Pros
- A well-lit office with windows and a proper workspace - Laundry is provided - Relatively flat hierarchy and nice colleagues - Wellness and lunch allowances are provided - Staff rates at various COMO properties around the world
Cons
• Role Scope & Resourcing The Marketing Communications role at COMO Metropolitan Singapore is exceptionally broad and demanding. The position requires hands-on expertise across multiple disciplines, including: - Content Production: Planning and managing photoshoots, developing schedules, liaising with photographers and videographers, coordinating with internal stakeholders, and overseeing post-production. - Digital Marketing: SEO, SEM, PPC, and Google Ads management. - Public Relations: Writing press releases and media pitches, preparing interview responses, coordinating media and KOL stays, developing itineraries, and conducting hotel tours. - Design & Collateral: Overseeing the development of branded marketing materials across the hotel. - Social Media: Creating monthly content calendars, developing reels, managing online communities, and ensuring platform optimisation. In addition, the role involves administrative responsibilities such as budget tracking, raising purchase requests, and managing operational documentation. Given the scope, the role would benefit from stronger structural support and clearer manpower allocation. At present, much of this workload is handled by a single manager, supported by interns, which can place significant pressure on the role while also requiring substantial time dedicated to training and supervision. • Team Structure & Leadership The team structure is largely composed of senior (and a mature team) of Heads of Department alongside interns, casual staff, and part-time staff, which can create a noticeable gap in continuity and operational alignment. From a leadership perspective, the lady boss clearly lacks experience and expertise in leading a team and a city property, evident from her lack of strategic planning, particularly during periods of low occupancy. Some initiatives feel reactive by ownership / corporate office rather than guided by a clearly defined, market-driven strategy aligned with the hotel’s key guest segments. Communication style and management approach also present challenges. Feedback channels feel limited, and interactions during daily briefings can be confrontational and demeaning. There was an instance where she went on her two-week trip, only to come back to cuss at her team as she claimed she wasn’t able to enjoy her trip in peace as various stakeholders were messaging her about the hotel. If you’re complaining about not being able to enjoy a peaceful two-week holiday, then being a General Manager isn’t for you. A more collaborative and feedback-driven leadership culture could significantly improve the working environment and staff engagement. • Departmental Strategy & Management Within the Sales & Marketing function, there is an opportunity to strengthen strategic planning and operational rigor. The DosM clearly lacked experience and expertise in the marketing function, as evident from budgeting decisions that do not consistently account for essential industry tools such as media monitoring and PR platforms (e.g., Telum or Meltwater), which are often critical for effective outreach, performance tracking, and media relationship management. He also appears to have limited knowledge of structured, data-driven criteria when assessing the suitability of KOLs for complimentary stays, and was insistent that the marketing manager responded to this as “it’s her role” despite being on medical leave. Additionally, cross-functional communication could be improved, as issue resolution at times feels more reactive than collaborative. He is notoriously known to throw his team under the bus whenever issues arise, placing strain on the team rather than fostering shared accountability. I wouldn’t recommend for anyone to take up this role due to the lack of strategy / manpower. The lack of leadership also makes this property feel like a sinking ship that wouldn’t be able to weather the storms over the next couple of years.
