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
Architecture, Design & Contruction
Architecture, Construction and Design is a crucial division within Starwood.
As we continue to emphasize franchise sales, Architecture, Construction, and
Design works to support this growth engine and aid our owner/developer
community.
Created to work with core strengths, Starwood’s Architecture, Construction
and Design division divides its responsibilities along two lines: Architecture
& Construction, and Design.
Starwood’s Architecture and Construction team manages these functions:
- Ensuring new hotels are built in compliance with brand standards by
managing the owner/developer plan review and approval process.
- Monitoring design to ensure operational needs are properly incorporated
into new Starwood-branded and Starwood-managed hotels by working closely with
Operations.
- Verifying compliance with brand standards, creating observations reports,
and undertaking on-site construction review.
- Preparing budgeting and providing project management support for the annual
capital improvement plan for our owned hotel properties.
- Providing technical support and cost estimates for brand initiative
projects.
Starwood’s Design team manages these functions:
- Helping owners and developers understand Starwood’s brands through brand
immersion sessions that allow owners/developers to understand the brand’s
position relative to its competitors, as well as how the brand’s core elements
communicate its values though design elements.
- Providing interior design direction and approval of franchisee interior
design submissions.
- Provide design support for brand initiatives, including OS&E styling,
Food and Beverage concepts, guestroom designs, and public space
initiatives.
