RAKESH JHA
MUMBAI
Summary
Seasoned hospitality professional with a proven track record at Adlabs Imagicaa, Malpani & Miraj Group enhancing guest experiences and driving revenue growth. Skilled in large-scale operations management and adept at fostering team collaboration. Demonstrates exceptional strategy formulation and project execution, significantly boosting profitability and stakeholder engagement.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Park - Statue of Belief
Miraj Group
UDAIPUR
10.2020 - 08.2024
- 351-Foot-Tall (Statue of Belief) to be the world's tallest Shiva statue, even taller than the Qutub Minar.
- The World's 4th Largest Statue.
- India is all set to witness another giant statue of 351 feet in height
- Named the Statue of Belief, the mammoth sculpture being erected on a horizontally colossal base is a major tourist attraction at a 50-km drive from Udaipur, the city of lakes in Rajasthan.
- Administered HR functions efficiently.
- Managed daily operations across multiple departments, including ticketing, security, and maintenance.
- Oversaw collaboration between multiple teams to maintain statue and surroundings to world-class standards.
- Conducted staff training sessions on evacuation protocols and emergency procedures.
- Initiated new revenue opportunities by launching guided tours, souvenir & retail, digital ticket platforms, snowpark & attractions including gamezone and various event.
- Technology Integration :- Leverage technology to enhance operations, such as queue management, ticketing systems, and cashless payments.
- Developed and implemented strategies for seamless guest services.
- Monitoring health and safety.
- Stakeholder Management :- Work closely with local government, tourism boards, and other stakeholders to promote the Statue of Belief also interaction with vendors, service providers, and contractors to ensure high-quality services.
- Overseeing the park's finances, staff management, planning, and implementing strategies to achieve constant improvements in visitor and employee satisfaction.
- Visitor Flow Management: Manage large crowds during peak seasons or festivals while ensuring a seamless experience.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Develop programs and practices that respect and promote the cultural and spiritual significance of the statue.
- Special Events: Plan and execute events like light shows, religious ceremonies, or cultural performances to attract diverse audiences.
- Community Engagement: Collaborate with local communities to create opportunities for employment and involvement.
- Marketing and Branding :- Collaborate with the marketing team to develop campaigns that boost footfall and visibility & Promote the site as a must-visit destination locally and globally.
- Overseeing the effective application of health and safety regulations and risk assessment to ensure a safe environment for park employees and the public.
- Setting budgetary and financial strategies, project managing, P&L, general park developments, and liaising with contractors for the installation and integration of facilities.
- Managed an extensive team of 350 professionals.
- Reported to MD
- WEBSITE: www.statueofbelief.com
SENIOR MANAGER - OPERATIONS
MAGIC MOUNTAIN & WET N JOY (MALPANI GROUP)
LONAVALA
08.2019 - 10.2020
- Directed daily operations for the theme park and water park, ensuring streamlined processes and efficient management across all functions
- Established and implemented key operational protocols, including comprehensive handbooks, detailed logs, and procedural guidelines to ensure consistency and efficiency
- Launched engaging entertainment activities, curated attractive combo offers, and optimized ticket pricing strategies to enhance visitor experience and maximize revenue
- Ensured full compliance with IMS standards across all departments by implementing structured frameworks and conducting regular evaluations
- Introduced foundational practices such as optimized manpower allocation, standardized communication protocols, and ride handover processes to improve operational precision and team collaboration
- Conducted regular internal audits to assess performance metrics, identify areas for improvement, and maintain high-quality operational standards
- Identified and resolved operational challenges by initiating corrective and preventive actions, fostering a culture of continuous improvement
- Led periodic reviews to monitor the effective implementation of IMS-compliant processes, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and industry benchmarks
- Reporting To: COO
- Team Size: 150+ employees
Operations Head
Adlabs Imagicaa
MUMBAI
12.2012 - 08.2019
- ADLABS ENTERTAINMENT's IMAGICA is India's Largest Theme Park & Water Park on the outskirts of Mumbai, 2.5 hours Drive, with 22 Rides and Attractions, Some of which Indians have never experienced.
- Managed daily activities of both Theme Park and Water Park.
- Developed operation systems and procedures.
- Managed targeted annual revenues and EBITDA effectively.
- Ensured safe operations of rides and attractions.
- Managed resource allocation across all services, both park-wide and in customer relations.
- Handled all aspects of park facility management, ensuring smooth operations across various areas.
- Developed SOPs and processes.
- Ensured safety of park visitors and employees at all times.
- Led recruitment, manpower planning, and organizational structure design.
- Planned and executed promotions and events.
- Evaluated operational requirements and collaborated with teams to adopt advanced technologies, streamline processes, and elevate guest experiences for enhanced park operations.
- Exert authority over every activity taking place in the attraction or theme park. Inspect facilities and equipment on a regular basis; authorize repairs and renovations as and when required.
- Ensured statutory compliance, including operating licensing and renewals.
- Developed and implemented training protocols focusing on SOP compliance, product expertise, and grievance resolution.
- Managed daily operations of billion-dollar theme park with over 22 rides and shows.
- Managed business heads of Attractions, Safety & Compliance, Entry Operations, Guest Services, Park Services, and Operations.
- Planning & Projects, VIP Tours & Special Events, event Services, and Training & Development.
- Directed a team of 400 members.
- Reporting to CEO
- Website:www.adlabsimagicaa.com
PROCESS MANAGER - OPERATIONS
S2S IT SOLUTIONS
MUMBAI
05.2007 - 09.2012
- To connect with senior-level professionals effectively and ensure successful participation in Dun & Bradstreet's events by communicating the value and relevance of event.
- Identify the target audience (managers, senior managers, executives, CXOs, etc.). Based on event objectives and industry focus.
- Develop a calling script tailored to the audience, emphasizing the key benefits of attending the event.
- Trained telecallers on Dun & Bradstreet brand and event significance.
- Structured detailed briefings for events covering all aspects such as schedule of events, speaker details, key discussion points, and venue specifics.
- Execution :- Networking opportunities with industry leaders for them , Access to exclusive insights and research, Potential business growth strategies shared during the event.
- Offer details about registration processes, fees (if any), and early-bird offers.
- Schedule follow-ups for those interested but unable to confirm immediately
- Data Management :- Call outcomes (e.g., interested, declined, needs follow-up).
- Key feedback and concerns from potential attendees.
- Updated contact information.
- Post-Call Follow-Up
- Reporting
- Supervised a team consisting of 3 Team Leaders, 45 Team Coaches, and 10 frontline staff.
- Evaluated sales KPIs, providing thorough analysis and reports.
- Conceived up-selling initiatives.
- Focused on revenue generation as per the client requirement; identified causes of customer dissatisfaction and suggested corrective actions.
- Analyzed processes to identify hand-offs, gaps, and potential failure points against customer expectations.
- Reviewed process performance to identify out-of-pattern trends and identify potential customer impacts upstream.
Education
MBA - Sales and Marketing
Madurai Kamraj University
Madurai01.2011
Bachelor of Arts -
Madurai Kamraj University
Madurai01.2008
Skills
- Hospitality professional with over 15 years of expertise in diverse fields of events, entertainment, amusement parks, theme parks, water parks, statue and botanical parks
- Worked for Major Big Brands from industry ie Adlabs Imagicaa , Malpani Group & Miraj
- Pre - opening specialist with hands-on skills to do a project from start to finish
- Master planner and strategist with an out of box thinking, willing to take on risks and adept at turning around projects and steering it towards profitability
- Strong business acumen with skills to remain on the cutting edge, drive new business through conceptualizing strategies, augmenting & streamlining businesses, implementing promotions etc
- Excellent communication and people management skills that have been honed through managing multi-skilled teamsled teams
- Exceptionally well-organized, with a track record that demonstrates self-motivation, creativity, and initiative to achieve both personal and corporate goals
- Large-scale Operations Management
- Revenue Generation Strategies
- Vendor Sourcing and Alliance Development
- Financial Planning
- Budgeting & Cost Control
- Event and Attraction Conceptualization
- Project Execution and Coordination
- CSR and Community Engagement
- Trust and NPO Compliance
- Marketing Strategy and Visitor Conversion
- Stakeholder Engagement
Domainexposure
- Innovation & Experience Design: Introduced cutting-edge Projection Mapping (light and sound show) to captivate audiences, managing end-to-end P&L responsibilities and coordinating with third-party creative teams.
- Facility Maintenance and Enhancement: Directed timely cleaning, painting, and maintenance activities for the statue, preserving its aesthetic and structural integrity.
- Adventure Zone Development: Conceptualized and operationalized an adventure zone featuring attractions like zip lining, driving visitor engagement through unique recreational offerings.
- Team Training and Development: Conducted periodic training sessions across departments to enhance staff competence, ensuring consistent service excellence.
- Celebrity Engagement: Collaborated with Bollywood celebrities to amplify the attraction's brand value and visitor appeal, securing high-profile endorsements.
- Infrastructure Management: Supervised construction activities, vendor negotiations, and manpower allocation for timely completion.
- Snow Park Establishment: Ideated, developed, and executed India's second-largest snow park, forming alliances with third-party investors and vendors to deliver a world-class attraction.
- Procurement and Vendor Management: Strategized procurement for daily operational needs by identifying optimal vendors, negotiating competitive price points, and ensuring efficient logistics management.
- Security and Housekeeping Excellence: Oversaw security protocols and housekeeping operations to maintain a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for all visitors.
- Pre-Opening and Visitor Growth: Played a pivotal role from the pre-opening phase, driving footfall to over 1.5 million visitors within the first year of operations through targeted strategies and exceptional execution.
Trainings & enhancements
- Train the Trainer (TTT)
- Leadership Training
- Soft skills training (Effective communication)
- Tech Based training on capturing guest satisfaction index
- CRM Training
Accomplishments
- Certified Internal Auditor
- Certified Fire Fighter
- Certified Aquatic Facility Operator
Languages
English
First Language
HINDI
Proficient (C2)
C2
MARATHI
Proficient (C2)
C2
GUJRATI
Intermediate (B1)
B1
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Head of Park - Statue of Belief
Miraj Group
10.2020 - 08.2024
SENIOR MANAGER - OPERATIONS
MAGIC MOUNTAIN & WET N JOY (MALPANI GROUP)
08.2019 - 10.2020
Operations Head
Adlabs Imagicaa
12.2012 - 08.2019
PROCESS MANAGER - OPERATIONS
S2S IT SOLUTIONS
05.2007 - 09.2012
MBA - Sales and Marketing
Madurai Kamraj University
Bachelor of Arts -
Madurai Kamraj University
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