Hostel Manager

YHA (England and Wales); Wales; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

10 nights free hostel stays per year

Staff discount and cashback portal

Free YHA Membership each year

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass in Gwynedd is seeking a proactive Hostel Manager to lead a busy, iconic hostel in Snowdonia. You will drive guest experiences, manage a high-performing team, and steer the hostel toward YHA’s mission of open access to adventure and belonging.

The role offers a permanent contract, 42.5 hours weekly, and opportunities for personal growth. You will oversee operations, budgeting, and staff development while delivering exceptional hospitality and customer service to guests and

Qualifications

• Proven experience of working within the hospitality industry – hotels, cafés, hostels
• Experience of people management - recruitment, induction, development, conducting reviews and managing performance
• Excellent customer service skills – experience of handling difficult situations
• Food safety level 2 and APLH level 2 qualifications (desirable)
• Knowledge and understanding of the core purpose of YHA – what YHA does and how we do it

Responsibilities

• Achieve targets across all aspects of the hostel operation including food and beverage. You will be accountable for maximising as well as controlling expenditure
• Managing a team of employees and volunteers
• Contributing to the team effort in the day-to-day operation of the hostel, undertaking any tasks required, e.g. housekeeping, reception, food and beverage duties

Skills

Hospitality management

People management

Budget management

Customer service

Food safety level 2

APLH level 2

IT skills

P&L experience

Microsoft Office

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Hostel Manager

YHA Snowdon Pen-Y-Pass, Nantgwynant, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, LL55 4NY

Permanent, 42.5 hours per week

£41,950 - £53,768 per annum

Perched high in the heart of Eryri (Snowdonia), beneath the dramatic slopes of Yr Wyddfa, YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass is far more than a hostel. It is a gateway to adventure, a place of connection, and a destination that creates lifelong memories for thousands of guests every year. As one of YHA's flagship hostels and a multiple award-winning destination, Pen-y-Pass combines an iconic location with a passionate team committed to delivering exceptional experiences.

We are looking for an inspiring and dynamic Hostel Manager to lead this extraordinary hostel into its next chapter. This is an opportunity to shape guest experiences, nurture a high-performing team, and champion YHA's mission of opening up access to adventure, nature and belonging for everyone.

From welcoming weary walkers after a day on the mountains to creating an environment where colleagues can thrive, every day brings new opportunities to make a difference. If you're a people-focused leader with a passion for hospitality, community and the outdoors, this is your chance to lead one of the most remarkable hostels in the UK.

Why work for YHA?

Join our team and enjoy a range of exclusive staff benefits that support your well-being and career growth:

• 10 nights free hostel stays per year for you and up to 3 friends or family

• Access to YHA’s staff discount and cash back portal

• Free YHA Membership each year

• Access to support via our Employee Assistance Program

There’s lots more benefits to working for YHA so please visit our YHA Jobs website to find out more.

What will you be doing as a Hostel Manager?

We are a friendly team and will provide the training required for you to undertake the role. However, there is plenty for you to get stuck into from day one, including:

• Achievement of targets across all aspects of the hostel operation including food and beverage. You will be accountable for maximising as well as controlling expenditure.

• Managing a team of employees and volunteers.

• Contributing to the team effort in the day-to-day operation of the hostel, undertaking any tasks required, e.g. housekeeping, reception, food and beverage duties.

What Skills and Experience do you need to be a Hostel Manager?

Our Hostel Managers are responsible for the line management of the teams within their own hostels, along with the management of occasional volunteers. They are also responsible for managing the operational budget and the safeguarding of all guests.

To provide this service we are looking for candidates who have:

• Proven experience of working within the hospitality industry – hotels, cafés, hostels

• Experience of people management - recruitment, induction, development, conducting reviews and managing performance

• Excellent customer service skills – experience of handling difficult situations

• Ability to manage varying pressures, include peaks in workload demands – can prioritise, able to deal with conflicting duties

• Food safety level 2 and APLH level 2 qualifications (desirable)

• Basic IT skills (ideally Microsoft Office) – able to use Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel

• Experience of managing P&Ls (profit and loss) and budgets – cash handling, managing a budget

• Knowledge and understanding of the core purpose of YHA – what YHA does and how we do it

• Demonstration of our HEART values – they’re part of everything we do, and we look for people who bring them to life in their everyday work

For more information about the role and the skills and experience required, please refer to the job description.

At YHA, we understand the richness of life experiences, and we place just as much importance on lived experiences as we do on skills and knowledge. We provide a robust induction, ongoing training, and opportunities for personal growth. While certain roles may require specific skills, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. For more information about how we are creating an inclusive workplace please visit our jobs website.

Who are YHA?

YHA is a social enterprise with a mission to enrich the lives of all, especially young people. YHA does this by providing brilliant hostel stays and experiences that improve physical health, mental wellbeing and life skills.

If you would like to find out more about YHA the charity, the culture, the heritage and so much more please visit our jobs website.

Please Note

All relevant checks are in place to ensure safeguarding and legal requirements of safer recruitment are adhered to. We do reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

YHA Job Title: Hostel Manager