With more than 465,000 team members and 4,000 open positions ranging from entry level and post-graduate roles to remote and hourly positions catering to working parents, Hilton offers an array of opportunities for professionals turning “encore careers” into new, fulfilling chapters of their lives.
Hilton believes it is our calling to engage people in the hospitality industry, providing future team members, regardless of background, the opportunity for more than just a job, but a long-term, fulfilling career – one that could change their lives and the lives of those around them. Hilton’s award-winning workplace culture prioritizes flexibility, exposure and growth that turn jobs into meaningful careers for both corporate and hotel-level workforces.
As the No. 1 World’s Best Workplace, team members are at the heart of our business and act as cultural ambassadors to fulfill our mission of spreading the light and warmth of hospitality by delivering exceptional stays.
“Hilton makes every effort to foster an exceptional and inclusive workplace culture, that supports our team members at every step of their personal and professional journeys, and empowers them to bring their authentic selves to work,” said Rachel Russell, senior vice president, human resources, Americas, Hilton. “These inspiring career change stories are a testament to our commitment, and we are proud to celebrate our team members’ passions.”
Below are three examples of Hilton hotel leaders thriving in their second-act hospitality careers including a retired professional athlete, a former law enforcement officer and a former actor:
From Highly Decorated Homicide Detective to Hospitality
Christopher Frazier, director of banquets, The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, quickly rose through the ranks within Greensboro, North Carolina’s most challenging criminal justice district. With a passion to help others and love for his career, Christopher had several years of promotions and was honored with the Police Officer of the Year award as the youngest detective in the homicide unit.
After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, Frazier was asked to open an office for Church Interiors, Inc. to assist the churches, schools and other commercial properties with rebuilding. Later, he began his Hilton career as a security officer at The Roosevelt New Orleans, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel, among New Orleans’ landmark properties. Since then, he’s grown into various positions within the hotel’s banquet department from server to director. Although his detective work is behind him, Frazier continues to aid in providing closure for families affected by unsolved mysteries.
“I have always wanted to work in a career where I can make a difference in people’s lives. Both careers have given me that, but I love seeing people so happy at The Roosevelt,” Frazier said. “Interacting with all types of personalities in both good and bad situations prepared me to be an effective hospitality leader with excellent communication skills, close attention to detail and confidence in thinking quickly on my feet.”
Former Professional Baseball Player Hitting Hospitality Home Runs
Mike Wilson, general manager, Embassy Suites by Hilton Alexandria Old Town, lived his dream as a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers before an injury led him to retire, and ultimately to his new career path. With an interest in travel and hotel stays, Mike made the transition to hospitality after seeing a “milk & cookies available” sign for front desk applications. After 25 years in the industry in a variety of positions, he joined the Hilton team in his current position where he’s thrived with his competitive spirit and ability to connect with team members and guests from all over the world—a skill he had to master with his baseball teammates to collectively accomplish one shared dream.
“As a former athlete, I’m inspired by the hospitality industry because you always have an opportunity to win. I can be a good teammate, I can win the guest’s stay. I can beat my budget. I can do better than the day before on a scorecard metric,” Wilson said. “In baseball, I was always learning a new pitch, strategy or mechanics. In hospitality, I am constantly learning so I bring that same tenacity and work ethic. In both industries, you win as a team.”
An Encore Performance with Hilton
Thom Caska, general manager, Hilton New York Times Square, began with an internship at the New York State Theatre Institute where he grew his craft from performance and music composition to set design. With a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, Caska balanced acting roles with set carpentry for the city’s Theatre Row Studios, where he was promoted to studio general manager.
After 10 years of working with top production companies across Broadway, film and television, Caska challenged himself to a new role. He initially began by joining the Hilton family as a director of restaurants & lounges at New York Hilton Midtown, and then followed with various leadership roles from food and beverage to general manager at some of Hilton’s top New York City properties. Now at Hilton New York Times Square, a perfect fit in the country’s Broadway capital, Caska enjoys swapping show recommendations with guests and offering exclusive experiences such as the hotel’s Aladdin’s Times Square Palace suite that comes with show tickets to Disney’s Aladdin the Musical on Broadway and a wake-up call from the musical’s Genie.
“Shakespeare said it best, ‘All the world’s a stage.’ In both industries, my job as a GM is equal parts performance and education. Like an actor connecting with his audience, my goal is to provide the best experience when interacting with guests onsite,” Caska said. “I believe many people in the arts are empaths in one form or another, and empathy is such a key part of working in hotels. Back in the office, I oversee the bigger picture similar to my time managing theater production.”
In addition to being recognized as the No. 1 World’s Best Workplace, Hilton has also been named the No. 1 Great Place to Work in the U.S. as well as a Great Place to Work in more than 60 countries around the world. For more information on Hilton’s expansive team member benefits, its award-winning workplace culture and the many jobs available, please visit jobs.hilton.com.