectations. They listen to the guest's requirements and respond accordingly. Moreover, a Hotel Operations Manager establishes and maintains standards for customer service and staff performance. Furthermore, these professionals staff the hotel correctly and review employees' performance, appearance, and behavior.

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Hotel operation manager responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real hotel operation manager resumes:

  • Recruit, train and monitor staff performance as well as managed payroll, AR/AP and inventory.
  • Manage trading/position control for equity and fix income portfolio management teams.
  • Handle individual and institutional client relations, inventory control, night audit and payroll.
  • Confirm reservations and collect proper payments for hotel accommodations and/or other hotel services.
  • Understand the telephone operator board or PBX switchboard operations.
  • Meet and greet VIP guests upon arrival and departures.
  • Process and individually enter all details of customer reservations.
  • Increase profit in all locations by developing relationships and providing excellent service to referrals and patients with quality assurance program.
  • Help establish pricing and set up of the PMS.
  • Achieve solid market position for emerging property, setting the stage for outstanding results encompassing ADR, occupancy, and profitability.

Hotel operation manager skills and personality traits

We calculated that 10% of Hotel Operation Managers are proficient in Reservations, Guest Service, and Cleanliness. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Management skills, and Time-management skills.

We break down the percentage of Hotel Operation Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Reservations, 10%

    Maintained and managed the Hotel daily rates with Wholesale Department and In-house reservations watching occupancy closely.

  • Guest Service, 8%

    Restored operating fundamentals, and directed improvements in guest service.

  • Cleanliness, 8%

    Inspected and documented necessary repairs and cleanliness to ensure optimal property appearance in accordance with I-CARE procedures.

  • Payroll, 8%

    Recruited, trained and monitored staff performance as well as managed payroll, AR/AP and inventory.

  • Hotel Operations, 7%

    Assisted Hotel Operations Director with special projects and also implementing policies and procedures.

  • Financial Performance, 6%

    Managed operations, execution, budgets, projecting sales, and evaluating financial performance to ensure region profitability.

Common skills that a hotel operation manager uses to do their job include "reservations," "guest service," and "cleanliness." You can find details on the most important hotel operation manager responsibilities below.

Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a hotel operation manager to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "top executives must be able to convey information clearly and persuasively." Additionally, a hotel operation manager resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "supervised over 20 staff members, managing schedules and payroll, while simultaneously organizing and leading communication and customer service workshops. "

Time-management skills. This is an important skill for hotel operation managers to perform their duties. For an example of how hotel operation manager responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "top executives do many tasks concurrently to ensure that their work gets done and that the organization meets its goals." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a hotel operation manager: "coordinated with other hotel departments to ensure deadlines and quality standards were met. ".

Leadership skills. hotel operation manager responsibilities often require "leadership skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "top executives must be able to shape and direct an organization by coordinating policies, people, and resources." This resume example shows what hotel operation managers do with leadership skills on a typical day: "managed multiple leadership staff which included a spa director, executive housekeeper, frontoffice manager, and 12 hotel operation supervisors. "

Problem-solving skills. Another common skill required for hotel operation manager responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." This skill comes up in the duties of hotel operation managers all the time, as "top executives need to identify and resolve issues within an organization." An excerpt from a real hotel operation manager resume shows how this skill is central to what a hotel operation manager does: "mediated and resolved customer service conflicts as they arose. "

Most common hotel operation manager skills

The three companies that hire the most hotel operation managers are:

Compare different hotel operation managers

Hotel operation manager vs. General manager of operations

General managers of operations are employed to oversee the overall operations of businesses. Their responsibilities include the improvement of the efficiency of the operations and overall management. They coordinate the primary performance goals for direct reporting functions and set the strategies for the organization. It is their responsibility to communicate strategy as well as results to employees. They also engage with the corporate officers in the strategic planning and development of the organization or enterprise.

If we compare the average hotel operation manager annual salary with that of a general manager of operations, we find that general managers of operations typically earn a $40,439 higher salary than hotel operation managers make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both hotel operation manager and general manager of operations positions are skilled in payroll, financial performance, and human resources.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a hotel operation manager are more likely to require skills like "reservations," "guest service," "cleanliness," and "hotel operations." On the other hand, a job as a general manager of operations requires skills like "develop team," "financial statements," "logistics," and "continuous improvement." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

General managers of operations tend to reach similar levels of education than hotel operation managers. In fact, general managers of operations are 4.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Hotel operation manager vs. Manager, center operations

The duties of a manager of center operations depend on one's industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around overseeing business operations, setting targets, assessing the workforce's performance, and performing corrective measures on any issues or concerns. Moreover, there are also instances where they have to produce progress reports, devise strategies for optimal business performance, delegate tasks, and even manage the budget. As a manager, it is crucial to lead and encourage the team to reach goals and sales targets while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Manager, center operations positions earn higher pay than hotel operation manager roles. They earn a $11,976 higher salary than hotel operation managers per year.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that hotel operation manager responsibilities requires skills like "reservations," "guest service," "cleanliness," and "payroll." But a manager, center operations might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "process improvement," "infrastructure," "osha," and "standard operating procedure."

Managers, center operations may earn a higher salary than hotel operation managers, but managers, center operations earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $68,400. On the other hand, hotel operation managers receive higher pay in the hospitality industry, where they earn an average salary of $53,675.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Managers, center operations tend to reach higher levels of education than hotel operation managers. In fact, they're 5.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Hotel operation manager vs. Unit manager

Unit managers are responsible for managing the nursing unit. They primarily supervise the daily care of patients and ensure quality patient care. Usually, they perform tasks like evaluating staff performance, conducting orientation for new staff, and training new members. Also, they manage schedules, minimize expenditures, and enforce health as well as safety regulations. Unit managers are registered nursing professionals with an undergraduate or graduate degree. They are honest, adaptable, and analytical professionals with strong management and leadership skills and relevant experience in nursing and patient assessment.

On average, unit managers earn higher salaries than hotel operation managers, with a $11,478 difference per year.Using the responsibilities included on hotel operation managers and unit managers resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "cleanliness," "payroll," and "direct supervision.rdquo;

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, hotel operation managers are more likely to have skills like "reservations," "guest service," "hotel operations," and "financial performance." But a unit manager is more likely to have skills like "quality care," "patients," "federal regulations," and "resident care."

Unit managers earn the best pay in the finance industry, where they command an average salary of $85,767. Hotel operation managers earn the highest pay from the hospitality industry, with an average salary of $53,675.When it comes to education, unit managers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to hotel operation managers. In fact, they're 2.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Hotel operation manager vs. Line manager

As line managers, they oversee other employees and the business operations while reporting to a higher manager. They play a significant role in the operation of the business from supervising and managing workers daily and acting as a link to upper management and employees. It is part of their responsibility to recruit and hire talent to fill team positions, provide training and learning to new hires, and ensuring that the employees are doing their jobs effectively and efficiently.

Line managers average a higher salary than the annual salary of hotel operation managers. The difference is about $7,323 per year.While both hotel operation managers and line managers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like human resources, customer satisfaction, and inventory control, the two careers vary in some skills.While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "reservations," "guest service," "cleanliness," and "payroll" are skills that commonly show up on hotel operation manager resumes. On the other hand, line managers use skills like client facing, continuous improvement, service line, and direct reports on their resumes.In general, line managers hold similar degree levels compared to hotel operation managers. Line managers are 1.8% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of hotel operation manager

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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