Operations director

What’s in a day?

Well, as the second most important role in a hotel after the general manager, an operations director can expect to be hands on and busy. In fact, you might find yourself busier than the general manager. That’s because you are the driving force that makes sure each hotel department is firing on all cylinders and running profitably on a day to day basis.

Certainly, in big hotels, your role will be strategic. You will report to the general manager, but the conference and events manager, restaurant manager and so on will report to you.

You’ll also find this role in large contract caterers, restaurant and pub chains, although in this context you would be overseeing several units and the general manager of each outlet would report to you.

Key responsibilities:

Ensuring the decisions of the hotel general manager are carried out
Overseeing all F&B departments
Managing sales, budgets and finance
In pubs, restaurants etc., to manage a number operations across the UK

What sort of hours will I work?

You’ll probably work shifts and the hours will be long – but rewarding.

What’s the best bit about being an operations director?

This is a highly-charged role where you get to make important decisions and rub shoulders with other decision makers – once this is on your CV the only way is up.

And the worst?

This is a full on job that requires absolute commitment, so you’ll be working long, hard hours and shouldering a lot of responsibility.

What skills do I need?

Uncompromising service standards
A good understanding of profits and GPs, and a strong business acumen
Comfortable with spreadsheets, forecasts etc
Computer literate
Lashings of managerial experience in different departments

What qualifications do I need?

More than anything you’ll need a vast amount industry experience in as many departments as possible. That said, you will also need some on the job and formal training under your belt if you are to handle the pressure. Relevant City & Guilds, NVQs or SVQs will help – but what will really boost your career prospects is an HND or degree in hospitality management.

Who would it suit?

You’ll relish this role if you're ambitious, focused, commercially astute and equally importantly in possession of great charm – after all, it is the world of hospitality.

What sort of salary can I expect?

As always, this varies depending on the company you work for and what experience you bring to the job. A sweep of operations manager vacancies on Caterer.com shows that most employers pay £35,000-£50,000, often with benefits.