Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic
Palesa Maqanda

Palesa Maqanda

Talent Acquisition Specialist/Digital Account Manager

Summary

A results-driven Digital Account Manager/Talent Acquisition Specialist with a strong background in recruitment and account management. Proven expertise in sourcing, interviewing, and onboarding top talent across various industries. Skilled in leveraging internal databases, online platforms, and professional networks to identify and attract high-quality candidates.

I am account management professional with proven track record in fostering client relationships, driving revenue growth, and managing complex accounts. Known for strong focus on team collaboration, adaptability, and delivering results. Expertise includes strategic planning, client communication, and problem-solving. Highly reliable and flexible in meeting changing business needs.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience

Work History

Account Manager

WeColab
05.2024 - 06.2025
  • Manage client accounts, focusing on internal communications and HTML setup.
  • Collaborate with internal teams to deliver tailored solutions, ensuring client satisfaction.
  • Provide ongoing support to clients, maintaining strong relationships and addressing the client’s needs
  • Increase client satisfaction by building strong relationships
  • Raising cost estimates, sharing POs and forecasting
  • Assist the client in implementing digital campaigns
  • Facilitate client meetings - status meetings
  • Upsell additional services


Clients: Seriti Power and Seriti Green

Client Service Manager

Nerdware
05.2021 - 04.2024
  • Maintain and strengthen relationships with stakeholders and clients, ensuring their needs are met.
  • Worked closely with the strategy team to help them develop and implement marketing strategies that align with SANRAL goals and objectives.
  • Worked closely with the social team, to oversee the production of digital content, including social media posts and website updates.
  • Managed the client service team (Account Managers) reporting into the Business Unit Director(BUD)
  • Kept client up-to-date on details pertaining to client projects.
  • Budget management, including raising CEs, and invoices for different projects.
  • Work closely with designers, copywriters, and other creative professionals to produce high-quality digital assets. Meeting: ran weekly status meetings and campaign report meetings with client.
  • Travelled with client to different provinces to do live coverage for stakeholder engagements


Clients: SANRAL and Auto Pedigree

Freelance Account Manager

Ogilvy
02.2021 - 04.2021
  • Managed the Vodacom account, overseeing the development and delivery of creative assets.
  • Ensured client satisfaction by meeting project deadlines and maintaining clear communication.
  • Kept client up-to-date on details pertaining to client projects.
  • Budget management
  • Build and maintained client relationships


Clients: Vodacom and Castle Lager (AB Inbev)


Talent Acquisition Specialist

VentureWeb
05.2019 - 04.2020
  • Recruited top talent for clients using internal databases, online platforms, and professional networks.
  • Conducted face-to-face and telephonic interviews to assess candidate suitability.
  • Performed thorough background checks to ensure the quality and reliability of hires.
  • Built and maintained strong relationships with clients, understanding their recruitment needs and delivering tailored solutions.
  • Sourced and screened candidates for PR roles and worked with hiring managers to coordinate interviews, offers, and onboarding.
  • Maintain relationships with candidates

Client Service Manager

Wunderman
05.2016 - 01.2019
  • Developed project plans and managed accounts with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Kept client up-to-date on details pertaining to client projects.
  • Ensured the timely and successful delivery of creative assets according to client briefs
  • Interacted with clients on regular basis to quickly alleviate issues and provide project updates.
  • Budget management, including raising CEs, and invoices for different projects.
  • Work closely with designers, copywriters, and other creative professionals to produce high-quality digital assets.
  • Meetings: ran weekly status meetings and campaign report meetings with client.
  • Identified potential upselling opportunities


Clients: MTN, Mercedes Benz and Mondelez

Talent Acquisition Specialist

Ad Talent
10.2013 - 08.2015
  • Built and maintained strong relationships with clients and candidates.
  • Conducted telephone and in-person interviews to assess candidate experience and qualifications.
  • Provided regular updates to hiring managers and HR staff on recruitment activities and progress.
  • Understood clients needs including job requirements, company culture, and long-term hiring goals.
  • Screened candidates and conducted interviews.
  • Sourced candidates through various platforms.
  • Updated candidates' CVs based on company templates.
  • Performed job matching and placements.

Education

Diploma - Marketing (Brand Management)

AAA School of Advertising
01.2015

Diploma - Advertising

College Campus
01.2006

High School Diploma -

Princess High School
01.2003

Skills

Talent Acquisition & Recruitment

References

  • Sacha, Ristic, Owner/Founder of Talented, 083 252 2032 Talented
  • Slyde, Nikurawu, Business Operations Director, 079 771 2936 Nerdware
  • Chloe Sayce, Project Manager, 082 053 4578, WeColab

Accomplishments

  • Successfully recruited and onboarded top talent for clients at VentureWeb, ensuring a high retention rate and client satisfaction.
  • Streamlined the recruitment process by leveraging online platforms and professional networks.
  • Built and maintained strong relationships with clients, leading to repeat business and long-term partnerships.

Timeline

Account Manager

WeColab
05.2024 - 06.2025

Client Service Manager

Nerdware
05.2021 - 04.2024

Freelance Account Manager

Ogilvy
02.2021 - 04.2021

Talent Acquisition Specialist

VentureWeb
05.2019 - 04.2020

Client Service Manager

Wunderman
05.2016 - 01.2019

Talent Acquisition Specialist

Ad Talent
10.2013 - 08.2015

Diploma - Advertising

College Campus

Diploma - Marketing (Brand Management)

AAA School of Advertising

High School Diploma -

Princess High School
Palesa MaqandaTalent Acquisition Specialist/Digital Account Manager