Full Time Reception Manager

Park Hotel; Barnstaple; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Park Hotel in Barnstaple is seeking a hands-on Reception Manager to lead the front desk team, deliver excellent guest service and manage reservations, accounts and daily reception operations.

You should bring proven experience as Reception Manager/Head Receptionist or Supervisor, plus strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and confidence with Excel, daily banking and balancing. A warm, friendly, proactive attitude is essential.

Qualifications

• Previous Reception Manager/Head Receptionist or Reception Supervisor experience is required.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Comfort with Excel, daily banking and balancing.
• Warm, friendly, and outgoing personality with guest-focus.

Responsibilities

• Lead, train and support the reception team, maintaining high service standards.
• Create a welcoming atmosphere and respond to guests' needs and requests.
• Prepare rotas and manage cover within staffing budgets.
• Oversee bookings, room allocations and guest records with accuracy.
• Manage guest arrivals/departures and provide local information.
• Handle enquiries, feedback and complaints professionally; escalate when needed.
• Ensure prompt and accurate responses to calls, emails and bookings.
• Oversee reception accounts and daily banking/com balancing.
• Coordinate with housekeeping, F&B, maintenance and management for smooth shifts.

Skills

Guest service

Team leadership

Communication

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Excel

Daily banking

Balancing

Customer service

Tools

Microsoft 365

Rezlynx

ResDiary

Booking systems

Job description

Previous experience as a Reception Manager, Head Receptionist or Reception Supervisor is required for this role.

We are looking for a warm, friendly and outgoing Reception Manager / Head Receptionist to lead our reception team.

Our hotel has a strong reputation for its friendly staff. The right candidate will know how to make guests feel instantly welcome and be willing to go above and beyond to make their stay memorable.

This is a hands on role combining guest service and team leadership with responsibility for reservations, accounts administration and the smooth running of reception. Alongside your welcoming personality, you will need strong organisational skills, attention to detail and confidence with Excel, daily banking and balancing.

What will you be doing?

• Lead, train and support the reception team, setting clear expectations and maintaining consistently high standards of service.
• Create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, taking a personal interest in guests and ensuring their needs and requests are followed through.
• Prepare team rotas and organise cover, balancing service requirements with agreed staffing budgets.
• Oversee hotel bookings, room allocations, guest records and special requests, ensuring accuracy and following up outstanding information.
• Manage guest arrivals and departures efficiently, providing helpful information about the hotel and local area.
• Handle guest enquiries, feedback and complaints professionally, taking ownership of resolving concerns and involving the management team where appropriate.
• Ensure telephone calls, emails and booking enquiries receive prompt, friendly and accurate responses.
• Complete and oversee reception accounts administration, including guest accounts, payments and maintaining accurate financial records and Excel spreadsheets.
• Carry out and check daily banking and balancing, investigating and resolving discrepancies in accordance with company procedures.
• Work closely with housekeeping, food and beverage, maintenance and management, ensuring clear communication and thorough shift handovers.
• Make the most of booking enquiries and appropriate upgrade opportunities, helping guests choose accommodation and services that meet their needs.
• Maintain a well presented reception area and uphold company procedures for health and safety, fire safety, guest security and confidentiality.

What are we looking for?

• A warm, friendly and outgoing personality, with the ability to put guests at ease and make them feel welcome.
• Previous hotel reception experience and a sound understanding of reservations, guest accounts and reception procedures.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft 365, accounts administration, daily banking and balancing.
• The confidence to lead by example, support colleagues and address issues constructively.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to prioritise a varied workload.
• Clear written and verbal communication, with a calm, practical approach to solving problems.
• Confidence using hotel booking systems. Knowledge of Rezlynx and ResDiary would be an advantage.
• A reliable and flexible approach to working shifts, including weekends and bank holidays.
• Professional presentation and a willingness to go the extra mile for guests and colleagues.