Akilan Karthikeyan, Head of Human Resources (designated as Talent Development Manager) - Royal Tulip Muscat, Oman

Akilan Karthikeyan

Head of Human Resources (designated as Talent Development Manager) - Royal Tulip Muscat

Muscat, Oman

~ HR Leader with over 24 years of national and international (UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Nigeria, Ghana, India) experience in establishing & developing HR Processes and contributing to productivity, culture and cost savings initiatives with focus on overall organizational development, change management, business excellence and transformation in a matrix structure ~ Strategic Leader with expertise in creating and implementing a holistic HR strategy to meet short, medium & long-term business challenges with focus on areas such as talent & leadership, culture, values & engagement~ Significant experience in ascertaining talent needs, staffing projections & hiring quality candidates using cost-effective techniques; gained recognition for hiring:~*~ 200+ Hourly & Management Associates for newly launched hotel (Accra Marriott) within a span of 2 months~*~ 300+ Hourly & Management Associates for newly launched hotel (Renaissance Lagos Ikeja Hotel) within a span of 2-3 months ~ Grown across the ladder by successfully driving end-to-end training functions for 2 BUs for Raviz Hotels & Resorts (The Leela Raviz Kovalam and The Raviz Resort & Spa) ~ Proven track record of providing leadership across Talent Acquisition/Management, Compensation & Benefits & Strategic Business Operations with key focus on profitability & optimal utilization of resources~ Possess in-depth experience in managing launch/opening of new hotels ~ Broad-based expertise in enhancing employee engagement levels (Staff Parties, Sports, Games Activities, Cultural Events); showcased proven excellence in achieving the highest Positive Turnover and Engagement Survey Score amongst all MEA region Marriott Hotels ~ Highly skilled in designing & applying Performance Management, Compensation & Benefits, rewards & recognition programs & competency mapping framework to support the business with a pragmatic approach;~ Directed the set-up of HR department from the scratch in Renaissance Lagos Ikeja Hotel and Accra Marriott ~ Drove innovative path-breaking Learning & Development initiatives in coordination with Department Heads to streamline processes and capitalize on organizational growth opportunities

Basic Info

Industry: Hotels & Resorts

Department: Human Resources

Job Level: Director

Job Role: Director of HR

Nationality: India

Current City: Muscat

Current Country: Oman

Education Level: Post Graduation

Education

Doctorate in Management
April 2024 - Present

Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia, Spain
Certificate in Hospitality Management
June 2017 - October 2019

Cornell University, United States
MBA
April 2006 - July 2008

Sikkim Manipal University, India
Master of Tourism Management
June 1996 - April 1998

Madurai Kamaraj University, India
Diploma in Hotel Management
June 1990 - May 1993

National Council for Hotel Management & Catering Technology, India

Skills

HR Policy Design & Implementation Budgeting Strategic Workforce Planning Employee Engagement Compensation Management Performance Management Talent Management Talent Acquisition Coaching Training

Experience

Head of Human Resources (designated as Talent Development Manager)
2022 - Present (2 Years)

Royal Tulip Muscat, Oman
Responsible for the entire HR Operations and Training, Staff Accommodation, Staff Cafeteria & Employee Well-being.
I am also leading the implementation of ISO 9001:2015, ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 22000:2018 at the Royal Tulip Muscat.
Successfully implemented a new Performance Management System at the hotel starting from January 2023.
Co-Founder & Director
2020 - 2022 (2 Years)

Inspirace Management Consultants Pvt Ltd., India
Co-Founded the company with a couple of like-minded Hospitality professionals to provide management services for owners
who are looking to enhance their profit by working through people excellence.
-- The very first project we got associated with was a 40-room boutique hotel in Trivandrum, Kerala where we assisted the owner
to do the procurement to set up the Hotel and get it ready for the opening.
--The second project we got associated was a Restobar in Chennai at Thoraipakkam in the OMR Road. The company provided
management expertise to the owner and provided Training and recruitment support.
Training Manager
2018 - 2019 (1 Year)

Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Ltd, India
Was responsible for the Training function at the world-class Apollo Proton Cancer Centre in Taramani, Chennai which is the first Proton Therapy centre for Cancer Treatment in the entire South Asia.

Achievements:
- Successfully conducted the orientation and pre-opening Operational Training for all the new employees before the commencement of operation of the unit on 25th January 2019.
- Implemented standards in the new hospital as per the requirement of National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) & Joint Commission International (JCI) by facilitating all the necessary training programs.
Cluster Training Manager
2019 - 2019 (0Months)

Raviz Hotels & Resorts, India
I was responsible for the Training function of two hotels of The Raviz Group of Hotels viz., The Leela Raviz Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram and The Raviz Resort & Spa Ashtamudi, Kollam.

My achievements were:
- Successfully conducted Orientation for all new joiners in both properties.
- Supported the HR Head in recruitment by liaising with Hospitality Schools across India to source candidates for Industrial Training & employment.
- Supported the HR Team in successfully organizing Employee Engagement Activities like Staff Parties, Sports and Games Activities, Cultural events etc.
Director of Human Resources
2018 - 2018 (0Months)

Accra Marriott Hotel, Ghana
• I joined the Accra Marriott Hotel as the Pre-Opening Director of Human Resources in January 2018. We were to open the hotel by in April 2018 and hence had to hire and train our associates before that to be able to open the hotel.
• We conducted a very successful Career Day on 21st February 2018 which attracted close to 1000 prospective candidates from which we were able to hire about 50% of our Hourly and Supervisory associates.
• Having completed the hiring by mid-March we then successfully trained the associates to prepare them to face the guest before the Mid-April opening.
• I was also successful in negotiating a deal with a Transportation vendor for the staff transportation before the opening of the hotel.
• I also successfully negotiated a medical insurance plan for all associates which was largely beneficial for the associates.
• Before my exit in July 2018 due to personal reasons, I had set up the HR Department thoroughly having trained my team to be able to handle the responsibilities independently.
HR & Training Manager
2018 - 2018 (0Months)

Le Royal Meridien Chennai, India
Managed the HR & Training function of the hotel. Some of the key achievements during my tenure were:
• Liaised with Hospitality Schools across India to source fresh talent for Industrial Training and for employment.
• Interacted and collaborated with HR Heads of other local hotels in Chennai to benchmark HR practices and also share best practices.
• Carried out Wage Survey with local hotels in Chennai to be able to hire the best talents by providing competitive salary packages.
• Partake in Engagement Activities organized by other local Marriott Hotels as a part of their Annual Activities Calendar.
• Successfully organized Employee Engagement Activities like Staff Parties, Sports and Games Activities, Cultural events etc.
Director of Human Resources
2016 - 2017 (1 Year)

Renaissance Lagos Ikeja Hotel, Nigeria
• We successfully opened the new hotel in November 2016 by hiring 200+ hourly and management associates in a short span of 2 months in a country where there is a scarcity of quality hospitality professionals with hotel experience.
• I successfully setup a Human Resources Department by hiring a great team and training them in all procedures and putting up all Marriott HR practices in place.
• I personally conducted the Orientation training for all the new joiners in the hotel along with the Training Manager and also provided a platform for all the departments to undergo discipline specific training by bringing experts from other Marriott Properties on Task Force.
• I was nominated as the HR Integration Coach for 5 Starwood Properties in Nigeria and 1 Starwood Property in Guinea (Sheraton Grand Conakry), whereby I coached the HR Heads/Teams of those hotels with the Marriott systems and practices.
• I was elected as the Chairperson for the Marriott HR Business Council for Nigeria Chapter.
• I achieved a score of 85% in the Engagement Survey of the hotel in 2017 in a very difficult and challenging environment in the very first year of operation.
• I also organized a few Community Service initiatives for the hotel during my tenure in collaboration with an orphanage in the vicinity of the hotel and also along with a non-profit organization called Lagos Food Bank.
• I also launched a Wellness initiative for the associates called Wellness Wednesday whereby every Wednesday, we had one hour of Wellness activity which was open for participation for all associates.
• I performed a Task Force Assignment at the Protea Hotel by Marriott Owerri Select in Owerri, Nigeria in the month of September 2017 for a period of 15 days to assist in the pre-opening of the hotel. My role during this assignment was to help set up the HR Department and train the HR personnel to put Marriott processes and procedures.
Multi Property HR Manager
2013 - 2016 (3 Years)

Marriott Executive Apartments & Residence Inn by Marriott, Bahrain
• I managed the HR Functions of two properties viz., Marriott Executive Apartments (MEA) and Residence Inn by Marriott (RIBM) Bahrain having a combined strength of 170 associates with a team of 5 HR Associates.
• I created and implemented an Action Plan which resulted in the improvement of the Associates Engagement Survey Score from 97% in 2014 to 98% in 2015 for MEA Bahrain and from 94% in 2014 to 95% in 2015 for the RIBM Bahrain.
• We achieved the Highest Engagement Survey Score of MEA Region for 2 consecutive years of 2014 & 2015 for the MEA Bahrain having scored 98% in 2015.
• We achieved the Highest Engagement Survey Score of MEA Region for the year 2016 for the Residence Inn by Marriott Bahrain having scored 97%. The hotel received the award for this achievement at the HR Conference in May 2017.
• My engagement initiatives helped in reducing Labour Turnover by 17.7% in 2014 in comparison to 2013 for MEA Bahrain.
• Received an award for the Most Improved Labour Turnover at the Marriott HR Conference for MEA held in Dubai in October 2015.
• My engagement initiatives helped in reducing Labour Turnover by 15.6% in 2014 in comparison to 2013 for RIBM Bahrain.
• Successfully introduced the Life Insurance Policy for all Associates for MEA & RI Bahrain w.e.f. June 2014.
• Ensured that hiring at all levels has been done without any support or dependence on any Recruitment Agencies thereby creating cost savings in Recruitment. This has been done by effective utilization of Marriott Career Portal and online Recruitment portals like Bayt.com and Caterer Global. I had also created an active database of candidates and maintained contact with them.
• Implemented Associates Communication Forums like Monthly Town Hall Meetings, ARC Meetings and Coffee with GM.
• Organized a lot of community service initiatives like Beach cleaning, supporting a school of Down Syndrome children and orphanages.
Human Resources & Training Manager
2011 - 2013 (2 Years)

Salalah Marriott Resort, Mirbat, Oman
I joined my dream job in Marriott International for the first time at Salalah Marriott Resort as Human Resources Manager on 13 March 2011. It was a beautiful hotel in a very challenging location as it was 90kms away from the city of Salalah in a small fishing hamlet called Mirbat.

The biggest challenge was to keep my associates engaged and motivated which I was able to successfully manage thanks to the numerous staff engagement activities that we conducted every now and then. The activities included Games and Sports activities, Staff Parties, celebration of various festivals etc.

I was able to increase the Engagement Survey Score by 23% over the previous year in my very first year of joining the organization thanks to the initiatives successfully implemented by me. This led to me being awarded the Most Improved Engagement Survey Score Award in the HR Conference held in Marriott Marquis Doha in June 2012.

I was also awarded the Highest Positive Turnover Award in the same HR Conference, thereby helping me to make my mark in the very first year of joining Marriott.

I also performed a Task Force Assignment at the JW Marriott Marquis, Dubai in the month of September 2011 for a period of 22 days to assist in the pre-opening of the hotel. My role during this assignment was to assist the Director of Learning in the Learning & Development Department.
Human Resources Manager
2010 - 2011 (1 Year)

Swiss Belhotel Doha, Qatar
- Leading and Monitoring Recruitment and Hiring Activity
- Administering and Providing Education Related to Associate Benefits
- Managing Associate Development
- Maintaining Associate Relations
- Managing Legal and Compliance Practices
Human Resources Manager
2010 - 2010 (0Months)

Arabian Courtyard Hotel & Spa, United Arab Emirates UAE
- Leading and Monitoring Recruitment and Hiring Activity
- Administering and Providing Education Related to Associate Benefits
- Managing Associate Development
- Maintaining Associate Relations
- Managing Legal and Compliance Practices
Human Resources Manager
2008 - 2009 (1 Year)

Golden Tulip Sharjah, United Arab Emirates UAE
I was transferred to the Golden Tulip Sharjah from the Golden Tulip Ajman in May 2008. I was involved in the pre-opening recruitment of the staffs for the 264 room hotel apartments which is one of the biggest hotels in Sharjah. The hotel eventually did the soft opening in October 2008. My detailed job responsibilities were as follows:
- Staffing & Recruitment: Recruit staff at all levels in conjunction with the Departmental Managers according to needs and in compliance with the hotel’s recruitment budgets.
- Administration: Maintain up-to-date employee files and records.
- Market awareness: Conduct periodic compensation survey with competitor hotels and recommend salary changes as necessary.
- Staff Welfare: Deal with any staff welfare matters, including the provision of locker facilities, staff canteen and staff uniforms. Helps organize staff social events.
- Payroll: Co-ordinate the payroll administration with hotel’s Accounting Department.
- Training: Coordinate training with the department heads in conjunction with the Training Manager.
- Employee Development: Keep track of the career developments of all employees and ensure priority of internal promotions.
- Counselling: Advises and counsels individual members of staff on any personal or welfare matters.
- HR Reporting: Maintains accurate statistics including labour turnover and retention, reasons for leaving and age/service bands.
- Budgeting: Prepares annual budgets for recruitment, training and assists in the production of the hotel’s HR budget.
- Staff Accommodation: In conjunction with the Accommodation Supervisor, ensure all staff receive adequate accommodation, according to their grade and requirements
- Staff Cafeteria: To supervise employee cafeteria to make sure hygienic & good quality food is served by the contracted Caterer.
- Legal: In conjunction with the Public Relations Officer, ensure all visa requirements are maintained and fulfilled
Human Resources Manager
2008 - 2008 (0Months)

Golden Tulip Ajman, United Arab Emirates UAE
I was a pre-opening Team member of the Golden Tulip Ajman. I had been involved in the recruitment of the staffs for the 500 room property and also in developing the Standard Operating Procedures and various templates for the HR operation.

Since the project in Ajman was being taken over by a new management company with effect from May 2008, I was transferred to the Golden Tulip Sharjah in the same capacity.
Human Resources Manager
2006 - 2008 (2 Years)

Graphic International Centre LLC, United Arab Emirates UAE
- Recruitment & Selection
- Develop and maintain an effective and updated resource database for potential requirement.
- Training & Development
- Responsible for addressing employee grievances and recommend appropriate redressal to the management.
- Job Analysis
- Performance Appraisal: Evaluate employees performance and their potential, annually and half yearly, present the same to the management
- Human Resource Planning: Estimate & plan manpower based on the objectives and the requirement of the company in consultation and co-ordination with project and department heads.
- Construct various reports and weekly updates on new recruits, visa application, terminations, resignation of staff and tradesmen and report to Management.
- Conducting and preparing exit interviews reports and analyzing the date thereafter
- Instrumental in contributing to the development of skill assessment format for rewarding bonus and incentives to the employees
Training Manager
2005 - 2006 (1 Year)

Lifestyle - Landmark Group LLC, United Arab Emirates UAE
• To assess training needs, design and impart training for all staff of the company.
• To source the required manpower for the Company and co-ordinate recruitments.
• Assist the management in doing staff appraisals and making Succession Planning
• Liaise with various training agencies to source out different training programs for the senior level employees based on their requirement and negotiate with these agencies to buy the best available courses and nominate participants for the same.
• Appraise the management about the manpower strength by providing monthly manpower reports consolidated from all territories
Assistant Manager - HR & Training
2003 - 2005 (2 Years)

Federal Foods LLC, United Arab Emirates UAE
• Manage the entire recruitment process.
• Counsel staff on issues, rules and regulations relating to Human Resource Management.
• Manage all the staff welfare related activities.
• Conduct Training Needs Analysis and identify the training needs of the company
• Coordinate and facilitate the training activities throughout the company.
• Personally conduct some of the training programs viz., New Employee Orientation Program, Telephone Etiquettes, Merchandising Skills etc.
• Liaise with various training agencies to source out different training programs for the senior level employees based on their requirement and negotiate with these agencies to buy the best available courses and nominate participants for the same.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the training programs by conducting follow-up studies to determine the impact of the training program on the trainees and recommend changes as required.
Training Executive
2001 - 2002 (1 Year)

Taj Group of Hotels, India
• Identifying and analyzing the training and development needs in the hotel and prioritizing such needs in line with the hotel business plan
• Plan, organize and evaluate training and development activities for all the employees, through external consultant, cross-exposure and Corporate Training programmes.
• Organize and conduct employee orientation in line with Corporate Standards.
• Develop various training modules as per requirement
• Make recommendations in developing and implementing various training and development programmes to meet identified needs and to ensure guest service and quality.
• Compile the hotel training budget along with the General Manager, Centre of Excellence and monitor expenditure on monthly basis.
• Establish and maintain liaison with all local Hospitality Colleges and Institutions and coordinate with the General Manager, Centre of Excellence for the Recruitment of Industrial Trainees and Management Trainees.
Training Manager
2000 - 2001 (1 Year)

The Muthoot Plaza, India
Responsible for training the staff of the hotel and also the other group hotels in other cities in South India. I was involved in the pre-opening training of The Muthoot Plaza Hotel and the Poovar Island Resort in Trivandrum and a Restaurant Complex opened in Bangalore all of them managed by the Sarovar Park Plaza Group (currently known by the name Sarovar Hotels & Resorts).
Asst. Lecturer
1999 - 2000 (1 Year)

Merit Swiss Asian School of Hotel Management, India
I taught the subjects of Food & Beverage Service and Convention Management of the AHMA syllabus for the third year students. I was also handling the Student Placement Cell of the college
Lecturer
1996 - 1999 (3 Years)

Bhaktavatsalam Memorial College, India
I taught the subjects of Food & Beverage Service, Food & Beverage Management and Front Office for the students of all the three years of Bachelor of Hotel Management. I was also handling the Placement Cell of the Department of Hotel and Catering Management
Training Executive
1995 - 1996 (1 Year)

Welcomgroup Vadodara, India
I was responsible for setting up the Training Department of the hotel and handling the Training Activities of all the departments of the hotel.
Sales & Marketing Executive
1994 - 1994 (0Months)

Perfect Holiday Resorts, India
- I was marketing the Time-sharing concept for the Perfect Holiday Resort
- I also briefly handled their Hotel in Kodaikanal as the Resort Manager.

Head of Human Resources (designated as Talent Development Manager) - Royal Tulip Muscat
Muscat, Oman

Akilan Karthikeyan

ABOUT

Basic Info

Akilan Karthikeyan's Activity

Education

Certifications & Awards

Skills

Experience