Hi, I’m
Sylvia Kamau
Hotel Revenue Management
Nairobi
Summary
A dedicated Revenue Manager with over 5 years experience in the Revenue field in data analytics, pricing strategies, promotional strategies, inventory control and maximizing hotel’s profitability goal.
Overview
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Kwetu Nairobi, Curio Collection by Hilton
Revenue & Reservations Manager (Pre-Opening)
2 2023 - Current
Job overview
- Acts as a liaison between property and regional/corporate systems support
- Configuring the Revenue Management System in collaboration with Cooperate Office
- Inventory and rate controls for the presell dates
- Developing and identifying Compset for STR set up
- Developing the business plan with collaboration with Sales & Marketing team and Finance team
- Utilizing reservations system and demand forecasting systems to determine, implement and control selling strategies
- Analysing market insights via OTA & Market Insight for pricing decisions and determining demand levels for different periods
- Checks distribution channels for hotel positioning, information accuracy and competitor positioning
- Conducts sales strategy analysis and refines as appropriate to increase market share
- Analyzes period end and other available systems data to identify trends, future need periods and obstacles to achieving goals
- Analyzes information and evaluates results to choose the best solution and solve problems
- Assists with account diagnostics process and validates conclusions
- Explores opportunities that drive profit, create value for clients, and encourage innovation; challenges existing processes/systems/products to make improvements
- Collaborating with The Commercial team on monthly Commercial/Strategy meeting focus being 90 days out strategies
- Collaborating with Sales team on Solicitation of Global accounts during RFP Season
- Calculating group rates and providing recommendations on Group Displacement Analysis
- Understands and meets the needs of key stakeholders (owners, corporate, guests, etc.)
- Maintains accurate reservation system information
- Preparing the job descriptions for the team members with collaboration with Human Resources team
- Developing the departmental S.O.P’s
- Recruiting and on boarding the Reservations team.
J W Marriott Masai Mara
Revenue & Reservations Manager (Pre-Opening)
09.2022 - 01.2023
Job overview
- Recruiting the Reservations Team
- Opera PMS Configurations
- Trainings and On Boarding of the team
- Compset Analysis with the Sales team
- Pricing for both Transient and Contracted Packages
- Developing Pricing and Rate Plan for public rates
- Collaborating and recommending contracted pricing with Sales Team
- Training on Marriott commercial tools i.e
- One Yield Certification.
Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport
Revenue & Reservations Manager
06.2019 - 01.2023
Job overview
- Developing strategic Business Plan
- Analyzing and Reporting Revenue Management Data
- Daily, Weekly, Monthly and Yearly forecasting
- Inventory Controls and management
- Pricing and Yield Management
- Developing and piloting the Hotel Revenue Strategy
- Support training functions with revenue enhancing programmes
- Providing industry intelligence through TravelClick and STR
- Business Intelligence Tool for report i.e., Pace/Pick Up Reports
- Conducting Revenue/Forecast and Strategy meetings i.e
- Weekly & Monthly
- Performing Groups Displacement Analysis with collaboration with Sales Team
- Continuous Collaboration with Sales Team on contracted rates i.e
- Corporate/Leisure and Group Rates
- Perform other duties assigned by the General Manager
- Supporting and impacting the Reservation Team
- Reputation Management
- E Commerce and Digital Marketing.
Movenpick Hotel & Residences Nairobi
Reservations Manager
10.2017 - 05.2019
Job overview
- Rate Set up and configurations of the PMS during pre-opening
- Conducted interviews and vigorous trainings for the Pre-opening Team
- Building the Revenue culture through trainings of the Front Office and Reservations Teams
- Monitoring and Controlling the Ideas RMS
- Assist, recommend and liaise with Sales team on pricing of the different market segments
- Creating Booking Links for group bookings
- Liaising with the corporate office on revenue reporting and revenue & reservations related issues
- Rate Loading and configuration in the CRS and PMS
- Conducting and attending the Revenue and Strategic meetings
- Managing room inventory and rates via both PMS and CRS
- Conducting performance review for direct reports
- Monitoring of the daily tasks and duties in the Reservations office
- Performing daily, weekly, and monthly analysis
- Challenge the sales department by analysing the contracts performance
- Ensuring accuracy of the data collection
- Distribution channels optimization.
Villa Rosa Kempinski and Olare Mara Kempinski
Assistant Reservations Manager
01.2015 - 09.2017
Job overview
- Responsible implementation of Kempinski Reservation Standards
- Ensure management of all daily tasks and aspects of reservations
- Assist in developing career path for direct reports
- Training reservations agents on the Kempinski IFH (Reservation Criteria) and ensuring a monthly score of 88% and above is achieved
- Effectively manage and be in control of all inventory
- Reviewing My Fidelio, OCM and PMS
- Managing the inventory and rates in the extranets
- Drawing monthly training plans and reports
- Handing blocking bookings in the PMS
- Ensuring fast and efficient email response within 4 hours
- Training the Sales and Front Office teams on the PMS optimization
- Generating reports in the PMS
- Conducting appraisals for direct reports
- Preparing commission claims for OTA’s.
Jacaranda Group of Hotels LTD
Assistant Front Office Manager
11.2013 - 12.2014
Job overview
- Updating weekly forecast reports
- Circulate daily room revenue reports (DCR) to the team
- Checking on registration cards both physically and through Opera
- Checking on staff grooming
- Checking on staff timetable if it is workable and fair to all
- Assisting the Front Office Manager in submitting end month reports
- Assist reception in group Check in’s
- Checking on discrepancies reports
- System Optimization
- Hold Duty Management shifts
- Ensuring that all operating equipment are in good working conditions
- Ensuring with liaison with the concierge team that transfers have been properly allocated to drivers
- Monitoring and ensuring that PM balances and High Balances have been paid
- Preparing training schedule for the team and organize trainings with the help of HR office
- Developing and Training the team
- Generally assisting the FOM in his duties.
Jacaranda Group of Hotels LTD
Senior Reservationist
05.2012 - 12.2014
Job overview
- Updating weekly forecast reports
- Circulate daily room revenue reports (DCR) to the team
- Checking on registration cards both physically and through Opera
- Checking on staff grooming
- Checking on staff timetable if it is workable and fair to all
- Assisting the Front Office Manager in submitting end month reports
- Assist reception in group Check in’s
- Checking on discrepancies reports
- System Optimization
- Hold Duty Management shifts
- Ensuring that all operating equipment are in good working conditions
- Ensuring with liaison with the concierge team that transfers have been properly allocated to drivers
- Monitoring and ensuring that PM balances and High Balances have been paid
- Preparing training schedule for the team and organize trainings with the help of HR office
- Developing and Training the team
- Generally assisting the FOM in his duties.
Jacaranda Group of Hotels LTD
Senior Reservationist
05.2012 - 10.2013
Job overview
- Reviewing all group blocks and make sure all negotiated rates are applied, payment mode and expected times of arrival
- Checking the correct application of rates by reservation agents
- Responding to inquiries and bookings via email, telephone and walk in
- Preparing forecast on a weekly, monthly and 3-month basis
- Monitoring hotel internet booking engine
- Coordinating with sales on group inquiries, rates and availability status
- Enforce up selling of higher room types
- Confirming or rejecting travel agents allotments
- Spot checking of rates on the hotel internet-booking engine
- Complaint handling
- Leadership and supervision of staff in Reservation
- Preparing reports for Revenue Management meeting
- Coordinating all hotel inquiries for the three units under the group of hotels.
Leopard Beach Resort and Spa
Duty Manager
09.2010 - 05.2011
Job overview
- Assist in-group check in and check out
- Inspecting VIP rooms
- Assist housekeeping in updating room status during high occupancies
- Assist in F&B department in organizing group functions
- Ensuring all stations are mannered accordingly
- Coordinating with FOM in case of over bookings
- Handling complaints.
Holiday Inn Dar es Salaam
Reservation Manager
09.2019 - 08.2010
Job overview
- Responding to inquiries and bookings via emails, telephone, and vouchers
- Coordinating with sales department on rates and availabilities
- Providing all information i.e billing, VIP status on PMS
- Forecasting Weekly, and monthly basis
- Putting bookings into the system for easy check in
- Receiving and confirming bookings through the internet
- Checking that correct billing has been put in the system
- Organizing for airport transfers with the hotel drivers.
Education
E Cornell University
from Hotel Revenue Management
04.2001
Kenya Utalii CollegeNairobi, Nairobi Province, Kenya
from Hotel Management
09.2005
Skills
Revenue Management
Financial Analysis
Data Analysis
Strategic Planning
Performance Reporting
Cross Functional Leadership
Accomplishments
- Increased both Ranking and the Index (RGI) by 20%
- Increased Sell Out Efficiency
- Improved the Revenue Culture
- Preopening 2 properties
- Building Strong Business Relationships
- Improving and Maintaining Guest Satisfaction Index
Educationandprofessionalqualification
- Certificate Hotel Revenue Management; E Cornell
- Diploma in Hotel Management; Kenya Utalii College
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 1987
- Nationality: Kenyan
- Marital Status: Married
References
- Barnabas Wamoto, Cluster General Manager, Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport/JW Marriot Masai Mara, +254700867036, barnabas.wamoto@crowneplazanairobiairport.com
- Samuel Macharia, Group Human Resource Manager, Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport & JW Marriot Masai Mara, +254727642309, samuel.macharia@crowneplazanairobiairport.com
- Eduan Hugo, Portfolio Revenue Manager, Intercontinental Hotel Group (EMEA), +27 716121798, Eduan.hugo@ihg.com
- Anne Murungi, Director, Hospitality Consult Ltd, +254720349233, info@thehospitalityconsult.com
Timeline
Revenue & Reservations Manager (Pre-Opening)
J W Marriott Masai Mara
09.2022 - 01.2023
Reservation Manager
Holiday Inn Dar es Salaam
09.2019 - 08.2010
Revenue & Reservations Manager
Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport
06.2019 - 01.2023
Reservations Manager
Movenpick Hotel & Residences Nairobi
10.2017 - 05.2019
Assistant Reservations Manager
Villa Rosa Kempinski and Olare Mara Kempinski
01.2015 - 09.2017
Assistant Front Office Manager
Jacaranda Group of Hotels LTD
11.2013 - 12.2014
Senior Reservationist
Jacaranda Group of Hotels LTD
05.2012 - 12.2014
Senior Reservationist
Jacaranda Group of Hotels LTD
05.2012 - 10.2013
Duty Manager
Leopard Beach Resort and Spa
09.2010 - 05.2011
E Cornell University
from Hotel Revenue Management
04.2001
Revenue & Reservations Manager (Pre-Opening)
Kwetu Nairobi, Curio Collection by Hilton
2 2023 - Current
Kenya Utalii College
from Hotel Management