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What does a spa director do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read

A spa director is the operator and caretaker of a spa. They are responsible for managing the spa's employees, scheduling events, and advertising it to clients. They ensure the spa is a welcoming environment, including making sure all hygiene procedures are followed and all equipment is functional. They create business development plans to help the spa grow.

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Spa director responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real spa director resumes:

  • Manage outside appointment bookings which include traveling, security, POS systems, equipment storage & maintenance.
  • Ensure routine maintenance of all spa equipment are kept along with the highest level of cleanliness throughout spa.
  • Produce all event materials and handle reservations.
  • Monitor inventory, coordinate purchasing and process payroll.
  • Recommend improved cleaning products or cleaning methods towards optimal levels of sanitation and cleanliness.
  • Develop and implement standard operating procedures including payroll systems, training protocols, inventory control and purchasing methods.
  • Assure timely availability of qualify associates through active participation in the salon recruiting, interviewing, hiring and training process.7.
  • Perform aromatherapy facials according to Aveda procedures.

Spa director skills and personality traits

We calculated that 18% of Spa Directors are proficient in Customer Service, Reservations, and Front Desk. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Leadership skills, and Management skills.

We break down the percentage of Spa Directors that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 18%

    Provided excellent customer service and demonstrated flexibility by understanding how to develop various solutions from objections/issues for the diverse customer base.

  • Reservations, 8%

    Worked closely with Sales and Marketing and Reservations to create local and drive marketspecials to increase revenue.

  • Front Desk, 7%

    Front Desk Reception Training and Management

  • Guest Satisfaction, 6%

    Achieved the extraordinary feat of growing overall guest satisfaction from 85% in 2012 to 95% in 2013.

  • Spa Services, 6%

    Directed/administered the marketing and execution of all Med Spa services while continuing efforts to offer excellent in-patients experience that delivered profitability.

  • Cleanliness, 5%

    Recommended improved cleaning products or cleaning methods towards optimal levels of sanitation and cleanliness.

Most spa directors use their skills in "customer service," "reservations," and "front desk" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential spa director responsibilities here:

Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a spa director to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "top executives must be able to convey information clearly and persuasively." Additionally, a spa director resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "managed the exclusive resort beach club that included sales, event planning, newsletter and communication with club members. "

Leadership skills. Another essential skill to perform spa director duties is leadership skills. Spa directors responsibilities require that "top executives must be able to shape and direct an organization by coordinating policies, people, and resources." Spa directors also use leadership skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "direct spa and front desk team by providing leadership, coaching, training and development. "

Problem-solving skills. For certain spa director responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a spa director rely on this skill, as "top executives need to identify and resolve issues within an organization." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what spa directors do: "resolved all customer complaints, and developed many long-term relationships with regular customers. "

Time-management skills. Another common skill required for spa director responsibilities is "time-management skills." This skill comes up in the duties of spa directors all the time, as "top executives do many tasks concurrently to ensure that their work gets done and that the organization meets its goals." An excerpt from a real spa director resume shows how this skill is central to what a spa director does: "reported to general manager, prepared financial reports, orientation of new personnel, maintained company deadlines and produced marketing materials. "

All spa director skills

The three companies that hire the most spa directors are:

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Compare different spa directors

Spa director vs. Assistant spa manager

An assistant spa manager provides administrative support to spa managers, assisting them in overseeing and maintaining the smooth operations of spa facilities. Their responsibilities usually include liaising with suppliers, purchasing supplies, preparing and processing documents, handling calls and correspondence, organizing files, and maintaining records. They may also assist patrons by answering inquiries, discussing the extent of procedures, introducing different service options, and solving issues and concerns. Moreover, they work together with the spa manager in managing staff and monitoring operations, all while implementing policies and regulations.

We looked at the average spa director salary and compared it with the wages of an assistant spa manager. Generally speaking, assistant spa managers are paid $146 higher than spa directors per year.Even though spa directors and assistant spa managers are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require customer service, reservations, and front desk in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between spa directors and assistant spa manager. For instance, spa director responsibilities require skills such as "guest satisfaction," "spa operations," "skin care," and "spa equipment." Whereas a assistant spa manager is skilled in "administrative tasks," "payroll," "booking," and "sales associates." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Assistant spa managers earn the highest salaries when working in the transportation industry, with an average yearly salary of $39,425. On the other hand, spa directors are paid more in the professional industry with an average salary of $44,149.The education levels that assistant spa managers earn slightly differ from spa directors. In particular, assistant spa managers are 4.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a spa director. Additionally, they're 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Spa director vs. Wellness spa manager

Wellness spa manager positions earn lower pay than spa director roles. They earn a $5,956 lower salary than spa directors per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Spa directors and wellness spa managers both require similar skills like "customer service," "spa services," and "retail sales" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real spa director resumes. While spa director responsibilities can utilize skills like "reservations," "front desk," "guest satisfaction," and "cleanliness," wellness spa managers use skills like "phone calls," "labs," "computer system," and "cpr."

In general, wellness spa managers achieve lower levels of education than spa directors. They're 7.8% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Spa director vs. Director of spa and guest experience

An average director of spa and guest experience eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of spa directors. The difference in salaries amounts to directors of spa and guest experience earning a $14,561 higher average salary than spa directors.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a spa director is likely to be skilled in "customer service," "reservations," "front desk," and "guest satisfaction," while a typical director of spa and guest experience is skilled in "crm," "concept development," "brand strategy," and "track expenses."

When it comes to education, directors of spa and guest experience tend to earn higher degree levels compared to spa directors. In fact, they're 5.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Spa director vs. Med spa manager

Med spa managers tend to earn a lower pay than spa directors by an average of $1,911 per year.While both spa directors and med spa managers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like front desk, comment cards, and product knowledge, the two careers vary in some skills.Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A spa director uses "customer service," "reservations," "guest satisfaction," and "spa services." Med spa managers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "patient satisfaction," "bls," "administrative tasks," and "vital signs. "The average resume of med spa managers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to spa directors. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 2.8%.

Types of spa director

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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