Olukemi Odubanjo

Hospitality operations professional with 10+ years of combined experience across hotel operations, leadership, guest experience, commercial performance, finance, audit, sales support and business development. Currently serving as Hotel/Operational Manager at Kabachi Hotel, Restaurant & Bar, with responsibility for operational strategy, people leadership, budgeting and cost control, service quality, bookings, revenue support, client relationships, compliance and performance management. Earlier experience includes the Hilton Future Leaders Program at Transcorp Hilton Abuja and audit experience.

Holds a B.Sc. in Accounting (Second Class Upper), with professional development in hospitality leadership, customer service, supply chain and AI virtual assistance.

Hotel / Operational Manager at Kabachi Hotel, Restaurant & Bar (2020-11 – Present)

• Develop and implement operational strategies that support business objectives, profitability and sustained patronage.
• Lead recruitment, training, performance management, coaching and professional development of hospitality teams.
• Manage budgets, cost controls and resource allocation to support agreed departmental and business profitability targets.
• Maintain service-quality standards and implement quality-control processes across hotel and restaurant operations.
• Conduct monthly performance reviews, identify gaps and direct corrective actions to improve results.
• Coordinate management succession and career-development planning for management staff.
• Review payroll and statutory tax computations including VAT, WHT and PAYE, and liaise with LIRS and FIRS as required.
• Manage rates, bookings and discount approvals while supporting revenue performance, purchasing savings and debt collection.
• Handle guest and client complaints promptly, ensuring follow-through and corrective action to reduce recurrence.
• Coordinate social/promotional activities, client engagement, events and room bookings through direct channels and OTAs including Expedia, Hotels.com and Booking.com.
• Build relationships with suppliers, vendors, event and conference planners, churches and external sales partners to support business development.
• Work with external sales executives to develop, submit and follow up realistic commercial proposals against targets.

Hilton Future Leaders Program (HI-FLYRS) at Transcorp Hilton Hotel (2015-11 – 2019-06)

• Completed structured exposure across 15 major hotel departments, learning and applying required operating standards within defined timelines.
• Monitored industry trends and identified opportunities to improve hotel performance and guest value.
• Reviewed monthly results, highlighted problem areas and supported corrective actions for underperformance.
• Supported workforce and industrial-relations practices, staff performance management and adherence to company policies.
• Supported digital marketing activities across social media, email and content channels to increase awareness and traffic.
• Conducted market research, competitor analysis and opportunity identification for sales and marketing growth.
• Maintained strong customer relationships through structured meetings, communication and client engagement.
• Worked cross-functionally with Accounts, Administration and Purchasing teams and supported budget preparation.
• Identified operational risks and supported mitigation measures to protect business continuity and departmental efficiency.

Audit Assistant at Mobolaji Sanni & Co (2014-12 – 2015-04)

• Supported remittance processes for Pension, VAT, WHT and PAYE to relevant authorities.
• Assisted with month-end and year-end financial statement preparation.
• Investigated discrepancies, supported corrective action and reported findings to management.
• Maintained accounting records and entered/reconciled financial transactions.

NYSC, Tariff & Trade Unit at Nigeria Customs Service (2013-11 – 2014-11)

• Built and maintained professional relationships with clients to support continuous business.
• Conducted valuation of imported goods and classified goods in accordance with the applicable Common External Tariff.
• Documented classification findings and refund requests.

B.Sc. in Accounting (2012)

West African Senior School Certificate (2006)

First School Leaving Certificate (2001)