Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Business Consulting Services
References
Accomplishments
Affiliations
Timeline
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Dr. Catherine Zata

Executive Assistant, Bursary And Community Partnerships Portfolio
Fourways, Johannesburg

Summary

A driven and resourceful administrative professional with over 10 + years of experience assisting with work of high-achieving executives. My track record supporting professional needs with well-organized precision has also enabled me to successfully manage high-volume workloads in rapidly changing environments.


I am a dedicated administrator with excellent experience in industry. With a professional appearance and demeanor and expertly completes assigned tasks with focus on quality. I am a dependable and quick-learning team player with effective communication and organization skills.

I have experience as a detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy.


I now seek and maintain full-time position that offers me the opportunity to apply my academic knowledge and corporate experience and take on professional challenges utilizing interpersonal skills, excellent time management and problem-solving skills.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience

Work History

DIRECTOR SERVICE, BURSARY & PARTNERSHIPS PORTFOLIO

Steyn City School
01.2020 - Current
  • Designed and developed bursary programs and policies that align with organizational goals and values
  • Create, submit and supervise annual budgets and expenditure reports for all bursary students
  • Create opportunities and select beneficiaries of community partnerships projects
  • Mentoring of bursary students
  • Chair on the school’s service committee
  • Strategizing the annual plan of whole school’s service initiatives
  • Sending out communications regarding upcoming initiatives
  • Create reports and feedback on service projects
  • Create and present proposals of new service initiatives to the school’s executive committee
  • Foster relationships with external partners
  • Expanding opportunities for collaboration in outreach programs
  • Executive assistant duties
  • Setting up administrative systems for administrators in the College
  • Managing diaries of College Head, Head of Academics, Head of Pastoral Care and Head of student affairs
  • Itinerary management for all executives
  • Implementing and improving office policies and procedures
  • Preparations for meetings and report creation
  • Handling communication and correspondence at MANCO and EXCO level
  • Managing, uploading Requests to Purchase
  • Submissions of data to DBE and IEB, using SASSAMS and Lurits
  • Minute taking at EXCO, MANCO, Whole School Meetings, HOD meetings and College teachers’ meetings
  • Providing administrative support to executives
  • Monitoring and improving office efficiency.
  • Monitored expenditures to mitigate risk of overages.
  • Organized and coordinated conferences and monthly meetings.
  • Managed executive calendars, scheduling meetings and appointments and coordinating travel arrangements to optimize time.
  • Handled confidential and sensitive information with discretion and tact.
  • Supported business and hospitality needs of corporate partners and staff during meetings and company events.
  • Developed and maintained automated alert systems for important deadlines.
  • Transcribed meeting minutes to support sales, business development and senior management teams.
  • Filed paperwork and organized computer-based information.
  • Created and managed office systems to efficiently deal with documentation.
  • Took notes and dictation at meetings.
  • Handled logistics, catering, agendas and travel arrangements for meeting and event planning for board of directors, president and executive vice president.
  • Coordinated events and worked on ad hoc projects.
  • Volunteered to help with special projects of varying degrees of complexity.
  • Worked with senior management to initiate new projects and assist in various processes.

Practice manager

Bruno Simao attorneys
01.2017 - 12.2019
  • Provided insight and updated on operational activity for the firm
  • Reconciliations and forecasting on expenses vs income
  • Set up a successful debt collection department as well as a fully functional and growing property brokerage department as part of the practice’s growth strategy
  • Debt collection supervision and transfer cost reconciliations
  • Compliance document compilation and submission for the Law Society
  • HR and recruitment
  • Staff recruitment - sourcing talent to contracting
  • Human Resources management
  • Creation of a successful and sustainable remuneration strategy
  • Marketing and business development
  • Client communications, from newsletters to PR and events
  • Website and social media management
  • Monitor and manage invitation and set up of events for the brokerage.
  • Supervised team of 20 to 30 office personnel.

EVENTS CO-ORDINATOR

Zulu Nyala Country Manor
05.2015 - 12.2016
  • Formulate strategic and operational objectives for events, reservations, housekeeping, maintenance and restaurants as departments
  • Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
  • Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
  • Proven ability to develop and implement creative solutions to complex problems.
  • Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
  • Participated in team projects, demonstrating an ability to work collaboratively and effectively.
  • Acted as a team leader in group projects, delegating tasks and providing feedback.
  • Used strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop effective solutions for challenging situations.
  • Examine financial data and use it to improve profitability
  • Manage budgets and forecasts
  • Perform quality controls and monitor production KPIs
  • Recruit, facilitate training of staff in all departments
  • Find ways to increase quality of customer service
  • Managing inventory stocklist for all departments (entire venue)
  • Creating revenue management reports and presentation for directors.
  • Developed and adhered to timelines to keep ceremony and reception running smoothly.
  • Directed pace of wedding and reception through multitasking and liaising with vendors to carry out event as planned with little or no deviations.
  • Organized logistics and prioritized tasks for small to large-scale weddings.
  • Compiled contracts for vendors and clients prior to starting work to meet legal, health and safety obligations.
  • Negotiated prices with suppliers, inspected venues and selected vendors to meet couple expectations.
  • Conducted initial consultation with clients to discuss wedding details, venue options and other logistics to understand vision and budget.
  • Executed advertisements, promotions and branding campaigns to attract new clients.
  • Created and designed tailor-made wedding plans to maximize client budget, keep client happy and cultivate referrals.
  • Established and managed communications with vendors, confirming service and supply delivery.
  • Assisted with vendor contracts, negotiating rates and terms with event suppliers.
  • Supervised personnel and directed in event task administration and completion.
  • Oversaw setup and breakdown of event decorations and supplies.
  • Helped bridal couple select wedding decorations and floral arrangements, menus and music.
  • Drafted events contracts and other documentation for review with clients and to obtain signatures.


EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO GENERAL AND HR MANAGER

My Pond Hotel
03.2012 - 04.2015
  • Processed travel expenses and reimbursements for executive team and senior management group.
  • Organized and coordinated conferences and monthly meetings.
  • Supported business and hospitality needs of corporate partners and staff during meetings and company events.
  • Conducted research and analyzed data to provide detailed reports on various business topics.
  • Screened calls and emails and responded accordingly to support executive correspondence.
  • Facilitated training and onboarding for incoming office staff.
  • Handled logistics, catering, agendas and travel arrangements for meeting and event planning for board of directors, president and executive vice president.
  • Filed paperwork and organized computer-based information.
  • Volunteered to help with special projects of varying degrees of complexity.
  • Wrote reports, executive summaries and newsletters.
  • Used technologically relevant digital systems to manage payroll and benefits programs.
  • Facilitated onboarding sessions and on-the-job training for new hires bolstering position knowledge and skillset.
  • Processed employee claims involving performance issues and harassment.

Education

PhD Business Management - Business Management

Regenesys Business School
Johannesburg, South Africa
2023

Master’s in Business Administration - Business Administration And Management

Regenesys Business School
Johannesburg
2020

Hospitality Management - Hospitality Management

Stenden University
Port Alfred, South Africa
2017

Skills

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Business Consulting Services

  • Web Taktiks Information Technology Solutions - Marketing and operations consultation
  • Friendly Car Parts: online automotive solutions – Start up, operation, marketing and management solutions
  • Dr. Abigail Lukhaimane – Administrative and operational solutions
  • SANC Dreadlocks: Hair Salon – Start up, Management and Operations, Marketing solutions
  • Cosmo City Dreadlocks: Start up and marketing solutions
  • Tunnel Engineering: Coaching and management consulting

References

  • Roland Nzanzu, Zulu Nyala Country Manor Manager now Director of Licensing at CAPPASSO, 0725456725
  • James Roos, Senior Attorney at Bruno Simao Attorneys now Partner at Motseka and Roos Associated, 0824852544
  • Renato Bettencourt, Senior Attorney at Bruno Simao Attorneys, 0824625752
  • Regan Nicholas, Head of Student Affairs At Steyn City School now Executive Head at Marist Brothers Lynmeyer

Accomplishments

    Business Consulting Services:


    As an accredited member of the Institute of Management Consultants and Master Coaches (South Africa)

    I have offered business management and administrative solutions to a few businesses at start up and at an executive level the Companies l have worked with and for since 2018 are as below:

    · Web Taktiks Information Technology Solutions - Marketing and operations consultation

    · Friendly Car Parts: online automotive solutions – Start up, operation, marketing and management solutions

    · Dr. Abigail Lukhaimane – Administrative and operational solutions

    · SANC Dreadlocks: Hair Salon – Start up, Management and Operations, Marketing solutions

    · Cosmo City Dreadlocks: Start up and marketing solutions

    · Tunnel Engineering: Coaching and management consulting

Affiliations

REFERENCES

Roland Nzanzu – Zulu Nyala Country Manor Manager now Director of Licensing at CAPPASSO 0725456725

James Roos – Senior Attorney at Bruno Simao Attorneys now Partner at Motseka and Roos Associated 0824852544

Renato Bettencourt – Senior Attorney at Bruno Simao Attorneys 0824625752

Regan Nicholas – Head of Student Affairs At Steyn City School now Executive Head at Marist Brothers Lynmeyer

Timeline

DIRECTOR SERVICE, BURSARY & PARTNERSHIPS PORTFOLIO

Steyn City School
01.2020 - Current

Practice manager

Bruno Simao attorneys
01.2017 - 12.2019

EVENTS CO-ORDINATOR

Zulu Nyala Country Manor
05.2015 - 12.2016

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO GENERAL AND HR MANAGER

My Pond Hotel
03.2012 - 04.2015

PhD Business Management - Business Management

Regenesys Business School

Master’s in Business Administration - Business Administration And Management

Regenesys Business School

Hospitality Management - Hospitality Management

Stenden University

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Dr. Catherine ZataExecutive Assistant, Bursary And Community Partnerships Portfolio