Emeka U. Anusionwu
Philadelphia,PA
Summary
Strategic and innovative leader in urban economic development and hospitality management with 10+ years of progressive experience across public and private sectors. Adept at designing citywide initiatives that uplift small businesses, enhance public safety, and strengthen the nighttime economy. Proven record of translating community needs into actionable policies and award-winning programs.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Nighttime Economy
City of Philadelphia – Department of Commerce
10.2023 - Current
- Played an integral part in the planning of the city’s strategic vision for the nighttime economy, developing and implementing initiatives that enhance public safety, economic inclusion, and cultural vibrancy across Philadelphia’s after-dark landscape.
- Conceived the Sip-Safe Philly initiative, a pioneering anti-drink spiking program in collaboration with nightlife venues, public health officials, and community partners.
- Co-designed and expanded the Liberty Bell Safe Certification Program (LBSCP) a Commerce-supported training and recognition initiative that enhances nightlife safety by providing education on sexual violence prevention, emergency response protocols, and comprehensive harm-reduction strategies.
- Foster cross-sector partnerships with nightlife operators, public agencies, harm-reduction advocates, and cultural organizations to shape equitable and community-responsive nightlife policies.
- Create multilingual outreach campaigns and engagement strategies that elevate access to city services for small business owners, especially those from historically underserved communities.
- Conduct in-depth data analysis and policy research to inform strategic planning and program development; manage CRM platforms like QuickBase to track performance outcomes, business touchpoints, and measurable program impact.
- Represent the City of Philadelphia at local and national conferences (e.g., Sociable City Summit) to promote innovative practices in night-time economic management and urban placemaking.
Operations Manager
Bankroll Club
12.2022 - 06.2023
- Spearheaded front-of-house (FOH) operations for the grand opening of a $25M premier sports and dining venue, playing a key leadership role in establishing the brand’s identity, service standards, and operational structure.
- Designed, implemented, and standardized FOH operating procedures, training manuals, and onboarding programs—ensuring consistent delivery of high-touch hospitality experiences across all guest touchpoints.
- Led hiring and development of a diverse FOH team, including supervisors, servers, hosts, and support staff; instilled a culture of accountability, service excellence, and professionalism from pre-opening through day-to-day operations.
- Directed high-volume, fast-paced service operations with a dedicated focus on elevated experiences for VIP clientele and private membership guests—managing personalized service protocols and exclusive events.
- Oversaw labor cost analysis, payroll forecasting, compliance reporting, and inventory management while maintaining budget alignment and maximizing operational efficiency.
- Collaborated with culinary, marketing, and technology teams to ensure seamless integration of guest services, events programming, and POS functionality.
- Conducted daily cash reconciliation, end-of-day financial reporting, and compliance audits to ensure financial transparency and adherence to regulatory standards.
General Manager – Stratus Rooftop Lounge & Red Owl Tavern
Kimpton Hotel Monaco
04.2021 - 12.2022
- Directed overall business strategy, daily operations, and team performance for two award-winning hospitality concepts within a premier boutique hotel, overseeing FOH and BOH teams of 40+ staff.
- Developed and implemented cost-containment initiatives, resulting in improved profit and loss (P&L) margins and a measurable increase in employee retention through enhanced scheduling practices, training programs, and team engagement strategies.
- Drove revenue growth through curated programming, seasonal menu optimization, and collaboration with marketing teams on branded experiences and corporate partnerships.
- Cultivated a culture of excellence in guest service, leading to consistent high guest satisfaction scores and recognition from executive leadership for outstanding service and operational consistency.
- Led hiring, onboarding, and professional development of all front-of-house leadership and hourly staff, prioritizing equity, hospitality standards, and team cohesion.
- Partnered with hotel leadership on long-range planning, forecasting, and brand-aligned initiatives to ensure both concepts maintained relevance and profitability within the highly competitive Philadelphia dining and nightlife scene.
Operations Team Manager
Evolution Gaming
01.2019 - 03.2021
- Supervised and led a team of 60+ operations personnel across multiple shifts, overseeing staffing logistics, performance evaluations, conflict resolution, and employee engagement initiatives to ensure seamless daily operations.
- Streamlined workforce management by designing and executing performance review frameworks, goal-setting protocols, and productivity benchmarks that elevated team accountability and output.
- Coordinated cross-departmental projects and leveraged internal workflow platforms including JIRA, TTS, WIKI, EVO Desk, and NEVOS to optimize operational efficiency—resulting in a 15% increase in service delivery speed.
- Partnered with senior leadership to identify process improvement opportunities and implement training initiatives that enhanced team capabilities and reduced turnover.
- Recognized with an internal Leadership Excellence Award for outstanding contributions to team morale, staff retention, and departmental collaboration.
VIP Manager
1925 Lounge
01.2016 - 08.2018
- Curated exclusive nightlife experiences tailored for high-profile clientele, including celebrities, athletes, and VIP guests—enhancing brand prestige and customer loyalty.
- Secured and maintained high-value partnerships with private clients, event promoters, and corporate sponsors, contributing to sustained revenue growth and increased event bookings.
- Led staffing operations, including recruitment, scheduling, and performance management for front-of-house personnel, ensuring exceptional service aligned with luxury hospitality standards.
- Developed and implemented service training protocols focused on discretion, guest personalization, and high-touch engagement, resulting in improved guest satisfaction and repeat patronage.
- Oversaw execution of private and branded events, coordinating logistics, vendor relations, and experiential design to deliver seamless premium hospitality experiences.
Men’s Sales Floor Manager
Banana Republic
01.2013 - 12.2015
- Directed sales strategy and daily operations for the men’s department, leading the team to consistently exceed credit card acquisition and sales conversion targets.
- Achieved Top Sales Performer recognition in the district for three consecutive quarters by driving exceptional customer experience and maximizing upselling opportunities.
- Trained and mentored new hires on brand standards, visual merchandising, and personalized client styling techniques, resulting in improved team performance and customer satisfaction.
- Managed inventory flow, floor presentation, and seasonal product rollouts in collaboration with regional visual merchandising leads.
- Cultivated a results-oriented team culture that emphasized proactive customer engagement and elevated service delivery, contributing to increased customer retention and repeat visits.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA01.2012
Skills
- Strategic Planning & Policy Implementation
- Public-Private Partnership Development
- Event Production & VIP Services
- Nighttime Economy & Cultural Policy
- Urban Economic Development
- Stakeholder & Community Engagement
- Hospitality Operations & Service Design
- Budgeting, P&L Management & Compliance
- CRM & Business Intelligence Tools (Quickbase, JIRA, POS systems)
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advocacy
Timeline
Director of Nighttime Economy
City of Philadelphia – Department of Commerce
10.2023 - Current
Operations Manager
Bankroll Club
12.2022 - 06.2023
General Manager – Stratus Rooftop Lounge & Red Owl Tavern
Kimpton Hotel Monaco
04.2021 - 12.2022
Operations Team Manager
Evolution Gaming
01.2019 - 03.2021
VIP Manager
1925 Lounge
01.2016 - 08.2018
Men’s Sales Floor Manager
Banana Republic
01.2013 - 12.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
Temple University
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