Front Desk Manager (Manager in Training)

About the Property

The Stanford Park Hotel is an upscale boutique property in Menlo Park that combines classic, traditional architecture with a full-service guest experience and a strong focus on personalized hospitality. The hotel offers well-appointed guest rooms, a pool and fitness center, and flexible indoor and outdoor spaces for events and social gatherings. On-site dining at Menlo Tavern features seasonal menus, outdoor activations, and enhanced dining experiences.

Role Overview

We are looking for a Manager in Training for the Rooms Department to join our team. The position is designed as a structured pathway to develop future leaders within a full-service, luxury boutique hotel environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Participate in a structured Management Training program to develop future leaders in a full-service, luxury boutique hotel environment.
• Support daily Front Office operations to ensure seamless, personalized guest arrival and departure experiences.
• Assist in supervising front desk operations, including reservations, check-in/check-out, guest services, and concierge-level interactions.
• Model and reinforce a high-touch, anticipatory service culture so each guest interaction reflects exceptional hospitality.
• Respond to and resolve guest concerns with professionalism, discretion, and urgency to maintain a superior guest experience.
• Coordinate with Housekeeping to ensure timely room readiness and accurate room status communication.
• Support Housekeeping operations, including daily assignments, inspections, and adherence to cleanliness and presentation standards.
• Conduct routine inspections of guest rooms and public spaces to ensure luxury-level expectations for cleanliness, comfort, and detail.
• Partner with Engineering/Maintenance to ensure guest rooms and public areas are maintained to the highest standards.
• Participate in daily stand-up meetings, shift briefings, and interdepartmental communication to maintain operational alignment.
• Serve as Manager on Duty (MOD) when assigned, addressing escalated guest service issues and supporting smooth hotel operations.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and training initiatives for Front Office and Housekeeping teams.
• Uphold and enforce hotel policies, SOPs, and service standards to ensure consistency across all guest touchpoints.
• Demonstrate leadership by fostering a positive, respectful, and service-oriented team environment.
• Contribute ideas and support initiatives that enhance the overall guest experience and operational efficiency.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Regular attendance in line with hotel standards is essential. Employees with irregular attendance may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination. Due to the cyclical nature of hospitality, schedules may vary based on business needs.

Qualifications

• Passion for hospitality and delivering high-quality, personalized guest experiences.
• Demonstrated leadership potential with prior supervisory or lead experience preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to engage effectively with guests, team members, and leadership.
• Ability to multi-task and thrive in a fast-paced, service-driven environment.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, especially for maintaining luxury service standards.
• Problem-solving mindset with the ability to handle guest concerns calmly and professionally.
• Ability to collaborate across departments to support seamless operations.
• Flexibility to work varied schedules, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Familiarity with hotel systems and Microsoft Office applications preferred.
• Excellent organization skills and strong attention to detail.
• Meets legal age requirements for the position.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and progressive hotel experience may be considered.
• Prior hotel experience (Front Office or Housekeeping) strongly preferred.
• Completion of a hospitality internship or leadership development program is a plus.

Certifications and Licenses

No certifications needed.

Work Environment

The noise level is usually moderate. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing job duties, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and climb or balance. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Grooming

All employees must maintain a neat, clean, and well-groomed appearance (specific standards available).

Compensation and Benefits

Pay: $28.56 per hour

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Location and Work Type

Work Location: In person

Location: Menlo Park, CA 94025