Elsa Harris
Riverview,FL
Summary
Dedicated hospitality professional with a history of meeting company goals utilizing consistent and organized practices. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to best enhance the organizational brand. Strong leader and problem-solver dedicated to streamlining operations to decrease costs and promote organizational efficiency. Uses independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Managing Director/CEO
Café Gustoso
10.2020 - Current
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
- Implemented process improvement to shape organizational culture, optimize procedures for higher efficiency and help company evolve and grow.
- Implemented business strategies, increasing revenue, and effectively targeting new markets.
- Oversaw complex negotiations with suppliers/vendors for favorable contract terms that led to cost savings.
- Delivered consistent revenue growth by identifying new business opportunities and expanding service offerings.
- Tracked employee attendance and punctuality, addressing repeat problems quickly to prevent long-term habits.
- Scheduled employees for shifts, taking into account customer traffic and employee strengths.
- Monitored and coordinated workflows to optimize resources.
- Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.
- Oversaw operations and provided corrective feedback to achieve daily and long-term goals.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
- Established high-performing executive team, recruiting top talent from diverse industries to drive organizational excellence.
- Managed purchasing, sales, marketing and customer account operations efficiently.
- Demonstrated leadership skills in managing projects from concept to completion.
Professor - Front Office Operations
Monroe College
02.2020 - Current
- Preparing course syllabi
- Mentoring students
- Presenting lectures
- Creating supplemental instructional materials
- Accurately evaluating students' progress
- Graded quizzes, tests, homework, and projects to provide students with timely academic progress information and feedback.
- Championed diversity within our department through recruitment efforts, inclusive curriculum design, and community outreach events.
- Maintained regular office hours to provide struggling students with additional course help.
- Researched and selected course texts and supplemental learning materials.
- Strengthened department reputation by presenting at conferences, serving on committees, and participating in professional organizations.
- Built strong rapport with students through class discussions and academic advisement.
- Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills, resulting in clear subject matter discussion with students.
- Reviewed program materials and coordinated updates to keep department materials relevant and accurate.
- Met with students to dispense study and career advice and provide guidance and potential opportunities within chosen field.
- Enhanced student understanding by designing interactive and engaging lectures.
- Participated in various campus memberships at each assigned school to promote academics and faculty development.
- Evaluated student progress using both formative and summative assessments to provide targeted feedback for continuous improvement.
Catering Manager
Mo's Caribbean Café
01.2018 - 08.2019
- Developed positive working relationship with existing customers for repeat business
- Managed team of three catering staff for successful execution of catering events.
- Enhanced financial controls to minimize theft and loss risks, continuously maintaining accurate accounts and cash drawers.
- Developed strong vendor relationships, securing cost-effective contracts and improving overall service quality.
- Managed high-quality food preparation and presentation, ensuring consistent client satisfaction.
- Assisted in developing marketing materials to showcase our company's catering services to potential clients effectively.
- Handled payment collection and payroll of 5 employees
Human Resource Assistant Manager
Harris Custom Brokerage
07.2015 - 07.2018
- Kept up-to-date files of employee records to monitor performance, promotions and salary changes
- Filed and kept staff documents and monitoring performances
- Maintained Excel spreadsheet with company data ensuring that information was organized and easy to filter and find
- Responsible for overall recruitment of staff, conducting interviews and identifying talent fit for our organization.
- Enhanced team workflows and employee job satisfaction by coordinating communication between managers and employees.
- Coordinated technical training and personal development classes for staff members.
- Reduced process gaps while supervising employees to achieve optimal productivity.
- Enhanced employee retention by implementing effective onboarding and training programs.
- Fostered positive work environment through comprehensive employee relations program.
General Manager
L'Escape Guest House, Restaurant and Bar
06.2016 - 09.2016
- Responsible for overall management of day to day running of L'Escape's Restaurant and Staff
- Ensured that orders were delivered timely by maintaining constant communication with both kitchen staff and front of house
- Supported bar staff by making and serving various cocktails and drinks
- Performed various front desk duties to include check-in and check-out of guest, running reports and working closely with housekeeping to turnover rooms and doing so effectively
- Developed and executed strategic plans for business growth and expansion, resulting in increased market share.
- Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures, and technology systems.
- Scheduled employees for shifts, taking into account customer traffic and employee strengths.
Front Desk Agent /Internship
Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort
06.2016 - 09.2016
- Registered new guest using OPERA ensuring that details are correctly captured and any special request are fulfilled
- Answered and directed calls to appropriate and requested departments
- Performed cashier related functions such as posting charges to guest accounts, raising pay outs and currency exchange
- Worked within reservations department where appropriate training was received and made same day reservations and future reservations as requested
- Worked within various departments across Sugar Beach resort to build on my knowledge while building relationships.
- Oversaw fast-paced front desk operations and guests' needs at busy facility
- Managed room inventory effectively, ensuring optimal occupancy rates and revenue generation
- Prepared reports on guest satisfaction levels and other metrics
- Issued room keys to guests upon check-in and answered questions regarding proper use
- Enforced policies and procedures to increase efficiency
Education
Master of Science - Global Hospitality Management
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA08.2019
Bachelor of Science - Hotel Lodging And Management
Johnson And Wales University
North Miami, FL05.2017
Skills
Staff Management
Microsoft Office
Client Relationships
Customer Service
Strategic Planning
Management
Communication
Motivating
Professionalism
Partnership Development
Effective leader
Staff Management
Organizational Skills
Goal Setting
Project Experience
Served on a team of four to plan several events which included weddings, parties and formal ceremonies
References
- Korina Hippolyte, Reservations Manager, Sugar Beach Resort, Soufriere, (758)-485-9348, Korina.hippolyte@viceroyhotelsandresorts.com
- Angel Labadie, CEO, Nerv's Taxi and Auto Rental Services Inc, BeanField, Vieux-Fort, Saint Lucia, (758)-716-1857, angellabadie@hotmail.com
- Maria Robles, Office Manager, 340 SW 97th Avenue, Pembroke Pines, Florida, 33025, (954)-816-6098, mdaneliarg@gmail.com
- Dr. Soon-Ho Kim, Graduate Faculty Director, Regynald G. Washington Master of Global Hospitality Management, Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality Administration, J. Mack Robinson College of Business, Georgia, 30302-3988, (404)-413-7619, skim@gsu.edu
Accomplishments
- Achieved Best employee of the month through effectively helping with front office services.
- Supervised team of 15 staff members.
Timeline
Managing Director/CEO
Café Gustoso
10.2020 - Current
Professor - Front Office Operations
Monroe College
02.2020 - Current
Catering Manager
Mo's Caribbean Café
01.2018 - 08.2019
General Manager
L'Escape Guest House, Restaurant and Bar
06.2016 - 09.2016
Front Desk Agent /Internship
Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort
06.2016 - 09.2016
Human Resource Assistant Manager
Harris Custom Brokerage
07.2015 - 07.2018
Master of Science - Global Hospitality Management
Georgia State University
Bachelor of Science - Hotel Lodging And Management
Johnson And Wales University