Role: General Manager
Company: Titanic Hotel Belfast
Track Record: Adrian McNally has travelled the world with his career as a hotel manager.
HOW I BECAME A HOTEL MANAGER
Give a brief outline of your career to date.
After graduating from Ulster University’s (UU) Magee Campus I began my hotel career in London before moving to San Francisco. I moved across the States including Denver, San Jose, Kansas City and Dallas. I also had the opportunity to work in Nairobi and Shanghai and opened hotels in Dublin, Moscow and Pudong. Returning home in 2011 I have since worked for Lough Erne Resort and Culloden Estate and Spa. I was appointed as General Manager of Titanic Hotel Belfast in June 2017, working towards the opening on Sunday September 10.
What was your favourite subject at school?
Maths. I enjoyed the logic of it and the answer was either right or wrong.
Did you go on to further/higher education, if so what did you study and where?
I attained my A Levels at Armagh College of Further Education before studying Hotel and Tourism Management at UU Magee. Both education opportunities were amazing.
How did you get into your area of work?
By chance, I started working at a hotel as a part-time job and loved the buzz from hotels. I enjoy hospitality and I just understood what was expected.
Is this what you always wanted to do?
No, as a young man I considered joining the police force and actually reconsidered it after 9/11 as I was living in San Francisco at the time, but the draw from hotels was too strong. I also considered dentistry picking the sciences as my A Levels but happily I found the right career in hotels.
Were the any particular essential qualifications or experience needed?
It is a ‘calling’, do not become a hotelier for a Monday to Friday job, we are at work when others are socialising. The most important qualification one could have is in patience and respect.
Are there alternative routes into the job?
I am a firm believer in apprenticeship programs. Even with a university degree it is vital a manager understands the role their team perform. Having this understanding allows a manager to assist their team to perform better.
University graduates also need to partake in trainee programs post-graduation. It is part of growing as a leader. We have had an impressive team of apprentices from Belfast Met, Ulster University and Galway Mayo Institute of Technology join us in the run up to opening Titanic Hotel Belfast.
What are the main personal skills your job requires?
As general manager I need to be a good listener. I must take feedback from guests, ideas from colleagues and direction from ownership. I have to hear what is going on to improve the hotel, the working environment and the business. Finally, I need to act upon what I have heard.
What does a typical day entail?
There is no typical day in a hotel! Every day brings its own story, especially with the opening of Titanic Hotel. This is like no other project I have worked on; the sheer level of history and heritage in this building is incredible, so while we will operate as a hotel, there are also museum elements where the public can enjoy the £5m Heritage Lottery Fund preserved Drawing Offices, former Directors’ offices and the prestigious Presentation Room, where Harland & Wolff clients picked out the particulars for the finishing touches of their liners. So, our staff will be looking after guests but also upholding the legacy of the building.
What are the best and most challenging aspects of the job?
Best aspect of my job is the sense of style and environment I work in. The personalities of the team are a joy every day to come in to.
The most challenging aspect is the ‘unknown expectation’ a guest can pose to me. Having a ‘thinking outside the box’ approach is vital for overcoming these challenges.
Why is what you do important?
What I do is less important to that my colleagues do. I remind them daily the service team are the front line and are the face of the hotel. I cannot serve every meal, check-in every room and clean every hallway. I am only their support.
What advice would you give anyone looking to follow a similar career path?
It is the best career I could recommend. To not only see the world but to experience it as a local is the best education ever. I have made lifelong friends across the world and learned such valuable lessons.
If you weren’t doing this what would you like to do?
Own a vineyard in California.
What is the one piece of advice you would give yourself on your first day?
Be on time for everything, everyday.
Describe your ideal day off:
I am not good at relaxing. There is always something to accomplish. I value time with family and friends, and of course travelling is in the blood.
And finally, what’s the key to any successful job search?
I do not believe in casting the net to see what is out there. You must know what job you want, focus on getting it, believe in yourself and most importantly be prepared. Have a great well-presented CV, turn up for your interview early and immaculately groomed. And finally remember to send a thank you card after the meeting as the interviewer took their time to meet you. The final touches can make the deal.