Whoops - I really misread your post - to me "USC" is the University of Southern California... if you mean US citizen, that changes things.

Honestly, the K-1 fiancé visa is going to be your best bet for getting over there permanently. There is a process for having the Consulate and Immigration service "officially" deal with your criminal record. (Don't have the reference to hand just now, but do a bit of research on the website for the US Consulate in London under the Visas section.)

It will probably be far easier to find a job in hotel management once you're over there with a valid immigration status and a work permit - which you can get reasonably soon after entering on a fiancé visa.
Cheers,
Bev