Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Affiliations
Early Career Experience
Timeline
Generic
Jennifer L. Schrader

Jennifer L. Schrader

Nashville,TN

Summary

Dynamic business leader with over twelve years of experience driving strategic initiatives and enhancing operational efficiency. Expertise in goal-setting, process improvement, and leading cross-functional teams to achieve organizational objectives. Proven ability to cultivate collaborative environments across diverse regions including the South, Northeast, Midwest, and the Virgin Islands. Aiming to leverage leadership skills to further elevate team performance and organizational success.

Overview

9
9
years of professional experience

Work History

Operations Director, Marketing Manager

Digital Brand Kit
Nashville, TN
03.2024 - Current
  • Planned leadership team meetings to review business results and communicate new and ongoing priorities.
  • Assisted in the development of strategic plans for the organization.
  • Developed the vision for the company as part of the four-person leadership team.
  • Developed strategies to improve productivity and efficiency among team members.
  • Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies.
  • Identified areas of improvement within the team's processes and procedures.
  • Constructed a Notion-based project management tool to enhance team collaboration.
  • Designed Notion-based client portals to provide real-time project status and VIP service products in one place.
  • Developed standard operating procedures for all VIP services, and used them to optimize processes.
  • Centralized all copywriting for the company to ensure consistent messaging across all platforms.
  • Created a Circle forum for customer service support and collaboration.
  • Designed and implemented a comprehensive podcast production workflow, ensuring seamless coordination between recording, editing, and publishing.
  • Developed episode calendars and organized topic ideas to align with the podcast’s target audience and goals.
  • Established a streamlined process for onboarding podcast guests, and enhancing the overall guest experience.
  • Coordinated and optimized human resource activities for the organization, such as payroll, time-off calendars, and employee communication channels in Slack.
  • Created and managed budgets for travel, training, and team-building activities.

Owner

Activated Stays LLC
Nashville, TN
09.2022 - Current
  • Successfully established and curated a portfolio of four short-term rental properties, demonstrating strategic business development skills.
  • Utilized data analytics and market research to develop optimal pricing strategies, resulting in a 10% increase in revenue compared to the area average.
  • Implemented upselling initiatives and introduced additional services, enhancing guest experiences, and boosting profitability.
  • Established a reputation for exceptional guest satisfaction, reflected in an extraordinary 4.94 star rating, with 197 reviews, and Superhost status.
  • Negotiated and managed partnerships with vendors to secure cost-effective supplies and services, optimizing operational expenses.
  • Stayed abreast of local regulations and industry standards, ensuring full compliance with short-term rental laws and regulations.
  • Oversaw budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting for short-term rental properties, maintaining a healthy bottom line.
  • Leveraged technology tools and platforms to streamline bookings, enhance the guest experience, and optimize property management processes.

Senior Training Consultant

Marriott International, Inc. | Renaissance Hotel
Nashville, TN
04.2022 - 08.2022
  • Spearheaded the creation of a comprehensive toolkit, featuring standardized templates and tools, fostering consistent communication across the department.
  • Conducted tailored training sessions for three newly onboarded Event Managers, imparting essential skills in event management, organizational systems, and effective timeline and budget management.
  • Provided specialized training to the newly appointed Director of Event Planning, covering a spectrum of critical areas, including event management, organizational systems, budget forecasting, and proficiency in handling contract addendums and changes in project scope.
  • Established best practices within the event management team, focusing on efficient timeline management, budgetary oversight, and adept handling of contractual processes.
  • Played a key role in reducing onboarding time for new hires by implementing a robust training curriculum.

Director of Restaurants

Marriott International, Inc. | Renaissance Hotel
Nashville, TN
05.2021 - 04.2022
  • Transformed and expanded the outlets team as Department Head, elevating it from 2 managers and 28 team members to 4 managers and 53 hourly ambassadors following the challenges of a global pandemic.
  • Directed the strategic vision for three distinct outlets, encompassing a full-service restaurant, a renowned cocktail bar, and a marketplace featuring a retail gift shop and a full-service Starbucks.
  • Orchestrated and motivated a team of 57 members to surpass the department's food and beverage guest service goal in 2021, finishing 3.8% above target. By the end of Q1 2022, achieved an outstanding 8.3% improvement over the previous year.
  • Positioned the team as the top performer out of 25 hotels for food and beverage service scores in Q1 2022 within the premium full-service hotels category in the Southeast Region.
  • Surpassed sales goals by an impressive 50%, ending 2021 with $11.9 million in sales against a budget of $7.9 million. Implemented effective product placement strategies, price adjustments, and creative marketing initiatives.
  • Drastically reduced beverage audit discrepancies from 52% to 15% through the implementation of a comprehensive beverage par management process.
  • Spearheaded hiring initiatives by employing three distinct strategies, including targeted marketing to apartment complexes, creative networking, and strategic social media marketing.
  • Initiated and successfully executed an employee referral program resulting in four new hires within the department, contributing to hotel-wide staffing successes.
  • Developed a strategic staffing plan for five associate roles and the leadership team, aligning with the department's budget and business volume requirements. Added one additional leader based on department revenue.
  • Established local standard operating procedures for a scheduling policy and tip-out policy, ensuring efficient and standardized operations within the department.

Vice President, Board of Directors

Water Walkers
Nashville, TN
08.2020 - 07.2021
  • Orchestrated and facilitated virtual board of director and committee meetings, fostering effective collaboration.
  • Developed a comprehensive goal system for the Board of Directors and External Affairs committee, ensuring prioritization of projects and establishing essential organizational structures.
  • Expanded the Board of Directors from 5 to 9 members, implementing organizational structures to accommodate and support sustainable growth.
  • Established and recruited for an 11-member External Affairs Committee, enhancing organizational sustainability through marketing plans, donor relations, fundraising support, and event planning.
  • Implemented structural enhancements for board meetings, including the introduction of monthly goals, revised meeting structures, and set time limits for discussions, promoting efficiency and preventing burnout.
  • Assembled dedicated teams to formulate crucial policies such as an operating reserve policy, employee handbook, and social media policy, ensuring organizational sustainability and legal compliance.
  • Managed the Executive Director for the organization, overseeing annual reviews and salary adjustments.
  • Initiated a plan to facilitate the creation of the organization's values, mission, and vision statement, contributing to a cohesive organizational identity.

Event Manager

Marriott International, Inc. | Renaissance Hotel
Nashville, TN
05.2016 - 06.2021
  • Managed through a hybrid remote experience, coordinating with on-property teams, remote clients, and regional sales teams to ensure seamless event execution.
  • Collaborated with eight internal departments, contributing to the successful execution of events that generated $2.8 million in revenue in 2018 and $5.4 million in 2019.
  • Spearheaded the goal-setting team for the hotel, leading 40 teams to increase service by 0.8% in 2017 during an eight-month renovation by facilitating the establishment of specific, timely, and aligned goals.
  • Achieved superior event satisfaction scores while navigating through a renovation, maintaining scores of 95 in 2016, 91 in 2017, and 93 in 2018.
  • Managed up to 65 projects simultaneously in various stages, demonstrating adept multitasking and project management skills.
  • Successfully planned events for up to 1,000 people with room blocks of 200 rooms per night at peak capacity.
  • Forecasted revenue for up to 65 projects simultaneously, spanning up to three years from conception and valued at up to $500k each.
  • Innovated a tracking plan for groups affected by construction, instrumental in the department achieving event satisfaction score goals during redevelopment.
  • Mentored and developed an event coordinator, creating a tailored development plan that led to her promotion to event manager.
  • Drove engagement in the goal-setting process through two hotel-wide Sprint Challenges in 2018, with the July 2018 Sprint Challenge recognized nationally by Marriott as a Best Practice.
  • Presented at the Regional BLT Rally on behalf of the Renaissance, addressing a group of hotel General Managers.
  • Developed a BLT Training class and presentation for Managers and Supervisors based on Marriott Standards.
  • Quickly adapted to three new computer systems while achieving a superior 95% service score in the first year.
  • Demonstrated experience in planning custom menus, conducting menu tastings, and coordinating site visits for events.

Education

Hospitality, Retail Mgmt, Business

University of Missouri - Columbia
05-2012

Skills

  • Business Development
  • Strategic Project Planning
  • Contract Management
  • Operations Management
  • Problem Solving

References

References available upon request.

Affiliations

  • Personal Development Books
  • Learning New Technology
  • Rescue Dog Mom to Emmett

Early Career Experience

  • Banquet Manager
  • Assistant Banquet Manager
  • Management Trainee
  • Restaurant Experience
  • Retail Experience

Timeline

Operations Director, Marketing Manager

Digital Brand Kit
03.2024 - Current

Owner

Activated Stays LLC
09.2022 - Current

Senior Training Consultant

Marriott International, Inc. | Renaissance Hotel
04.2022 - 08.2022

Director of Restaurants

Marriott International, Inc. | Renaissance Hotel
05.2021 - 04.2022

Vice President, Board of Directors

Water Walkers
08.2020 - 07.2021

Event Manager

Marriott International, Inc. | Renaissance Hotel
05.2016 - 06.2021

Hospitality, Retail Mgmt, Business

University of Missouri - Columbia

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Jennifer L. Schrader