What skills will I gain?

Hospitality finance, budgeting, forecasting, service innovation, digital marketing, guest experience, and strategic planning.

Will I receive a certificate?

Yes. Learners will receive a Certificate of Completion from Coursera and Starweaver after completing all four courses.

Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?

This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

Can I just enroll in a single course?

Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Can I take the course for free?

No, you cannot take this course for free. When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.

Will I earn university credit for completing the Specialization?

This Specialization doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Specialization Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more.

Strategic Leadership in Hospitality Specialization

Strategic Leadership in Hospitality Specialization

Master Financial and Operational Leadership.. Lead hospitality transformation with expertise in finance, innovation, service design, and digital.

Instructors: Marta Sotto-Mayor

Included with Coursera Plus

Learn more

4 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

12 weeks to complete

at 3 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

Earn a Certificate

With paid plans

4 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

12 weeks to complete

at 3 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

Earn a Certificate

With paid plans

What you'll learn

Apply the fundamentals of hotel finance, including budgeting, forecasting, key performance indicators, and revenue management.
Analyze hospitality industry trends and design guest-centric operations.
Create and prototype innovative hospitality services using design thinking.
Develop digital marketing campaigns and manage social media strategy.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

Advance your subject-matter expertise

Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
Master a subject or tool with hands-on projects
Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
Earn a career certificate from Starweaver

Specialization - 4 course series

The Financial and Operational Leadership in Hospitality Specialization is designed for hospitality professionals and emerging leaders seeking to drive success in a competitive, guest-driven industry. This program blends strategy, finance, and innovation to provide a full-spectrum education in modern hospitality leadership. Through four comprehensive courses, learners will master the foundational principles of hospitality management, financial strategy, service design, and digital marketing. Each course offers practical projects and tools to apply immediately in the real world.

Key learning areas include:

- Fundamentals of hospitality strategy and evolution.

- Budgeting, forecasting, and hotel financial performance management.

- Service innovation through design thinking and cross-functional teamwork,

- Digital guest engagement, SEO, and brand storytelling.

Learners will be prepared to manage hotel departments or full operations, drive guest experience innovation, and align strategic initiatives with financial performance.

Applied Learning Project

Projects include:

- Conducting a financial performance analysis for a hotel operation.

- Developing a sustainable budget and forecasting model.

- Designing a guest-centric service prototype using service blueprinting.

- Creating a digital marketing campaign and online engagement strategy.

These applied projects build a portfolio of executive-level tools and proposals that demonstrate readiness for real-world hospitality leadership roles.

Mastering Hotel Financials

Course 111 hours

What you'll learn

Define key financial terms and concepts used in hotel management.
Explain the financial structures and processes within the hotel industry.
Analyze real-life hotel financial scenarios and make informed decisions.
Assess the financial health of a hotel and propose strategies for improvement.

Skills you'll gain

Financial Management, Cost Control, Revenue Management, Benchmarking, Balance Sheet, Financial Statement Analysis, Financial Acumen, Creative Problem-Solving, Financial Statements, Capital Expenditure, Financial Analysis, Business Metrics, Performance Measurement, Hospitality, Leadership Development, Budgeting, Hospitality Management, Income Statement, Adaptability, and Time Management

Introduction to Hospitality Management in the 21st Century

Course 210 hours

What you'll learn

Identify key historical developments that have shaped the evolution of the hospitality industry.
Recognize the fundamental principles and core concepts of hospitality management in the 21st century.
Analyze current challenges and opportunities in the hospitality sector and project strategic solutions.
Anticipate future trends and innovations that are likely to impact hospitality management.

Skills you'll gain

Hospitality Management, Cultural Sensitivity, Customer Service, Hospitality, Innovation, Service Management, AI Personalization, Customer experience strategy (CX), Restaurant Operation, Corporate Sustainability, Digital Transformation, and Hotels and Accommodations

Effective Service Innovation by Design in Hotel Management

Course 39 hours

What you'll learn

Identify the key principles and concepts of hotel service innovation.
Demonstrate proficiency in basic design thinking methodologies for service development.
Analyse customer needs and pain points to design customer-centric services.
Evaluate the feasibility and viability of service innovations.

Skills you'll gain

Change Management, Continuous Improvement Process, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Design Thinking, Innovation, Corporate Sustainability, Customer Service, Customer experience strategy (CX), Collaboration, Hospitality, Hospitality Management, Digital Transformation, Process Mapping, Feasibility Studies, Customer Analysis, and Service Design

Hotel Digital Marketing and Social Media Strategy

Course 49 hours

What you'll learn

Define the fundamentals of hotel digital marketing and social media strategy.
Identify the key platforms and channels relevant to the hotel industry.
Develop a hotel's online presence and brand identity through effective digital marketing strategies.
Analyze and measure the success of digital marketing campaigns for hotels.

Skills you'll gain

Digital Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, Social Media Strategy, Return On Investment, Content Creation, Digital Media Strategy, Customer Engagement, Hospitality, Social Media, Guest Relations, Instagram, Content Marketing, and Web Analytics and SEO