Restaurants, hotels, nightclubs, shopping malls or other public buildings sometimes offer parking services to their patrons as an added convenience in urban and suburban areas. Valet attendants meet customers at their vehicle and offer to park their cars in designated parking lots or garages for free or an additional fee. To ensure that the establishment’s customer service standards are upheld and valet tasks are performed efficiently, valet supervisors oversee the staffing, training and daily duties of the valet team.

Function

Valet supervisors oversee valet attendants and other staff that perform valet services. They may create and coordinate work schedules, assign posting positions, record guest phone calls and requests for valet service and train subordinates on venue features and services. Depending on the industry and establishment, valet supervisors also collect, secure and distribute guest room keys, coordinate luggage deliveries and distribute pertinent guest arrival and departure details to team members. Other duties include ensuring the lobby, entrance and baggage storage areas are clean and presentable; collecting and submitting time sheets; conducting performance reviews; and ensuring that valet equipment and supplies are working properly.

Work Environment

Although daily tasks for valet supervisors vary depending on industry, positions at hotels, restaurants and other hospitality venues can be busy and demanding. Large events, such as parties and weddings, create crowds near the entrance and around the venue. Valet professionals must remain calm, alert, pleasant and professional even when dealing with angry or impatient guests. In addition, some valet professionals may be required to work late night or early morning shifts at hotels and other venues that stay open 24 hours.

Skills

Companies look for candidates who have strong customer service and leadership skills, as valet supervisors are required to enforce the venue’s customer service policies and procedures. Valet supervisors must also know how to delegate tasks, speak clearly, write legibly, perform basic calculations and work well with other employees.

Salary

According to Salary.com, the median expected salary for a valet parking supervisor who worked in a casino in November 2009 was $24,125. A June 2010 SimplyHired report states that the average salary for a valet supervisor in the United States was $23,000 per year.

Considerations

Professionals who work in valet services should be in good physical health, as some positions require candidates to walk and stand for long periods of time, as well as push, pull, lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds. In addition, valet supervisors may be required to work outside in rainy, snowy or other unfavorable weather conditions. Some employers screen candidates by conducting pre-employment background and drug tests.