Head of Private Members Clubs at the 3Arena, the 1878 & The Premium Club, Virginia Fortune has been working on the Dublin hospitality scene for over three decades now. She shares with us the inner workings of her day-to-day working life.
How did you get into your role as Head of Private Members Clubs at the 3Arena?
I originally worked as the Front of House Manager back in the days of the old Point Depot. After some time there, I left to take up a role as Sales and Marketing Manager at The Commons Restaurant, during which time I also had my daughter, Rebecca. When the first Private Members Club opened at the venue in 2003, I was approached about a short-term, two-month contract to help sell memberships. Because of the network I’d built in the hospitality industry, especially through the restaurant, I had a solid base of contacts to work from. The plan was to help out temporarily, but I never left. Two months turned into many, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Was this something you always knew you wanted to do?
Not at all. I actually answered an ad in the newspaper that just looked cool and interesting at the time. I didn’t have a grand plan, but I followed my gut, and thankfully, it led me here.
In college, I studied…
Well, I’ve been working since I left school at 17, but I did take up marketing for a while. That was until statistics entered the picture. I’m sorry to say that was enough to put me off. I quickly realised I was far more passionate about the practical, people-focused side of business.
My most formative work experience was…
It would have to be overseeing the full design and build of one of our club spaces, from concept to completion. Seeing the finished product exactly as we’d envisaged and imagined it, down to the last detail, was incredibly fulfilling.
My first real job was…
A claims administrator at an insurance company. Not the most glamorous start, but it taught me structure and organisation, which has served me well throughout my career.
The most invaluable thing I learned early on in my career was…
Treat people how you’d like to be treated yourself. Simple!
A common misconception about what I do is…
That it’s all famous faces, champagne, and rock and roll. While we do have our fair share of glitz, the reality is that it’s a lot of behind-the-scenes planning and problem-solving to make sure everything comes together and runs smoothly.
My main responsibility in work is to…
Support and encourage my team, while keeping a close eye on the overall operation. It’s important to stay present and engaged, and never take my eye off the ball.
Do you have a career mentor or someone you look up to?
Yes, my CEO has always been a source of guidance and support. That said, at this stage, my role is mostly autonomous, but it’s reassuring to know I have a sounding board when I need it!
The biggest risk I’ve taken in my career so far is…
Asking for approval to invest significantly in a new club space: Upstairs at the 1878. It was a big ask and an incredibly stressful process, but ultimately, a huge success. It’s something I’m very proud of.
I wake at…
Usually 7am, but sometimes I turn over for a snooze – it depends, I may have been working the previous night.
The first thing I do every morning is…
A large, percolated coffee. Non-negotiable.
My morning routine is…
Coffee first, always. Then I feed the cat. If I’m feeling especially good, I’ll head for a swim. After that, it’s a shower, the usual fashion crisis, make-up, and out the door.
I can’t go to work without…
Checking my emails first and getting a grasp of the day ahead. I also email myself tasks that I need to do.
I travel to work by…
Car.
On an average workday I…
Check and respond to emails, keep the team informed, check the guest lists if there’s a show on, and greet our members. A big part of my role is being present and accessible.
I start my working day at…
It varies depending on the event schedule, but I’m rarely in before 10am.
The first thing I do at work is…
Say hello to the team and check my to-do list.
I usually spend the first portion of the day…
Clearing out the inbox and catching up on anything left over from the previous day. I also take time to answer any immediate team queries.
I break for lunch at…
Around 12:30 or 1pm. One of my favourite lunches is poached eggs with avocado and tomato – simple and satisfying.
The most useful business tool I use every day is…
My double-screen desktop. It makes multitasking and managing our event logistics so much smoother.
I save time by…
Prioritising. There’s always more to do than time to do it, so knowing what matters most is key.
I rarely get through my working day without…
Another coffee!
The best part of my day is…
When I can finally catch up on everything and clear my inbox. There’s a lovely sense of calm that comes with being up to date.
The most challenging part of my day is…
Handling major problems or complaints. On show days, the pressure is on to ensure everything is perfect before doors open – the clubs have to be spotless and fully prepared.
I know it’s been a good day if…
I leave work without feeling frazzled. On show nights, a good day is when members are happy, the atmosphere is electric, and the team is smiling at the end of it all.
I usually end my day at…
It depends entirely on our event schedule – sometimes early, often late.
I switch off from work by…
Losing myself in a good bit of telly. Nothing too heavy, just something to unwind to.
Before I go to bed, I’ll…
Put on a good podcast.
I often prepare for tomorrow by…
To be honest, I don’t dwell too much on the next day unless something specific needs attention. I prefer to tackle things as they come.
After a long work week, I de-stress by…
Pottering around the house, catching up with friends, and just letting myself relax.
The accomplishment I’m most proud of is…
My daughter Rebecca.
If you want to get into my line of work, my advice is to…
Start from the ground up. The best way to learn is through experience – seeing how everything works on the floor and gradually building your knowledge and confidence.
I’ve just finished working on…
We’ve just completed work on our newest club space, Upstairs at the 1878, which has been an exciting project. Now, I’m diving into the complete revamp of another one of our clubs – The Premium Club. It’s a big undertaking, but I’m looking forward to the transformation.
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