Deputy Reception Manager

Theoxfordcollection; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 19,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meals on duty

50% discount on food

Manager’s meal every six months

Recruitment incentive up to £700

Employee Assistance Program

Pension scheme

Uniform Allowance

Development opportunities

28 days holiday (pro‑rata)

Birthday day off

Team awards and prizes

Hospitality Rewards discounts

Job summary

The Old Parsonage Hotel in Oxford, part of The Oxford Collection, is seeking a Deputy Reception Manager to lead by example at the Front Desk. You will supervise the team, deliver personalised service to discerning guests, and uphold the group’s five‑star standards across check‑in, reservations, and guest relations.

The role offers a flexible rota (5 days out of 7) with OTE up to £32,000 per year, including service charge. Part‑time hours may be considered.

Qualifications

• Strong communication and organisational skills.
• Deliver exceptional customer service and anticipate guests' needs.
• Positive ‘can-do’ attitude with a ‘yes’ mentality – extremely service orientated, proactive and decisive.
• High attention to detail and five-star standards.
• Comprehensive knowledge of all reception activities and duties.
• Good numeracy skills, a strong personality and confidence in dealing with high‑level clientele.
• A proven track record of team management within luxury hospitality/hotels.
• Ability to work well under pressure, keep calm and act responsibly in cases of emergency.

Responsibilities

• To represent the company’s high standards of personal presentation and behaviour at all times, whilst on duty.
• Lead by example, maintain a meaningful presence at the Front Desk, supervising and supporting team members.
• To provide a genuine, attentive, pro-active and friendly service to all our guests of The Oxford Collection facilities.
• To be responsible for building excellent relationships with our guests, ensuring guests have a pleasant stay and all enquiries are responded to.
• To ensure all check-in and check-out tasks are completed accurately.
• To take full responsibility and ownership for completing the daily tasks outlined in the daily checklists, as well as those handed over by team members during the handover.
• Handle restaurant reservations and ensure that all requirements, especially dietary requirements, mentioned by guests are carefully notedin the restaurant reservation system.
• Have a full product knowledge of The Oxford Collection hotels, venues, and restaurants and be able to confidently sell/cross-sell these facilities.
• To have full knowledge of all special offers, hotel packages, and promotions and to be intuitive in offering them where appropriate.
• To be confident in having a thorough knowledge of all the Hotel’s computer-, booking-, and other 3rd party- systems to ensure that all records and booking details are correct at all times (including, but not limited to VIP’s special requests, room allocations, dietary and allergen references etc.)
• To take ownership in ensuring that all computerised and paper records are stored and filed appropriately.
• To be knowledgeable of upcoming group bookings and be prepared for their arrival based on the information provided by the Central Reservation Team.
• To demonstrate teamwork, flexibility, and ensure that communication within The Oxford Collection’s departments is effective, and all important information is passed on promptly.

Skills

Communication

Organisation

Guest service

Leadership

Attention to detail

Reception knowledge

Team management

Emergency handling

Job description

Oxford’s 17th-century Old Parsonage Hotel combines original charm and character with all the luxury, amenities and technology available to an independently owned 5-star hotel. Best known by locals and visitors alike for its eclectic country house allure, chic modern interiors and striking 20th-century portraits, the Old Parsonage is a luxury home-from-home with impeccable hospitality.

The Old Parsonage Hotel is part of ‘The Oxford Collection’; a small, privately owned group of two luxury 5* hotels and apartments, three restaurants that consists of the Old Bank Hotel, the Old Parsonage Hotel, 36 St Giles, Parsonage Grill, Gees Restaurant & Bar, and Quod Restaurant & Bar. We have 80 bedrooms across three iconic properties in central Oxford, with unrivalled views across the city’s beautiful skyline.

We offer support, training, and development opportunities to help your career flourish. We believe that investment in each and every one of our ‘collectives’ is key to the success of our business and the happiness of our customers. As a member of our team, we are looking for an exceptional candidate who shares these values.

We are looking for a Deputy Reception Manager to join our Reception team at the Old Parsonage Hotel.

Key skills required:

• Strong communication and organisational skills
• Ability to deliver exceptional customer service and anticipate guests' needs
• Positive ‘can-do’ attitude with a ‘yes’ mentality - extremely service orientated, proactive and decisive
• High attention to detail and five-star standards
• Comprehensive knowledge of all reception activities and duties
• Good numeracy skills, a strong personality and confidence in dealing with high-level clientele
• A proven track record of team management within luxury hospitality/hotels
• Ability to work well under pressure, keep calm and act responsibly in cases of emergency
• A strong communicator with a high command of written and spoken English

Key requirements and responsibilities of the Deputy Reception Manager:

• To represent the company’s high standards of personal presentation and behaviour at all times, whilst on duty.
• Lead by example, maintain a meaningful presence at the Front Desk, supervising and supporting team members.
• To provide a genuine, attentive, pro-active and friendly service to all our guests of The Oxford Collection facilities.
• To be responsible for building excellent relationships with our guests, ensuring guests have a pleasant stay and all enquiries are responded to.
• To ensure all check-in and check-out tasks are completed accurately.
• To take full responsibility and ownership for completing the daily tasks outlined in the daily checklists, as well as those handed over by team members during the handover.
• Handle restaurant reservations and ensure that all requirements, especially dietary requirements, mentioned by guests are carefully notedin the restaurant reservation system.
• Have a full product knowledge of The Oxford Collection hotels, venues, and restaurants and be able to confidently sell/cross-sell these facilities.
• To have full knowledge of all special offers, hotel packages, and promotions and to be intuitive in offering them where appropriate.
• To be confident in having a thorough knowledge of all the Hotel’s computer-, booking-, and other 3rd party- systems to ensure that all records and booking details are correct at all times (including, but not limited to VIP’s special requests, room allocations, dietary and allergen references etc.)
• To take ownership in ensuring that all computerised and paper records are stored and filed appropriately.
• To be knowledgeable of upcoming group bookings and be prepared for their arrival based on the information provided by the Central Reservation Team.
• To demonstrate teamwork, flexibility, and ensure that communication within The Oxford Collection’s departments is effective, and all important information is passed on promptly.

We offer a flexible shift pattern, working 5 days out of 7 per week, on a Monday-Sunday rota. You will be offered an OTE up to £32,000 per annum, depending on experience, including non-contractual service charge (tronc).

Part-time hours may also be considered.

Deputy Reception Manager Benefits:

• Meals on duty
• 50% discount on food within our restaurants
• Complimentary ‘Manager’s meal’ within one of our restaurants every six months
• Up to £700 recruitment incentive
• Membership to our Employee Assistance Program with Hospitality Action
• Pension scheme
• Uniform Allowance
• Opportunities to develop within the Company
• 28 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays per annum (pro-rata)
• A paid day off on your birthday
• Team awards and prizes
• Hospitality Rewards: offering discounted gym membership, high-street and online shopping discounts, discounted vouchers, a cashback card, and 24/7 online GP service

Eligibility to work within the UK must be proven and two references should be available on request.