How do I Become a Spa Manager?

There are several ways to become a spa manager. Careers in spa management can be an excellent choice for people who enjoy working with the public, are interested in health and beauty, and who are capable of interacting with people from very diverse backgrounds. Depending on the services a spa offers, spa managers work with people like cosmetologists, aestheticians, massage therapists, and other members of the beauty industry.

One way to become a spa manager is to work one's way up in the ranks. Many small spas are constantly looking for reception and spa staff, and if staffers stick with it, they can eventually be promoted to more senior positions. People can use experience in small spas as a resume for applying to larger spas, including spas associated with hotels and resorts. One advantage to becoming a spa manager in this way is that it familiarizes people with many of the jobs in the spa, allowing them to understand on a very immediate level how the spa operates on a day to day basis.

Another option for someone who wants to become a spa manager is to take a management course at a trade or technical school, and to apply to spas with certification in hand. Such certifications can allow people to jump into positions in management, allowing them to start out at a higher base salary. It is also possible to become a spa manager by attending a beauty school and taking management courses there, in which case familiarity with spa treatments and procedures is learned along the way.

Other people transition into careers in spa management after receiving college degrees in fields like communications, public relations, and business. For an especially large spa, a spa manager with a business degree may be preferred because he or she may have less to do with daily operations than with promoting the spa, keeping staff up to high standards, and expanding the spa's offerings. Someone who wants to become a spa manager in this way can also apply his or her education and experience to related fields like hospitality management for restaurants, hotels, resorts, cruise ships, and so forth.

Being a spa manager can be hard work. Managers are usually expected to be on call for emergencies, and sometimes have irregular hours. They have to balance the needs and personalities of many different types of employees while also maintaining high standards so that customers are attracted to the spa. As with other positions in the health, fitness, and beauty trade, spa managers are also kept to very high standards of personal appearance and neatness.