SALWA SAMARANI

Mobile +974********/009********* – Email: adcz02@r.postjobfree.com

CAREER OBJECTIVE

Seeking a challenging management position with a progressive and strongly driven company, where my professional experience and knowledge in project management, events management, client services, administration, commercial management can be applied and enhanced to the maximum potential. I consistently demonstrate high levels of commitment and professionalism in any position I hold, ensuring I am an asset to the company I join and instrumental to the company’s growth and development.

EXPERIENCE

Operations Manager September 2017 – Present

Production Factory - Lebanon

Improving the operational systems, processes and policies in support of organizations mission-- specifically, support better management reporting, information flow and management, business process and organizational planning

• Manage and increase the effectiveness and efficiency of Support Services (HR, and Finance), through improvements to each function as well as coordination and communication between support and business functions

• Play a significant role in long-term planning, including an initiative geared toward operational excellence

• Oversee financial management, planning, systems and controls

• Management of agency budget in coordination with the Executive Director

• Invoicing to funding sources, including calculation of completed units of service

• Payroll management, including tabulation of employee benefits

• Disbursement of checks for contractors expenses

• Regular meetings with Executive Director around planning

• Managing a team of approximately 100 employees depending on the event.

• Negotiating contracts, ensuring that they balance value and risk.

• Establishing and implementing departmental policies, goals, objectives, and procedures.

• Organizing and supervising the administrative activities that facilitate the smooth running of events. Managing projects, events, and ensure successful delivery within a given timeframe and budgets.

• Encouraging, identifying and developing best practice strategy.

• Ensuring compliance to all Environmental Health & Safety goals & objectives.

• Producing Operations manuals which define how the business is to be run . Project Manager August 2009–2017 Qatar MICE Development Institute, Member of Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar

QMDI is the key driver for the Meeting, Incentive, Conference and Exhibition (MICE) sector in Qatar.

QMDI's professional event management services deliver international expertise coupled with extensive

local market knowledge to produce dynamic and innovative event programs for the government, commercial and public sectors across different industries, corporate and live events, such as entertainment, festivals and sporting fixtures.

I hold multiple roles within QMDI, namely Project Managment (Events), MPI Training Management

(Event Management)

Event Management :

• Researching the market to identify opportunities for events; Liaising with clients to ascertain their precise event requirements and articulate clients requirements cross business unit departments;

• Producing detailed proposals for events (e.g. timelines, venues, suppliers, legal obligations, staffing and budgets); Agreeing to, and managing a budget;

• Securing and booking a suitable venue or location; Ensuring insurance, legal, health and safety obligations are adhered to;

• Coordinating venue management, caterers, stand designers, contractors and equipment hire; Organizing facilities for car parking, traffic control, security, first aid, hospitality and the media;

• Identifying and securing speakers or special guests; Planning room layouts and the entertainment programed, scheduling workshops and demonstrations;

• Coordinating staffing requirements and staff briefings; Managing the logistics and administration involved in organizing the division’s events and providing a high level of service to all speakers, delegates, sponsors and QMDI representatives.

• Organizing and supervising the administrative activities that facilitate the smooth running of events. Managing projects, events, and ensure successful delivery within a given timeframe and budgets.

• Handling client queries on the day and troubleshooting any problems which may occur pre, during or post events. Liaising with sponsorship department for the sale of sponsorship/stand/exhibition space to potential exhibitors/partners;

• Preparing delegate packs and papers; Liaising with marketing and PR colleagues to promote the event;

• Liaising with clients and designers to create a brand for the event and organising the production of tickets, posters, catalogues and sales brochures, plus social media coverage;

• Coordinating suppliers, handling client queries and troubleshooting on the day of the event to ensure that all runs smoothly; Managing contractual requirements and deliverables with suppliers;

• On-site management including staff schedules, staff manuals, travel documentation, onsite cash management, staff meetings, change management;

and communication plan etc.

• Overseeing the dismantling and removal of the event and clearing the venue efficiently; Post-event evaluation (including data entry, analysis and producing reports for event stakeholders).

Handled and Delivered Events:

- 13th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention & Criminal Justice ( April 2015). 2nd Arab Water Conference & Exhibition 2014

- QF Senior Convocation 2010-2011-2012-2013-2014

- Qatar Debate 2011-2012-2013-2014

- Annual Research Forum 2010-2011-2012-2013-2014

- Marhaba Tartans – CMU – April 2011-2012

- Multaqa QFC 2012

- Wahoo Al Shaqab - November 2011

- 79th Interpol General Assembly - November 2010

−Doha 2nd International Maritime Defense and Exhibition and Conference – March 2010

- Qatar Solar Technology event – March 2010

− ExxonMobil Research center – April 2010

- Dhreima Open day event – May 2010

- Doha Carbon & Energy Forum 2010

- Qatar Marine Festival 2010

- Jazeera Children 5th Anniversary – September 2010

- World Petroleum Council & Exhibition 2010

- Qatar National Day for Qatar Foundation – December 2010

- Qatar Solar Technology event – March 2010

- World School Debate – February 2010

- QF radio Stand – 2011-2012-2013-2014

- QSTP stand at Career Fair & Environment Fair - 2011 Planning and organizing MPI training sessions in Qatar:

• Identifying and selecting appropriate venues, coordinate MPI trainers to deliver sessions, and to liaise with caterers and other external suppliers/contributors;

• Developing and managing the training budget; Ensuring availability and adequacy of training materials including Powerpoint presentations, trainee materials, delegate packs, evaluation forms, and managing a database of such information.

• Ensuring availability and adequacy of all trainee materials required for training events including

• Ensuring training resources are effectively organised, including equipment, training facilities, trainee support and learning materials.

• Marketing and promoting the training events by liaising with Sales and Marketing department and other potential partners to maximise sales of training sessions.

• Assisting in and facilitating the delivery of training as required with international MPI trainers.

ASSISTANT TO MANAGING DIRECTOR February 2007–July 2009 ALAYAN GROUP, Qatar

Main Responsibilities :

- Represent the Managing Director, update and delegate routing assignments & departmental liaising.

- Liaise with sister companies.

- Responsible of the participation of companies in the related Exhibitions and Events.

Key achievements:

- The group’s venture extends to restaurants and showrooms industry as well; I have co- ordinated and liaised the opening and launchings event of showrooms and restaurants by interaction with interior designers and layouts.

- Organized, directed all aspects of the installation including negotiations with artists, dealers & collectors.

- Coordinated all events materials including displays, signage, reception invitations, publicity, and related publications.

- Provided professional oversight and advice on the improvement of visibility. INTERNATIONAL & LOCAL COORDINATOR Oct 2006–Dec 2006 VISUAL ARTS – DOHA ASIAN GAMES ORGANISING COMMITTEE, Responsibilities:

- Assist in reviewing, monitoring, providing reports, and updates on progress of each contract.

- Support in evaluating the contractors' work plans to ensure that it meets the milestones. Coordinate the interface between the contracted supplier and internal DAGOC Directorates.

- Assist the contracted suppliers with local external organizations. Coordinate deliverables needed by the various DAGOC Directorates that supply services to the Cultural Festival.

- Assist suppliers with the movement and services needed by various artists and crew of the programmed artists. Assist and supervise the performing arts and museums during all the games –

ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER July 2005 - Sep 2006

PRODUCTION FACTORY, Lebanon

Main Responsibilities:

- Establish and manage the clients relationship via phone calls, and electronic media in order to implement work in effective and professional manner

- Create and keep up-to-date clients information files and updates of business, technical, financial, competitive and organizational information related to the clients' accounts.

- Follow up events and concerts and supervise all tasks. (Beiteddine Festival 2005 and Byblos festival 2005, Phil Collins concert, Ricky Martins concert, Qatar Airways new routes launchings, Special design stands, etc...). OPERATION ASSISTANT April 1998 – July 2005 BEIRUT

INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION & LEISURE CENTER, Lebanon Main Responsibilities:

- Coordinate and participate with the team of designers the process and artworks and reduce the time required to achieve the jobs.

- Manage the proposal preparation and presentation process. Prepare clients' Invoices along with Exhibition feedback reports.

- Understand and communicate clients' product roadmaps to the Display Products Team. Participate in trade shows and technical conferences, events and weddings.

- Coordinate and assist exhibitions program involving multiple venues with close collaboration & interaction with a wide variety of audience and external suppliers.

- Follow up exhibitors enquiries and timely implementations; Supervise the technical team to set up exhibition stands and decorations

- Issue invoices and all needed administration documents for clients after each exhibition, follow up with administrative work and internal office tasks. HANDLED AND DELIVERED EVENTS IN LEBANON

Forum de la Francophone, Arab Congress meeting, Beiteddine Festivals, Microsoft seminar, Cisco seminar, Termium exhibition, Sibatech Show, Horeca exhibition, Project Lebanon exhibition, Motor Show, International bookfair, Joaillerie Liban, Artdeco fair, Bifis, Arabcom (telecommunication),Lire en Francais et en musique, Megahertz & housemania, Beirut Fashion Week,World trade fair, Souk el Barghout,, Ajialouna, Awtte, Wedding Fair, Chantale Goya concert, Majida el Roumi concert, Miss Europe, Miss Lebanon, Roger Waters concert, Mariah Carey concert, Raoul Di Blazio concert, Lara Fabian, Ricky Martin, Phil Collins concert.

EDUCATION, TRAINING & CERTIFICATE

- MBA in Business Administration in Derby University.

- Executive Certificate in Event Management from Edinburg Napier University.

- Accounting I,II,III (ALLC)

- PowerPoint course.

- Business Skills course.

- Global Certificate in Meeting and Business events Level I and III. LANGUAGES & OTHER SKILLS

- Arabic: Mother Tongue

- French: Excellent

- English: Excellent

- Good computer knowledge with the ability to use Windows and the Microsoft office suite software (Excel, Word,); Good knowledge of Internet and outlook.

- Superior communication skills and interpersonal skills, including presentations, phone and e- mail

- Coordination and organizational skills and desire to achieve

- A team player with an excellent attitude, ambitious and ability to learn

- Demonstrated analytical, negotiating, and problem solving skills. PERSONAL DATA

Date of Birth : 09 September 1978 Nationality : Lebanese Marital Status : Married

Reference contacts and supportive documents (Certificates, Appreciation Letters and Recommendations) are available upon request.

Contact this candidate