Hotel Marketing Manager Job Description

Hotel marketing managers identify market trends and audiences to upsell the hotels' suites and services.

A hotel marketing manager finds creative ways to propel a hotel into the public to boost sales and productivity. Working alongside sales managers and other advertising professionals, a hotel marketing manager coordinates tactics for appealing to guests, groups and business clientele looking for the next place to stay for vacation or to host a business meeting.

Main Duties

A marketing manager may introduce an idea to offer free welcome drinks to hotel guests.

A hotel marketing manager works with the hotel's advertising and sales managers to promote the hotel's services and amenities. Lower-level managers, like market research managers, work alongside hotel marketing managers to come up with ideas for creating new clientele such as offering hotel deals and incentives like free welcome drinks, a complimentary massage at the hotel spa, or complimentary use of a business center. Marketing managers and researchers learn what travelers want and estimate the cost of including those services.

Pricing

Hotel marketing managers propose new incentives and oversee development

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics 2010-11 report, marketing managers are responsible for developing pricing strategies. These pricing estimates help the hotel maximize profits while also ensuring that hotel guests receive the quality they pay for in the price. Marketing managers monitor pricing trends and, when they feel profits are slacking and guests are ready for a new incentive, they meet with the general manager to discuss new products and services and oversee new developments.

Supervising

The manager oversees marketing associates and supervises their work habits. While a marketing manager uses creative tactics to win business they also maintain pricing, invoices and databases to manage the entire marketing department.

Collaboration

Marketing managers may work with the hotel's general manager, as well as public relations directors, to coordinate advertising and promoting the hotel online, on TV, through brochures and other media. A marketing manager, with the go-ahead from the general manager and event director, may develop special events, like a monthly ballroom dance night or a Valentine's special for couples. The marketing manager directs the marketing staff to purchase advertising in beneficial venues like online and on TV to market to individuals and groups.

Training

Colleges and universities offer hospitality and marketing training for aspiring professionals

Colleges and universities offer degrees in hotel management, hospitality, marketing and business administration. Marketing managers are both creative and business-minded, an ideal pairing for an energetic but organized and efficient employee.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 450 high schools in 45 states offer the Lodging Management Program created by the Educational Institute of the American Hotel and Lodging Association. A two-year program offered to high school juniors and seniors, courses teach management principles which lead to a professional certification called the "Certified Rooms Division Specialist."

Job Outlook & Salary

According to salary charts from Indeed.com, marketing managers make around $55,000 to $60,000 per year in the United States. Hotel marketing manager positions, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment in advertising and marketing managers is expected to increase by 13 percent through 2018.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Advertising, Marketing, Promotions, Public Relations, and Sales Managers
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Lodging Managers
• Indeed: Salaries: Marketing Manager

Resources

• American Hotel and Lodging Association
• MarketingProfs: Marketing Resources