The hotel industry is one in which it’s possible to advance from an entry-level position to upper management without a formal postsecondary education or four-year degree. Its low barriers to entry mean the industry is accessible to nearly all members of the workforce. Not to mention – the industry continues to grow despite recession fears, and roles pop up every day.
For the average member of the workforce, compensation is one of the top considerations when considering an employment opportunity or career path. While compensation packages include more than just a salary, there are a few roles within hotels that offer the highest annual salary and are considered the highest-paid jobs within the industry – other than chief executive officer (CEO) positions. It’s important to note that salary ranges vary greatly across the United States and among various hotel employers. However, for those looking to make the most annually – these roles are likely a good end goal.
Director of Finance/Controller
The role of the controller isn’t exclusive to the hotel industry. In fact, most large organizations employ a controller (or sometimes titled director of finance) to serve as financial manager and oversee all accounting operations. This role involves budgeting, regular monitoring of cash flow and expenditures, and collaborating with the leadership team to ensure the organization remains in good financial health. As expected, financial reporting is a huge component of the relationship between a controller and the CEO and/or board of a hotel.
A strong controller can both report accurately and do so in a way that is digestible and allows the leadership team to make informed operational decisions. Managing the finances of hotel companies with multiple locations requires years of relevant experience and financial expertise – making this a highly sought-after and highly compensated position. It’s important to note that this type of position, as it requires extensive financial expertise, often does require a postsecondary degree or certification in a related field.
Hotel General Manager
Becoming a hotel general manager (GM) is often the end goal of those entering the industry with management aspirations. Overall, the role of a hotel GM is to ensure smooth, effective, and profitable hotel operations. This equates to providing safe and comfortable spaces for guests and staff, ensuring the hotel meets its revenue goals, and that each functional area of the organization is fully equipped with the personnel and training necessary to perform their roles effectively. The role involves a significant amount of administrative work as these managers generally oversee scheduling, certain accounting processes, and reporting for the leadership team and/or owners.
A strong GM serves as a coach for those they manage as well. This means communicating expectations effectively and encouraging growth among team members. Most often, a general manager directly manages the team leaders from each functional area of the hotel (housekeeping, front desk, etc.). Empowering these functional leaders then tends to reflect on their leadership style, empowering those they manage in a trickle-down effect.
Director of Sales and/or Marketing
Depending on the size of a hotel organization or chain, the sales aspect of revenue generation might be handled on a property level by a GM or more on a regional level led by a director of sales. In successful hotels that employ this type of director, it’s often the next highest-paid employee after the GM. While online booking systems and front desk personnel take many of the individual bookings a hotel receives, a director of sales works to ensure those reservations come in steady enough to meet or exceed budget expectations. This involves a great deal of marketing – both digital and via traditional channels.
Typically, a director of sales implements a sales strategy to effectively create and achieve revenue targets. These leaders often train other sales or front desk staff on sales and customer service best practices to ensure guests are happy from the time they book until the time they leave. These directors also collaborate closely with the rest of the management team, including the GM, to work cohesively towards successful hotel operations and revenue.
Job Opportunities: From Entry Level to Top Paid Hotel Staff Positions
The above-mentioned roles require a solid understanding of the hotel industry and what it takes to operate effectively within it. While there are certification and degree programs available to help develop this expertise, some of the best preparation one can do for these roles is working their way there via other roles within the hotel industry.
For those with prior hotel experience looking for management positions as well as those just starting in their hotel career, we’ve curated a jobs database of opportunities around the country to make the job search part of the process easier. New positions are added often, and opportunities range from entry-level positions to salaried management roles (with regional leadership included).
The hotel industry can be equally tough as it is rewarding, but it is an industry with incredible growth potential for those committed to collaboration and prioritization of the guest experience. Finding the right fit with a potential employer is a crucial step to securing and thriving in the high-paying roles above (or any other hospitality role). For those looking for that organization to grow with, we encourage you to search our available positions today!