olivia odudu
Head OF MARKETING and communications
Olivia joined The Grand, York in April 2016 as Conference Operations Assistant on a part time / flexible contract whilst studying at University. Upon completing her studies, she was offered a permanent full time role in September 2017 as Food and Beverage Coordinator, assisting the Restaurant Manager and the Marketing team in the execution of the restaurant calendar of events, small social media projects and the day-to-day running of the operation. Her creativity soon flourished and she was promoted to the role of Marketing Executive in February 2018, with responsibility for delivering and supporting the marketing plan across all areas of the hotel.
Taking the lead and driving all marketing and PR initatives forward as we found ourselves in the pandemic, Olivia was promoted to Marketing Manager in October 2020 and now sits as Head of Marketing and Communications.
Olivia is a prime example of a Grand family member who during a part-time role in the hotel found a career path perfectly suited to her. Throughout her earlier career Olivia took courses such as The Chartererd Institute of Marketing Certificate in Professional Marketing and also become a certified search marketing specialist with the Digital Marketing Institute.
“Joining The Grand as a part-time Conference Operations Assistant whilst at university, I never dreamed that seven years later I would be their Head of Marketing and Communications. Now I take ownership of all marketing activity to raise brand awareness, share of voice, revenue, direct bookings, and repeat business whilst keeping all activations in the luxury sphere, and I love my job! All of this is with thanks to wonderful mentors and support from The Grand throughout my earlier career with courses such as those with the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
The creative freedom of my role, the ever-changing digital and consumer landscape and the opportunity to create a truly loved brand through partnerships, csr work and more is what inspires me, but also, developing those around me to create other leaders of the future!”
