Hotel Operations Intern (based in Santa Monica, CA)

Highgate is a premier real estate investment and hospitality management company widely recognized as an innovator in the industry. Highgate is the dominant player in U.S. gateway markets including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco, and Honolulu, with a rapidly expanding presence in Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Highgate's portfolio of global properties represents an aggregate asset value exceeding $20B and generates over $5B in cumulative revenues. The company provides expert guidance through all stages of the hospitality property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition. Highgate also has the creativity and bandwidth to develop bespoke hotel brands and utilizes industry leading proprietary revenue management tools that identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive out performance and maximize asset value. With an executive team consisting of some of the industry's most experienced hotel management leaders, the company is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands. Highgate maintains corporate offices in London, New York, Dallas, and Seattle. www.highgate.com

What You Will Learn

This internship will provide hands-on exposure to the operational side of the hospitality business, including hotel performance, departmental coordination, service standards, financial reporting, and corporate operations support. The intern will have the opportunity to observe how hotel leaders evaluate business needs, support property teams, and drive operational excellence across Viceroy's luxury hotel portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

Assist the SVP of Operations with day-to-day operational projects, reporting, and administrative support.
• Support hotel operations initiatives related to guest experience, service standards, departmental performance, and property-level execution.
• Gain exposure to core hotel departments, including Front Office, Housekeeping, Food & Beverage, Rooms, and other key operational areas.
• Assist with basic accounting and financial tasks, which may include reviewing reports, organizing data, tracking expenses, supporting budget-related projects, and helping prepare operational summaries.
• Compile and organize operational information, presentations, reports, and follow-up items for leadership review.
• Partner with property and corporate teams to support special projects, process improvements, and operational initiatives.
• Help analyze hotel performance metrics, guest feedback, service trends, and operational opportunities.
• Attend meetings, take notes, track action items, and assist with follow-up communication as needed.
• Maintain a professional, service-oriented approach when interacting with hotel leaders, associates, guests, and corporate partners.
• Support additional projects and assignments that provide exposure to hotel operations, finance, and executive leadership.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled as a college junior or senior in Hospitality Management, Hotel Administration, Business, Finance, or a related program.
• Prior hotel, restaurant, luxury service, or hospitality internship experience preferred.
• Strong interest in hotel operations, luxury hospitality, and long-term career growth within the hotel industry.
• Basic understanding of hotel departments and the overall guest journey.
• Comfort working with numbers, reports, and basic accounting or financial information.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and follow-through.
• Professional communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, service-driven environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Positive attitude, curiosity, discretion, and a willingness to learn from hotel and corporate leaders.