CHLOE'S JOURNEY:
Costa Store Manager to People Assistant
How did you start your career with ODEON?
As a Team Member in 2013 at Stoke, as a part-time job whilst starting University.
What has been your career journey with ODEON so far?
As soon as I started with ODEON I became really passionate about my team and cinema and liked the idea of progressing. I became a Part Time Team Leader six months after joining with ODEON. Wanting to continue to develop my skills, I then volunteered to work in Costa as a barista, and then progressed to Costa Supervisor and did both roles together which I really enjoyed as every day was different working in two different areas.
ODEON then underwent a restructure and I was promoted to Guest Experience Supervisor in 2015. I really enjoyed my role and spent a lot of time working with my team to better the cinema and to continue to develop myself and skills. I then became Deputy Manager whilst finishing University in 2016.
Going back to my love of Costa Coffee, I then became Costa Store Manager in 2017 and developed a great team and built relationships with our fantastic regular Guests.
By this stage I had finished University and was wanting to take my next steps in my career. For a while I had been looking into HR and gaining a CIPD qualification. During one of ODEON's roadshow it was announced for the first time ever that ODEON would be providing HR Apprenticeships which would allow colleagues to gain their CIPD qualification, and so I applied. I also applied for a People Assistant role beforehand, and although I was not successful I was given a lot of support from the HR team including doing a week's work experience. I was successful in securing a position on the Bright Lights HR Apprenticeship which has been a fantastic development opportunity. Lastly, I reapplied for a People Assistant position, which I was successful for.
So now I work in the HR team studying for my CIPD qualification.
What attracted you to joining ODEON?
My obsession with watching films primarily. I had just turned 18 at the time, and I wanted a job that I felt I would enjoy and engage with.
What is your favourite thing about working for ODEON?
Its people and development opportunities. When I first applied for ODEON I never thought I would make friends for life, nor did I think I would have been provided all of the opportunities I have been given, which is why I am still here.
Advice to anyone joining ODEON?
Never see ODEON as a part-time, short-term position; but an opportunity to have a great working environment, make friends, have fun and build a career from the various opportunities there are throughout the organisation.
& of course...favourite film!?
The Lion King!