Cynthia Wanjiku
Dubai
Summary
Luxury hospitality and events professional with 8+ years of experience delivering high-touch, brand-led experiences across premium automotive, fine dining, luxury hotels, and lifestyle venues. Proven track record in end-to-end event operations, VIP guest management, brand activations, and front-of-house leadership. Experienced working with globally recognized luxury brands including Mercedes-Benz Brand Center (Gargash Group), 1920 Dubai (D.ream Global), Nusr-Et Steakhouse, and Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah. Known for discretion, polish, operational precision, and the ability to represent luxury brands with confidence while managing complex logistics, stakeholders, and teams.
CAREER BREAK (May 2025 – Jan 2026) Personal Sabbatical
Took a planned career break following organizational changes to focus on personal priorities. During this period, remained engaged with industry trends and refined administrative and coordination skills. Now fully available and motivated to re-enter the workforce.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Event Floor Manager
1920 Dubai
10.2024 - 04.2025
- Oversaw daily operations ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.Directed on-site execution of high-profile corporate, VIP, and private events in a luxury dining and events environment.
- Led full event lifecycle: pre-event planning, room setup, service choreography, guest flow, and postevent breakdown.
- Managed luxury service delivery across plated and buffet formats, ensuring timing precision and brand consistency.
- Acted as primary point of contact for clients and VIP guests during live events.
- Supervised, trained, and motivated multicultural service teams to uphold premium hospitality standards.
- Coordinated closely with culinary, sales, technical, and external vendor teams to deliver seamless events.
- Enforced health, safety, and quality standards aligned with luxury hospitality expectations.
- Conducted post-event reviews to identify service enhancements and operational improvements.
- Implemented training programs for new employees, enhancing onboarding experience and performance standards.
Event Operations & Brand Experience Coordinator
Mercedes-Benz Brand Center (Gargash Group)
02.2023 - 10.2024
- Progressed internally within the Mercedes-Benz Brand Center from Reception & Reservations leadership into Event Operations and Brand Activations
- Planned and executed luxury automotive launches, corporate events, VIP client experiences, and brand activations.
- Represented Mercedes-Benz brand values through flawless guest journeys and premium service execution.
- Managed event budgets, timelines, suppliers, AV, catering, décor, and logistics
- Oversaw front-of-house operations, reservations, and VIP guest handling using SevenRooms.
- Led, trained, and scheduled teams across reception, reservations, and events.
- Produced post-event reports, performance insights, and recommendations for continuous improvement
- Acted as a key liaison between sales, marketing, and operations teams.
Head Hostess
Nusr-Et Steakhouse
01.2021 - 02.2023
- First impression of the restaurant and last warm goodbye, creating positive and fun experience for customers.
- Supervise host book efficiently and oversee guest sitting arrangements.
- Strive for customer satisfaction by meeting all personal and special requests of guests.
- Handle guests amicably and with understanding whether they have reservations or not.
- Support multiple restaurant areas during busy periods, using diverse skills to assist across broad ranges of tasks.
- Monitor dining area and guests flow to maximize table usage, minimizing waiting times.
- Monitor dining area staff to evaluate server loads and calculate accurate waiting times.
- Encourage customer loyalty by delivering unparalleled service throughout dining experiences.
- Govern dining areas with natural leadership talents, balancing guests and business needs.
- Dubai
Senior Hostess
Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah
03.2019 - 01.2021
- Welcome and acknowledge all guests according to company standards, anticipate and address guests' service needs, and thank guests with genuine appreciation.
- Seat guests promptly at a table pre-set for the number in the party and according to guest preference.
- Set up host/hostess desk, review guest reservations.
- Maintain a station chart and cover count for the restaurant while recognizing the maximum workload capacity of each server to meet service standards.
- Answer telephones according to the standards and make guest reservations or provide information regarding the restaurant or any other hotel service.
- Anticipate the needs of guests, respond accordingly to guest inquiries or problems, and recognize regular guests by name and utilize the guest's name consistently.
- Inspect and maintain daily menus to ensure quality, condition and appearance while developing a complete working knowledge of all menu items and daily specials.
- Ensure proper table set-up and make minor adjustments as needed.
- Conduct duties in a courteous, safe and efficient manner, in accordance with the policies and procedures, ensuring that the highest level of service and communication is maintained.
- Dubai
F&B AMBASSADOR
Majestic City Retreat Hotel
03.2017 - 02.2019
- Provided cheerful, professional customer service, offering a can-do attitude to all requests.
- Offered professional, efficient point-of-sale service to minimize queuing time and maximize customer satisfaction.
- Developed targeted advice for decision-makers on how best to reach target consumers and build awareness.
- Compiled industry data on competitor pricing, materials costs, and supply chain issues to help set accurate pricing.
- Devised creative strategies for highlighting goods and promoting specific attributes.
- Managed multi-channel advertising campaigns to support sales objectives.
Education
BBA -
Wang Point College
Nairobi, Kenya12-2016
High School Diploma -
Gatitu Secondary School
Nairobi, Kenya11-2014
Skills
- Event Operations & Coordination
- Luxury Guest Experience
- Team Leadership & Training
- Vendor & Stakeholder Management
- Reservations & Revenue Optimization
- Complaint Resolution
- Administrative & Reporting Skills
Timeline
Event Floor Manager
1920 Dubai
10.2024 - 04.2025
Event Operations & Brand Experience Coordinator
Mercedes-Benz Brand Center (Gargash Group)
02.2023 - 10.2024
Head Hostess
Nusr-Et Steakhouse
01.2021 - 02.2023
Senior Hostess
Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah
03.2019 - 01.2021
F&B AMBASSADOR
Majestic City Retreat Hotel
03.2017 - 02.2019
BBA -
Wang Point College
High School Diploma -
Gatitu Secondary School