Front Desk Manager (Maternity Cover) - Chichester

Front Desk Manager (Maternity Cover) - Chichester

Chichester Temporary 30000 - 40000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
The Goodwood Estate

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a friendly team to create unforgettable guest experiences at the Front Desk.
  • Company: Join a beautiful estate surrounded by stunning countryside.
  • Benefits: Enjoy free event tickets, gym membership, and staff meals.
  • Other info: Flexible shifts with opportunities for growth in a unique environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by ensuring every guest feels special and welcomed.
  • Qualifications: Experience in customer service and managing Front Desk operations.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.

First impressions last. You’ll be the one that makes them unforgettable. As Front Desk Manager, you’ll lead our friendly and professional team at the heart of the guest experience. From the moment someone arrives on the Estate to the moment they depart, you’ll ensure every interaction feels personal, seamless and genuinely special - as though we’ve been expecting them.

You’ll oversee the day-to-day running of the Front Desk, ensuring a consistently warm welcome, smooth check-ins and check-outs, and confident guidance on everything the Estate has to offer. With an eye for detail and a passion for service, you’ll make sure every customer touchpoint feels fresh, thoughtful and engaging. This is a hands-on leadership role where excellent communication is key.

You’ll inspire and support your team to deliver exceptional service, while acting as a Service Champion - identifying opportunities to refine processes, elevate experiences and resolve challenges quickly, calmly and professionally. Alongside Front Desk operations, you’ll play an active role in the wider hotel function, supporting the day-to-day running of the reservations team (working closely with the Hotel Revenue Manager) as well as the nights team.

You’ll help ensure consistency of service across all touchpoints, effective communication between teams and a seamless guest journey, no matter the time of day. You’ll also manage reservations systems, monitor hotel occupancy, handle guest complaints with confidence and care, and ensure Front Desk operations run smoothly at all times – even during our busiest moments.

What you’ll have:

  • Experience managing Front Desk operations
  • Experience working in a customer-facing role, ideally within leisure or hospitality
  • Complaint handling experience, with the ability to resolve issues professionally and empathetically
  • Reservations experience and an understanding of hotel occupancy and availability management
  • A strong focus on delivering consistent service standards and exceptional attention to detail
  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across multiple teams
  • The ability to lead, motivate and support a team
  • Confidence using hotel management systems (Protel or similar is desirable)
  • Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office
  • Fluent spoken and written English
  • The ability to remain calm, organised and service-focused under pressure

What you’ll get:

  • Free event tickets
  • Gym membership
  • Health cash plan
  • Group performance share scheme
  • Free uniform, parking and staff meals on shift
  • The chance to work in a truly beautiful and unique environment

We’re lucky to be surrounded by stunning countryside, which means your own transport is essential. Shift patterns include early shifts (7am-3.30pm), late shifts (2.30pm-11pm) and day shifts. This will be a varied mix each week, with occasional cover of a night shift. If you take pride in creating standout first impressions and love leading teams that do the same, we’d love to hear from you.

Front Desk Manager (Maternity Cover) - Chichester employer: The Goodwood Estate

As a Front Desk Manager at our stunning Chichester estate, you'll be part of a vibrant and supportive work culture that values exceptional service and teamwork. We offer a range of benefits including free event tickets, gym membership, and a health cash plan, all while working in a beautiful environment that inspires personal and professional growth. Join us to lead a dedicated team in creating unforgettable guest experiences, where your leadership will be recognised and rewarded.

The Goodwood Estate

Contact Details:

The Goodwood Estate Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Front Desk Manager (Maternity Cover) - Chichester

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the hospitality industry and let them know you're on the lookout for a Front Desk Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Practice your pitch! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, be ready to share your experience and passion for customer service. Make it personal and engaging, just like the unforgettable first impressions we aim to create at StudySmarter.

Tip Number 3

Show off your skills! If you get an interview, prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've handled guest complaints or improved service standards in previous roles. This will demonstrate your ability to lead and inspire a team effectively.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team and contributing to the exceptional guest experiences we pride ourselves on.

We think you need these skills to ace Front Desk Manager (Maternity Cover) - Chichester

Front Desk Operations Management
Customer Service
Complaint Handling
Reservations Management
Attention to Detail
Strong Communication Skills
Team Leadership

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Personality:When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for hospitality and how you create memorable experiences for guests.

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to the Front Desk Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in managing front desk operations and any customer-facing roles you've had. We love seeing how your skills match what we’re looking for!

Be Specific About Your Experience:Don’t just list your past jobs; give us specific examples of how you’ve handled guest complaints or improved service standards. We want to know how you’ve made a difference in your previous roles!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be one step closer to joining our fantastic team at the heart of the guest experience!

How to prepare for a job interview at The Goodwood Estate

Know the Estate Inside Out

Before your interview, make sure you research the estate thoroughly. Familiarise yourself with its history, services, and any unique features. This will not only impress the interviewers but also help you answer questions about how you would enhance the guest experience.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Front Desk Manager, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, focusing on your communication style and how you motivate others. Be ready to discuss specific situations where you resolved conflicts or improved service standards.

Demonstrate Your Customer Service Expertise

Think of scenarios where you've handled complaints or difficult situations with guests. Highlight your ability to remain calm and professional under pressure. This will show that you can maintain high service standards even during busy times.

Prepare Questions for Them

Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, expectations for the role, and how success is measured. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.