New OZO hotel is hiring based on personality

Hospitality staff who like the sound of making their mark at a new hotel brand could find the opportunity they are waiting for at the soon-to-be-opened OZO Wesley Hong Kong.

The 251-room hotel, the first to be opened under the OZO brand by ONYX Hospitality Group, is set to open this July near Admiralty and is looking for 30 staff to fill openings in departments such as front office, housekeeping, F&B and reservations.

“We are looking for people who shine inside and out and can share their knowledge on the city with guests,” says Simon Dell, general manager of the hotel. “We hire staff based on personality – strong personalities and interesting conversations are the order of the day at OZO.”

In the front office, as well as general front-line staff, the hotel is looking for a team leader and a night manager. The team leader will be responsible for actively guiding and directing the front-office team to ensure high-quality service delivery, and will also be in charge of introducing a speedy, paperless check-in system. Applicants must have at least three years’ relevant experience and a diploma qualification in the hospitality industry.

The night manager will look after night-time operations and should have five years’ of relevant experience – with two years in a managerial position – as well as the same diploma requirements.

As an international hospitality-management company, ONYX Hospitality Group is a firm believer in developing team members and maximizing each one’s strengths. “It is quite common for team members to climb the career ladder inside the group by moving between the four brands that operate under ONYX,” Dell says. “This is actively encouraged by our human resources department, as well as top management.”

The hotel ensures that team members benefit from established policies, procedures and benefits designed to help them perform their duties well and come to work every day with a smile on their face. “OZO creates a working environment that allows staff to be themselves, express their personalities, share their hobbies and talk about their cultural background. Our team is diverse, but through the culture we create, together we are united,” Dell says.

Dennis Law, guest services manager at the new hotel, has worked in the hotel industry for eight years, including stints at several five-star hotels. He says he was excited by the chance to work for a new brand. “I was attracted by the idea of the innovative ‘select service’ concept that OZO offers. At the hotel, I feel like a Hong Kong ambassador – I am able to share my local knowledge with guests who are interested in learning more about this great city,” he says.

As part of a new team at a new property, Sum participated in many group-training sessions. “The training was a fantastic bonding experience for us all,” he says. “As my career with OZO continues I know there will be plenty more opportunities to continue my learning through a variety of programmes available in areas such as leadership, coaching and service-culture training. Working in this environment, I feel I have plenty of room to learn and grow.”

Law is also impressed by the hotel’s open culture. “I feel respected as I am free to express my opinions directly to the management on a regular basis,” he says. “We have a very open style of management here, which makes you feel as though your opinion truly counts. The hotel has hired staff from many different backgrounds and because of this, we as team members can learn from each other every day. I can feel that the team spirit is very strong here.”

Looking forward, Law hopes he will be ready to move up to front-office manager in three years. “I need to continue my learning with a positive attitude and remain proactive and passionate about my job,” he says. “I am sure OZO Wesley will provide me with many opportunities and act as a launch pad for my future career in the hotel industry. In time I also hope to get involved with other OZO hotel openings, including upcoming properties in Thailand and Sri Lanka.”