Career as Front Office Manager

Last Updated On 09 Sep, 2021

How to Become a Front Office Manager

About Front Office Manager

A Front Office Manager is a person who is responsible for making supervisory decisions regarding the front desk / reception of a hotel or hospitality establishment. Front Office Managers ensure that guests have a pleasant experience while checking into a hotel. They are responsible for providing instructions to the front desk staff, making sure that a proper account is being maintained of the reservations and taking care of any problems faced by a guest. Since the first interaction of a guest in a hotel is at the front office, the job of Front Office Manager becomes vital in establishing a cordial relationship and making a good first impression on the guest.

Besides the operational responsibilities, Front Office Managers are also responsible for maintaining a good level of occupancy in a hotel. Hence, they make also be required to make sales pitches and their inputs may also be required in the hotel's marketing activities. They have to come up with sales projections and maintain availability accordingly. They are also required to maintain good customer relationship and engagement to increase repeat visits and entertain any follow-ups from the guests regarding reservations.

Job Responsibilities of a Front Office Manager

Given below are some of the duties and responsibilities that a Front Office Manager has to fulfil.

  • Ensure that the proper standards of services, housekeeping and decoration are met.
  • Oversee the hiring and training of front office staff

  • Perform regular inspections of guest rooms, lobbies and other public areas for cleanliness and proper upkeep.

  • Inquire about the overall experience of the guest, resolve any problems of conflicts and ensure a cordial relationship is maintained.

  • Take key decisions on room rates, budget allocation, sales targets etc.

Eligibility to become Front Office Manager

Companies usually specify the following requirements for candidates applying for Front Office Manager positions.

Education
  • The typical requirement for a Front Office Manager is a relevant bachelor's degree course.
  • Additionally, students can also take up certification courses to grow in the field of Front Office Management.
  • MBA degree courses are also great for learning the requisite skills to become a Front Office Manager.
Work ExperienceVarying levels of work experience are required, depending on the hiring organisation.
Generally, 3 to 5 years of experience are sufficient for the role. More reputed organisations may require 8+ years of experience.
Skills

A Front Office Manager must have the following skills.

  • Pleasant personality.

  • Excellent communication skills.

  • Good grooming and dresing skills.

  • Out of the box thinking.

Courses To Become a Front Office Manager

Given below are some of the best courses that can be considered to become a Front Office Manager.

CourseAverage FeeMBA HM Colleges in India
Diploma in Front Office OperationRs. 50,000 - 1.5 lacs
Bachelor of Hotel Management and Catering Technology (BHMCT)Rs. 2.5 - 3 lacs
B. Voc in Hotel ManagementRs. 40,000 - 2.5 lacs
PG Diploma in Accommodation Operation and ManagementRs. 25,000 - 3.5 lacs
MBA in Hotel ManagementRs. 3 - 5 lacs

If you want assistance with admission to hotel management colleges, fill the Common Application Form (CAF). Call our helpline number 18005729877 if you have any questions.

Types of Job Roles Front Office Manager

The following job profiles are related to a Front Office Manager role.

  • Front Desk Manager

  • General Manager

  • Assistant Manager - Front Office

  • Lobby Manager

  • Accommodations Division Manager

  • Duty Manager

  • Front Office Executive etc.

Employment Sector/Industry for Front Office Manager

A Front Office Manager is an important person for any hotel industry since it is he/she who oversees the popularity and growth of a hotel. Hence, the vacancy for a Front Office Manager can be found in almost every hotel, from small establishments to large chains. As the tourism industry expands to new horizons and there is a demand for tourism lodgings in new cities, the career scope for a Front Office Manager increases further.

Front Office Manager is a job position that can be found in almost any country around the world. Plus, the job is available in almost all major tourist cities and even in small cities that have modest traveller accommodations. Given below are the common areas of employment for Front Office Managers.

  • Hotels
  • Motels

  • Tourist Houses

  • Resorts

  • Cruise Liners etc.

Planning to choose Front Office Manager as your career?

Pay Scale/Salary of Front Office Manager

The following table can be checked for the approximate salary details of Front Office Managers in India.

Job ProfileAverage1 - 3 years 5 - 7 years10 - 12 years
Front Office ManagerRs. 3.00 LPARs. 2.50 LPARs. 3.50 LPARs. 5 LPA

 

Books & Study Material to Become Front Office Manager

Given below are some of the best books for Front Office Managers in India.

  • Hotel Front Office Management by James A. Bardi
  • Be our Guest: Perfecting the Art of Customer Service by The Disney Institute and Theodore Kinni
  • Hotel Front Office: Operations and Management by Jatashankar Tewari 
  • 100 Tips for Hoteliers: What Every Successful Hotel Professional Needs to Know and Do by Peter Venison
  • Revenue Superstar!: The Simple Rules of Hotel Revenue Management by Johan Hammer

Pros of becoming a Front Office Manager

  • Plenty of job opportunities in all major cities.
  • The job allows you to travel around the world.
  • Provides an overall idea of hotel operations.

Cons of becoming a Front Office Manager

  • Salary growth is slow.
  • You often have to work extended shifts.
  • The job can get hectic as there is a lot to handle.

Do you think this is the right career choice for you?

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FAQs about Front Office Manager

Who is a Front Office Manager?

A Front Office Manager is basically a person who is responsible for supervising the operations of a front office or reception. Additionally, he/she also oversees several other key areas of a hotel such as housekeeping, sales, decor etc.

What are the qualities that a good Front Office Manager must have?

A good Front Office Manager must have excellent communication skills, charming personality, must be well-dressed and groomed at all times, be a motivator, have a problem-solving attitude and an eye for cleanliness and detail.

What duties must a Front Office Manager perform?

A Front Office Manager performs a wide range of duties from taking meetings of Front Office Staff to inspectiing the cleanliness of guest rooms and public areas to setting the sales target and making necessary arrangements accordingly.

Is Front Office Manager a good job?

A Front Office Manager is a job that can be found in hospitality industries in almost all big and small hotels. Front Office Manager jobs can also be found in almost all major towns and cities.

What are the minimum educational requirements to become a Front Office Manager?

Most companies require candidates to at least have a bachelor's degree in hotel management. However, some hotels even hire 12th pass candidates with relevant experience of the field.

Which courses are available for becoming Front Office Manager?

A Diploma in Front Office Management is a well-suited course for the field. Candidates can also consider a BHMCT and MBA in Hotel Management courses for the role.

How much work experience is required to become a Front Office Manager?

5 - 10 years of work experience is usually required for this role. The experience required will depend on the hiring company.

What are some good hotel management colleges in India?

Some of the good hotel management colleges offering courses for Front Office Managers are NSHM Knowledge Campus Kolkata, SBIHM Kolkata, Mansarovar Global University Sehore, LPU Jalandhar etc.

What is the average salary for Front Office Managers?

As per payscale, Front Office Managers earn Rs. 3 to 3.5 LPA on average.

What are the areas of employment available for Front Office Managers?

Front Office Managers have job opportunities available in various hospitality establishments such as hotels, resorts, motels, cruise ships etc.

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