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 Africa2023
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
Well versed with leadership and strategic thinkingProven ability to manage projects on deadlines and within budgetPolicy development and implementationStrategy, creation, implementation and managementProficient in report creation, data analysis and presentationWell-versed in market and customer trendsExcellent project management and team collaboration skills
Operations Management
Contract Management
Business Administration
Business Development
Contract and Vendor Management
Corporate Communications
Program Management
Negotiation
Creativity and Innovation
Non-Profit Management
People Management
Donor Management
Budget Management
Financial Reporting
Strategic Planning
Business Planning
Administrative Support
Invoice Processing
Mail Management
Customer Service
Database Management
Office Management
Travel Administration
Meeting Planning
Office Administration
Schedule & Calendar Planning
Conference Planning
Phone Etiquette
Resourceful
Conflict Management
Task Delegation
Budget Control
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