Reception Supervisor / Shift Leader

Millennium Hotels UK/EU - Careers; Greater London; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meals Provided on Duty

Training & Development

Life Assurance

Uniform

Employee Discounted Accommodation

Job summary

The Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington is seeking a full-time Shift Leader to oversee Reception operations, supervising up to two staff members. You will drive the End of Day processes, handle guest enquiries, register guests, and manage room allocations for groups and VIPs.

You will balance cash, read mail daily, and coordinate with other departments to ensure smooth handovers and high service standards. A strong focus on teamwork, efficiency, and guest satisfaction is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience with Opera Cloud/ Opera preferred.
• Positive, bubbly personality with showmanship.
• Strong communication skills, flexibility, and ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Capacity to complete tasks within deadlines and excellent organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Ensure that all Reception End of Day processes are completed accurately.
• Handle guest enquiries or complaints and liaise with the appropriate Manager.
• Register guests efficiently and ensure rooms are allocated correctly.
• Assign rooms to department standards and accommodate special requests.
• Manage room allocations for Group Arrivals and VIP/late arrivals.
• Balance cashiers and floats; conduct weekly float checks and report discrepancies.
• Minimise queues and guest waiting times; develop familiarity with hotel operations.

Skills

Opera Cloud

Guest interactions

Communication skills

Flexibility

Organization

Job description

The Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington is seeking full-time Shift Leader who will be responsible for Reception operation, with direct supervision of up to two staff members at any one time.

Main responsibilities include:

Ensure that all Reception End of Day processes are completed effectively and accurately, including Group Balances. Ensure checks are undertaken to ensure all rooms and room accounts are accurate prior to End of Day functions by Night Audit.

To take responsibility for initial handling of any guest enquiries, queries or complaints and, if necessary, to report and liaise with the appropriate Manager.

To ensure all guests are registered in the most appropriate and efficient manner by the Reception team.

To assign rooms to the prescribed department standards, accommodating special requests where possible.

To take responsibility for the room allocation of all Group Arrivals.

To be fully aware of the Hotel's procedures and policies for V.I.P. Guests, Late Arrivals, No Shows and cancelled reservations.

To be aware, and ensure the team is aware, of all events that will affect their shift, i.e. V.I.P Arrivals, Conference Functions, Meetings and daily guest activities.

To ensure handover is given and received in accordance with Hotel procedures.

To actively encourage team to reach departmental targets such as guest questionnaires, upsells, sales leads, Loyalty Club memberships.

Ensure all guests checking out of the Hotel are dealt with effectively and process guests accounts to the prescribed departmental standards.

Possess a thorough knowledge of Billing Procedures, Credit policies, cheque cashing policies and procedures, ensuring that the individual and group City Ledger Accounts are correct and all procedures have been adhered to.

To be familiar with Reservations procedures and be aware of the importance of applying the correct information accurately and consistently (e.g. Market Codes). To take same day and future reservations here necessary.

To be responsible for the Supervisors floats and safe and to be able to account for the balance at all times. Once issued with a cash float - to be entirely responsible for the amount issued, to be maintained in denominations most appropriate for use on the Reception and for the float always to be available for inspection.

To conduct weekly float checks of the Reception floats.

Minimise queues and guest waiting time at all times.

Develop a thorough knowledge about the Hotel, staff, services and hours of operation.

To be actively involved with inter-departmental liaison to build on rapport and communication.

Check all Cashiers banking from the shift ensuring all cashiers balance and their banking is correct and that all floats are correct. In case of discrepancy, to deal with accordingly and notify the Reception Manager.

To read mail messages on a daily basis to keep updated on current information and where appropriate pass this information to the team at handover.

To provide regular feedback to team members and managers regarding individual's performance.

Handle Safe Deposit Boxes in accordance with hotel procedures.

Use proper telephone etiquette at all times.

Know all Fire and Emergency procedures for Hotel and department, including location of fire equipment in the office and to take charge of the Front Office area in the event of a Fire Alarm.

Maintain the cleanliness of the office and ensure work stations are fully stocked with stationary supplies at all times.

Report any faulty equipment in accordance with Hotel standards immediately.

To be familiar with the Hotel door key system, to issue accurately to guests, ensuring keys are cancelled where necessary and to liaise with the Guest Relations Manager if guests have problems when accessing rooms.

To assist the team as a whole by being punctual to work according to schedules and to be aware that at times flexibility is required to accommodate business demands.

To ensure all mail/ relevant information is delivered and collected from other departments in preparation for the following day.

Ensure accurate balancing of all airlines and groups and communicate discrepancies to Reception Manager.

To undertake cross-training within the Hotel in order to improve job knowledge.

To assist in the development of systems and procedures with the department to improve the operation as a whole and contribute ideas where appropriate.

To develop members of staff by training and development in all areas of the Reception function.

To help maintain and contribute to team morale and spirit.

To undertake any other reasonable tasks as requested by the Management of the Hotel.

To attend any meetings and training sessions as required.

To ensure a high standard of personal hygiene and appearance at all times as well as ensuring high grooming standards are displayed by others.

To know and follow the Health & Safety at Work Act.

This Job Description Is Not Exhaustive.

Receptionist must have:

• A positive, bubbly personality with a flair for showmanship
• Experience with Opera Cloud/ Opera preferred
• Confidence in guest interactions
• Large-scale hotel experience is advantageous
• Strong communication skills, flexibility, and ability to remain calm under pressure
• Capacity to complete tasks within deadlines and excellent organizational skills
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to multitask and work under pressure

We offer a benefits package including:

• Social Events, Wellbeing and Team Activities
• Training and development
• Cash Health Plan cover option available
• Apprenticeship/Placement opportunities
• Career development and salary reviews
• Interest free Season Ticket Loan Scheme
• Uniform (Laundry / Dry Cleaning for Uniform)
• Meals Provided on Duty
• Length of Service related holiday scheme
• Eye Care Vouchers
• Employee Discounted Accommodation and F&B
• Life Assurance
• Recommend a Friend Scheme and many more...
• As well as real opportunities to develop and gain promotion within the industry

About The Hotel

The Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington is an elegant contemporary 4-star hotel in prestigious Kensington, located two minutes' walk to High Street Kensington Underground station, making exploring easy. The hotel offers well-appointed and comfortable guest rooms combining Standard, Superior and Club accommodation. Club rooms offer iconic views over the city and include Club Lounge access for complimentary breakfast and refreshments.

Guests can sample the authentic Singaporean, Malaysian and Chinese cuisine at Bugis Street, traditional pub fare at the Brasserie Restaurant & Bar or relax in our tea lounge.

About The Group

Millennium Hotels and Resorts owns and operates a portfolio of over 120 hotels worldwide. In Europe, our 21 hotels provide the perfect gateway to explore landmark locations, with many iconic attractions and business hubs close by.

Properties under the group are placed into four collections: Leng's Collection, M Social Collection, Millennium Collection, Copthorne Collection and The Biltmore Mayfair. Each collection has its own distinct personality, character and clearly defined hotel brands within it; tailored to suit different types of guests

We are an equal opportunities employer.

In line with the requirements of the Asylum & Immigration Act 1996, all applicants must be eligible to live and work in the United Kingdom. Documented evidence of eligibility will be required from candidates as part of the recruitment process.

To improve compliance with identity document validation, successful applicants will provide their right to work in UK which will be verified using Trust ID Scanners and Software.

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