Description
varuni.sakhalkar@gmail.com | +91 85888 41380
PROFILE
Experienced professional in the field of hospitality and wellness. Have held managerial positions for over 6 years. After an initial stint with luxury hotel brand, Oberoi Hotels and Resorts, went on to earn an MBA degree from UK which has helped enhance existing skill set and move towards larger roles within organisations. Worked briefly at a niche market research company in business development and with an established wellness firm as the marketing head.
A creative and hands-on individual, with excellent communication skills. Possess diverse experience in varied industries. Backed by an entrepreneurial and team-oriented work and leadership style, have developed broad based functional knowledge across Operations, Strategy, Customer Service, Sales and Marketing, Client Relationship Management and Project Management.
WORK EXPERIENCE
MARKETING MANAGER | Kerala Ayurveda Limited
www.ayurvedagram.com
Bangalore | February 2014 – October 2014
Creation and implementation of marketing initiatives, digital and social media reach outs for the Wellness Business of the global Katra Group.
· Responsible for marketing Ayurvedagram, a 28 room Ayurveda wellness centre, across various channels
· In charge of primary and secondary revenue drivers, with an annual target of USD 55 million
· Oversee guest experience and ensuring excellence at all guest touch points. This includes overseeing Guest Relations, Food and Beverage, and Housekeeping operations
· Exploring and conceptualising marketing opportunities – strategic tie-ups, affiliate marketing, travel agents, events, trade shows, social media platforms, email reach outs, website development
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT | IMA India Private Limited
www.ima-india.com
Gurgaon | May 2013 – January 2014
· Responsible for business development of the Chief Marketing Officer Forum
· Sold memberships worth USD 1 million to marketing heads of various Fortune 500 companies
· Additional responsibility of client retention and event management
· Report directly to the Managing Director
SALES AND MARKETING ASSOCIATE | Oberoi Hotels and Resorts www.oberoihotels.com
London | October 2012 – January 2013
· Responsible for exploring the UK based travel agent market and submitting a mapping report of the findings.
· Assist the Vice President in making appointments for sales blitzes, organization of various trade shows such as ITB and WTM.
· Day to day sales administration.
ASSISTANT MANAGER – FOOD AND BEVERAGE | Oberoi Hotels and Resorts
www.oberoihotels.com
Mumbai | August 2010 – July 2011
· Operated a profitable outlet – a 68 cover world cuisine restaurant, managing a team of 35.
· Responsible for monthly menu engineering, regular menu changes, guest satisfaction and maintain set standards to ensure consistent service delivery.
· Through consistent training was able to improve LQA score from 64% to 86% for breakfast service.
· Deputed to manage Belvedere, an exclusive by invitation only club, for 2 months.
ASSISTANT MANAGER – FOOD AND BEVERAGE | Oberoi Hotels and Resorts
www.oberoihotels.com
Chennai | November 2008 – July 2010
Deputy to the head of the department, responsible for overall food and beverage operations of the hotel; managing an all-day dining world cuisine outlet, a coastal specialty restaurant, a bar, banquet spaces, club lounge and poolside service.
ASSISTANT MANAGER – FRONT OFFICE | Oberoi Hotels and Resorts www.oberoihotels.com
Chennai | July 2007 – October 2008
Deputy to the head of department, in charge of the daily Front Office operations of a 167 room inventory business hotel.
EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS
The University of Nottingham Business School, Nottingham
Masters in Business Administration | Merit, 2011-12
· Graduated with overall merit and a distinction mark in the final dissertation paper on Destination Branding – a detailed analyses of the application of product marketing principles on place marketing, using the ‘GREAT Britain’ campaign as an example.
· Worked with Tata Consultancy Services, Nottingham as a part of the ‘Work Inspiration Project’ and successfully completed a consulting project for the Travel, Transport and Hospitality vertical.
· Worked with Perceptive Informatics, a Nottingham based global e-clinical solutions firm on a consulting project, focusing on adopting the ‘Software as a Service’ model.
Oberoi Centre for Learning and Development, New Delhi
Guest Service Management | PG Diploma, 2005-07
Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, Chandigarh
Public Relations | PG Diploma, 2004-05
St.Xavier’s College, Mumbai
English Literature | Bachelor of Arts, 2001-04
Mayo College Girls’ School, Ajmer
Indian School Certificate, 2001
OTHER INFORMATION
First Language: English and Hindi (speak fluently and read/write with high proficiency).
Other Languages: French (basic reading, writing, listening and speaking skills), Elementary Spanish
Nationality – Indian
Date of birth – 23rd November 1983