Pros and Cons of Becoming a Night Club Manager
Night club managers oversee the day-to-day operations of night clubs. Check out the pros and cons of being a night club manager to see if it seems like the right fit for you.
| Pros of a Night Club Manager Career |
|---|
| No formal education requirements* |
| May be opportunities for advancement (to regional or district manager, for example)* |
| Can acquire experience and knowledge necessary to start own night club* |
| Access to free food or entertainment at club* |
| Cons of a Night Club Manager Career |
|---|
| Job often involves long or irregular hours* |
| High level of responsibility - must maintain budget and business plan, oversee security, hire and supervise employees, etc.* |
| Must oversee strict adherence to all state and local regulations (such as food service or alcohol laws) or risk establishment closure* |
| May have to deal with dissatisfied patrons** |
Sources: *Missouri State University Entertainment Management Program, **Michigan Jobs & Career Portal.
Essential Career Information
Job Description
As establishments, night clubs may include food service, alcohol sales, live entertainment or dance areas. Whatever the establishment offers, the manager is in charge of all aspects of its maintenance and operation. In some cases, the manager's duties may encompass assessing local competition and determining the direction and focus of the club's services. Night club managers are responsible for upholding any laws and licensure requirements relating to the establishment, such as a liquor license, as well as maintaining the club's design and appearance. They also hire, train and supervise club staff, such as bartenders, DJs, security personnel, and oversee the booking of entertainers such as musical performers.
Night club managers are often expected to be on-site when the club is open to address any problems and ensure an overall level of customer service and satisfaction. They also may work during the day attending to areas such as bookkeeping, marketing and inventory oversight. This can make for long hours and is likely to involve working at night and during the weekends.
Salary Info
Salaries for night club managers vary widely depending on location, type of establishment and experience. PayScale.com reports that in July 2015, most night club managers earned between $25,000 and $62,000 annually. The median income was $44,945 per year.
What Are the Requirements?
Since this position includes overseeing everyday operations of a business establishment, bookkeeping and marketing may all be part of your responsibilities. Thus, you'll need to understand various principles of management, business and finance. Strong customer service and communication skills for interacting with patrons and supervising staff are also essential. This job is likely to involve a lot of personal interaction, so it will be helpful if you feel comfortable interacting with a variety of people.
What Employers Are Seeking
While there are no formal education requirements for working as a night club manager, some employers want to hire managers who have experience in management or the hospitality field. In addition, specific skills related to the venue type - such as beverage management experience or knowledge of entertainment booking processes - may be necessary for some positions. Below are real job posts found in April 2012 to give you an idea of what employers are seeking.
- A Texas hotel sought a candidate to oversee the hotel's large dance club and food service establishment. Duties included hiring and training personnel, producing the employee schedule, managing all beverage and bar operations, creating the budget and marketing. A college degree was desired, and at least five years of food or beverage service and three years of management experience were required.
- A bar in Tennessee advertised for a candidate to train and supervise staff, create drink recipes and menus, manage beverage inventory and provide strong customer service. Communication skills, management expertise were all required qualifications.
- An entertainment venue in Las Vegas looked for an experienced candidate to direct the scheduling, booking and business operations of a live music establishment. Understanding of lighting and sound equipment was preferred.
How Can I Beat the Competition?
While a college degree is not a requirement for this job, some establishments, especially in large metropolitan areas, may be more competitive than others. Postsecondary education in an area such as business or hospitality management may give you an edge over your competitors. While some colleges offer bachelor's degrees in hospitality management, certificate and associate degree programs are also available at a number of community colleges. College courses or certificate programs in areas of business or customer service may also improve your chances of employment.
Working in a night club environment as a lower level employee, such as bartender or security staff person, can allow you to become familiar with the industry as well as provide you with experience that may be valuable to employers. Jobs that give you experience in the hospitality or food service fields, such as restaurant server, may be helpful as well.
Alternative Career Paths
If becoming a night club manager doesn't seem like quite the right choice for you, there are some alternatives to consider. If you aren't as interested in the food, beverage and entertainment aspects of being a night club manager, perhaps you'd be interested in becoming a hotel manager. Hotel managers oversee the quality and customer service aspects of lodging establishments and often interact with visitors and guests. This position frequently calls for a bachelor's degree, but for some positions an associate degree in hotel management may suffice. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for lodging managers was around $47,000 in 2011.
If you like the scheduling and organization aspects of night club management but feel wary of the regular late-night hours involved, you might like to become an event planner. Event planners coordinate the location, catering, entertainment services and other logistics for events such as conferences, conventions or weddings. According to the BLS, this occupation is expected to see a 44% increase in employment between 2010 and 2020.
