Meet Zhan Spalding, our Group Executive Manager of Surveillance. Recently promoted to her new role in September, Zhan oversees Surveillance Teams and the Surveillance Group Support Team across our operations in New Zealand and Australia.
Zhan has worked around the world, spending her career in the Gaming industry where she started off as a Croupier and worked her way up to Gaming Manager before moving into Casino Surveillance.
We’ve caught up with her to talk about her amazing career journey with SKYCITY and within the Gaming industry. Read more below!
What other roles have you held at SKYCITY?
I started with SKYCITY Darwin as Surveillance Manager four years ago, then in September 2016 I was promoted to the newly created role of Surveillance Manager – Australia, overseeing both Adelaide and Darwin Surveillance Teams. I was in this role for 2 years before I stepped up into my current role.
How long (in total) have you worked at SKYCITY?
I am now starting my seventh year with SKYCITY. Initially, I was employed at Harrah’s SKYCITY Auckland back in 1996 for 2 years; in 1998 I left New Zealand to pursue my career overseas for a number of years, before re-joining SKYCITY in 2014.
Can you briefly describe your current role?
In my current role I oversee Surveillance Teams and the Surveillance Group Support Team for all SKYCITY operations in both New Zealand and Australia. My daily activities are ever changing based on business needs and priorities, from trouble shooting to incident management to strategic development and coaching and mentoring key members of my team.
Our vision for the SKYCITY Surveillance Team is to become a business partner, actively protecting SKYCITY people (both customers and employees), assets and our reputation. This transition requires to build solid working relationships with other departments within SKYCITY and external agencies within the wider community. So in my new role I communicate constantly with members of Senior Leadership Teams at all SKYCITY properties and Head Office to ensure that we - SKYCITY Surveillance Team work in synergy within the wider SKYCITY Team.
What do you enjoy most about your current role?
People. Working with such a diverse and multicultural team of people is really fulfilling and enjoyable. My biggest satisfaction, at both professional and personal level, comes from mentoring and encouraging people to use their talents and unlock their full potential and grow their career within Casino Surveillance.
What sorts of challenges do you encounter?
Our challenges are ever-changing pending on location, time and circumstances. One of the bigger challenges we have encountered for a number of years, is the ever-changing technology within Casino Surveillance. Our challenge continues to remain open-minded, accept change and evolve.
What did you do before you joined SKYCITY?
I joined the gaming industry back in 1990 as a croupier and worked my way up to Gaming Manager before moving into Casino Surveillance. I worked in many countries around the world holding numerous roles as Surveillance Manager, Director of Security & Surveillance, Compliance Manager, Director of Operations, Project Director and others.
What do you enjoy about working at SKYCITY?
SKYCITY is a great company to work for, fully supporting talented and committed people to develop and grow within the business. Being a multicultural company with a sound reputation which takes its responsibilities within the community seriously whilst also offering a great and safe place to work.
What would you say to anyone considering joining your team or applying for a job like yours?
If you have a curious and inquisitive mind, like working in teams and enjoy learning every day, then a career within Surveillance could be the right path for you. If you enjoy being challenged and working within an ever-changing environment, then we would like to hear from you.
Which of SKYCITY’s employee benefits do you enjoy most?
There are a number of benefits SKYCITY offers to its employees. For me personally it is having access to high quality training and development offered to all SKYCITY employees. I was privileged to have my MBA study sponsored by SKYCITY which I am very grateful for.
Is there anything about SKYCITY that makes it different to other work places?
Compared to my previous work places, I found SKYCITY to be very friendly and diverse place to work, where everybody is treated with respect and have a chance to grow within. SKYCITY, being a responsible corporate citizen focuses not only on its employees but also giving back to communities and protecting the environment. It is a great company to work for.
Where were you born/raised?
I was born in Czechoslovakia, now the Czech Republic and Slovakia, however I consider myself being Cosmopolitan as I became a New Zealand Citizen back in 1996, my husband is English, our children are Spanish and we lived and worked in many countries. I am still based in Adelaide for the next 10 months before relocating to Auckland.
What do you like to get up to outside of work?
Traveling, spending time outdoors, reading and I enjoy quality time with my family and friends. Discovering the ancient art of Feng Shui has been my passion for a number of years now.
Thanks for sharing your inspiring career journey with us Zhan! If her story sparked an interest in you joining our team at SKYCITY, apply on our website!
