Accommodation Manager

Accommodation managers are responsible for operating their establishments efficiently and economically, satisfying guests and handling any problems that arise.

In smaller establishments, accommodation managers may have a limited staff and personally direct all aspects of the operation. Managers of small motels or hostels, for example, may perform front desk clerk duties as well managerial duties (for more information, see the Hotel and Motel Desk Clerk occupation profile).

In larger establishments such as luxury hotels, general managers may have several assistant managers or department heads. The general manager's responsibilities might include:

• establishing and controlling budgets and approving contracts
• strategic planning
• setting room rates
• approving expenditures
• staff training
• establishing standards of quality service
• marketing and public relations.

Department heads under the general manager would be responsible for day-to-day operations such as:

• accounting
• marketing and sales
• human resources
• front desk services
• food and beverage services
• housekeeping and maintenance
• security
• convention services
• hotel entertainment services.

Working conditions for accommodation managers are as varied as the establishments they operate. Most establishments are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and managers may work long, irregular hours in addition to always being on call for emergencies. Some managers live in their establishments and are constantly involved with operations. The work is sometimes hectic and stressful.

Accommodation managers need to possess:

• excellent written and oral communication skills
• good general health, stamina and mental alertness to cope with the long, irregular hours of work
• the ability to get along with all kinds of people
• leadership and decision making skills
• the ability to adapt to changing customer needs and unexpected situations
• the ability to remain calm while under pressure.

Accommodation managers should enjoy being in charge, taking a methodical approach to their work, and negotiating with people.

Above-average occupational growth is expected in Alberta for 2016 to 2020. Job openings are a result of employment turnover and newly created positions.

Unless they already have considerable work experience in the field, new graduates of hospitality education programs usually start in junior positions such as hotel desk clerk.

Years of experience and in-house training are generally required to advance to hotel management positions. A typical advancement path in a large hotel might be desk clerk, front office manager, rooms division manager, executive assistant manager and, finally, general manager. However, someone promoted to general manager from the rooms division would require food and beverage experience or they would require a knowledgeable food and beverage manager to assist them. Managers employed by chain hotels or motels may be transferred from one location to another as they are promoted.

In Alberta, 81% of people employed as accommodation service managers work in the Accommodation and Food Services (PDF) industry.

The employment outlook (PDF) in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the Accommodation and Food Services industry)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions)
• size of the occupation.

Over 7,400 Albertans are employed in the Accommodation service managers ccupational group. This group is expected to have an above average annual growth of 2.1% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 155 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association website: www.ahla.ca

American Hotel and Lodging Association website: www.ahla.com

Americal Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute website: www.ahlei.org

emerit website: www.emerit.ca

Tourism HR Canada website: tourismhr.ca

For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.