Ajayi Simeon

Results-driven hospitality executive with 14 years of progressive experience across hotel, restaurant and business operations, combining senior financial leadership with hands-on hotel operations, commercial development, revenue optimisation, guest relations, cost control, marketing and team leadership. Experienced across Financial Controller, Operations Manager and General Manager roles, with strong exposure to rooms, food & beverage, events, procurement, inventory, budgeting and overall business performance. Brings a commercially focused General Manager mindset: grow occupancy and revenue, strengthen service standards, build corporate relationships, control costs, develop people and create a memorable guest experience.

General Manager - Bourdillon Hotel and Apartments Ltd - Gwarimpa, Abuja

(2024-01)

Provide overall leadership for hotel operations, guest experience, commercial performance and day-to-day business delivery.

• Employed and trained over 130 staff and retained.
• Set up the 63 hotel rooms and apartments, restaurant, bar and kitchen from scratch including the equipment.
• Organised and executed the grand opening event of Bourdillon Hotel and Apartments ltd
• Lead Rooms, Front Office, Housekeeping, F&B, Events, Maintenance, Security, Sales/Marketing and support functions toward measurable KPIs.
• Drive occupancy, ADR, room revenue, F&B revenue, event revenue and overall profitability through pricing, promotions and commercial initiatives.
• Build and manage corporate, institutional, NGO and international guest relationships to generate repeat bookings and long-term business.
• Leverage extensive customer and corporate booking contacts, including NNPC-related and health/NGO organisations, to develop new accounts and increase room nights.
• Oversee hotel marketing, online booking channels, digital promotions, content creation and customer acquisition campaigns.
• Plan and manage events, conferences, banquets and special functions, ensuring excellent guest experience and commercial returns.
• Establish and enforce SOPs, service standards, operational controls and performance-monitoring systems across departments.
• Leading the marketing team with marketing concepts and promotions

General Manager - Zeus Paradise Hotels Ltd - Mabushi, Abuja

(2021-01 - 2024-12)

• Directed daily hotel operations across rooms, F&B, events, guest services, procurement, maintenance and administration.
• Developed and monitored departmental KPIs covering occupancy, revenue, service quality, guest satisfaction, costs and productivity.
• Drove corporate sales, group bookings, promotions and revenue-generating partnerships with companies and institutions.
• Oversaw online booking channels, digital marketing, guest enquiries and conversion of leads into confirmed reservations.
• Coordinated conferences, events and banqueting operations from planning through execution and post-event review.
• Managed operating budgets, expenditure controls, inventory and procurement while protecting service quality and profitability.
• Led departmental heads and frontline teams, resolving operational issues and improving accountability, service standards and staff performance.
• Manage budgets, cash flow, procurement, inventory, cost control and revenue assurance in partnership with finance and department heads.
• Lead recruitment, coaching, staff discipline, performance management and team development to build a service-oriented culture.
• Report operational and commercial performance to ownership/senior management and implement corrective actions to achieve business targets.

Operations Manager - BON Hotel Imperial - Wuse II, Abuja

(2018-01 - 2021-12)

Operations & Financial Manager - Widespread Management Consult Ltd - Wuse II, Abuja

(2013-01 - 2018-12)

Certified National Accountant (CNA/FCNA) - Accountancy - Nigerian College of Accountancy (2014-01 - 2015-12)

B.Sc.

• Accounting - Kogi State University (2007-01 - 2011-12)

Diploma - Accounting - Kogi State University (2005-01 - 2007-12)

Secondary School Certificate - Alalodu Secondary School (1997-01 - 2003-12)