Cynthia Ward

San Francisco, CA *****

ad2r9z@r.postjobfree.com

+1-816-***-****

A passionate, polished, dynamic, and skilled event planner and production manager with a wide range of experience supporting a variety of clients and event types. Producing successful events and executing unparalleled levels of hospitality with an overt organization strategy and almost obsessive attention to detail. Engaging everyone with the same knowledgeable, kind, and consultative style. Thriving in an environment of change and where I'm able to oversee many initiatives at one time, taking each pivot and hurdle as an opportunity to fully realize and utilize my creative problem solving abilities, driving excitement within the production team in order to level up the client experience while cultivating resilience and further creativity

Work Experience

Event Director

CAL Catering and Events - Burlingame, CA

October 2023 to Present

• Responsible for producing and organizing all event elements and logistics by working directly with clients throughout the planning process to ensure expectations and needs are met on all levels

• Manage all aspects of event production for various types of events including but not limited to corporate, nonprofit, weddings and social events

• Foster and maintain existing relationships with clients as well generate new contacts

• Main point of contact for clients for site visits, tastings, overall coordination throughout planning process and day of event presence

• Work with clients on budgeting, menu selections, room set up, décor, entertainment, talent, etc

• Work in conjunction with Sales Team to ensure alignment on client expectations and budgeting

• Ensure that all BEO’s are accurate and detailed with menu selections, beverage packages, time lines, vendor needs, set up information, internal notes and instructions as well as other line item costs

• Create floor plans with accurate lay out of event including all details, requirements and needs

• Ensure in house inventory can fulfill client's requests while working with vendors on rentals to supplement needs

• Contract vendors for specific needs - floral, linens, decor, music, talent, wedding cakes, etc

• Establish and maintain timelines day of event with all contracted vendors

• Schedule pickups and deliveries as well as coordinate load ins and load outs adhering to all building and venue parameters

• Reconcile all orders upon delivery as well as post event, handling missing/undelivered items and submitting invoices in timely manner

• Schedule appropriate number of team members for each event, contracting with external staffing agencies as necessary

• Work closely with Event Manager day of event on overall event expectations and execution, assist as necessary to direct the FOH team, manage and maintain timelines, communicate with Culinary Team on service timeline, interact with the client, etc

Founder Chief Operating Officer

My Chauffeur - San Francisco, CA

June 2007 to Present

Founder and chief operating officer of a luxury chauffeur, concierge, and tour service company, that exceeds the highest of expectations and standards to qualify serving an exclusive private clientele who have a distinct sense of class when it comes to limousine and other transportation related services. Specializing in customized unique private “off the beaten path” wine country tours and executive transportation.

Assistant General Manager

The Ramp Restaurant - San Francisco, CA

February 2023 to July 2023

• Supervised restaurant staff performance ensuring a quality dining experience.

• Resolved customer concerns, questions, and or grievances in a professional manner.

• Contributed to the professional development of the staff through strong leadership.

• Appointed, inducted, and mentored new staff members.

• Scheduled shifts and assigned tables to waitstaff and support staff.

• Conducted payroll activities in an accurate timely manner.

• Ensured that the restaurant adhered to pertinent health and safety regulations. Food and Beverage Outlets Manager

TAJ Campton Place Hotel - San Francisco, CA

October 2022 to February 2023

• Created and maintained a positive working culture for all team members.

• Hired, trained, and coached FOH staff to ensure professional development and discipline.

• Participated in F&B Outlets financial performance and goals established.

• Created and maintained procedural protocol for Outlet operations.

• Ensured operational compliance with legal and regulatory agencies.

• Maintained facilities and high standards of cleanliness.

• Actively interacted with guests in order to respond to any queries and mitigate concerns or grievances, ensuring an excellent guest experience.

• Maintained accurate payroll and attendance records. Logistics Operations Manager

Sf Log Corporation - South San Francisco, CA

November 2020 to September 2021

• Built and maintained a strong positive working relationship with all FedEx Ground management.

• Played a critical role leading, guiding, and mentoring the team to ensure smooth and efficient day to day operations of our package delivery service contract with FedEx Ground.

• Utilized and analyzed the dynamic route optimization (DRO) system to create and adjust routes for maximum efficiency.

• Coached the team of drivers in order to ensure service performance was to a level exceeding FedEx Ground goals and standards.

• Organized and assigned drivers to routes for efficient package pickup and delivery operations.

• Managed end of day checkout process.

• Communicated and enforced safety protocols.

• Worked with on-site mechanics to schedule preventative maintenance and vehicle repairs.

• Maintained effective performance management of all drivers addressing any performance or behavioral issues.

• Documented and mitigated reported disputes, incidents, and accidents in accordance with company policies.

• Consistently exceeded service and safety targets for each route and driver.

• Ensured compliance with the department of transportation (DOT) regulations and safety standards. Affiliate Manager

Kansas City Transportation Group - Kansas City, MO January 2012 to May 2014

Built, organized, and managed a network/team of professional independent licensed chauffeurs to affiliate luxury transportation for an overflow of existing and new clients from various booking agencies and transportation limousine companies.

Education

Certificate in Hospitality Management

Cornell University

June 2023 to Present

Certificate in Event Planning

IAP Career College

June 2023 to Present

Skills

• Bartending

• Food service

• Serving

• Cash handling

• Restaurant experience

• Microsoft Office

• Restaurant management

• Leadership

• Computer skills

• Customer service

• Supervising experience

• Logistics

• Sales

• Supply chain

• Warehouse distribution

• Management

• Transportation Management

• Catering

• Team Management

• Labor Cost Analysis

• Profit & Loss

• Strategic Planning

• Purchasing

• Culinary Experience

• Forecasting

• Budgeting

• Inventory Control

• Food Safety

• Merchandising

• Operations Management

• Banquet Experience

• Performance Management

• Payroll

• Pricing

• Computer Networking

• SAP

• Employee Orientation

• Recruiting

• Negotiation

• B2B sales

• CRM software

• Events management

• Relationship management

• Team management

• Supply chain

• Google Suite

• Budgeting

• Marketing

• Personal assistant experience

• Hospitality

• Project management

• Leadership

• Sales

• Customer service

• Guest services

• Customer relationship management

• Program management

• Direct sales

• Negotiation

• Forecasting

• Recruiting

• Profit & loss

• Upselling

• Hotel experience

• Supervising experience

• Operations management

• Payroll

• Restaurant experience

• Sales management

• Financial acumen

• Cash register

• Merchandising

• Cash handling

• Event Planning

• Serving

• Bartending

Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-ward-9a435a51

Certifications and Licenses

Food Handler Certification

Assessments

Customer service fit — Proficient

October 2021

Measures the traits that are important for success for customer service roles Full results: Proficient

Outside sales — Proficient

June 2023

Understanding and responding appropriately in sales scenarios, and performing common sales calculations

Full results: Proficient

Food service: Customer situations — Proficient

September 2023

Identifying and addressing customer needs in a food service setting Full results: Proficient

Bartending — Proficient

August 2021

Understanding, pouring, and mixing drink orders

Full results: Proficient

Food service: Customer situations — Proficient

October 2022

Identifying and addressing customer needs in a food service setting Full results: Proficient

Sales skills — Proficient

June 2023

Influencing and negotiating with customers

Full results: Proficient

Work style: Reliability — Proficient

August 2021

Tendency to be reliable, dependable, and act with integrity at work Full results: Proficient

Customer focus & orientation — Proficient

January 2024

Responding to customer situations with sensitivity Full results: Proficient

Recruiting — Proficient

January 2024

Managing the candidate sourcing and selection process Full results: Proficient

Indeed Assessments provides skills tests that are not indicative of a license or certification, or continued development in any professional field.

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