Funeral Home Manager

Service Corporation International•San Antonio, TX

About The Position

The Funeral Home Manager oversees the daily operations of a single funeral home location and line of business. The manager fosters ownership and pride among staff, controls costs, encourages profitable case-volume growth, and is responsible for short-term planning and annual sales, production, and profit-and-loss goals. The role also develops an effective staff and works to exceed client family expectations. The manager partners with Market Leadership and corporate and local teams to develop budgets and business plans, monitor financial performance, manage daily operations, maintain facilities, and improve processes. Responsibilities also include community involvement, implementing initiatives, and adapting to organizational change. The role may include assisting families with funeral arrangements, discussing available insurance and benefits, promoting funeral-related services and merchandise, and serving as master of ceremonies at services. The manager verifies authorization and arrangement details, including that personal belongings are removed before burial. The manager develops and coaches staff, supports career growth, screens and hires or promotes candidates, recommends compensation and advancement, and builds effective relationships across the organization.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Funeral Director license as required by applicable state or province law and the relevant board.
At least five years of industry experience with increasing responsibilities.
At least two years of experience guiding staff and communicating expectations.
Ability to work evenings, nights, and weekends.
Industry knowledge and financial acumen.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
Professional interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and tact when resolving escalated customer issues.
Leadership skills and desire to manage people.
Cognitive ability to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly and analytically, comprehend complex ideas, learn quickly, and apply learning to new situations.
Process- and results-oriented approach, including keeping projects moving by removing obstacles and exploring alternatives.
Ability to create clear presentations and data visualizations for decision-making and problem analysis.
Positive attitude, motivation to advance industry and business knowledge, and high self-motivation.
Professional written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking, collaboration, and negotiation.
Proficient working knowledge of HMIS, InfoPort, and CarePoint.

Nice To Haves

Technical diploma in Funeral Services or Mortuary Science.
Bachelor’s degree in Mortuary Science or another degree required by applicable state or province law.
Prior experience managing people.
Experience with budgeting and expense control.

Responsibilities

Develop annual business plans, budgets, and financial, production, and revenue goals with Market Leadership; prepare operational and personnel budgets.
Communicate company and market strategies, values, and goals to staff and translate them into actionable local plans.
Work with the Finance Field Manager to monitor financial trends and identify ways to achieve financial goals.
Approve expenditures and invoices and manage overtime expenses.
Manage daily operations by communicating expectations, delegating work, and setting priorities to achieve annual goals.
Review and revise schedules to ensure timely services that exceed customer expectations; resolve escalated customer issues.
Ensure operations comply with applicable regulations, procedures, and policies.
Collaborate with local management, Market Leadership, and corporate departments on resource sharing, business and operational improvements, and product, process, and technology needs.
Participate in community, civic, and other organizations as part of local promotional efforts.
Maintain facilities and grounds in clean, manicured, and working condition, and budget appropriately for repairs, equipment, and furniture.
Plan and implement annual initiatives affecting resources or goals across locations; collaborate with stakeholders and negotiate solutions to business needs and resource constraints.
Identify and implement solutions to improve efficiency and support change initiatives.
May receive or initiate calls to a deceased person's next of kin and facilitate arrangement conferences with empathy, assessing needs and summarizing desired outcomes.
Discuss available life insurance and benefits, including veterans' benefits, and promote funeral, cemetery, and crematory services and merchandise.
May serve as master of ceremonies at visitations, funerals, or graveside services in a professional, organized, and caring manner consistent with company standards.
Confirm authorization to proceed with service arrangements and verify personal belongings are removed from the deceased before burial.
Develop, guide, and coach staff through regular feedback; identify development needs, track progress, and provide assignments that build skills or close gaps.
Promote employee engagement and retention through proactive, collaborative management.
Screen internal and external candidates and hire or promote qualified staff; recommend pay increases, special pays, and career advancements.
Build effective business relationships across the organization.