Massage Therapist

Situated in Downtown's Second Street District, Austin Proper Hotel and Residences is an iconic luxury destination just steps from Lady Bird Lake, ACL Live, and the city's best shopping. With expressive interiors by Kelly Wearstler and culinary concepts by McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality, the hotel offers 238 design-forward rooms and suites, a rooftop pool, immersive wellness experiences, and menus built around local farms, vibrant produce, and nutrient-rich ingredients. Wellness, design, and culture, seamlessly woven into every stay.

Steps from the city's buzz, Verbena Spa is a serene, design-forward escape inside Austin Proper. Start with a detoxifying welcome drink, then explore personalized treatments guided by seasoned therapists. From targeted massage to tech-driven recovery, every offering is designed to restore balance. For a deeper reset, the Recovery Room combines cold plunge, dry sauna, and red light therapy to ground the body and mind.

Job Summary:

The Massage Therapist is responsible for providing exceptional massage therapy services to hotel guests, ensuring a relaxing and therapeutic experience. This role involves performing a variety of massage techniques tailored to meet the individual needs of each guest, promoting relaxation, pain relief, and overall well-being. The Massage Therapist will maintain a high standard of cleanliness, health, and safety in the spa environment while delivering personalized treatments. The ideal candidate will possess expert knowledge of massage techniques, strong guest service skills, and a passion for wellness.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Guest Consultation & Customization of Treatments:
• Conduct thorough consultations with guests prior to treatments, assessing their massage preferences, pain points, and health concerns.
• Customize massage treatments based on individual guest needs, providing relief, relaxation, or therapeutic benefits.
• Provide guests with information regarding the benefits of different types of massage techniques, such as Swedish, deep tissue, hot stone, or aromatherapy massages.
• Address guest concerns or requests during the massage session to ensure comfort and satisfaction.
• Massage Therapy & Techniques:
• Perform various types of massage techniques, including Swedish, deep tissue, hot stone, aromatherapy, sports, prenatal, and other specialty massages, as requested by the guest.
• Use a combination of hand movements, pressure techniques, and equipment to promote relaxation, reduce muscle tension, and enhance circulation.
• Maintain a steady and comfortable pressure according to guest preferences, ensuring an effective and enjoyable massage experience.
• Health & Safety Compliance:
• Follow all health, hygiene, and safety protocols to ensure the safe and effective performance of massage treatments.
• Ensure proper sanitization and sterilization of massage equipment, linens, and treatment areas after each use.
• Be aware of any contraindications or guest medical conditions that could impact the massage and provide appropriate modifications to treatment techniques.
• Guest Experience & Customer Service:
• Maintain a calm, professional, and soothing environment throughout the massage session to enhance the guest's relaxation experience.
• Provide excellent guest service, ensuring that guests feel welcomed, comfortable, and cared for throughout their spa visit.
• After the treatment, engage with guests to receive feedback on their experience, provide aftercare advice, and recommend any follow-up treatments or products.
• Spa Environment & Cleanliness:
• Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming treatment area, ensuring that all equipment and supplies are sanitized and in good working order.
• Prepare treatment rooms for each session, including adjusting lighting, music, and room temperature to create a relaxing environment.
• Replenish and maintain a supply of clean linens, towels, oils, lotions, and other products needed for massage treatments.
• Keep all treatment equipment and tools, such as massage tables and hot stones, in excellent condition.
• Team Collaboration & Support:
• Collaborate with other spa professionals, including massage therapists, estheticians, and reception staff, to ensure seamless guest experiences.
• Assist with spa events, promotions, and activities, contributing to the overall success of the spa.
• Support new team members by sharing techniques and best practices, fostering a collaborative work environment.
• Sales & Product Knowledge:
• Educate guests on the benefits of massage therapy and recommend related products, such as massage oils, lotions, and other wellness products.
• Upsell additional services or upgrades, such as add-on treatments or longer massage durations, to enhance the guest's experience and increase revenue.
• Maintain knowledge of all spa treatments, packages, and retail products to ensure that guests receive accurate and useful recommendations.

Education and/or Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Certification in massage therapy from an accredited institution.
• State or local licensure (if applicable).
• Previous experience as a licensed massage therapist, preferably in a spa or hotel environment.
• Knowledge of various massage techniques and therapeutic benefits.

Skills/Specialized Knowledge

• Proficiency in various massage techniques, including Swedish, deep tissue, sports, prenatal, and hot stone massages.
• Strong understanding of anatomy, physiology, and body mechanics related to massage therapy.
• Excellent guest service and communication skills, with the ability to adjust treatment based on guest preferences and needs.
• Ability to maintain a calm, professional demeanor and create a relaxing atmosphere for guests.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills to maintain a clean and hygienic treatment environment.
• Knowledge of health and safety guidelines specific to massage therapy and spa operations.
• Ability to perform treatments efficiently while maintaining a high level of comfort and care for guests.

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand for extended periods, bend, reach, and perform manual tasks.
• Ability to provide physical pressure during massage therapy sessions for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift and move up to 20 pounds (e.g., supplies, equipment).
• Flexibility to work in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple appointments and tasks.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by the spa's operational schedule.

Why Join Proper Hospitality

At Proper, we build experiences that move people — and that begins with the team behind them. As a best-in-class employer, we're committed to creating one of the Best Places to Work in hospitality by nurturing a culture where creativity, excellence, and humanity thrive together.

Everything we do is grounded in the belief that hospitality is more than a profession - it's an opportunity to care for others and make lives better. Guided by the Pillars of Proper, we show up with warmth and authenticity (Care Proper ), strive for excellence in everything we do (Achieve Proper ), think creatively and resourcefully (Imagine Proper ), and take pride in the style and culture that make us who we are (Present Proper ).

We believe our people are our greatest strength, and we invest deeply in their wellbeing, growth, and sense of belonging. From comprehensive benefits to meaningful development programs, Proper is designed to help you build a career, and a life, that feels as inspiring as the experiences we create for our guests.

Our Commitment: Building the Best Place to Work

Our Best Place to Work initiative is a living commitment — a continuous investment in our people, our culture, and our purpose. We listen, learn, and evolve together to create an environment where everyone feels empowered to imagine boldly, achieve confidently, care deeply, and present themselves authentically.

At Proper, joining the team means more than finding a job — it means joining a community that believes in building beautiful experiences together, for our guests and for one another.

Proper Hospitality is an equal-opportunity employer. We provide employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other federally or state-protected category.

We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in accordance with local Fair Chance Hiring Ordinances.