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.
Executive/Leadership, Problem-Solving, Communication, Teamwork, Industry Realities
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 & Events
Operations and Project Management
Honors Student, Worked 20+ Hours in School, LGBTQ
Video Highlights
1. A day in the life of a Vice President of Hotel Operations starts early, reviewing reports on security, employee call-outs, and revenue.
2. The role involves a combination of planned meetings and addressing unexpected events, such as resolving employee disputes or meeting with vendors.
3. Regular property walkthroughs, pre-shift meetings with employees, and spot checks of departments are crucial for maintaining operational efficiency and addressing issues proactively.
Transcript
What does the day in the life of a Vice President of Hotel Operations look like?
First thing when I wake up, I grab my phone and review my emails. I look for specific key reports, such as the security report, to see what events happened the prior day. I also check for any security limitations that might require immediate attention from a mitigation perspective.
I review reports for Hotel callouts, which list employees who have called out for their respective shifts. This allows me to adjust staffing if necessary to ensure we have the required staff for the day. I also check revenue reports, if they are available that early, and any urgent messages coming through Microsoft Teams or other services.
When I get to work, I start by walking the property. After setting my bag down, I tour the grounds to ensure everything is in order. Most detailed cleaning is done at night on graveyard shifts, so everything should be spotless in the morning.
Then, I typically attend at least two pre-shift meetings. These meetings are for employees starting their morning shifts. They receive information for the day, including key focuses and arriving VIPs. These are good opportunities to connect with employees in a relaxed environment.
After the meetings, I return to my office. By then, revenue reports should be available, and I review them thoroughly. We have a daily morning call with corporate offices to discuss these reports. I prepare for this call by understanding the numbers and explaining any anomalies from the previous day.
All of this typically happens before 9:30 AM. From 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, my schedule is more open. While I may have planned meetings, many situations in a hotel or casino are unpredictable.
This can range from visiting the spa to test a new product and provide feedback, to going to Human Resources if a large group of employees is upset about something. I might also meet with vendors about new products or solutions for the property, or address any urgent issues that arise.
At the end of the day, I return to my office. If I'm not there, I'm reviewing emails and anything else pertinent that I may have missed during the day. I also try to spot-check departments I couldn't visit earlier. This way, I touch every department within 24 to 48 hours, preferably with unannounced visits.
I make myself available during peak arrival times, usually around 3:00 PM for hotel check-ins. I ensure things are running smoothly at the front desk. I typically end my day at my desk, catching up on any remaining tasks and planning for the next day.