Meet Varsha, our VIP Host / Dual Role Operations Manager at SKYCITY Auckland. She’s found flexibility in 'shift work' to find time for her family when her kids were younger, working early 4am starts and 8pm starts for a few years as Gaming Attendant and VIP Host. All the while, she balanced her full-time work with full-time study – talk about a super mum! Thanks for sharing your story with us Varsha, keep on reading below!
What's your current role at SKYCITY?
Full-time Host & Dual Role Ops – Platinum Room
Full-time since 2016 – Dual Since 2017
& casually working with the team since 2009
What other roles have you held at SKYCITY?
Started as In Room Dining Attendant – SKYCITY Hotel
Main floor Gaming Attendant
Casual Recruitment Administrator
Casual VIP Host
How long (in total) have you worked at SKYCITY?
Started at SKYCITY in March 2006 -13 years
Tell us a bit about what's involved in your role?
Building strong relations with VIP customers
Providing a welcoming atmosphere to the visiting patrons
Resolving customer queries regarding draws & promotions
Managing the day to day operations of the room when working as a Dual Rate
Running the in room draws
What do you enjoy most about your current role?
The relationships built with customers & colleagues over the years is the most rewarding and enjoyable experience in my current role.
What sorts of challenges do you encounter?
Sometimes the communication to the patron regarding promotions are not correctly delivered, which at times may lead to challenging situation when customer want answers. The relationships that we built over years helps to resolve it.
Tell us about some of your career achievements/highlights at SKYCITY
- Making lifelong friends who are like family now
- Career wise I have grown & learned new skills
- Transitioning into the role of Dual Rate Ops
What did you do before you joined SKYCITY?
Administrative Assistant for over 10+ years in India.
What do you enjoy about working at SKYCITY?
- Flexibility with my working hours has helped me when my kids were younger and in primary school. I could adjust work around the hours the kids needed me. The management understood my family situation and were very helpful to allow me that flexibility. I have worked early morning 4am starts & 8pm starts for a few years as Main floor Gaming Attendant & VIP Host. While doing a full-time job at SKYCITY I was able to graduate as an Early Childhood Educator from MIT. I managed my full-time job with a full-time study with two kids and completed all my tasks successfully. My kids are in Uni currently and would always recommend SKYCITY to anyone with a young family, as it is best in terms of working hours and the different options of full-time, part-time & casual roles. Both my kids work casually with SKYCITY.
- The option to have a meal at the 24/7 employee restaurant which is affordable
- Employee assistance & support
- Employee offers & discounts with various external providers
- Various initiatives for the employees to get involved
What would you say to anyone considering joining your team or applying for a job like yours?
- Be a team player
- Enjoy working & talking to patrons
- Know the boundaries of working in a Gaming environment
- Be ready to have fun & share the experience with the visiting patrons.
- Be approachable with a positive outlook
Which of SKYCITY’s employee benefit(s) do you enjoy most?
- Discounted carparking
- Discounted movie tickets
Is there anything about SKYCITY that makes it different to other work places?
- Very supportive Management team who are visible on site
- Employee focused with all the available training facilities
- Forward thinking employer who changes with time & ensures employees are treated fairly
Where were you born/raised and how long have you lived in Auckland?
I was born in India. I have lived in Auckland for the last 13 years.
What do you like to get up to outside of work?
- Volunteering work
- Movies
- Cooking
If Varsha's story inspired you to join our team at SKYCITY then check out our Careers website to view all the career opportunities we currently offer.
