Viktoria Rathjen
Employer Branding Manager (ATLANTIC Hotels Management)
"My ATLANTIC story began at a job fair. I had just returned from abroad and knew that I wanted to do a dual study programme, but didn't know in which industry. I wanted to get some inspiration at the fair. The plan worked out - the ATLANTIC Hotels booth immediately appealed to me. This was followed by a four-week internship in the operational departments to see if ‘hotel’ was something for me. And it was! At the end of the internship at the ATLANTIC Hotel Galopprennbahn, the company and I knew that we had found each other. I started there as a dual student in August of the same year.
The dual study programme was a very exciting time that demanded a lot. Two days a week at university in Hamburg (there was no local opportunity at the time) and three days a week at the company in Bremen. I got to know operational and administrative departments. From the early shift in housekeeping to the same daily routines in accounting and night-time events in service, everything was included. I learned before or after working hours as well as on ‘days off’ and vacation days.
I always knew what I was doing it for, which gave me energy and plenty of motivation. I wanted to study while at the same time experiencing the practical side of things and really understanding what it was all about and how things are connected.
As a dual student at ATLANTIC Hotels, I always felt valued and listened to. I've really enjoyed working with my colleagues since day one and I was allowed to take on responsibility early on. In the operational departments, the contact with guests is particularly motivating and the administrative departments make it clear what it takes for a company to be successful. I am one of the very first graduates of the dual study programme in the ATLANTIC Hotels Group. I am proud of that!
In October 2015, I was taken on as a team assistant in the management division of ATLANTIC Hotels Management GmbH. What an exciting job! I worked alongside the members of the management team and gained first-hand insights into the various business areas and economic decisions. I was also in contact with the various hotel general managers, investors and business partners and was able to get involved in a wide range of projects.
I wrote my bachelor's thesis on the topic of ‘Employer Branding’. Bringing people together, excite them, working towards something together and growing together makes me thrive. Why do people choose one employer over another? Why do people stay with the company? What creates identification with the company and how do the specialities become visible? Since January 2017, I have been able to focus on these questions as HR Marketing Manager at ATLANTIC Hotels. At the same time, I have also become the personal assistant to our CEO Markus Griesenbeck.
The closness to colleagues at the various hotels and to the management board is a valuable combination and the ideal basis for credible HR marketing - both externally and internally. In addition, these are two extremely exciting and responsible areas with a wide range of tasks. Communication plays a major role in both fields.
During the pandemic, our online communication was more important than ever. In summer 2020, there was a bottleneck in the area of online marketing and I was given the opportunity to temporarily gain valuable experience in this area thanks to my previous knowledge. From 0 to 100, I was the only contact person for several weeks. In total, I supported the department for over a year and trained new colleagues in the process.
Special times (as bad as they sometimes are) create special opportunities to surpass yourself. When the opportunity arises, it's worth ‘jumping in at the deep end’ and realising what you can achieve. That is and always has been my philosophy.
In order to base my creativity on sound knowledge, I privately completed an online further education programme to become a state-certified graphic designer while working. Personal education is further development. That's really important to me! That's why I really appreciate the two guaranteed professional and/or personal training courses per year and the wide range of further training programmes offered by ATLANTIC Hotels. An absolutely powerful benefit! The focus on people is what makes the hotel group special.
I have been the Employer Branding Manager at ATLANTIC Hotels since April 2024. Taking a holistic view of the employer brand and developing it further is a matter close to my heart. It's about creating brand experiences within and outside the hotel group.
I am very grateful for the constant encouragement, appreciation and flexibility, as well as for the trust and eye-level shown to me at ATLANTIC - especially by my direct superiors (first and foremost our CEO) and by the entire team across throughout the company. I also appreciate the challenges and obstacles I have encountered along the way. At first they are unpleasant, but ultimately they give the chance to grow personally.
I love our company culture and the opportunity to shape it. It's great to be able to contribute dynamically and creatively and to help drive the company's goals forward.
Passion led me here. I'm looking forward to what's to come!’
// Publication: 1 October 2024 // Dear Oliver Pracht, THANK YOU for the beautiful photos! :) //
