This month, we’re shining the spotlight on Vienna Arce, a Site Manager in HBL who plays a key role in leading teams and overseeing daily operations in her site! Her career in the leisure industry began in 2016 as a Games Operator at Global Village, Dubai. She was then selected to be part of the team that supported the opening of Warner Bros. in Abu Dhabi before returning to work as a Games Operator for the next season of Global Village.
Her dedication and leadership potential soon led her to La Mer Beach, where she stepped into a Team Leader position and developed strong people-management and leadership skills, ultimately continuing as a Manager at La Mer. After the COVID-19 pandemic, Vienna was once again trusted with greater responsibility and went on to manage a larger site at JBR. This progression motivated her to improve her leadership, communication, and decision-making skills. In her day-to-day role, she ensures smooth site operations while leading and motivating her teams. From ensuring daily and weekly targets are met to maintaining safety and operational standards, Vienna plays a hands-on role in every aspect of site management.
Her responsibilities include supervising and scheduling teams, conducting daily briefings, managing inventory and budget, preparing sales reports and deposits, training new Games Operators, and coordinating staff events. Creating a positive and motivating work environment is central to her leadership style, and she takes pride in supporting staff development and teamwork.
One of Vienna Arce’s proudest accomplishments at HBL was being awarded Manager of the Year for 2022–2023. “This recognition was especially meaningful to me because it reflected my hard work, consistency and commitment to leading my team effectively,” she said. However, what stands out most to her is witnessing the growth of the people she has mentored. Many Games Operators she trained have progressed into Team Leader and Supervisor roles, with some even travelling to manage sites at other GGC locations.
Like many leaders, Vienna faced challenges along the way. Early on, she found it difficult to speak up and share her ideas as she tended to be more reserved. Through practice, increased responsibility, and the encouragement to lead discussions and initiatives, she gradually built her confidence. She credits Jean Paul, the Operations & Projects Manager in the UAE, for trusting her judgment and giving her the space to test ideas that benefited both the site and her team, helping her grow into a more confident and effective leader.
Looking ahead, Vienna aims to continue growing within HBL by taking on larger responsibilities and managing bigger sites with higher sales targets. She is focused on optimising operations, driving performance, and leading larger teams, while continuing to mentor others so they can grow professionally within the company.
Beyond her professional development, Vienna is deeply appreciative of the personal support she has received from HBL. During her pregnancy, HBL ensured her health and well-being were prioritised, and she is especially grateful to be able to fully enjoy her maternity leave. This level of care has inspired her to extend the same support and guidance to her own team, helping them grow both professionally and personally.
Vienna Arce remains appreciative of the opportunities HBL has given her, and she looks forward to continuing her career with HBL!
