A concierge is the person guests, residents or visitors go to for help. Typical concierge duties include welcoming people, answering questions, booking restaurants, taxis and tickets, handling deliveries and post, managing keys and access, and keeping an eye on the security of the entrance. The role exists in hotels, residential apartment blocks and corporate buildings, and while the setting changes the job, the aim is always the same: make people feel looked after and solve problems before they become complaints.
Below we set out the concierge job description for each setting, the skills that matter, UK pay and a template you can copy.
What does a concierge do?
Hotel concierge
- Greeting guests and helping with luggage, often with the porter team.
- Booking restaurants, theatre tickets, tours, taxis and transfers.
- Giving local recommendations and directions.
- Handling special requests, from flowers to forgotten chargers.
- Arranging luggage storage and deliveries.
Residential concierge
- Receiving parcels and notifying residents.
- Managing visitor access, contractor sign-in and key holding.
- Reporting maintenance faults to the managing agent.
- Patrolling communal areas and monitoring CCTV where trained.
- Keeping logs of incidents, deliveries and access.
Corporate concierge
- Welcoming visitors and staff at the main entrance.
- Issuing passes and managing meeting room and desk bookings.
- Arranging couriers, taxis and travel.
- Supporting events and hospitality.
- Coordinating with security and facilities teams.
Concierge vs receptionist vs porter
| Role | Main focus |
|---|---|
| Concierge | Personal service, requests, local knowledge, access and deliveries |
| Receptionist | Check-in or sign-in, phones, bookings and administration |
| Porter | Luggage, moving items, deliveries and practical support |
In smaller buildings one person may cover all three. See our guides to receptionist duties and the porter job description for comparison.
Skills and qualities
- Excellent customer service and a calm, professional manner.
- Local knowledge and a strong network of contacts.
- Problem solving and resourcefulness.
- Discretion with personal and security information.
- Good organisation and accurate record keeping.
- Confidence using booking systems, access control and CCTV.
- Languages are a real advantage in hotels and airport-adjacent buildings.
Security and licensing
Most concierge roles do not need a licence. However, if the main purpose of the role is guarding premises, controlling access against people or monitoring public space CCTV under contract, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) may require a licence. Employers should check the SIA’s guidance when the job blends front of house and security duties.
Concierge pay in the UK
Hourly pay must be at least the National Minimum Wage, which for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 from April 2026 and £13.21 from April 2027. Hotel and residential concierge roles often pay more than entry-level front desk jobs, and luxury hotels and prime London buildings pay a premium for experience. The National Careers Service notes that experienced hotel porters can progress into concierge roles, with porter salaries ranging from around £21,000 to £27,000.
Concierge job description template
Job title: Concierge
Reports to: Front of House / Building Manager
Location: [Hotel or building]
Hours: [Shift pattern, including nights or weekends if needed]
Pay: £[rate] per hour
Purpose: To provide a welcoming, secure and helpful service to guests, residents and visitors.
Responsibilities:
- Greet and assist guests, residents and visitors.
- Handle bookings, requests, deliveries and post.
- Control access, issue keys and passes and keep accurate logs.
- Report maintenance and security issues promptly.
- Maintain a tidy, professional entrance and lobby.
About you: Friendly, polished and resourceful, with customer service or hospitality experience.
Need a professional concierge or front desk team?We provide trained front of house staff for corporate, residential and hospitality buildings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main duties of a concierge?
Welcoming people, handling requests and bookings, managing deliveries and access, and reporting maintenance or security issues.
Do concierges need an SIA licence?
Usually not, unless the role is mainly guarding or contracted CCTV monitoring. Check SIA guidance if duties overlap with security.
What qualifications does a concierge need?
None are required. Customer service or hospitality experience is the most useful background.
What is a corporate concierge?
A front of house professional in an office building who welcomes visitors, manages access and arranges services for staff.
Front of house staffing from WWSG
We place trained concierge and reception staff across offices, residential buildings and hospitality venues. Learn about our front of house support or get in touch.