Amsterdam, Holland
It’s March 2019, I have the travel bug and it is so close to the Brexit “date” (ifykyk) that it’s now or never. Knowing that I wanted to live “somewhere in Europe”, I was packing my bags and swapping out all my summer gear to start again. From needing to switch jobs every 6 months as part of my visa requirements to having the flexibility to work freely in Amsterdam, I was eager to get back into the hotel industry and meet brand new people once again. Funnily enough, I ended up starting with a hotel which originated from London and had not long opened their doors in Amsterdam…
Front Office Supervisor | Soho House LTD
March 2019 - February 2020
Soho House is not just a hotel but also a private members club which has a private cinema, gym, spa, rooftop pool and 3 restaurants so, building relationships among departments was key to the overall company success. I delivered high touch hospitality where discretion and detail mattered. The front office was the first touch point of our members, meaning I was as a key point of contact for the smooth operations of the 6 floors of the Amsterdam House and it’s 79 bedrooms whilst also supporting several private events daily.
Working closely with the membership team on VIP amenities and their events, I learned pretty quickly the art of multi-tasking and how to personally engage with members and their guests in a memorable way. As a natural leader, I had the unique opportunity to support the Reservation and Revenue teams with their deliverables, becoming a trusted go to person for Soho House systems, policies and front office operations.
Alongside day to day leadership and problem solving, I managed projects focused on guest experience, team development and private functions, working closely with the Front Office Managers & Catering staff to improve our teams. Handling complex complaints across several departments, I ensured services standards remained exceptional and always with a member-first mindset.
Operations Supervisor | The Student Hotel, now The Social Hub
February 2020 - February 2022
Hungry for a bit more chaos, I joined The Student Hotel’s largest property in Amsterdam with 700 bedrooms. As 3 separate buildings, I was now tasked with managing the everyday emotions of students, guests and all the in between. As a hotel that supported international students and business people alike, our team was there to make your life easier…and more social.
Now, you can only imagine the logistical challenge that comes with trying to please all members of the public so this role required me to be a shapeshifter. To know who I was talking to and when to tone it up, and very much tone it down. Business people and students in the same location is something we still don’t see today, but it worked.
Leading operations, I was there to ensure service standards remained consistent across all departments by remaining clear with communication, especially in light of Covid-19. With new rules and regulations so soon after I joined, I was back in the thick of change. From managing the logistics of a changing hotel system (Opera to Mews), new semester arrivals and Covid-19 to making video content for our orientations, I was able to bring standards up and support our staff in a brand new way.
Alongside operations, I supported student and social events, toured prospective long term guests and continued to maintain contact with leadership. By doing so, we were able to achieve a strong guest experience in a tense and stressful time of our lives.
Recognised for my skills with in-person complaint handling, I was again, fortunate enough to work with the Reservations teams as a knowledge base for our clients in house and how we can better manage their expectations before they arrive to the front desk.
Office & Events Manager | Messagebird, now Bird
May 2022 - August 2023
Following the end of my contract and with the theme of always challenging myself, I moved into the Tech industry and was tasked with full ownership of supporting global and diverse teams through exciting events while also keeping the office buzzing with energy.
Notably, I led a three-day “Sales Kick Off” at our Amsterdam HQ with 150 attendees for an exciting product launch. With 3 weeks to prepare, we had flown in our colleagues from the USA and had brought (some) to Amsterdam for the very first time. From breakfast to personal gifts and cocktail evenings, I was there to bring everyone together in a meaningful way.
Evidently impressing the CEO with the event, I was thrown a unique opportunity to support the 4 day global offsite in Marbella, Spain for 650 employees across the globe. Bringing colleagues together (again some for the first time) from Africa, The USA, Canada and Asia - I handled everything communications to merchandise and the day to day logistics. The goal? A flawless, unforgettable experience with 3 months to prepare and we nailed it!
Day to day, I was the heart of the headquarters and the go to person for all things office and administration. I boosted our office attendance by 50% through fun engagement initiatives and lunches, coordinated all our onboarding materials across the globe and supported our C-Suite with any last minute ad hoc requests. Known for my creativity, I was able to inspire conversation during our rooftop lunches & afternoons to Mario Kart game nights for the busy engineers - as someone with so many interests, finding something for everyone was my speciality.
After a company wide decision to go fully remote, it was time to say goodbye and I took with me the best memories one could have in such a big company. Amsterdam showed me the magic of self starters, sheer will and becoming your own method of transport. Immersing myself into Dutch culture was not easy, but learning their language made me more curious, more adaptable and able to appreciate a different outlook on life and it’s challenges.
Embracing my own self discovery and new found love, I packed my bags again to support someone I care deeply about. A new country to live in before I moved to the other side of the world might stress some people out, but quite frankly, this was exactly my cup of tea.