Rooms Management Trainee

About the role

Sofitel New York is seeking a motivated and hospitality‑focused Rooms Manager‑In‑Training (MIT) to join the Rooms Division. This hands‑on developmental position is designed for an early‑career hospitality professional eager to learn how a luxury hotel operates from the guestroom to the front desk and everywhere in between. The MIT will rotate through Front Office, Housekeeping, and Guest Services, gaining exposure to the processes, systems, standards, and service practices that create a seamless guest experience while supporting daily operations and contributing to improvement projects.

What’s in it for you

• Structured cross‑functional development across Front Office, Housekeeping, and Guest Services.
• Hands‑on exposure to luxury hotel operations.
• Opportunity to work closely with experienced Rooms leaders and Heartists.
• Participation in meaningful operational and process‑improvement projects.
• Career development and growth opportunities within Sofitel Hotels & Resorts and Accor.

Learning & Responsibilities

• Rotate through Front Office, Housekeeping, and Guest Services to develop a comprehensive understanding of Rooms operations.
• Learn departmental policies, procedures, standards, and operating practices.
• Participate in daily briefings, departmental meetings, inspections, and operational activities.
• Support special projects and initiatives across the Rooms Division.
• Document processes and assist with creating or updating standard operating procedures and training materials.
• Observe operational challenges and assist in developing practical solutions.
• Front Office & Guest Services Rotation
  • Learn fundamentals of arrivals, departures, room assignments, guest requests, VIP handling, and guest communication.
  • Gain hands‑on experience with Opera Cloud or other hotel operating systems.
  • Assist with coordinating guest requests between Front Office, Housekeeping, Guest Services, and other departments.
  • Support Concierge, Bell, Door, PBX, and Guest Relations functions.
  • Observe and participate in service recovery processes and documentation of guest concerns.
  • Maintain accurate operational logs, reports, and communications.
• Housekeeping Rotation
  • Learn daily processes for preparing and maintaining guestrooms and public areas to Sofitel standards.
  • Participate in inspections to understand quality standards and attention to detail.
  • Understand how room status, cleaning assignments, special requests, and priorities are communicated and tracked.
  • Gain insight into productivity, scheduling, supplies, inventory, and expense‑control processes.
  • Assist with monitoring room readiness and communication between Housekeeping and Front Office.
  • Learn Lost & Found procedures and documentation requirements.
  • Gain exposure to deep‑cleaning programs, preventive‑maintenance communication, and quality‑assurance processes.
  • Support operational projects designed to improve efficiency and consistency.
• Process & Project Development
  • Participate in Rooms Division projects focused on service, efficiency, quality, and process improvement.
  • Collect and organize operational information, identifying trends or opportunities.
  • Help develop checklists, guides, process maps, training materials, and other operational tools.
  • Follow up on assigned projects and communicate progress to Rooms leadership.
  • Collaborate with different departments to understand how operational decisions impact the overall guest experience.
  • Present project findings and recommendations to department leaders as appropriate.
  • Develop strong organizational, analytical, communication, and problem‑solving skills.

Qualifications

• Recent graduate or early‑career professional with a degree or coursework in Hospitality Management, Hotel Administration, Business, or a related field (preferred).
• Previous hotel, hospitality, customer service, internship, or operational experience is a plus.
• Genuine interest in building a career in luxury hospitality and Rooms Division operations.
• Curious, proactive, and eager to learn how things work.
• Strong attention to detail and interest in processes and continuous improvement.
• Excellent organizational and time‑management skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Comfortable working with different teams, personalities, and departments.
• Ability to learn new technology and systems quickly; experience with Opera Cloud, Opera, Alice, or another hotel system is a plus.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced hotel environment.
• Hospitality‑oriented with a genuine interest in creating meaningful experiences for guests and Heartists.
• Flexible schedule with the ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required.
• Ability to move throughout the hotel and assist with operational tasks as needed.
• Languages in addition to English are highly desirable.
• Must be legally eligible to work in the United States (visa requirements).

Additional Information

At Accor, diversity and inclusion are core to our culture. We value the richness of 120 nationalities, varied backgrounds, and unique stories that shape our company. Our mission is human and essential: to bring cultures together, open windows on the world, and provide unforgettable experiences day after day. We invest in the growth of our Heartists, encouraging professional development and personal ambition. Hospitality is teamwork, and we believe in caring, respecting differences, and valuing all voices.