Zarina Yafizova
@zarinayafizova
Passionate hospitality leader driving growth and team success.
What I'm looking for
I am a passionate and driven hospitality leader with a strong entrepreneurial spirit and seasoned insight. My career has been dedicated to inspiring teams to reach their highest potential while building lasting relationships rooted in respect, loyalty, and trust. Currently, I serve as the Area General Manager overseeing three Hyatt hotels on the East Coast, where I conduct property visits, financial reviews, and brand quality assurance audits.
Throughout my career, I have successfully led daily operations for various hotels, including a 134-room extended stay hotel generating over $5.5 million annually. My initiatives have elevated employee engagement and guest satisfaction scores significantly. I take pride in collaborating with sales teams to drive corporate business growth and mentoring future leaders through Hyatt’s leadership development programs.
My experience spans across multiple hotel brands, where I have managed substantial annual revenues, developed operating budgets, and launched innovative marketing initiatives. I am committed to enhancing guest experiences and fostering a culture of excellence within my teams.
Experience
Work history, roles, and key accomplishments
Area General Manager
Hyatt Hotels
Jan 2024 - Present (1 year 9 months)
Oversee three Hyatt hotels on the East Coast, conducting property visits, financial reviews, and brand quality assurance audits. Develop and execute annual budgets, supporting portfolio managers and new general manager onboarding.
General Manager
Hyatt House Richmond Short Pump
Nov 2021 - Present (3 years 11 months)
Led daily operations for a 134-room extended stay hotel, generating over $5.5M in annual revenue. Improved guest satisfaction scores by 20% and increased employee engagement through targeted programs.
General Manager
Richmond Marriott Short Pump
Dec 2018 - Nov 2021 (2 years 11 months)
Directed operations for a 243-room full-service Marriott, managing over $12M in total annual revenue. Developed operating budgets and marketing plans, and launched new food and beverage concepts.
General Manager
Fairfield Inn by Marriott Orlando Airport
Jan 2015 - Dec 2018 (3 years 11 months)
Managed a 139-room high-occupancy airport hotel, achieving an average of 89% occupancy in 2017. Executed a multimillion-dollar renovation project on time and on budget, and achieved a top 19% guest satisfaction ranking.
Education
Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework
Valencia College
Associate of Science, Business Administration
Completed an Associate of Science degree in Business Administration. Focused on developing strong business acumen and administrative skills.
Valencia College
Technical Certificate, Business Specialist
Obtained a Technical Certificate in Business Specialist. This program enhanced practical business skills and knowledge.
Valencia College
Technical Certificate, Business Operations
Earned a Technical Certificate in Business Operations. The curriculum focused on the operational aspects of business management.
Valencia College
Technical Certificate, Business Management
Acquired a Technical Certificate in Business Management. This certificate provided a foundation in managing business functions effectively.
Canon McMillan HS
High School Diploma, General Studies
Graduated with a High School Diploma from Canon McMillan High School. Completed general education requirements.
Tech stack
Software and tools used professionally
Availability
Location
Authorized to work in
Job categories
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