Front Desk Manager

Responsibilities

• Respond to all guests’ requests, problems, complaints and/or accidents presented at the Front Desk or through reservations, comment cards, letters and/or phone calls, in an attentive, courteous and efficient manner.
• Follow up to ensure guest satisfaction.
• Motivate, coach, counsel and discipline all Guest Services personnel according to Highgate Hotel S.O.P.’s.
• Carry a cell phone at all times.
• Prepare and conduct all Guest Services interviews and follow hiring procedures according to Highgate Hotel S.O.P.’s.
• Develop employee morale and ensure training of Guest Services personnel.
• Maximize room revenue and occupancy by reviewing status daily.
• Analyze rate variance, monitor credit report and maintain close observation of daily house count.
• Monitor selling status of house daily, i.e. flash report, allowances, etc.
• Attend daily and monthly Rooms Merchandizing meetings.
• Participate in required M.O.D. program as scheduled.
• Review Guest Services staff's worked hours for payroll compilation and submit to Accounting on a timely basis.
• Prepare employee Schedule according to business forecast, payroll budget guidelines and productivity requirements.
• Ensure that no-show revenue is maximized through consistent and accurate billing.
• Maintain Highgate Hotel S.O.P.’s regarding Purchase Orders, vouchering of invoices and checkbook accounting.
• Ensure that Wage Progress, Productivity and the Ten Day Forecast are completed on a timely basis according to Highgate Hotel S.O.P.’s.
• Maintain a professional working relationship and promote open lines of communication with managers, employees and other departments.
• Work closely with Accounting on follow-up items, i.e., returned checks, rejected credit cards, employee discrepancies, etc.
• Operate all aspects of the Front Office computer system, including software maintenance, report generation and analysis, and simple programming.
• Monitor proper operation of the P.B.X. console and ensure that employees maintain Highgate Hotel S.O.P.’s in its use.
• Ensure staff greet and welcome all guests approaching the Front Desk in accordance with Highgate Hotel S.O.P.’s.
• Ensure implementation of all Highgate Hotel policies and house rules.
• Understand hospitality terms.
• Ensure sign off of all Service Standards by Position for Guest Services staff.
• Aid in preparation of revenue and occupancy forecasting.
• Absorb and deliver all messages, packages, and mail in a timely and professional manner.
• Must maintain constant communication with Housekeeping, Reservations and the Credit Manager.
• Cover all aspects of the ongoing implementation of the Highgate Hotel philosophy of service.
• Ensure correct and accurate cash handling at the Front Desk.
• Follow and enforce all Highgate Hotel credit policies.
• Ensure that employees are, at all times, attentive, friendly, helpful and courteous to all guests, managers and other employees.
• Maintain and monitor "Lost and Found" procedures and policies according to Highgate Hotel standards.
• Establish and maintain key control system.
• Ensure participation within department for monthly Highgate Hotel team meeting.
• Focus the Guest Services Department on their role in contributing to the Guest Service and audit scores.
• Maintain required pars of all front office and stationary supplies.
• Review daily Front Office work and activity reports generated by Night Audit.
• Review Front Office log book and Guest Request log on a daily basis.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of progressive experience in a hotel or a related field; or a 2-year college degree and 3 or more years of related experience; or a 4-year college degree and at least 1 year of related experience.
• Supervisory experience required.
• The ability to demonstrate exceptional Customer Service Skills.
• Must be proficient in Windows and Microsoft Office.
• Able to work long hours as sometimes required.
• Maintain a warm and friendly demeanor at all times.
• Must be able to effectively communicate both verbally and written, with all level of employees and guests in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service oriented manner.
• Must be effective at listening to, understanding, and clarifying concerns raised by employees and guests.
• Must be able to multitask and prioritize departmental functions to meet deadlines.
• Approach all encounters with guests and employees in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service-oriented manner.
• Attend all hotel required meetings and trainings.
• Participate in M.O.D. coverage as required.
• Maintain regular attendance in compliance with Highgate Hotel Standards, as required by scheduling, which will vary according to the needs of the hotel.
• Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming, which include wearing nametags.
• Comply with Highgate Hotel Standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient hotel operations.
• Maximize efforts towards productivity, identify problem areas and assist in implementing solutions.
• Must be effective in handling problems, including anticipating, preventing, identifying and solving problems as necessary.
• Must be able to understand and evaluate complex information, data, etc. from various sources to meet appropriate objectives.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality of information.
• Perform other duties as requested by management.