Rahul U. Bhadane
Summary
Result driven hospitality professional with 18 years of experience in driving business excellence, customer engagement, revenue growth and experiences. Maintaining track record of exceeding targets, profess relationship with HNI clientele. Skilled in team building and leadership, driving strategies, revenue optimization, business analysis, yield management and account management.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Rooms
The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Mumbai
09.2024 - Current
- Oversaw daily operations of rooms division, ensuring exceptional guest experience and service standards.
- Developed and implemented strategic initiatives to enhance departmental efficiency and profitability.
- Mentored and trained management staff, fostering a collaborative team environment across departments.
- Streamlined processes for front desk operations, improving check-in/check-out efficiency and guest satisfaction.
- Collaborated with housekeeping to maintain high cleanliness standards, enhancing overall guest comfort and satisfaction.
- Coordinated cross-departmental communication, ensuring alignment on service delivery goals and operational excellence.
- Led budget planning for rooms division, spa and salon, identifying areas for cost reduction while maintaining quality standards.
- Facilitated smooth communication between departments to resolve guest issues promptly and prevent recurring problems.
- Collaborated with other department heads to create seamless operational workflows for guests and staff members alike.
- Introduced eco-friendly practices that reduced environmental impact while generating positive publicity for the property.
- Provided training and oversight for large temporary workforce, implementing standardized professional development opportunities and thoughtful leadership protocol to maximize productivity and employee satisfaction.
- Analyzed market trends to identify new opportunities for competitive differentiation within the hospitality sector.
- Oversaw hotel administrative processes, training staff and monitoring budgets for proper planning, compliance and organization.
- Created a welcoming atmosphere by fostering strong teamwork among employees from diverse backgrounds.
- Managed budgets effectively, optimizing resource allocation and cost control measures.
- Optimized staffing levels during peak periods to maintain high-quality service without inflating labor costs.
- Implemented quality control measures, resulting in consistently high housekeeping standards across all rooms.
- Spearheaded renovation projects that modernized facilities while preserving the property''s unique character.
- Increased repeat business by cultivating customer loyalty through personalized service offerings and attention to detail.
- Enhanced team productivity through regular training, performance evaluations, and targeted coaching.
- Ensured compliance with safety regulations by conducting routine inspections, addressing potential hazards, and maintaining proper documentation.
- Improved guest satisfaction by implementing innovative room service techniques and strategies.
- Upheld high standards for customer service and led by example.
- Inspected rooms for damages and sufficient housekeeping practices.
Director Catering Sales
The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai And Taj Mahal Tower
11.2019 - 08.2024
- Leading and managing business of INR 125 crores+ per annum.
- Leading a team of 10 team members to generate business from corporate and social segment.
- Driving market segment strategy to target new accounts.
- Focus on proactive account acquisition
- Analyzing and strategizing to achieve forecasted goals
- Developing the pilot programme of Timeless wedding along with designing a dedicated studio for business.
- Successfully led the team to exceed budgeted revenue by 40% in FY 23 and by 66% over FY 20
- Developed and nurtured key accounts like SBI, TATA, IndusInd Bank to increase corporate segment revenue share by 33%
- Increased average per cover spends by 41% with introduction of premium beverage pricing and curated culinary experiences
- Increased rental income by 60%, introducing revenue yield model per day basis
- Establishing vendor partnerships to generate revenue through profit share model
- Key member of cross functional team to develop alternate revenue streams for IHCL group and implemented the same nationwide
- Mentoring and coaching team members to drive excellence
- Conducting thorough market research and competition analysis to identify new industry trends
- Analyzed market trends to drive innovative marketing strategies, boosting brand visibility and engagement.
- Reduced financial inconsistencies while assessing and verifying billing invoices and expense reports.
- Identified and qualified customer needs and negotiated and closed profitable projects with high success rate.
- Implemented business strategies, increasing revenue, and effectively targeting new markets.
Director Catering Sales
Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai
01.2019 - 10.2019
- Leading an 8-member team to generate revenue from corporate and social segment
- Developing a customer outreach program to identify emerging segments and new business opportunities
- Space utilization to maximize revenue
- Incepting day wise revenue model by analysing historical data and implement sales strategy
- Creatively selling banquet space on long term lease to generate fixed income per annum basis
Associate Director Catering Sales
Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai
04.2017 - 12.2018
- Handling key wedding portfolio at the hotel, increasing the revenue share by 22%
- Conducting daily departmental meetings to ascertain individual business portfolios and guiding the portfolio strategy
Catering Sales Manager
Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai
12.2016 - 03.2017
- Responsible for revenue generation from key portfolios
- Identifying prospective accounts, generating business from new and existing customers
- Analysing market trends & competitor business to effectively increase organization's market share
Account Director
ZO Rooms
09.2015 - 11.2015
- Lead a team of 7 Key Account Managers to generate business from Mumbai Region
- Negotiate and yield the maximum revenue per available room while satisfying client’s needs
- Support acquisition team to identify potential business growth areas
- Maintain relationship with hotel owners to ensure seamless service experience
- Maintain relations with key accounts
Sales Manager
Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai
01.2015 - 08.2015
- Solicit, evaluate, sell and confirm business as required to meet individual goals and overall budgeted sales & profitability
- Maintain relations with key account through strategic sales calls
- Negotiation with existing and new accounts to achieve maximum revenue while satisfying client needs
- Conduct portfolio analysis to seek potential business
Event Sales Manager
Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai
11.2013 - 12.2014
- Generate catering leads for the hotel by strategic sales call and prospecting
- Oversee all aspects of client liaison and build new client relationships on a continuous basis
- Deal with corporate business and social events for selling and detailing of the event
Events Planning Manager
Grand Hyatt Goa
11.2012 - 10.2013
- Conducting site inspections as and when required & providing site inspection response to sales team in timely manner
- Managing group room blocks and meeting spaces
- Liaise and work closely with related operation departments ensuring guest requests and expectations are being met
- Conducting banquet event order meeting with all operational departments to communicate event requirement and event flow to ensure a seamless operation
- Conducting pre and post event assessment
Assistant Manager, Conference & Events
Grand Hyatt Goa
09.2011 - 10.2012
- Successfully planned and handled high profile corporate events and handled large weddings with efficient planning and man management
- Liaise with the sales and events team for event detailing and planning
- Effectively liaise with the event management firm and the event host in case of any changes to the itinerary and deliver optimum customer service
- Effectively conduct employee training and ensuring optimal service is delivered to clients
Supervisor Food & Beverage Services
Marriott Victoria & Albert, Manchester, UK
05.2007 - 05.2011
- Participated in the re-launch of the restaurant and bar outlets with regional/seasonal food menu
- Overtook the responsibility of training associates with regional food knowledge and pairing appropriate beverages
- Abridged labour cost from 24.3% to 19.7% by introducing flexible daily forecasting of staffing levels. Also responsible for the reduction in beverage cost to 18.3%, utilising inventory spreadsheets with all alcoholic beverages with the help of a par stock system
- Conducted daily meetings with the associates ensuring that they are up-to-date with the events
Shift Leader, Food & Beverage Services
Renaissance Hotel, Manchester, UK
07.2005 - 04.2007
Education
MBA - Strategy, Operations & Marketing
Manchester Metropolitan University Business School
05.2010
Bachelor - Hotel Operations and Business Management
Institute of Hotel Management
04.2004
Skills
- Leadership
- Problem-solving abilities
- Reliability
- Organizational skills
- Sales
- Strategizing
- Key Account Management
- Revenue Yield Management
- Analytical Skills
- Negotiation Skills
- Budgeting
- Business Development
- Event Conceptualization
- Event Planning
- Optimum Venue Utilization
- Guest satisfaction
- Staff development
- Performance analysis
- Revenue optimization
- Front office operations
- Safety and security
- Guest services
- Standard operating procedures
- Staff training and development
- Guest complaint resolution
- Room inspections
- Front desk management
- Complaint handling
- Room allocation
- Attention to detail
- Decision-making
- Hotel operations
- Operational efficiency
- Client consultations
- Crisis management
LANGUAGES
English
Hindi
Marathi
Timeline
Director of Rooms
The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Mumbai
09.2024 - Current
Director Catering Sales
The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai And Taj Mahal Tower
11.2019 - 08.2024
Director Catering Sales
Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai
01.2019 - 10.2019
Associate Director Catering Sales
Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai
04.2017 - 12.2018
Catering Sales Manager
Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai
12.2016 - 03.2017
Account Director
ZO Rooms
09.2015 - 11.2015
Sales Manager
Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai
01.2015 - 08.2015
Event Sales Manager
Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai
11.2013 - 12.2014
Events Planning Manager
Grand Hyatt Goa
11.2012 - 10.2013
Assistant Manager, Conference & Events
Grand Hyatt Goa
09.2011 - 10.2012
Supervisor Food & Beverage Services
Marriott Victoria & Albert, Manchester, UK
05.2007 - 05.2011
Shift Leader, Food & Beverage Services
Renaissance Hotel, Manchester, UK
07.2005 - 04.2007
Bachelor - Hotel Operations and Business Management
Institute of Hotel Management
MBA - Strategy, Operations & Marketing
Manchester Metropolitan University Business School
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