Larusha Leesle Van Louw
Facility And Even Manager
Horizon View
Summary
Highly organized and detail-oriented Facility and Events Manager bringing 15 years of experience in providing leadership Offering a proven record for proactive issue resolution and enforcement of safe practices among personnel. Outgoing, hands-on professional bringing valuable relationship building and retention skills, which amassed diversified network of service providers, ensuring optimal quality, and results for successful client events.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
2
2
Languages
Work History
Events And Facility Manager
Johannesburg Zoo
02.2016 - Current
- Championed workplace health initiatives, creating a culture of wellness that contributed to higher employee engagement levels.
- Increased cost savings by renegotiating vendor contracts and identifying areas for budget optimization.
- Collaborated closely with architects during new construction projects, providing input on best practices for efficient facility design.
- Conducted regular audits to maintain compliance with industry regulations and company policies, mitigating potential risks.
- Developed strategic plans for facility improvements, considering both short-term needs and long-term objectives.
- Optimized space utilization in the facility by redesigning layouts and recommending adjustments based on changing organizational needs.
- Annual Industry Conference management
Hosted a series of monthly webinars, reaching a global audiences - Successfully organized and executed Annual Celebrations, and flagship events
- Successfully organized and executed Annual Musical Extravaganzas,
- Stakeholder management ,Budget management,Risk management,Social media management,Asset Management
Resource Management,Public Relation Management - Supporting marketing executives in organizing various projects
- Develop, manage and ensure implementation of an events plan and calendar that is aligned to the marketing strategy and strategic objectives
- Lead, coordinate and manage events to ensure that events are delivered on time,
within budget and meet high quality standards - Maintained strict safety protocols at all times, mitigating potential risks to attendees during large-scale gatherings.
- Ensured smooth event transition with thorough pre-event walkthroughs and detailed day-of coordination efforts.
- Maximized revenue opportunities through strategic sponsorship partnerships that aligned with client objectives.
- Boosted event attendance by implementing targeted marketing strategies and promotional campaigns.
- Implemented innovative strategies to reduce waste at events, promoting sustainability initiatives across multiple functions.
- Increased client satisfaction by delivering tailored events that met their unique objectives and preferences.
- Managed budgets effectively, optimizing allocation of resources to maximize event impact.
- Generated positive press coverage for clients'' events by cultivating relationships with media outlets and influencers in the industry.
- Trained staff members on best practices in customer service, resulting in improved guest feedback scores.
- Fostered an inclusive work environment that encouraged teamwork among staff members, contributing to higher morale and improved guest services.
Facility and Guest House Officer
Johannesburg Zoo
01.2016 - 03.2019
- Drove innovation within the department by promoting creative thinking and supporting new initiatives.
- Improved overall department efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing new policies.
- Managed budgets effectively, prioritizing resource allocation for maximum impact on departmental goals.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors optimally, securing best deals for the organization while maintaining excellent working relationships.
- Established effective relationships with key stakeholders both internally and externally for increased collaboration opportunities.
- Mentored staff , helping them develop their skills and advance in their careers.
- Implemented process improvements that streamlined workflows, reducing redundancies and increasing operational efficiency.
- Assisted guests with local travel arrangements, enhancing their overall stay experience.
- Established partnerships with local businesses to enhance guests'' experience through value-added services.
- Cultivated a welcoming atmosphere by designing aesthetically pleasing common areas that catered to diverse preferences of guests.
- Optimized room allocations, maximizing occupancy rate and overall revenue generation potential.
- Trained staff members on best practices in customer service, resulting in improved guest feedback scores.
- Supervised team of front desk agents and helped to resolve issues arising during shifts.
- Analyzed and evaluated business data to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Prepared monthly resort audits for review.
- Provided exceptional service and assistance to guests upon check-in.
- Developed and implemented marketing strategies to promote guest house services.
- Managed daily operations for a smooth-running guest house, ensuring exceptional guest experiences.
- Implemented effective cost control measures, reducing overhead expenses without compromising quality.
- Enhanced client satisfaction through prompt resolution of maintenance requests and proactive communication with requirement.
- Supervised renovation projects from inception to completion, managing contractors while minimizing disruption to daily operations.
- Led employee training sessions on workplace safety guidelines, reducing the number of incidents occurring within the facility.
- Established strong relationships with vendors, ensuring timely delivery of goods and services at competitive prices.
- Contributed to the development of facility policies and procedures, ensuring a consistent and cohesive approach to management.
- Coordinated with cleaning and horticultural l services to keep facility clean and presentable for occupants.
- Oversaw annual budget to handle supply, labor and maintenance needs.
- Ordered, maintained and distributed supplies and inventory.
- Apply and maintain facilities accreditation (4 star graded)
Administer all park & facility bookings and coordinate all facility use agreements with internal and external groups. - Develops and implements policies and procedures governing the maintenance of Zoo facilities
- Develop policies and protocols governing the use of the Zoo for events in consideration of other Zoo Departments and animal welfare
- Coordinating the duties of cleaning, security, and maintenance of facilities
- Implements and monitor JCPZ safety, health, environmental and security policies and procedures
- Research, select, and coordinate with vendors, suppliers, and service providers for various aspects of the event, such as venue, catering, audio-visual equipment, and
transportation.
Marketing Assistant
Johannesburg Zoo
01.2009 - 03.2016
- Strengthened brand identity with consistent messaging across various platforms including print, digital, and social media channels.
- Enhanced overall marketing strategy by providing detailed reports on campaign performance and recommending data-driven adjustments for improvement.
- Increased brand awareness by implementing targeted marketing campaigns and social media strategies.
- Supported the development of profitable partnerships by conducting market research and identifying potential collaboration opportunities.
- Improved website traffic, monitoring analytics data to inform adjustments to content strategy and search engine optimization efforts.
- Assisted in driving revenue growth by managing pay-per-click advertising campaigns on Google Ads and social media platforms.
- Streamlined marketing processes, optimizing efficiency through the use of project management tools and software.
- Bolstered customer retention rates by contributing to the development of an engaging loyalty program.
- Supported content creation for corporate social responsibility initiatives, showcasing company values and community involvement efforts to strengthen brand reputation.
- Amplified social media reach, creating engaging visual assets such as infographics and videos for widespread distribution.
- Enhanced customer engagement with the development of compelling content for email newsletters and blog posts.
- Maximized event attendance with thorough planning, promotion, and logistics support for conferences, webinars, or workshops.
- Expanded market share with well-executed competitor analysis studies informing strategic business decisions.
- Facilitated cross-functional collaboration between marketing teams to ensure cohesive messaging across all communication channels while meeting project deadlines effectively.
- Aided in budget management, tracking expenses and analyzing return on investment metrics to optimize marketing spend.
- Coordinated trade show presence, ensuring effective representation at industry events to generate leads and increase brand visibility.
- Contributed to successful product launches through meticulous coordination of promotional events and activities.
- Boosted sales performance by assisting in the creation of persuasive marketing materials such as brochures and product sheets.
- Elevated public relations efforts by crafting press releases that garnered positive media coverage for company news or initiatives.
- Worked closely with product development teams to create and maintain marketing materials for sales presentations and client meetings.
- Proofread marketing collateral ahead of printing to eliminate errors.
- Compiled product and customer data to generate informed profit projections.
- Utilized Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to design and create informational flyers and advertisements.
- Maintained documentation, detailing assignments, in-progress work and completed project milestones.
- Identified appropriate marketing channels and target customers for campaigns.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and implement market research strategies.
- Wrote engaging and successful marketing, advertising, and website copy.
- Analyzed data to uncover insights and identify key opportunities to inform strategic decisions.
- Utilized specialized software to capture and process data.
- Assembled reports and presentations to share insights and recommendations with stakeholders.
- Developed questionnaires and facilitated focus group discussions.
- Generated reports to support development and implementation of marketing plans.
Customer Relationship Officer
Ebucks
03.2004 - 04.2007
- Developed targeted marketing campaigns for specific customer segments, increasing engagement rates among clients.
- Improved customer satisfaction by addressing and resolving their concerns in a timely manner.
- Boosted sales revenue with upselling strategies tailored to individual customers'' preferences and requirements.
- Reduced call center wait times by efficiently managing incoming requests and delegating tasks effectively.
- Provided regular feedback to management regarding areas for improvement in both products and services offered to clients.
- Increased customer loyalty through the development of personalized relationships with clients.
- Assisted customers with opening accounts and signing up for new services.
- Managed customer relations on ongoing basis to maximize customer retention.
- Offered internal and external customers first-rate customer service to maximize satisfaction and business success.
- Logged call information and solutions provided into internal database.
- Managed timely and effective replacement of damaged or missing products.
- Promoted superior experience by addressing customer concerns, demonstrating empathy, and resolving problems swiftly.
- Trained new personnel regarding company operations, policies and services.
- Responded to customer requests, offering excellent support and tailored recommendations to address needs.
- Responded proactively and positively to rapid change.
- Liaised with sales, marketing, and management teams to develop solutions and accomplish shared objectives.
- Cross-trained and provided backup support for organizational leadership.
Education
National Diploma - Events Management Diploma
BOSTON CITY CAMPUS
Braamfontein 04.2001 -
Certificate - Customer Relations
VUMILIA AFRICA
Johannesburg 04.2001 -
Certificate - Enterprise Wide Risk Management
FACHS
Johannesburg 04.2001 -
Higher Certificate - Strategic Events Management Certificate
PROVOX
Randburg 04.2001 -
Higher Certificate - Marketing
UNISA
Roodepoort, South Africa 04.2001 -
Skills
Leadership and supervision
Performance Assessments
Planning and scheduling
Cost-reduction methods
Service contracts management
Operations Oversight
Performance Evaluations
Asset Management
Employee Hiring
Building Maintenance
Energy management
Space Utilization
Time management abilities
Equipment Calibration
Excellent Communication
Budget Administration
Team Collaboration
Disaster preparedness
Analytical Thinking
Continuous Improvement
Professional Demeanor
Decision-Making
Delegation skills
Attention to Detail
Interpersonal Skills
Active Listening
Time Management
Waste Management
Effective Communication
Self Motivation
Teamwork and Collaboration
Interpersonal Communication
Relationship Building
Access Control
Problem-solving aptitude
Multitasking
Certification
Diploma
Timeline
Diploma
12-2024
Events And Facility Manager
Johannesburg Zoo
02.2016 - Current
Facility and Guest House Officer
Johannesburg Zoo
01.2016 - 03.2019
Marketing Assistant
Johannesburg Zoo
01.2009 - 03.2016
Customer Relationship Officer
Ebucks
03.2004 - 04.2007
National Diploma - Events Management Diploma
BOSTON CITY CAMPUS
04.2001 -
Certificate - Customer Relations
VUMILIA AFRICA
04.2001 -
Certificate - Enterprise Wide Risk Management
FACHS
04.2001 -
Higher Certificate - Strategic Events Management Certificate
PROVOX
04.2001 -
Higher Certificate - Marketing
UNISA
04.2001 -