'Never miss an opportunity to learn’ - Career insights from Ozge Demirtas

Although her career in the hotel industry has not always followed an obvious path, Ozge Demirtas’s focus on learning and making the most of the opportunities offered by IHG, has enabled her to develop and fulfil her potential.

Early career transitions 

“As I’ve progressed through my professional life, my focus has always been to learn as much as I can at every different stage. It’s been far from a straight line - but more interesting for it.” 

I began my education and early career in Turkey, where I was born - achieving my degree in hotel management, after which I went on to complete my MBA.   

While in my final year of study, I moved to the US with my husband, and we started our family. Although my first role in the hotel industry had been focused on catering and events, as a working mother, I now wanted to be employed in a function where the working hours were primarily in the daytime, rather than in the evenings and/or the weekends.

That motivated me to transition over to the accounting and finance side of hotel operations - one of my first roles being an Accounts Receivable Specialist, and later a Credit Manager for IHG. Following this, I left for a career break in Dubai, and then returned four years later to re-join the IHG family.

Pivotal career moves 

“Throughout my career, I’ve always tried to stay open minded about experiencing new challenges - seeing them as opportunities to learn and grow.” 

My current role, for example, was a huge learning curve for me, as I went from working in one of IHG’s flagship hotels - as Assistant Director of Finance and Accounting - to the America’s corporate office in Atlanta, where I am now.  

This was a big transition, as I had quite an extensive background in hotel finance but had never worked on the corporate side before. It was an ideal chance to broaden my skill set in the field of hotel performance and accounts receivable compliance, as part of the US Finance Operations team.

Out of office development boosters 

“Learning’ doesn’t necessarily have to take place in the official capacity of a training session or course - to really find career fulfilment, there should be opportunities available every day to grow and develop.”  

This includes learning both in work, as well as through voluntary and pro bono projects. In the past, I’ve achieved a great deal from contributing to non-profit organisations – for example when I lived in Dubai, I served as a board member and treasurer for the American Women’s Association. While I was ADOF at Crowne Plaza Ravinia I was a Board Member of Atlanta Junior Rowing Assocation (AJRA) and the Treasurer for almost 2 years. 

It's a mutually beneficial experience when an employer can enable and encourage employees to take up challenges outside of work that will add to their portfolio of experience and increase soft skills development. The team at IHG have always been supportive of me participating in charity and external commitments that add value.

Learning and passing on the knowledge

“Learning on the job has also been fundamental for me, as has passing on that experience.”  

Fortunately, when I rejoined IHG after I came back to the US from Dubai, I was lucky enough to work with a truly inspiring Director of Finance, who was both supportive and extremely knowledgeable. He was generous in sharing his insight and I greatly benefited from working with him and the team. 

It increased my confidence and understanding, not only in relation to the field of hotel accounting and finance, but also in terms of working with others - learning from those people with experience to teach, as well as passing on knowledge to the team working with me.  

Career advice 

Whatever role I’ve had, I’ve always strived to treat everyone with equal respect, and some of my proudest moments have been watching colleagues I’ve worked with and mentored, achieve and go on to secure great roles in the industry.  

For me, the importance of progression for my team is very much underscored by the IHG mentality of giving all colleagues ‘Room to Grow’, something I am more than happy to support.  

I’ve always believed in the idea that ‘if they grow, you grow’ - I put a great deal of emphasis on offering support to anyone reporting to me and helping colleagues progress in their careers - it’s for the benefit of everyone after all.

“Some advice I’ll be passing on to my children is this: work hard, stay curious and always be open minded to learning something new - you never know where it may take you.”  

Personal reflection moment

At IHG we provide our colleagues with IHG University, a gateway for all their learning, helping everyone to find their own path in building their skills, knowledge, and capabilities, supporting IHG’s ‘Room for You’ promise.