Chalet Manager Jobs

Seasonaires: What is a Chalet Manager

In larger resorts – usually between 20 and 50 staff, a Resort Manager depends on a strong team of middle-managers to help them effectively operate all the staff in resort. One of these important positions is a Chalet Manager. We spoke to Tanya, one of our experienced seasonaires, to tell us exactly what a Chalet Manager is and how they fit in to one of our biggest resorts – Val Thorens.

Skiworld: “What sort of personality makes a good Chalet Manager?”

Tanya: “An outgoing and determined personality is key, you’re responsible for a team whether it’s in a big or small resort. You are the first point of contact for chalet hosts and management within resort and responsible for a smooth operation as well as meeting budget targets and maintaining high standard feedback from guests.”

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S: “What experience and skills do you need to have?”

T: “Leadership and management but also chalet hosting experience. This is really important as your team will look to you for advice so having that experience allows you to provide the best support for your team.”

S: “What are the main responsibilities of the role?”

T: “Team management. Supporting chalet hosts who may be on their first season or even returning staff.

Providing training both at the start throughout the season.

Maintaining high standards within the chalets, through training and supporting the hosts, chalet checking and sampling the food that’s being served.

Working alongside the Resort Manager, Resort Finance Administrator, Chalet Supervisor and Chalet Trainer (In larger resort’s) to ensure the resort is running smoothly.

And finally ordering food, wine, linen and cleaning products and keeping on-target with budgets throughout the process.”

S: “Briefly describe an average day in the life of a Chalet Manager”

T: “From the start of the day the Chalet Manager will begin with assisting chalets through their morning service, checking cleanliness and food standards. They will also check stock levels within the chalets and larger storage areas which will help with ordering later that day or during the week. There is a lot of communication during the day with other members of the management team and also the chalet hosts with guest queries and also support where needed. On delivery days they will oversee the deliveries and help where needed. During the evenings a Chalet Manager will be placing orders for the upcoming week or assisting in chalets.

S: “How often can you ski and socialise but still nail your responsibilities?”

T: “You can ski at least 4 out of the 5 working days and also socialise as much or as little as you’d like. If you have a strong team and an organised structure for deliveries you can share the duties within the management team or the Maintenance Driver.”

S: “Are there set hours and days that you work?”

T: “It’s always best to work whilst the chalets are in service as this is prime time to see your hosts, answer any guest queries or help with deliveries. There are days or evenings where you may work a little extra placing orders or going through guest feedback.”

S: “Who do you work most closely with in a resort team?”

T: “It will vary based on the size of resort, but in Val Thorens it’s firstly the Resort Manager. There is a high level on communication throughout the day and meetings to plan the upcoming week.

Chalet Supervisor. This relationship is very important as you work side by side in the daily operations. You will delegate tasks to ensure the chalets are running to a high standard.

Chalet Trainer. If a staff member seems to be struggling or have a lot of dietary requirements in the week then you will inform the Chalet Trainer to go and assist and prepare the Chalet Host and give as much support as possible.”

S: “What are your top 3 tips to be a great Chalet Manager?”

T: “1. Being kind, patient and approachable. Your team will always look to you for advice.

2. Communication is key whether it’s within the Management team or with your Chalet Hosts.

3. Organisation is highly important, with a lot of responsibility and tasks to perform its easiest to have a weekly plan.”

S: “How do you think being a Chalet Manager has improved your professional credentials?”

T: “It gives you great all round management skills including amazing interpersonal and communication training. Your organisation has to be top notch in order to succeed and you learn to think and solve situations on-the-fly.

You develop leadership qualities, learnt on-the-job and passed down from the Resort Manager, including developing your own style of motivational tactics to help keep your team happy.

This job role is an amazing set-up for future Management roles as the opportunity to run a resort is like operating a small business.”

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