options, job titles, and descriptions

If you’re thinking about a career in the hospitality industry, there are numerous types of jobs in the field. You may choose to get a job working in the hotel industry, which most people think of first when considering hospitality careers. Or you may search out a job on a cruise line, restaurant, theme park, or other facilities that cater to the pleasure of its customers.

Some hospitality jobs are on the front lines, meaning they deal with customers one-on-one. Other positions work behind the scenes in accounting, managing, marketing, and sales, which opens up a whole new area of opportunities that many don’t think about in this field.

Whatever position in the hospitality industry you are interested in, it’s beneficial to have certain skills or characteristics to be successful.

Top characteristics or skills needed in hospitality careers

These top personal characteristics, or soft skills, are helpful to have when selecting a job in the hospitality industry:

• Strong customer service skills
• Empathy
• Teamwork
• Time-management abilities
• Interpersonal strength
• Flexibility
• Problem-solving skills

In some hospitality positions, you may need a college education. For example, most management positions will require a bachelor’s degree in hospitality or business management.

Top hospitality job titles and descriptions

Here is a list of the top nine hospitality job title and associated titles, along with a description of the duties.

Event Planner

An event planner will oversee a range of events for various groups and entities. They may plan events for something as simple as a corporate meeting or something as elaborate as a wedding. The setting for the event will depend on the type of event it is.

Sometimes an event manager will work at large hotels or catering companies and oversee the events they hold. When planning an event, they must work within a budget and make all arrangements to ensure the event goes smoothly. Some of these responsibilities may include assisting with the menu, dealing with lighting issues, managing floral deliveries, arranging for décor, and supervising the event.

Other job titles for or similar to this position include:

• Meeting Manager
• Meeting Planner
• Events Manager
• Wedding Coordinator
• Meeting Coordinator
• Executive Conference Manager
• Executive Meeting Manager
• Meeting and Convention Planner
• Meeting Specialist

Concierge

Concierges usually work in hotels. They provide personal assistance to guests in a wide variety of areas. Some tasks may include obtaining event tickets, making reservations, fulfilling requested services, delivering packages, and providing directions. A concierge must have excellent customer service skills because they interact one-on-one with customers regularly.

Other job titles for or similar to this position include:

• Front Desk Associate
• Guest Services Supervisor
• Hotel Clerk
• Hotel Receptionist
• Front Desk Supervisor
• Front Office Attendant
• Cruise Ship Attendant
• Front-of-House Manager
• Reservationist

Restaurant Manager

A restaurant manager must handle all aspects of ensuring the restaurant runs smoothly and effectively while at the same time remaining profitable. The responsibilities of a restaurant range from hiring and training staff to overseeing the health and safety regulations of the kitchen. On top of all that, they must make sure the atmosphere in the restaurant is warm and welcoming, so people return.

Other job titles for or similar to this position include:

• Kitchen Manager
• Sommelier
• Executive Chef
• Dietary Manager
• Banquet Manager
• Food Service Director

Housekeeper

Housekeepers play an important role in the hotel experience. They are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the hotel or other hospitality venues. Their job may be to clean individual hotel rooms and/or common areas. This includes all aspects of cleaning, such as making beds, doing the laundry, cleaning the bathrooms, refreshing the lines, etc. Being a housekeeper can be a tiring job since you will be required to be on your feet for much of the day.

Other job titles for or similar to this position include:

• Executive Housekeeper
• Housekeeper
• Housekeeping Aide
• Director of Housekeeping
• Director of Operations
• Housekeeping Supervisor
• Maid

Porter and Valet

Porters work with a hotel guest’s baggage. They will assist the guest with bringing their luggage to the room and back down to the lobby again. In addition, another position similar to this is a valet. Instead of handling the guest’s luggage, they will park and retrieve the person’s car for them.

Other job titles for or similar to this position include:

• Baggage Porter
• Bellhop
• Valet Attendant
• Valet Parking Attendant
• Bell Attendant
• Bellman
• Parking Lot Attendant

Executive Chef

If you take an executive chef position, you’ll be in a managerial role, working behind the scenes. As you can expect, based on the title, an executive chef oversees all food preparation and operations in hotels, restaurants, and other venues that serve food. People in this position will also supervise cooks and other kitchen workers.

Other job titles for or similar to this position include:

• Cook
• Food and Beverage Manager
• Restaurant Manager
• Kitchen Manager
• Café Manager
• Catering Manager
• Chef
• Pastry Chef

Hotel General Manager

A hotel general manager ensures that the operations of the hotel run efficiently and smoothly. The hotel manager will manage the hotel’s finances and staff. Also, they may have to interact with guests and resolve problems. This position may require some education or, at the minimum, related experience.

Other job titles for or similar to this position include:

• Director of Hotel Sales
• Hotel Manager
• Lodging Manager
• Sales and Marketing Manager
• Shift Leader
• Spa Manager
• Wedding Sales Manager
• Director of Marketing and Sales
• Group Sales Manager
• Guest Room Sales Manager
• Back Office Assistant
• Catering Sales Manager
• Shift Manager

Sales or Marketing Manager

In all industries, there are sales or marketing managers. A sales or marketing manager in the hospitality industry will oversee the marketing for a hotel or group of hotels. Their goal will be to attract and maintain clients through their marketing efforts. This could include reviewing or creating sales materials, working with corporate clients who attend regular meetings or conferences at the hotel, and overseeing event planning.

Other job titles for or similar to this position include:

• Direct Sales Manager
• District Sales Manager
• Business Development Manager
• Marketing coordinator
• Marketing consultant
• Account Manager
• Area Sales Manager
• Franchise Development Manager
• Chief marketing officer
• Director of marketing
• Marketing analyst

General outlook for hospitality positions

The outlook for lodging managers is good, with an overall projected growth rate of 9% in the next decade.