Main Duties

• A hotel assistant general manager's main role is to respond to all hotel issues and problems to make sure the hotel runs smoothly each day. Second only to the hotel general manager (who is second to the hotel's CEO or owner), the assistant general manager oversees departments like housekeeping, advertising and marketing and food service workers and reports to the general manager if any employee or department is array in any way. However, the assistant general manager may also handle these issues on her own as long as she meets all hotel standards and guidelines.
  
  

Management

• In addition to overseeing all aspects of hotel daily operation--including checking in with event coordinators, accounting managers, housekeeping employees and so on--the assistant manager may also train new employees. Along with hiring managers and the front office team, the assistant manager ensures that each new employee learns how to treat each manager, employee and guest with respect and professionalism.
  
  

Supervision

• Assistant general managers oversee all hotel employees. With the help--and final say from the general manager--the assistant manager handles all employee issues and disputes, deals with accounting issues and invoices and supervises all employee hiring and layoffs. When the general manager is in a meeting with the CEO or other clients, the assistant manager acts as the manager and responds professionally and helpfully to all employee and guest issues.
  
  

Administrative

• Some hotel general managers hire assistant managers to help with administrative duties including paperwork and outstanding invoices. When the front desk gets exceedingly busy or the hotel is understaffed for the day, the assistant general manager jumps in to assist with check-in, answer phones and solve guest requests or complaints. Because the assistant general manager receives extensive training and preparation in all departments, he responds quickly and professionally at all times in any department.
  
  

Education & Training

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistic 2010 report on lodging managers, most large, full-service hotel chains hire managers and assistant managers with a bachelor's degree in business or hospitality management; however, a candidate with a liberal arts degree and comprehensive firsthand hospitality experience also makes a compelling candidate.
  
  At smaller, limited-service hotels, hiring managers seek applicants with associate's degrees or a certificate in hotel, restaurant or hospitality management and at least a few consecutive years working in hospitality through internships or part-time work.
  
  

Job Outlook & Salary

• As of 2010, according to the Indeed Salary Search, hotel managers in New York City make an average $56,000 per year. Hotel managers in San Diego, California, make around $40,000 annually.
  
  Since 2008, according the Bureau of Labor Statistics, for the next five to six years job seekers can expect a slower than average growth in employment in the hotel management field. Unfortunately, hotel groups plan to build more limited service hotels, which will hire fewer full-time employees, including assistant general managers.