DAVINA BLACKLEY
Tainui,New Zealand
Summary
"To leverage my extensive experience in relationship management, team leadership, and operational efficiency to deliver exceptional results and foster a collaborative work environment. With a proven ability to develop innovative strategies, drive performance improvements, and adapt to diverse challenges, I aim to contribute to the success and growth of a forward-thinking organization across various industries.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Hotel Duty Manager
Distinction Hotel 4.5 star hotel
Dunedin CBD, Dunedin
02.2021 - Current
- Conducted daily meetings with front desk and housekeeping personnel to discuss arrivals, special requests and operational challenges.
- Spearheaded daily operations, ensuring optimal guest satisfaction and operational efficiency.
- Fostered relationships with local businesses and organizations to drive additional revenue streams.
- Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
- Handled customer complaints professionally while providing solutions in a timely manner.
- Developed and enforced operational policies and procedures to improve overall efficiency.
- Developed and implemented hotel policies and procedures.
- Prepared weekly staffing schedules based on occupancy levels and budget constraints.
- Generated reports detailing occupancy rates, revenue figures, labor costs.
- Reconciled payroll discrepancies by reviewing time sheets, production charts and wage tables, correct payroll discrepancies
- Prepared and submitted payroll reports for review by senior management.
- Managed electronic timekeeping systems or manually collected and reviewed timesheets.
- Resolved discrepancies between payroll records and employee inquiries.
- Onboarded new employees in time reporting and payroll systems.
Tour Guide/Administrative Assistant
Good Company Tours
Dunedin, New Zealand
04.2017 - 08.2020
- Developed guest relationships to achieve high level of satisfaction.
- Displayed strong public speaking and communication skills to facilitate high quality guest tours.
- Managed booking systems and tour reservations to ensure efficient tour allocation and guest satisfaction.
- Conducted research on new destinations or attractions to add to the existing itinerary.
- Navigated through diverse weather conditions and environments to deliver tours without compromising quality or safety.
- Organized and conducted daily tours for groups of up to 30 people.
- Researched site history and environmental conditions to plan appropriate expeditions, instruction and commentary.
- Monitored visitors' activities to verify compliance with establishment, tour regulations and safety practices.
- Organized and guided tours for participants from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Sales and Customer Service Representative
Tourist Information Site
Granada, Spain
12.2017 - 05.2019
- Recruited, hired and trained new hires to optimize profitability.
- Provided every customer with comprehensive assistance upon entering store through merchandise selection and completion of purchases.
- Analyzed market trends to identify potential areas for growth.
- Maintained an understanding of competitive landscape in order to effectively respond to changing market dynamics.
- Ensured compliance with all applicable laws and regulations related to the sale of goods or services.
Restaurant Supervisor
The Boatshed
Sunshine Coast, Australia
06.2013 - 06.2015
- Developed menus for special events such as banquets, weddings or private parties based on budget considerations.
- Customer service management, conflict/dispute resolution
- Reservation management - open table
- Liquor licence holder (General Manager Certificate)
- Managed event timelines, ensuring all milestones are met and communicated to relevant parties.
- Maintained adherence to client-event requirements through delegation, prioritizing and management of production phases from concept to execution.
- Maximized team performance by training new employees on proper food handling and restaurant protocols.
- Worked in cooperation with front and back of house staff to ensure smooth operations.
Tour Guide and Bus Driver
Stray Travel
Auckland, New Zealand
05.2010 - 05.2011
- Driving a 45 seater bus from Auckland /Queenstown to conduct adventure Tours (21 day tours)
- Led guided tours and informational talks for large groups to showcase attractions and highlights.
- Navigated through diverse weather conditions and environments to deliver tours without compromising quality or safety.
- Displayed strong public speaking skills and communication abilities to facilitate highest quality tour for guests.
- Managed tour scheduling, including private and group tours, to optimize guest satisfaction and operational efficiency.
- Instruct guests in proper use of outdoor equipment such as mountain bikes, canoes, kayaks.
- Respond quickly in emergency situations using first aid knowledge to provide medical assistance if needed.
- Promote sustainable tourism practices by encouraging eco-friendly behavior among guests.
Education
New Zealand Diploma of Tourism and Travel - Human Resource Management, Sales and Marketing, Hotel Management
Southern Institute of Technology
08.2020
Skills
- Guest relations management
- Health and safety compliance
- Staff training and development
- Office and staff streamlining
- Marketing
- Account administration
- Interpersonal communications
- Staff scheduling
- Quality assurance
- Safety procedures
- Tourism management
- Strong leadership
- Cultural sensitivity
- Public speaking
- Crisis management
- Team building
- Pivotal role in two restaurant start ups in New York and London
Hobbies and Interests
- Motorcycles
- Interior design
- Gym
- Yoga
- Scuba Diving
- Hiking
- Traveling
- Indoor plants
Travel
Broadening Horizons, Visited 30 Countries, Lived in Australia, London, Spain
Personality
- Vibrant
- Empathic
- Relatable
- Even-keeled under pressure
- Determined
- Trustworthy
- Reliable
Certification
- Managers Certificate (2024)
- Class 2 Drivers licence
- Current First Aid
- Rescue Dive Cerificate
- Certified Massage Therapist
Languages
Spanish
Limited
Affiliations
- Scuba diving
- Motorcycling
- Yoga
- Extreme Sports
- Meditating
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Hotel Duty Manager
Distinction Hotel 4.5 star hotel
02.2021 - Current
Sales and Customer Service Representative
Tourist Information Site
12.2017 - 05.2019
Tour Guide/Administrative Assistant
Good Company Tours
04.2017 - 08.2020
Restaurant Supervisor
The Boatshed
06.2013 - 06.2015
Tour Guide and Bus Driver
Stray Travel
05.2010 - 05.2011
- Managers Certificate (2024)
- Class 2 Drivers licence
- Current First Aid
- Rescue Dive Cerificate
- Certified Massage Therapist
New Zealand Diploma of Tourism and Travel - Human Resource Management, Sales and Marketing, Hotel Management
Southern Institute of Technology
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