General Manager Convention Center

AIJAZ 'ALI' KHAN

Home: **** ******** **, *****, ** - 75024 m:214-***-****

e:********.***@*****.*** LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aijazali.k

AN ACCOMPLISHED HOTEL PROFESSIONAL:

Seasoned professional with 30 plus years of experience managing full-service hotels, 60k sq ft convention center with proven skills in asset management. Expertise in all aspects of hotel operations, including rooms, food and beverage, sales, revenue management, renovations, pre-openings, and project co-ordination. Skilled in leading large, diverse teams to drive revenue, profitability, service excellence, and brand consistency. Creative and analytical thinker dedicated to fostering a high-performance culture.

KEY EXPERTISE:

Hotel Operations: Managed full-service independent and branded hotels with over 300 rooms, five restaurants, and a 60,000-square-foot convention center. Achieved 49% GOP for a decade through rigorous revenue management, cost control, and operations optimization.

Strategic Leadership: Inspiring coach and mentor with a flexible leadership style that engages diverse teams of up to 350 people, fostering a culture of trust and excellence.

Food & Beverage Management: Oversaw multiple dining outlets from QSR to fine dining. Reduced F&B costs by 30% through menu engineering, procurement efficiencies, and waste reduction.

Revenue Generation: Drove 10%+ RevPAR growth through pricing, packaging and promotion. Grew convention center revenue by 15% year-over-year. Proven skills in revenue management.

Renovations & Openings: Led numerous renovations, brand transitions, and hotel pre-openings, delivered green field hotel projects on time and within budget.

Brand Exposure: IHG, Sheraton, Hilton, Marriott Courtyard, Hyatt, and independent hotels.

Asset management: Have proven asset management skills for large hotels, 50k sq ft commercial space and over 250 luxury furnished residential accommodations.

NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

As Task Force GM of a luxury resort, I achieved the #1 guest satisfaction rank within Pacifica Hotels.

As GM of a 300-room Hilton, I increased ADR by $25 and market share by 12%, turnover $10million, reaching 90% employee retention.

As GM of a 300-room full-service independent hotel, I generated 48% GOP for a decade.

I saved over $500K on renovation costs through negotiation for Holiday Inn Fort Worth, TX.

I grew convention center revenues by 15% YoY, with 95% customer satisfaction.

I was awarded ‘General Manager of the Year’.

As Managing Director, I mediated a termination settlement between Owners and Hilton through an addendum agreement, saving $1.9 million.

Proven track record of delivering exceptional guest experiences while maintaining operational excellence and team engagement. I am also skilled in dispute resolution, having successfully mediated in a few complex cases.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

General Manager {Task Force} Crowne Plaza Dallas Downtown, Texas - Since Nov.24

A leadership role of a full service 300 room + 30 k event space. Helping the hotel to streamline operations, increase productivity, guests scores and to exceed brand standards for QA Inspection.

Caregiving/Sabbatical:

Career Break Jun 2024 – Oct 2024, Dallas Texas.

Supported family's medical attention at Dallas, TX.

General Manager – Holiday Inn Binghamton - New York, Jan 2023 – April 2024

Oversight of a full-service hotel of 225 rooms, 20k sq feet of event space and 15k of retail space.

Registered a moderate growth of 10% over the previous year, with average daily rate up 10% and GOP up 20%. Improved guest satisfaction score from 65% to 88%.

Turnaround the hotel to achieve Guest Love score from Red to Reputable status.

Hospitality Consultant/ Task Force General Manager - Jan 2021- December 2022

Independent consultant for hotel and restaurant operations, renovation, and catering management.

Led a task force as the General Manager at the Inn at the Pier, CA from Sept 2021 to Nov 2021.

Managed a high-end luxury full-service resort with an annual turnover of over $13 million.

Achieved number one position in GSI score among independent hotels- Pacifica Hotels.

Regional Manager, Holiday Inn Fort Worth-Convention Center, TX. Dec 2019 - Dec 2020

Led the brand conversion/transition of a full-service hotel 250 rooms,20,000-square-foot conference center from Radisson to Holiday Inn.

Oversaw operations of 5 motels for strategic direction, P&L and sale.

Oversaw an $8 million renovation, oversaw operations and project development.

Coordinated project design with IHG, architects, and contractors.

Recorded savings of half a million through effective sourcing and negotiations.

Created a value proposition through rebranding from Holiday Inn to Holiday Inn Fort Worth-Convention Center.

Consultant/Task Force General Manager - Apr 2018 – Nov 2019

I have extensive experience in hotel operations, restaurants, catering establishments, and real estate.

As Task Force General Manager at Courtyard Marriott Hotel Center in New Mexico from December 2018 to May 2019, I reduced banquet food costs by 30%, labor costs by 15%, and energy costs by 10%.

I also mentored an AGM for their next level of advancement, reviewed operations, labor, and food costs, prepared an operational budget with 12% increase YoY, and created a roadmap for the Property Improvement.

Vice President Hospitality - Ascendare Group, Dallas, TX. Dec 2015 - March 2018

Led a start-up hospitality vertical for business hotels and restaurants. Managed multiple operations of multiple restaurants and corporate catering venues.

Established a progressive corporate catering business with systems and processes. Led negotiations for restaurant expansion and acquisition of new hotel properties.

Managing Director – Operations & Asset Management, Hilton - Feb 2012 - Nov – 2015

Directed operations of a 300-room full-service hotel with five restaurants and a large event space.

Achieved record savings of $200,000 per year in payroll and $2 million through operational efficiency.

Managed multiple hotels with a staff of 350+ associates, including 1 VP, 2 GMs, and 40 managers.

Led a coordination team for pre-opening guest rooms and public areas.

Represented Ownership at the Board level for Owners and Hilton Asia Pacific.

Mediated a termination settlement between Owners & Hilton through an addendum agreement, saving $1.9 m.

Vice President/General Manager, Viceroy Hotel & Convention Center - June 1994- Dec 2003

I have a proven track record of success in the hospitality industry. I have successfully upgraded an independent property from a 3 diamond to a 5-diamond full-service hotel with 305 rooms, four restaurants, and a 60,000 square foot convention center.

I have also managed a team of 400 employees and 35 managers. I have conceived, planned, executed, and operated an international convention center of 65,000 square feet.

I have achieved a 15% dividend from inception and 95% customer satisfaction through effective cost management. I have maintained a gross operating profit of over 48% for ten consecutive years.

I have received the "General Manager of the Year" and "Hotel of the Year" awards. I have also assisted in a brand management agreement and brand conversion to Marriott Hotels.

Past engagements:

General Manager/Asset Manager, Hotels & Real Estate, Middle East {Hyatt Regency project, 50k commercial space and over 250 high end residential accommodations}

Head Hospitality, JB Hotels, Hong Kong {Accor Sofitel plus two hotel projects & Villas}

Vice President – Projects, Hyatt Hotel {a full service 250 room hotel}

Managing Partner-Spice Hospitality Management- {QSR & full-service restaurants}

Sheraton Hotels (full-service) Operations: Management Trainee, Sales Manager, Restaurant Manager, Banquet Manager, F&B Controller and Food & Beverage Manager.

EDUCATION:

Master’s in business administration.

Professional Development Course, Cornell University, USA

IHG Certified General Manager.

Certified Realtor.

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