In smaller hotels--with less than 60 rooms--a general manager may voluntarily run, supervise and hold responsibility for every aspect of hotel productivity. In larger hotels, however, a general manager hires an assistant general manager who aids the manager in all his decisions, hiring, business agendas and incentive ideas. The assistant to the general manager may also complete paperwork and details the general manager does not tend to and reports to the general manager with problems or concerns he finds within the hotel.

Main Duties

A hotel assistant general manager's main role is to respond to all hotel issues and problems to make sure the hotel runs smoothly each day. Second only to the hotel general manager (who is second to the hotel's CEO or owner), the assistant general manager oversees departments like housekeeping, advertising and marketing and food service workers and reports to the general manager if any employee or department is array in any way. However, the assistant general manager may also handle these issues on her own as long as she meets all hotel standards and guidelines.

Management

In addition to overseeing all aspects of hotel daily operation--including checking in with event coordinators, accounting managers, housekeeping employees and so on--the assistant manager may also train new employees. Along with hiring managers and the front office team, the assistant manager ensures that each new employee learns how to treat each manager, employee and guest with respect and professionalism.

Supervision

Assistant general managers oversee all hotel employees. With the help--and final say from the general manager--the assistant manager handles all employee issues and disputes, deals with accounting issues and invoices and supervises all employee hiring and layoffs. When the general manager is in a meeting with the CEO or other clients, the assistant manager acts as the manager and responds professionally and helpfully to all employee and guest issues.

Administrative

Some hotel general managers hire assistant managers to help with administrative duties including paperwork and outstanding invoices. When the front desk gets exceedingly busy or the hotel is understaffed for the day, the assistant general manager jumps in to assist with check-in, answer phones and solve guest requests or complaints. Because the assistant general manager receives extensive training and preparation in all departments, he responds quickly and professionally at all times in any department.

Education & Training

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistic 2010 report on lodging managers, most large, full-service hotel chains hire managers and assistant managers with a bachelor's degree in business or hospitality management; however, a candidate with a liberal arts degree and comprehensive firsthand hospitality experience also makes a compelling candidate.

At smaller, limited-service hotels, hiring managers seek applicants with associate's degrees or a certificate in hotel, restaurant or hospitality management and at least a few consecutive years working in hospitality through internships or part-time work.

Job Outlook & Salary

As of 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Salary Search, hotel managers in New York City make an average $97,680 per year. Hotel managers in Los Angeles, California, make around $68,470 annually.

According the BLS, for the next decade job seekers can expect a 9 percent growth in employment in the hotel management field. Unfortunately, hotel groups plan to build more limited service hotels, which will hire fewer full-time employees, including assistant general managers.

Lodging Managers salary

• Top 10% Annual Salary: More than $108,060 ($51.95/hour)
• Median Annual Salary: $56,670 ($27.25/hour)
• Bottom 10% Annual Salary: Less than $32,980 ($15.86/hour)