A hotel general manager is responsible for organising all the work which goes on in a hotel: reception, food service, bar service, room service, booking, budgeting, marketing and staff.

The Work

You could be:

• making sure all guests receive a high quality of service
• planning marketing campaigns
• planning budgets, setting sales targets and managing accounts
• analysing sales figures and producing reports
• recruiting, training and supervising staff
• meeting and greeting guests
• dealing with customers’ complaints and other problems
• organising building maintenance
• making sure that the hotel meets health, safety and security regulations and licensing laws.

In a small hotel you would look after the following areas yourself:

• housekeeping
• food and drink
• restaurant
• front office
• conferences and banqueting.

In a large hotel you would have departmental managers for these different functions.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work
• the size of company or organisation you work for
• the demand for the job.

Most applicants for the post of hotel general manager have several years of experience already. Pay can vary over a wide range from £23,000 to £70,000 a year or more. Some managers may earn more depending on the size of the hotel and the quality rating.

Some jobs may also come with accommodation.

Conditions

• It is a demanding job, both physically and mentally.
• You will probably work shifts including evenings and weekends and hours can be long.
• You may have to take your holidays at certain times, when it's off-peak.
• You might be on call when off duty.
• You might live in or near the hotel.
• You might spend nights away from home.
• Some hotels are in remote areas, such as parts of the Highlands and Islands.

Useful Subjects

• Administration and IT
• Business Management
• Business Skills (SCQF Level 6) (FA)
• Cantonese
• French
• Gaelic (Learners)
• Gàidhlig
• Gaidhlig / Gaelic
• German
• Italian
• Mandarin (Simplified)
• Mandarin (Traditional)
• Modern Languages
• SfW Hospitality
• Spanish
• Urdu

Getting In

You can enter hotel management in several ways.

• A degree (SCQF Level 9-10) or HND (SCQF Level 8) in hospitality and tourism management, hospitality management or a business related subject. For a degree course you usually need 4-5 Highers for entry and for an HND 1-2 Highers usually including English.
• A degree in an unrelated subject and then a postgraduate course in hospitality management.
• Gaining experience in various fields of hotel work and then getting promotion to management.
• Some hotel chains run trainee management programmes for graduates in a relevant subject.
• You may be able to enter through a Modern Apprenticeship in Hospitality Supervision and Leadership at SCQF Level 7 or Hospitality Management Skills at SCQF Level 8.
• Foreign languages are useful and a driving licence may be essential.

Hotels and guest houses are in virtually every Scottish town and city as well as in rural areas. There are luxury hotels which are part of an international chain and have restaurants and leisure facilities.

Job Outlook Scotland

Job Outlook Scotland and UK

  Scotland

2024

5031

3.9 %

RISE

2029

5229

  United Kingdom

2024

40899

4.7 %

RISE

2029

42817

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What Does it Take?

You need to have:

• excellent organisational skills
• excellent communication skills
• initiative and good problem solving skills
• business skills and an ability to work with a budget
• a polite and diplomatic manner
• assertiveness and negotiating skills
• sales skills
• resilience.

You need to be able to:

• manage and motivate others
• cope with stress and emergencies.

Training

• Training is mainly on the job.
• If completing a Modern Apprenticeship, you would study for the SVQ Hospitality Supervision and Leadership at SCQF Level 7 or the SVQ Hospitality Management Skills at SCQF Level 8.
• You could study part time for qualifications offered by the Institute of Hospitality, such as the Level 3 Diploma and Level 4 Advanced Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management.
• The Institute of Hospitality also offers continuing professional education (CPD) short courses.

Getting On

• Tourism is a growth sector in Scotland.
• There are good promotional prospects within hotel work although you might have to move to different locations.
• In larger hotels and chains you might specialise in training or marketing.
• You could consider self-employment.
• There are also chances to work abroad, particularly if you have foreign languages.
• Outside hotels, you could consider other forms of management, such as corporate or retail management.

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Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.