Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Training and Teaching Others Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

The Work

The accommodation manager, sometimes referred to as ‘Rooms division manager’, is responsible for the housekeeping in the hotel, and for ensuring that a high standard of hygiene and cleanliness is maintained at all times.

The main duties of the accommodation manager is to supervise the work of the accommodation assistants to ensure the rooms and communal areas are clean and presentable for guests. S/he is also responsible for recruiting and training accommodation assistants, as well as planning staff rotas.

The accommodation manager does regular inventories and orders new cleaning material, guest supplies and linen from suppliers when needed. S/he also manages budgets for these items and performs safety audits to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.

As the accommodation manager, you work closely with the general manager and other department managers. For example, you need to report any problems with equipment or interiors to the maintenance department and you need to meet with the front of house manager regularly in relation to arrivals and departures of guests for example.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Answer inquiries pertaining to hotel policies and services, and resolve occupants' complaints.
• Participate in financial activities, such as the setting of room rates, the establishment of budgets, and the allocation of funds to departments.
• Confer and cooperate with other managers to ensure coordination of hotel activities.
• Greet and register guests.
• Monitor the revenue activity of the hotel or facility.
• Manage and maintain temporary or permanent lodging facilities.
• Train staff members.
• Observe and monitor staff performance to ensure efficient operations and adherence to facility's policies and procedures.
• Coordinate front-office activities of hotels or motels, and resolve problems.
• Inspect guest rooms, public areas, and grounds for cleanliness and appearance.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

An accommodation manager position usually requires some experience in the hospitality industry. While qualifications and training may not be a requirement, Supervisory Management courses/certificates offered in many PLC colleges and Institutes of Technology may increase your chances of getting the job.

As an accommodation manager, you need to keep yourself up-to-date on the hospitality industry, staff management and health and safety regulations. Professional organisations may offer training or promote training providers. See for example the Irish Hospitality Institute or the Irish hotels Federation.

If you want to progress in the hospitality sector, hotels and other establishments often provide excellent opportunities to do so for ambitious staff members. You may advance to other departments within a hotel, such as reception, reservations, or the restaurant of the hotel. You have many options and you can boost your chances of progressing by doing courses in Tourism and Hospitality at further and higher education levels.

Training & Development Pathways

FET Centre Traineeship & Courses: Business, Hospitality, Customer service and Supervisory Management NFQ level 5-6 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Hospitality, Travel & Tourism, Business management NFQ Level 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Higher Education CAO Entry: Hospitality Management, Travel & Tourism, Culinary Arts, Business & management Search our CAO coursefinder

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €36k - €58k

Salaries may vary based on location, employer, and experience.

Data Source(s):
Excel Recruitment/ Indeed

Last Updated: June, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Despite a lower than average employment growth rate for this occupation over the five-year period, employment grew strongly between 2021 and 2022 with an additional 5,700 persons employed, surpassing 2019 levels. Approximately a third working in these roles were non-Irish citizens, above the national average, and employment permits issued related to roles for restaurant managers, hotel, duty and accommodation managers.

Advertised vacancies in the OVATE data grew strongly (by nearly a third), albeit from a low base. Vacancies advertised through DSP Jobs Ireland were primarily for restaurant managers but also for managers in catering, food and beverage and hotel. The future demand for hospitality managers will depend on the performance of the different segments of the hospitality sector, with a greater requirement for restaurant managers likely compared to accommodation-related managers.

• Fáilte Ireland

  • Amiens Street, Dublin 1
  • (01) 884 7700
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Hotels Federation

  • 13 Northbrook Road, Dublin 6
  • 01 497 6459
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Hospitality Institute

  • 12 Priory Office Park, Stillorgan Rd, Co. Dublin
  • (01) 662 4790
  • Click Here

• Irish Self Catering Federation

  • +353 (0) 47 32042
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here