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Tommy, Vice President of Hotel Operations at Large Hotel & Casino Brand: Advize Career Interview
This interview with a Vice President of Hotel Operations reveals a dynamic career path built on a blend of hands-on experience and strategic academic pursuits.
A high school graduate who prioritized Las Vegas hospitality work over college initially, this individual later earned a psychology degree and MBA, ultimately reaching a VP position by age 34. The interview details the day-to-day realities of overseeing all hotel operations within a large casino, including budgeting, staff management, and handling unexpected crises.
Success, this individual emphasizes, requires strong decision-making, empathy, and a relentless work ethic, coupled with the ability to build strong relationships and navigate interpersonal dynamics.
The interview also provides valuable insights into entry-level positions, the importance of leveraging unique skills, and the significance of integrating academic learning with practical experience.
Finally, the individual reflects on navigating a successful career while belonging to multiple underrepresented communities, offering a nuanced perspective on identity and professional advancement.
This candid account provides invaluable guidance for students considering a career in hospitality management.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Tommy Harris
Vice President of Hotel Operations
Large Hotel & Casino Brand
University of Nevada Las Vegas / 2022
UCLA / MBA - Expected graduation June 2024
Psychology
Hospitality & Restaurants
Operations and Project Management
Honors Student, Worked 20+ Hours in School, LGBTQ
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Career Path of a Vice President of Hotel Operations at a Hotel Casino
Tommy's career began immediately after high school, prioritizing work in Las Vegas hospitality over completing their UNLV degree, a path that led to a vice president of hotel operations position by age 34. The experience fueled a return to school to earn a bachelor's degree in psychology and pursue an MBA at UCLA, aiming for a chief operating officer role, demonstrating a commitment to both practical experience and academic advancement.
Main Responsibilities of a Vice President of Hotel Operations at a Large Hotel and Casino Brand
Tommy, Vice President of Hotel Operations, oversees all hotel aspects within a large casino complex, including "front desk housekeeping, public area departments, Hotel Revenue, Spa, security, and front Services," focusing on exceeding guest expectations and employee performance. A key part of the role involves "budgeting, forecasting, and rate changes" to ensure revenue goals are met, along with regular property visits to observe operations and foster employee support.
A Day in the Life of a Vice President of Hotel Operations at a Major Hotel and Casino
A Vice President of Hotel Operations' day begins with reviewing reports and emails before a property walk-through to ensure cleanliness. The rest of the day involves pre-shift meetings, reviewing revenue reports with corporate, and addressing unexpected issues—from diffusing employee disputes to assessing new spa products—"a lot of things that are very untraditional," illustrating the varied and often unpredictable nature of the role.
Most Important Skills For a Vice President of Hotel Operations at a Hotel and Casino
Tommy, a Vice President of Hotel Operations, emphasizes empathy, "being able to go above and beyond and exceed guest expectations," and strong decision-making skills as crucial for success in hospitality leadership. Effective decision-making, particularly in high-stakes situations involving employees or finances, requires a data-driven approach and careful consideration of all possibilities, augmented by high emotional intelligence.
Favorite Parts of Being a Vice President of Hotel Operations at a Hotel and Casino
Tommy, Vice President of Hotel Operations, finds the most enjoyment in exceeding employee expectations through rewards and recognition, stating that "bringing joy to people's lives...motivates [Tommy] to do more." Equally fulfilling is the strategic challenge of hitting financial goals and being an integral part of a dynamic, fast-paced work environment where they are "constantly in need" and involved in all aspects of the operation.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Vice President Of Hotel Operations At A Large Hotel And Casino Brand
Tommy's biggest challenges as Vice President of Hotel Operations stem from navigating interpersonal dynamics, "understanding that person and understanding what's going to be the most effective way" to influence colleagues and drive business objectives. A further challenge is motivating team members to learn from mistakes and avoid complacency, especially when faced with individuals lacking passion for the work and exhibiting a "status quo" mentality.
Favorite Parts Of Working In Hospitality As A Vice President Of Hotel Operations
Tommy, a Vice President of Hotel Operations, finds the hospitality industry "amazing" and a lifelong dream, particularly its close-knit nature in Las Vegas, enabling collaboration on large-scale events like the Super Bowl and F1 races. This interconnectedness, a "common Hospitality Trickum trade off," fosters valuable relationships and allows for the exchange of best practices, creating numerous opportunities for growth both locally and globally.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Hospitality Industry According To A Vice President Of Hotel Operations At A Major Hotel And Casino Brand
Tommy, a Vice President of Hotel Operations, highlights organization, a personable demeanor ("someone people are gonna like to be around"), and a 24/7 work ethic as crucial for success in the hospitality industry. The ability to connect with colleagues, building a strong professional network ("this almost like cohort type of bond"), is also vital, as illustrated by Tommy's Super Bowl Sunday work experience prioritizing operational success above personal leisure.
What A Vice President Of Hotel Operations At A Major Hotel Casino Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Hotel Industry
Tommy, a Vice President of Hotel Operations, reflects on career paths in the hospitality industry, advising those rising from entry-level positions to "stay focused" and avoid getting "caught in the static" of early financial success, hindering upward mobility. For those entering with an academic background, the advice is to prioritize "humbleness" and "selling" ideas, understanding the "human element" and avoiding a "bulldozer" approach to management, which often proves unsuccessful.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Vice Presidents of Hotel Operations
Entry-level hotel positions include "front desk agent" or "reservations agent," providing valuable ground-level experience, while supervisory roles might be a less effective starting point. Alternatively, corporate internships offer a "nine-to-five" experience, requiring a "significantly much higher level of intellect," while property internships provide hands-on experience in various departments; both routes offer potential for future advancement in this high-turnover industry.
Significant Career Lesson From a Vice President of Hotel Operations at a Hotel and Casino
Tommy's significant career lesson centers on leveraging unique skills to create opportunities: "if you're naturally good at something...you can marry the two," illustrating how their passion for technology, combined with a hospitality career, allowed them to fill a "huge void" in the industry, accelerating their advancement by creating innovative technological solutions within the hotel sector.
College experiences that helped a Vice President of Hotel Operations at a Large Hotel Casino succeed
Tommy, a Vice President of Hotel Operations, pursued a psychology degree at UNLV while working in hotels since age 17, believing that "better understanding people" would enhance their career. The experience of simultaneously working and studying allowed Tommy to directly apply academic learning, such as "proper ability tree" from statistics, to their workplace, demonstrating the value of integrating classroom knowledge with practical experience for career advancement.
How Identity Has Influenced a Vice President of Hotel Operations at a Large Hotel and Casino Brand
Tommy, a Vice President of Hotel Operations, navigated a successful career without explicitly leveraging their identity as an African-American gay man, prioritizing merit over identity politics; the career professional felt that "I wanted it to be because of Tommy's just a great hard working guy," and that while leveraging identity can be beneficial, it requires careful consideration of potential advantages and disadvantages.
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