To attract top-tier talent, recruiters need a comprehensive job description that not only outlines the key responsibilities but also highlights the unique aspects of your organization. Crafting a well-rounded description will not only filter the most suitable candidates but also position your company as an industry leader. In this guide, we’ll provide you with a robust hospitality manager job description template designed to help you secure the perfect candidate who will elevate your guest services to the next level.
What Is a Hospitality Manager?
A hospitality manager is a professional responsible for overseeing the daily operations of hospitality-related establishments, such as hotels, resorts, restaurants, and event planning services. Their role encompasses a wide range of duties aimed at ensuring guests have a superior experience, managing staff, and maintaining efficient operational practices. Hospitality managers are tasked with setting service standards, implementing policies, and ensuring that all aspects of the guest experience meet or exceed expectations. Additionally, they oversee the financial performance of the establishment, manage budgets, and implement cost-effective strategies while maintaining quality service. A successful hospitality manager combines strong leadership, excellent communication skills, and a keen understanding of the industry to foster a welcoming environment and contribute to the business's success and reputation.
Where to Find a Hospitality Manager?
- Industry job boards specialised in hospitality and tourism (hotel/hospitality networks)
- LinkedIn and professional networks targeting hospitality operations leaders
- Recruitment agencies specialising in hospitality/restaurant/hotel leadership
- Internal promotion paths among existing hospitality staff who have shown leadership potential
- Hospitality schools and alumni networks (graduates of hospitality management programmes)
- Industry events, conferences, and hospitality associations
Hospitality Manager Job Description Template
We are seeking an experienced hospitality manager to lead and optimize the daily operations of our [hotel/resort/restaurant/hospitality facility] to deliver exceptional guest service, drive revenue growth, and maintain efficient, compliant operations.
Hospitality Manager Responsibilities:
- Oversee all aspects of operations: front desk/reception, housekeeping, food & beverage, maintenance, guest services, and vendor relations.
- Develop and manage budgets, monitor expenses, and maximize profitability while maintaining service standards.
- Hire, train, mentor, and evaluate staff; build high-performing teams aligned with company values.
- Ensure guest satisfaction: manage guest check-in/out, handle complaints, and deliver best-in-class service.
- Coordinate across departments, streamline processes, and implement operational improvements.
- Ensure compliance with health, safety, and regulatory standards and internal policies.
- Analyze performance metrics (occupancy, ADR, RevPAR, guest feedback) and report to senior leadership.
- Promote a positive workplace culture and help anticipate/trend guest behaviors and industry shifts.
Required Qualifications & Skills:
- Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
- Proven experience (typically 5+ years) in hospitality operations management or a similar leadership role.
- Familiarity with hospitality technology platforms and industry trends (preferred).
Required Skills:
- Strong financial acumen, budgeting skills, and ability to analyze KPIs.
- Excellent leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills.
- Guest-centric mindset and high standards of service and quality.
- Ability to thrive in fast-paced environments, problem-solve, and manage multiple departments.
- Multilingual (optional but a plus depending on the market).
Challenges in Hiring a Hospitality Manager
- The industry continues to face talent shortages despite the recovery
- High turnover remains a significant issue: for example, one hospitality challenge article reports annual turnover rates of 70-80% in some segments of the hospitality industry.
- Emerging expectations: candidates increasingly seek flexible working, a strong culture, and career development, rather than simply compensation
- Skills mismatch: while general operations experience may exist, candidates may lack specific modern hospitality leadership skills (e.g., digital guest experiences, revenue-tech awareness).
- Hospitality operations are increasingly regulated (health & safety, sustainability, digital guest data), so the ideal hospitality manager needs to handle more complex compliance than in past years.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire?
- Salary & benefits: The salary for a hospitality manager varies by location and experience, but the average annual salary in the United States is around $57,007, with typical ranges between $43,000 and $69,000.
- Recruitment cost: Potentially several thousand USD (or equivalent) to post, screen, interview, and negotiate.
- Onboarding & training cost: Time from hire to full productivity also has a cost (manager’s time, team training).
- Opportunity cost of vacancy: If the role remains unfilled for weeks/months, service quality, guest satisfaction, and revenue may suffer.
- For hospitality & entertainment (volume roles), one article notes an average cost per hire of ~$1,070.
- However, for a senior role like hospitality manager, expect significantly higher: the volume figure is less relevant; senior roles with leadership criteria may cost many thousands in recruiting, especially if using agencies, relocation allowance, etc.
Conclusion
Recruiting the right hospitality manager is a strategic investment for any hospitality business. A clear job description helps set expectations and attract suitable talent. Given the current market in 2025, with high demand, evolving candidate expectations, and operational cost pressures, it’s more important than ever to act swiftly, present a compelling employer brand, and budget realistically for recruitment and onboarding. By understanding the challenges and the costs, recruiters can position their hospitality business to attract and retain the leadership talent that drives guest satisfaction and business profitability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What should I include in a hospitality manager job description?
A: You should include a job summary, key responsibilities (operations, guest service, financials, staff management), qualifications & skills, metrics, working conditions, and application instructions.
Q: What is the difference between a hospitality manager and a hotel manager?
A: A hospitality manager covers broader hospitality operations (could be resort, restaurant, or event venues), whereas a hotel manager more specifically focuses on lodging/hotel operations. The core skills overlap.
Q: What are the biggest hiring challenges for hospitality managers in 2025?
A: Talent shortages, high turnover, shifting candidate expectations (culture, flexibility), rising recruitment costs, and skills gaps in modern hospitality operations.
Q: What skills and traits make a strong hospitality manager?
A: Key skills: leadership, guest service orientation, financial acumen, operational agility, teamwork, problem solving, communication, and adaptability to modern hospitality trends (tech, sustainability)
Q: How can we make our hospitality manager role more attractive to candidates?
A: Highlight career progression, a positive culture, training and development opportunities, competitive compensation & benefits, a strong brand, and clear operational autonomy. Also address candidate expectations around work–life balance and development.