Overview
With growth of 1.6% over the past 12 years, the international hotel industry needs directors capable of running one or several hotels. A role of this scale calls for maturity and leadership.
What is an international hotel chain director?
Known as a director, manager or general manager, a hotel chain manager safeguards the long-term future of their establishments. Working alone or with a team, they take on several roles that are vital to the health of the organisation.
Built around four areas (administration, sales, communications and management), the role of international hotel chain director is a demanding profession that requires great adaptability, so that every hotel can be effectively overseen and supported.
With a long list of objectives to meet, the director needs solid experience behind them. Reaching such a prized position invariably means having proved themselves within the organisation. An innovative vision of how hotel complexes should be led and managed is what makes the difference against the competition.
What does an international hotel chain director do?
Responsible for the smooth running and profitability of their hotel chain, the director knows how to lead, organise and coordinate their teams. A true conductor, they oversee and manage every aspect of the properties (staff, finance, guest relations, equipment and clientele).
Running several establishments, they are able to build a spirit of mutual support across every property in the franchise. In constant contact with head office, they regularly assess and analyse the market so as not to fall behind the competition. Close to their staff, the director also handles human resources: recruitment and training, as well as staff scheduling and drawing up employment contracts.
In short, here is a sample of the responsibilities taken on by a hotel chain director:
- Market and competitor analysis
- Business development
- Growing the market share of the chain's establishments
- Overseeing the work of department heads
- Staff recruitment and training
- Defining the room layout
- Developing the hotels
- Setting the pricing policy
- Working with tourist boards
- Drafting and approving documents
- Human resources management
- Supervising staff (receptionists, chefs, sommeliers, porters, maîtres d'hôtel, bartenders, and more)
- Nurturing guest relationships
Working irregular hours, a hotel director is occasionally on duty in the evenings, at weekends and on public holidays. A key figure within hotel chains, the director personally oversees hotel operations or delegates certain tasks to avoid becoming overstretched. To be ready for anything, they must be available and attentive.
What skills & qualities does an international hotel chain director need?
A good international hotel chain director needs to demonstrate a wealth of professional qualities and outstanding personal skills.
- Maturity and determination
- A gift for teaching and diplomacy
- Team spirit
- Fluency in several foreign languages
- Rigour, independence and drive
- Unifying leadership: motivating others, keeping perspective and reacting quickly
- A grounding in law, economics and management
What are the career prospects and salary for an international hotel chain director?
A director starting out earns in the region of 2,600 to 3,600 euros gross per month. This substantial salary depends on the standing, reputation and stature of the establishments, so pay varies accordingly.
If a director does valuable work in managing their hotels, they can progress further still, taking charge of additional properties or rising to an even more senior position within the hotel group.
How do you become an international hotel chain director?
Once they hold the baccalauréat (general, technological or vocational), students can move on to at least a two-year qualification, such as the BTS in Hospitality and Catering. This higher technician's diploma is worth 120 ECTS credits (60 per year). Another route open after the baccalauréat is the vocational degree in Hospitality and Tourism, worth 160 ECTS credits (60 per year).
Much like this three-year route, bachelor's programmes also run over three years and are taught in private schools. Among these higher education institutions is CMH, a school specialising in hospitality, tourism, luxury, communications and events. Offering programmes from first-year to master's level, the school awards two state-recognised RNCP professional qualifications, recognised across Europe and internationally.
Here are the various qualifications awarded by CMH: 2 Bachelors (over 3 years) and 2 MBAs (over 2 years).
Whether studying full time or on a work-study programme (apprenticeship or professional training contract), baccalauréat holders mainly follow programmes in communications and hotel management.
This higher education hospitality school, located in the 9th arrondissement of the capital, offers programmes on a work-study rhythm that prepare students for careers in hospitality. To make the most of its students' learning, CMH Academy has also introduced professional projects and assignments, company placements and management coaching sessions to build a concrete career plan, helping graduates move smoothly into employment in the hospitality sector.
