Shankar Kotha
Springfield Lakes,Qld
Summary
Senior Leader with experience in leading Commercial Teams, driving growth through collaboration. Experience in building and collaborating with teams for growth & success. 25 Years of international hospitality experience in commercial operations. Experience in building teams across commercial verticals. These include – Corporate Sales, Marketing, Revenue Management, Key Account Management, Central Reservations, Relationship Management & Online Distribution. Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Commercial Officer
CLLIX Apartments and Hotels
2020.03 - Current
- This role is part of 4 member Leadership team of group.
- Responsible for driving our team to deliver commercial strategy for group.
- Responsible for setting up 24 / 7 Call Centre Operations for business delivering growth of 20% direct sales.
- Established IT & Innovation Hub in India to deliver IT Services and Support.
- Innovation lead for group for new technology products.
- Responsible for supporting commercial business units in Australia, Philippines and India
- Responsible for driving innovation and IT projects for the group.
Chief Commercial Officer
SBC Travel Group
2019.10 - 2020.02
- As a Chief Commercial Officer for this 12 month old startup, was responsible for driving travel business vertical for company
- With Offices in Australia and Singapore, this travel startup had built innovative travel business with focus on International markets
- Successfully launched company's first travel & travel payments product at ITB Singapore in 2019
- Business was impacted due to Covid 19.
Group Director – Revenue Management & Online Distribution
Minor Hotels Australia
2013.08 - 2019.09
- In this role, relocated from Toronto, Canada to Brisbane, Australia
- Setup Revenue Management and Online Distribution division for company
- Established Revenue Management culture in company and deployed revenue management systems
- Successfully led move of Call Centre Operations to Manila
- Led deployment of iDeaS RMS system
- Led team on building Business Intelligence platform for business
- Built an Online Marketing division in company with the focus on growing direct to brand business.
Guest Experience
Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel
2012.06 - 2013.07
- Immigrated to Canada in 2012
- Worked as a Manager in Guest Services department focussed on guest facing areas
- Was responsible for guest services team in the hotel.
Group Director - Revenue Management
Universal Resorts Maldives
2010.03 - 2012.04
- Setup Revenue Management vertical for business.
- Established Online Distribution for group to focus on growing direct business.
- Started GDS channels for group to focus on Corporate Travel for key properties closer to Airport
- Grew direct business to 20% business mix.
- Pre-opening commercial lead for successful 3 new resort openings
- Supported business to drive sales strategy in 2 international markets successfully.
- Led business diversification to focus on new emerging markets.
Central Reservations Manager
Universal Resorts Maldives
2005.01 - 2010.02
- Established Central Reservations team for business
- Coordinated deployment of multi property PMS system.
- Led team to deliver new website
- Coordinated setup of new internet booking engine.
- Started Revenue Management culture in team.
- Close coordination with Hotel GM's to support their commercial needs
Assistant Manager- Reservations
Radisson MBD Hotel, New Delhi India
2003.06 - 2005.01
- Part of the pre-opening team of the hotel
- Worked with team to write the standards and processess for the hotel
- Successfully participated in the launch one of the flagship properties.
- Member of the core Front Office team driving operations
Assistant Manager- Corporate Office
RHW Hotel Management Services, New Delhi, India
2001.06 - 2003.06
- Graduated from Management Training Program and joined the Corporate Office team.
- Participated as member of team in ITDC disinvestment process
- Member of pre-opening teams for Radisson Jalandhar, CIS Katra & Radisson MBD Noida
- Supported core franchise development team
Management Trainee
Carlson Hotels Worldwide
1999.06 - 2001.06
- Was selected in Carlson Management Training program after hotel school.
- Learned hospitality operations at various departments at company's flagship Radisson Hotel Delhi.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Tourism And Travel Management
IGNOU, New Delhi
New Delhi, India03.2005
Diploma of Hotel Management - Hotel Management
Institute of Hotel Management, New Delhi
Bangalore, India03.1999
Skills
- Commercial Strategy
- Financial Analysis
- Contract Negotiation
- Human Capital Management
- Business Develpment
- Change Management
- Sales Management
- Digital Marketing
- Yield Management
Education Training
- CRME - Certified Revenue Management Executive by HSMAI
- Bachelors Degree in Tourism Management - 2005, India
- Management Training Program (2 Years) - 2001, Carlson Hotels Worldwide, Minneapolis in conjunction with RHW Hotel Management Services
- 3 Year Diploma in Hotel Management (Equivalent to Degree) - 1999, National Council of Hotel Management, Govt. of India
Voluntary Positions
- RKSV Foundation, Board of Director, 04/01/18, Present
- Vedanta Centre Brisbane, Executive Committee Member, 01/01/16, Present, Supporting Fundraising activities for the Vedanta Centre Brisbane as a member of committee, These activities include, Soup Kitchen service, free meals and grocery hampers for those in need
Awards
- CLLIX Apartments and Hotels - Project of the Year 2023 for CRO Manila
- Minor Hotels – Spirit of Minor Award for Top Performance in the Group in 2018
- Minor Hotels – Project of the Year for Call Centre Setup in 2017
References
Bryan Bailey
Global Head of Strategy, Distribution & Revenue Management- Minor Hotel
baileybt@yahoo.com.au
David Sawers
Chief Executive Officer - Hirum
drsawers@hotmail.com
Timeline
Chief Commercial Officer
CLLIX Apartments and Hotels
2020.03 - Current
Chief Commercial Officer
SBC Travel Group
2019.10 - 2020.02
Group Director – Revenue Management & Online Distribution
Minor Hotels Australia
2013.08 - 2019.09
Guest Experience
Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel
2012.06 - 2013.07
Group Director - Revenue Management
Universal Resorts Maldives
2010.03 - 2012.04
Central Reservations Manager
Universal Resorts Maldives
2005.01 - 2010.02
Assistant Manager- Reservations
Radisson MBD Hotel, New Delhi India
2003.06 - 2005.01
Assistant Manager- Corporate Office
RHW Hotel Management Services, New Delhi, India
2001.06 - 2003.06
Management Trainee
Carlson Hotels Worldwide
1999.06 - 2001.06
Bachelor of Arts - Tourism And Travel Management
IGNOU, New Delhi
Diploma of Hotel Management - Hotel Management
Institute of Hotel Management, New Delhi
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