Lisa N Khumalo
Project Manager & Producer
Johannesburg
Summary
Experienced project management professional with strong focus on team collaboration and achieving results. Skilled in strategic planning, risk management, and stakeholder communication. Known for reliability and adaptability in dynamic environments. Prepared to drive impactful outcomes and lead projects to success.
I am also known as "The Fixer" in any organization I step Into.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
Work History
SR PROJECT MANAGER
Sesame Workshop South Africa
Sandton
05.2022 - Current
- Project Manager: Smooth collaboration between the crossfunctional teams 'The Glue' and "The Fixer"
- Work Plan: Develop a comprehensive project work plan including all work streams, deliverables, timelines, roles, and responsibilities
- Highlight key dependencies and delivery assumptions
- Coordination: facilitate cross-functional collaboration between South Africa and New York-based teams, including convening regular project status meetings
- Support work stream leads in tracking and managing deliverables outsourced to agencies and other service providers
- Reporting: provide regular project status reports to the Managing Director, and progress updates in key team meetings
- Lead in Whatsapp Chatbot Launch and Management
- Brand Managing: Managing marketing agencies, internal stakeholders, PR, and overall media content plan
- Adapted quickly to unexpected challenges or obstacles encountered during project execution, devising creative solutions without compromising objectives.
- Developed comprehensive project plans, identifying risks and mitigation strategies for timely completion.
- Evaluated vendor proposals, selecting those that provided the best value for cost, quality, and timeliness.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to determine timely delivery and compliance of project requirements.
- Led cross-functional teams for successful project delivery within scope, schedule, and budget constraints.
- Conducted post-project evaluations to identify areas of improvement and implement corrective actions for future endeavours.
- Mentored junior project managers and team members to enhance their skills and career growth.
- Monitored project progress, identified risks and implemented corrective measures to acquire success.
- Presented regular status reports to executive leadership, providing insights into progress made toward achieving key milestones.
- Crafted and maintained project plans and schedules to meet organisations objectives.
- Nurtured strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, building trust and credibility that facilitated smooth collaboration on shared goals.
- Spearheaded process improvement initiatives that resulted in increased productivity and streamlined workflows across departments.
- Established effective communication channels with stakeholders to ensure transparency and alignment of expectations.
- Streamlined project management processes by implementing agile methodologies, resulting in improved efficiency and reduced costs.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors and suppliers, securing favourable terms for the organisations benefit.
- Directed changes to project scope and cost and implemented appropriate change management processes to keep project on track.
- Monitored contracts and service level agreements to identify potential risks and implement mitigation actions to protect development process from unforeseen delays and costs.
- Championed innovative approaches when faced with complex problems or opportunities requiring non-traditional thinking.
- Developed and maintained project budgets to control costs and meet organisational and project goals.
- Partnered with project team members to identify and quickly address problems.
- Conducted detailed post-project evaluations to identify key learnings and areas for improvement, fostering culture of continuous improvement.
- Negotiated conflicts within project teams to ensure smooth project execution and maintain high morale.
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Sothar Pictures
Randburg
08.2021 - 03.2022
- SHOWS: Wedding Chefs, Squad Goals & Identity
- Running and managing all productions from start to closing (client /broadcaster delivery)
- Managed budgeting and cost control measures for production department, staying within financial targets.
- Responsible for the work plan and workflows
- Managing relationships with suppliers & clients
- Streamlined communication between departments, improving project coordination and on-time delivery rates.
- Managed multiple projects concurrently, ensuring timely completion and meeting budget constraints.
- Negotiated with suppliers for better pricing and terms, reducing overall procurement costs without sacrificing quality.
- Determined suitable crew requirements, scheduled employees, and worked with human resources to meet changing production schedules.
- Managed internal operational standards and productivity targets.
- Mentored junior staff members on best practices in production management, cultivating a skilled workforce capable of tackling complex challenges head on.
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Born for This Media
03.2020 - 07.2021
- Running and managing all productions from start to closing (client /broadcaster delivery)
- Manage and ensure all projects are within schedule (sometimes projects run simultaneously)
- Managed internal operational standards and productivity targets.
- Increased overall productivity by identifying bottlenecks in the production process and proposing effective solutions.
- Responsible for the work plan and workflows
- Monitored team budgets to keep projects on task and avoid waste.
- Managing relationships with suppliers & clients
- Process all invoices for payments
- Managed budgeting and cost control measures for production department, staying within financial targets.
- Compiling client reports on deliverables
- Negotiated with suppliers for better pricing and terms, reducing overall procurement costs without sacrificing quality.
- Partnered with leadership on recruiting, hiring and coaching production personnel.
- Hiring crew and contractors, negotiating rates & booking equipment
- Delivered direct feedback to senior management regarding project visibility and status.
PRODUCTION MANAGER & PRODUCER
Treehouse Films
10.2019 - 12.2019
- SHOW: Documentary- Nemesis of a Rapist
- Head of all communication
- Production Schedule
- Responsible for setting up the production office
- Sourcing of sponsorships and donors
- Hiring crew and contractors, and negotiating rates
- Process all invoices for payments
- Monitored team budgets to keep projects on task and avoid waste.
- Call Sheets & coordination of shoots & booking camera crew
- Managing relationships with suppliers
- Approaching broadcasters for possible pre-sales
- Booking guests/ co-stars (Interviews-Survivors, SAPS
- Etc.)
- Booking actors(re-enactments)
- Securing locations for each shoot
- Standardized production procedures, job roles, and quality assurance guidelines.
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Cheeky Media
06.2016 - 08.2019
- Head of all communication
- Create and implement a production Schedule
- Manage production delivery scheduling
- Created streamlined production schedules and collaborated with production employees to communicate objectives and goals.
- Managing the production team and technical team
- Hiring Staff, crew, and contractors, and negotiating rates
- Streamlined communication between departments, improving project coordination and on-time delivery rates.
- Responsible for all suppliers
- Process all invoices and salaries for payment
- Responsible for the budget
- Coordination of a live daily show
- Coordination of location shoots & booking camera crew and equipment
- Managing relationships with suppliers, and Broadcaster
- Liaising with client/ broadcaster
- Interim Series Producer for 3 months (Season 2- Real Talk)
- Booking guests
- Managing the post-production schedule
- Post-production (FCC sheets to delivery)
- Producing Inserts
- Producing Promos
- Floor Manager 2 months (Season 4- Real Talk)
- Managed multiple productions concurrently, ensuring timely completion and meeting budget constraints.
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
Clive Morris Productions
09.2015 - 05.2016
- SHOWS: Ashes 2 Ashes
- Castings for guest artists
- Liaise with agents and booking Cast
- Booking Cast
- Negotiating rates for guest artists
- Compiling all call sheets
- Responsible for DOODs List
- Distribution of all: Production schedules, Call sheets, and scripts to all relevant staff and clients
- Oversee the daily movement order of cast, production & drivers
- Petty cash & recon
- 2nd AD
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
Gabaza Productions
Randburg
09.2014 - 06.2015
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Motion Picture
01.2008 - 01.2011
Bachelor of Arts - Audiovisual Communications
01.2008 - 12.2008
- 1st Year Only
High School Diploma -
01.2003 - 12.2007
Skills
Effective project oversight
Project scheduling
Schedule coordination
Teamwork and collaboration
KPI tracking
Effective communication
Client relationship management
Cross-functional communication
Multi-project management
Project goals and milestones
Gantt charts
Detail-oriented approach
Interpersonal communication
Conflict resolution
Project management software
Excel
Professional Attributes
- Dependable
- Lead and motivate the team
- Excellent communication skills
- Teamwork
- Resolve conflicts
- Problem solving & Multi-tasking
- Tactful, diplomatic, punctual, and enthusiastic
- Able to work calmly and effectively under pressure
- Driven, hardworking, and always willing to prove and improve myself
- Not afraid of challenges
Timeline
SR PROJECT MANAGER - Sesame Workshop South Africa
05.2022 - Current
PRODUCTION MANAGER - Sothar Pictures
08.2021 - 03.2022
PRODUCTION MANAGER - Born for This Media
03.2020 - 07.2021
PRODUCTION MANAGER & PRODUCER - Treehouse Films
10.2019 - 12.2019
PRODUCTION MANAGER - Cheeky Media
06.2016 - 08.2019
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR - Clive Morris Productions
09.2015 - 05.2016
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR - Gabaza Productions
09.2014 - 06.2015
AFDA - Bachelor of Arts, Motion Picture
01.2008 - 01.2011
UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG - Bachelor of Arts, Audiovisual Communications
01.2008 - 12.2008
FOURWAYS HIGHSCHOOL - High School Diploma,
01.2003 - 12.2007