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Emerging Roles in Hospitality: Opportunities and Challenges

Emerging Roles in Hospitality: Opportunities and Challenges

The global hospitality market is projected to experience a compound annual growth rate of 10.24% through 2028. This expansion is being driven by an increase in demand for traditional positions like servers, chefs, and hotel front desk staff. 

However, several new roles in the hospitality sector will create more opportunities for job seekers while also presenting challenges for businesses. With that in mind, here’s a look at the emerging roles in hospitality spaces.

Sustainability Manager

One of the most exciting new roles in hospitality is that of the sustainability manager. This individual will have the opportunity to lead initiatives that reduce an organization’s environmental impact. They will develop and implement strategies to improve energy efficiency, reduce waste, and promote sustainable practices among staff and guests.

The growing consumer demand for eco-friendly options means that your organization must enhance its green credentials. Adding a sustainability manager to your workforce enables you to sprint toward environmental goals and position your business as an Earth-friendly entity. 

Challenges

Sustainability managers will encounter many new challenges, such as the need to balance sustainability aims with financial constraints. Implementing eco-friendly initiatives requires significant investment, and demonstrating the long-term monetary benefits can be difficult.

As a hotel manager, you'll need to both support this new role and work toward meeting your company’s fiscal needs. You should thoroughly review your company’s current posture to determine whether you’re ready to take on such a position. 

Half-heartedly pursuing green initiatives can lead to resource waste. It can also cause a misalignment between sustainability and business growth goals. 

Digital Marketing Specialist

Digital marketing Specialists have never been more important to the hospitality industry. The rise of digital marketing platforms has transformed the way you connect with guests and patrons. Hiring someone who specializes in advertising your company online will help you expand your reach and connect with those most likely to use your services.

The potential for growth in this role is immense. Bringing in a digital marketing specialist before your competition could give you an edge as you fight for market share. However, it's important to find someone who understands the nuances of marketing hospitality services.

Challenges

The digital marketing landscape is highly competitive and constantly changing. Staying up-to-date with the latest trends, algorithms, and best practices will be pivotal to your success.

Additionally, you'll need to closely monitor your return on investment so you can show stakeholders why it’s worthwhile to pursue online advertising. If your campaigns aren’t translating to increased revenue on the balance sheets, company leadership may scale back digital brand-building efforts before they’ve had a chance to take effect. 

Revenue Manager

Revenue managers look at the big picture of hotel cash flow. They ensure that your organization has taken steps to maximize occupancy rates and keep costs in check to minimize waste. This role involves analyzing market trends, forecasting demand, and implementing flexible pricing strategies that balance occupancy and profitability.

With the growing importance of data-driven decision-making, revenue managers are in high demand. They can also be an extremely valuable addition to your business. 

Challenges

The primary challenge for revenue managers involves navigating the complexity of the hospitality market. Accurately predicting demand and adjusting pricing strategies requires a deep understanding of market dynamics and consumer behavior.

Additionally, external factors like economic fluctuations and travel restrictions have the potential to complicate the financial picture. You must collaborate with your revenue manager to make sure they have all the information they need to thrive in their role. 

Experience Curator

An experienced curator works to exceed guest expectations every time someone sets foot in your establishment. They will design and implement unique, memorable experiences for guests. These can range from organizing bespoke tours and events to curating in-room amenities that reflect local culture.

The most experienced curators have close ties to the community where your establishment is located. They'll understand the underlying culture and history of your place of business. The strategies they implement should make experiences feel like an immersive part of the stay rather than an afterthought. 

Challenges

Creating personalized guest experiences requires a deep understanding of patron preferences and expectations. Gathering and analyzing this data can be difficult, especially in the busy hospitality environment.

You’ll need to collaborate closely with an experienced curator so you can confirm that their vision aligns with the company’s big-picture goals. You must also promote communication with finance to provide the creative with adequate resources. 

Health and Wellness Coordinator

Guests are becoming increasingly health conscious. While your hotel likely already has a fitness facility, simply offering a place to work out is not enough. Upgrading your spa amenities and offering healthy dining options will make the wellness aspect of the guest experience more holistic.

A health and wellness coordinator takes the lead over your wellness program. They will explore ways to integrate healthy living concepts into the entire guest experience. This may include organizing group workouts, restructuring menu items to promote healthy choices, and helping you make strategic upgrades to your facilities. 

Challenges

Cost is a continuous theme in the hospitality industry. You must look at every new role and initiative through a financial lens to decide whether it will yield an adequate ROI for your establishment.

Consider the cost-benefit breakdown of bringing in any of these new roles. You should also team up with a talent firm that specializes in serving hospitality organizations to find the ideal people to step into these new positions. That way, you can be confident that you’ve found the right person for the job. 

Embrace These New Roles in Hospitality With One Haus

The hospitality industry is changing fast. If your organization wants to keep pace with these updates while also exceeding guest expectations, you've got to change the way you recruit, hire, and retain talent.

The good news is that you don't have to embark on this new journey alone. One Haus can help you find and connect with top talent in the hospitality industry so you can fill these and other key roles within your organization. 

Our holistic recruitment firm specializes in partnering with restaurants and hotels as part of our commitment to serving the hospitality sector. Contact One Haus so we can chat about your talent needs.