Meet Deborah Rafferty
Director of Revenue Management
// Philadelphia, PA
Deborah first discovered Starwood magic at Disney. Seven years later, she’s
as passionate about her career as when she started. More
Q: When and how did you come to Starwood?
I moved to Orlando in 1999 and interviewed for the Sales Reporting Systems
Analyst (SRSA) position at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, and was
hired within a week of the interview.
Q: What has been your progression through Starwood?
I stayed with the Swan and Dolphin for three years; all my moments there
stand out. I still say to this moment that it was my favorite place to
work. . .it was indeed magical. The reason I left? I wanted to return
home to Philadelphia. I made my way back north through a series of
opportunities which included being part of the SRSA Taskforce focused on the
Princeville Resort, Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers, Sheraton Arlington Park,
and the Diplomat Club & Spa. Then I assumed the same role with Westin Times
Square before becoming Director of Revenue Management for Sheraton Atlantic
City, later transitioning to the position of Director of Revenue Management
Sheraton Society Hill in Philadelphia in 2004.
Q: Can you describe your position?
The simple answer is that my focus is on maximizing overall hotel revenue,
but it’s really a daily and weekly check-in of several factors: My team needs
to understand the local market, what the pricing is of area hotels, where we
fit in that scale, what our forecasted occupancy is for a given period, and
then pooling that information to determine pricing. Because of these daily and
weekly meetings, we have made 2006 the best year in the history of Sheraton
Society Hill.
Q: What is your favorite thing about your job?
It is constantly evolving…new technology…brand culture…the cheese
constantly moves and I love it.
Q: What is the most satisfying part of your job?
Making sound decisions that benefit the owners, like Brand Culture Training,
and realizing we make the difference. It doesn’t matter how many times we
renovate our hotel…it is the people that really matter. It is the
experience that our guests go home with that keeps the memory lingering. It’s
important to the guest, and it’s also important to us, creating repeat business
and a cycle that benefits everyone involved—the guest, the staff, and the
company.
Career Paths
Accounting, Finance & Tax
The Accounting, Finance, and Tax functions play a significant role in the
management of Starwood hotels by providing the financial data used by all
managers in their daily decision making, ensuring a financially sound and
thriving hotel.
At the property level, these departments work closely with the General
Manager and department heads to increase their financial acumen, assist with
recommendations for desirable economic options, safeguard owner assets with
reliable internal control systems, and forecast and prepare monthly and annual
reports.
The ideal candidate has excellent analytical skills, mathematical aptitude,
the ability to multi-task and work independently. Time management is also
an important skill in meeting deadlines successfully.
Starwood offers exciting career opportunities in the following areas of
Accounting, Finance, and Tax:
- Accounts Payable Clerk
- Accounts Receivable Clerk
- General Cashier
- Payroll Administrator
- Credit Supervisor / Manager
- Income Auditor
- Assistant Director of Finance
- Director of Finance
Associates also have the opportunity to grow beyond Accounting, Finance, and
Tax, and many pursue career paths in related areas such as Auditing, Tax Law,
Contracts Management, Purchasing and Procurement, and Information
Technology.
