Front Desk Manager- Sheraton Columbia Downtown, SC - Hotel Equities

Hotel Equities, a multi-award-winning hotel development and hospitality management company, is currently searching for a remarkable Front Desk Manager for the Sheraton Columbia Downtown in South Carolina.

Job Purpose:

Responds in a professional and courteous manner to arriving, departing and in-house guests by providing accurate and timely information and services. Responds to telephone and in-person inquiries regarding reservations, hotel information and guest concerns. Warm, knowledgeable service and helpful guidance reassure guests they’ve made the right choice to stay with us.

• Maintains all standard of guest service.
• Manage and motivate all Front Office personnel with daily supervision to include staffing, training, discipline, scheduling and visually monitoring performance to ensure adherence to all service and productivity standards to provide the very best in guest satisfaction.
• Receive and resolve all departmental guest complaints in a timely manner and within the guidelines of the company.
• Check and control room reservations, Front Office systems, supplies inventory, scheduling, forecasting and department budget to maximize revenue. Compile and prepare financial reports (including rate and availability calendar).
• Communicate with guests and employees both verbally and in writing to answer questions and provide clear direction in advising and instructing staff in details of work. Organize, conduct and/or attend meetings to obtain and disseminate pertinent information.

• Implement and monitor all corporate marketing programs.
• Organize and conduct pre-shift and departmental meetings to disseminate pertinent information. Attend other hotel meetings as deemed necessary.
• Perform room inspections, which require bending stooping, reaching overhead and moving throughout guest floors.
• Assists in check in/check out of guests or any related guest service activity.
• Perform other duties as requested. For example, special requests from guests.
• Participates in Manager on Duty program requiring working second shift, constant monitoring throughout the hotel.
• Supervise the operations of the front desk to ensure an optimal level of service and hospitality is provided to the guests.
• Train, direct the work of, resolve issues/problems and coach and counsel the front desk team members to ensure a quality operation.
• Resolve customer issues, complaints, problems in a quick, efficient manner to maintain a high level of customer satisfaction and quality service.
• Greet and welcome guests upon arrival. Register guests into the computer, verifying reservation, address, and credit information. Promote “preferred” guest program and provide recognition and benefits to all current members.
• Accept payment for guests’ accounts both at the time of registration and at checkout. Maintain a house bank and make a deposit and accurate report of receipts daily. Cash checks and exchange currency for guests.
• Issue key to and control entrance of safety deposit boxes. Post miscellaneous charges as requested.
• Promptly respond to and resolve guest complaints
• Answer telephone promptly and properly being polite, courteous, and friendly
• Be friendly, thorough, accurate and efficient in taking reservations
• Be friendly, thorough, accurate and efficient in performing Check-ins
• Be friendly, thorough, accurate and efficient in performing Check-outs

(If applicable) Operate or assist with shuttle or transportation Service in a timely and courteous manner

• Assist guests with luggage upon their arrival to and departure from the hotel
• Use the guests’ names
• Be knowledgeable and helpful about the local area, the hotel and hotel services
• Handle messages, wake-up calls, mail, and faxes properly
• Assist guests’ with laundry/dry cleaning needs
• Know of incoming VIPs
• Follow all applicable Company Standard Operating Procedures.
• Perform other assignments as directed by the General Manger.
• Be an enthusiastic, helpful and positive member of the team
• Be professional, responsible and mature in conduct and behavior
• Be understanding of, encouraging to and friendly with all co-workers
• Be self-motivated and use time wisely
• Maintain open line of communications with each department
• Communicate pertinent information
• Respond positively to new ideas
• Openly accept critical/developmental feedback
• Maintain effective communication through the use of meetings, log books and bulletins
• Be available to help other departments in emergency situations
• Adhere to all work rules, procedures and policies established by the company including, but not
• limited to those contained in the associate handbook.
• Safety and Security Skills
• Properly handle and account for keys
• Be knowledgeable of policies regarding emergency procedures and security concerns
• Aggressively seek and react to opportunities to sell rooms, including re-rents, and last rooms available
• Have complete knowledge of hotel rooms, function space, restaurant (if applicable), other outlets, and services; have in depth knowledge of and regularly re-stock and sell pantry items
• Increases revenues by offering customers upgraded rooms and promoting hotel amenities and outlets
• Have full understanding of franchise honors program
• Ensure all customers establish credit upon check-in. Improves timeliness of cash flow by adhering to all established credit and inventory control procedures:
• Verifies all information on reservations check-in; name, address, method of payment, etc.
• Retrieves proper name and address verification and proper approval codes for cash and credit card paying customers
• Identifies and records special billing instructions and notifies accounting
• Completes shift closing accurately by getting appropriate approval signatures and authorization codes
• Adheres to hotel policies regarding the use of cash banks
• Stays current with developments in the hotel by reviewing the communication log book each shift; updates log book for next shift
• Report potential sales contacts to the sales department protection of guests’ room numbers.

Qualifications and Requirements:

High School diploma /Secondary qualification or equivalent.

Experience with Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Wyndham or Hyatt processes and standards.

This job requires the ability to perform the following:

• Must be able to speak, read, write and understand the primary language(s) used in the workplace.
• Must be able to read and write to facilitate the communication process.
• Requires good communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Must possess basic computational ability.
• Must possess basic computer skills.
• Extensive knowledge of the hotel, its services and facilities; General knowledge of the city where hotel is located and its attractions.
• Most work tasks are performed indoors. Temperature is moderate and controlled by hotel

environmental systems.

• Must be able to stand and exert well-paced mobility for up to 4 hours in length. Length of time of these tasks may vary from day to day and task to task.
• Must be able to exert well-paced ability to reach other departments of the hotel on a timely basis.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 lbs occasionally.
• Requires grasping, writing, standing, sitting, walking, repetitive motions, bending, climbing,

listening and hearing ability and visual acuity.

• Talking and hearing occur continuously in the process of communicating with guests, supervisors and subordinates
• Vision occurs continuously with the most common visual functions being those of near vision and depth perception.
• Ability to spend extended lengths of time viewing a computer screen.
• Requires manual dexterity to use and operate all necessary equipment.
• Must have finger dexterity to be able to operate office equipment

Other:

• Being passionate about people and service.
• Strong communication skills are essential when interacting with guests and employees.
• Reading and writing abilities are used often when completing paperwork, logging issues/complaints/requests/ information updates, etc.
• Basic math skills are used frequently when handling cash or credit.
• Problem-solving, reasoning, motivating, and training abilities are often used.
• Have the ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends and/or holidays

Amazing Benefits At A Glance:

• Team Driven and Values Based Culture
• Medical/Dental/Vision
• Vacation & Holiday Pay
• Same-day pay available
• Employee Assistance Program
• Career Growth Opportunities/ Manager Training Program
• Reduced Room Rates throughout the portfolio
• Third Party Perks (Movie Tickets, Attractions, Other)
• 401(k)
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Life insurance
• Parental leave
• Referral program