How to hire a hotel operation manager

How to hire a hotel operation manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step hotel operation manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a hotel operation manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new hotel operation manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a hotel operation manager do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a hotel operation manager, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a hotel operation manager to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a hotel operation manager that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of hotel operation managers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Hotel Operation Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Hotel Operation Manager	Top executives devise strategies and policies to ensure that an organization meets its goals. They plan, direct, and coordinate operational activities of companies and organizations.	$15-34
   General Manager Of Operations	General managers of operations are employed to oversee the overall operations of businesses. Their responsibilities include the improvement of the efficiency of the operations and overall management... Show more	$23-79
   Manager, Center Operations	The duties of a manager of center operations depend on one's industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around overseeing business operations, setting targets, assessing the workforce's performance, and performing corrective measures on any issues or concerns... Show more	$18-46

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Reservations
   • Guest Service
   • Cleanliness
   • Payroll
   • Hotel Operations
   • Financial Performance
   • Direct Supervision
   • Human Resources
   • Guest Complaints
   • Guest Rooms
   • Customer Satisfaction
   • PBX
   • LMS
   • Culinary

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Recruit, train and monitor staff performance as well as managed payroll, AR/AP and inventory.
   • Manage trading/position control for equity and fix income portfolio management teams.
   • Handle individual and institutional client relations, inventory control, night audit and payroll.
   • Confirm reservations and collect proper payments for hotel accommodations and/or other hotel services.
   • Understand the telephone operator board or PBX switchboard operations.
   • Meet and greet VIP guests upon arrival and departures.

   More hotel operation manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your hotel operation manager job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A hotel operation manager salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a hotel operation manager in Kentucky may be lower than in New York, and an entry-level hotel operation manager usually earns less than a senior-level hotel operation manager. Additionally, a hotel operation manager with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average hotel operation manager salary

   $49,083yearly

   $23.60 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level hotel operation manager salary

   $33,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 23, 2025

   Average hotel operation manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New York	$78,830	$38
   2	New Jersey	$67,581	$32
   3	California	$66,691	$32
   4	District of Columbia	$64,927	$31
   5	Virginia	$61,179	$29
   6	Colorado	$58,262	$28
   7	Ohio	$57,188	$27
   8	Nevada	$56,253	$27
   9	North Carolina	$51,779	$25
   10	Massachusetts	$51,318	$25
   11	Michigan	$49,638	$24
   12	Indiana	$49,540	$24
   13	Florida	$49,462	$24
   14	Maine	$49,437	$24
   15	Texas	$48,803	$23
   16	Washington	$46,083	$22
   17	Georgia	$40,269	$19
   18	Oklahoma	$37,046	$18
   19	Montana	$35,250	$17

   Average hotel operation manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	SRI International	$71,449	$34.35
   2	Aileron	$68,166	$32.77
   3	Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants	$65,850	$31.66	26
   4	InterContinental Hotels Group Resources, Inc.	$61,548	$29.59	6
   5	Highgate Hotels	$61,196	$29.42	74
   6	BrightWave	$59,014	$28.37	1
   7	Sage Hospitality Group	$58,027	$27.90	5
   8	Pyramid Hotel Group	$57,160	$27.48
   9	Harbor View Hotel	$56,979	$27.39
   10	Goodwin Recruiting	$55,831	$26.84
   11	Biltmore	$55,589	$26.73
   12	Hilton	$55,561	$26.71	141
   13	Horizon Hospitality	$55,284	$26.58
   14	Quality Inn Gettysburg Battlefield	$54,937	$26.41	1
   15	Comfort Inn	$54,758	$26.33	11
   16	IHG Owners Association	$53,942	$25.93	10
   17	Town Pump	$53,380	$25.66	29
   18	CSM Companies	$51,624	$24.82	18
   19	Tower International	$51,363	$24.69
   20	Remote	$51,317	$24.67

4. Writing a hotel operation manager job description

   A hotel operation manager job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a hotel operation manager job description:

   Hotel operation manager job description example

   This position is responsible for providing assistance in engineering operations; including maintenance, repair of hotel property, outside grounds, hotel equipment, preventative maintenance and asset protection. Follows CSM high standards of quality to ensure guest satisfaction.
   • Learns and demonstrates the ability to maintain property assets.
   • Works with the Chief Engineer to understand preventive maintenance, equipment repairs, routine inspections and capital expenditures.
   • Learns the impact of maintaining company assets and how it impacts the overall financial success of the hotel property.
   • Assists and responds to guests requests in a friendly and positive manner, while providing the highest level of service.
   • Ability to assist guests by having knowledge of hotel property, guest room repairs and common area maintenance.
   • Personally sets a strong example for other associate through exceptional guest service.
   • Assesses and evaluates property assets through preventative maintenance.
   • Works with appropriate managers in a respectful and courageous manner to recommend maintenance service solutions.
   • Works with the Chief Engineer to learn, understand and execute on all engineering SOP's.
   • Works as a team player in meeting guest needs, and actively contributes to the efforts of other departments when necessary.
   • Completes all assigned duties inside or outside the normal scope of responsibilities within the engineering department.
   • Drives carts, bobcats, and ice surfacing machines.
   • Maintains a clean and safe work area in compliance with CSM, brand, local, state and federal regulations. Uses personal protective equipment when needed.
   • Follows all CSM procedures for guest/associate incidents.
   • Knowledgeable of hotel emergency procedures.
   • Produces required volume of work by planning, organizing and prioritizing work duties as presented by the Chief Engineer.
   • Adheres to CSM attendance policy, general work rules and department procedures.
   • Attends all required department and hotel meetings.
   
   Competencies/Skills Required: 2+ years of maintenance experience is preferred. Attention to detail, customer focused and the ability to perform job duties in a fast paced environment.
   
   Education: High School diploma or GED required. CPO, and appliance repair certification is desired, or the ability to obtain certification based on property needs. Must have a current and valid drivers' license with safe driving record.
   
   Physical Requirements: Ability to push, pull, and lift up to 100 pounds on a regular basis throughout shift.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find hotel operation managers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any hotel operation managers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level hotel operation managers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your hotel operation manager job on Zippia to find and recruit hotel operation manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit hotel operation managers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new hotel operation manager

   Once you have selected a candidate for the hotel operation manager position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a hotel operation manager?