How to Become a Hotel Manager in Ireland

Hotel management is a senior position within the hospitality industry, which involves overseeing the success of a hotel and making sure that guests, hotel employees and the hotel itself is flourishing. 

Hotel managers take on a lot of responsibility, but for those who thrive in fast-paced environments where they can take the lead, this could be the ideal career.

A hotel manager oversees the day-to-day running of a hotel, from room bookings and housekeeping to food service and events.

The duties of a hotel manager will vary depending on which type of hotel they are managing, whether it is a small hotel in Ireland, a larger hotel or a branch of a hotel chain. 

Sometimes a hotel manager will be involved in the daily hotel duties as well as having a say in the larger organisational decisions, and in larger hotels, a number of hotel managers will be employed for different departments, such as a front office manager by a hotel general manager.

Some of responsibilities a hotel manager might take on include:

The specified duties will vary depending on the size and structure of the hotel you are working in. Hotel managers must have strong leadership skills and the ability to take on a number of responsibilities to ensure the success of the hotel and manage the day-to-day operations.

Many employers will require a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree, preferably in a related field such as business management, hotel management, hospitality or business administration. The entry requirements for a bachelor’s degree are likely to be GCSEs in English and Maths, and if you are looking into postgraduate study then a bachelor’s degree is usually required.

However, with relevant experience and skills, you may not need a degree in a relevant field to secure hotel general manager jobs in Ireland.

Online Hotel Management courses can be a fantastic way to make you stand out to employers whether you have a relevant degree already or not. Learners can get a Certificate in Hotel Operations Management after just six months of learning, giving them the skills they need to start a role as a Hotel Manager. 

Another way to become a hotel manager in Ireland is by working in the hotel industry and working your way up. This can be from an entry-level position through to a senior position and then onto a management role, and studying an online course can help you progress in your career to a hotel management position.

Hotel management requires a number of skills to be able to successfully manage all aspects of a hotel. Some of the key skills you will need include: 

You can add to your skillset through work experience as well as online courses in hotel management and hospitality. If you gain experience in retail or customer service or work in business management, then you are likely to develop some key skills relevant to a hotel management role and secure hotel management jobs. 

Hotel managers will need some work experience in management and the hotel industry. A lot of hotel managers begin as regular staff before advancing to supervisors or managers of a specific area and then processing to a hotel manager. Therefore if you have years of experience as a hotel worker, particularly in a supervisory position, then you are certainly on the road to becoming a hotel manager. 

If you do not have a lot of experience, gaining work experience in relevant areas such as hospitality management, retail, administration, and customer service can help you get your foot in the door when it comes to hotel work. You might begin by working at the front desk, in housekeeping or in the food service area, and once you have an established base of experience there, you can work on your career progression. 

Studying a course in Hotel Management can help you progress through your career path faster, and if you have a relevant undergraduate or postgraduate degree, you are likely to be able to advance faster to a supervisor and management position. 

Adding to your hotel work experience with work in resorts, spas, travel and tourism, as well as a knowledge of other cultures and languages, can also help you stand out to employers when you come to find hotel management job opportunities and add to your professional development.

The opportunities for career progression and opportunities within the hotel industry are vast. Hotel managers who are the head of a department, such as operations management or restaurant management in a large hotel, can progress and become general managers. Those who are general managers of a hotel group can become regional managers or specialise in specific areas such as finance or training. 

Other hotel managers can become senior managers, and hotel managers can also gain more experience and knowledge to become a director or go into international hotel management.

Hotel management is a popular field, particularly for those with strong organisational skills who thrive in a hospitality environment. Hotel managers should be focused on the success of the hotel, the guest experience and the management of their staff, so it can be a very varied and interesting role. If you think you have what it takes to be a hotel manager, then explore an online course in hotel management and upskill your CV for a hotel management career today.