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Sandra Cicek
Director
Johannesburg,Gauteng
Summary
Forward-thinking Executive adept at managing teams of 50 employees and more, with 5 direct reports to accomplish challenging objectives. Managed globally, with a 21 country footprint with a 45 000 - 47 000 employee base. Imparts clear vision to guide cohesive, high-performing teams. Versatile, specializing in Organization Development, Strategy Design and Human Capital Management. Expert level or SME at planning, implementing and overseeing key improvements to drive business growth and efficiency. History of cultivating an open culture with free exchange of information. Currently pursuing new professional challenges with a growth-oriented company. Strong leader and problem-solver dedicated to streamlining management and operations to decrease costs and promote organizational efficiency and promote a high-pergformance culture. Uses independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success, revenue maximisation and increased shareholder value.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
4
4
Languages
Work History
Senior Manager & Client Engagement Manager
EY South Africa
08.2023 - Current
- Managed National government departments restructuring and realignment to the country's legislative and policy mandate.
- Designed and Facilitated Innovation and Design Workshops for the whole national department across nine provinces.
- Engaged with the executive leadership team and the Minister of the Department as well as senior management teams.
- Project management of workstreams and project specialists, providing the project steering committee and higher up governance structures feedback on a bi-monthly basis.
- Facilitated the Design Architecture based on an extensive Current State Assessment and external analysis with international benchmarking in Human Settlements at a country level.
- Manage large-scale projects and introduced new systems, tools, and processes to achieve challenging objectives.
- Evaluated hiring, firing, and promotions requests.
- Conducted performance evaluations, compensations and hiring to maintain appropriate staffing requirements.
- Held monthly meetings to create business plans and workshops to drive successful business.
- Executed appropriate staffing and budgetary plans to align with business forecasts.
- Produced staffing matrix to provide adequate coverage of department.
- Reviewed and analyzed reports, records and directives to obtain data required for planning department activities.
- Recommended and implemented successful strategies to maximize revenue.
- Consolidated vendors and renegotiated contracts to optimize costs.
- Supervised daily operations and sales functions to maximize revenue, customer satisfaction, and employee productivity.
- Built client relationships by responding to inquiries, identifying and assessing clients' needs, resolving problems, and following up with potential and existing clients.
- Delegated tasks to existing support team members and used cloud-based tools to help solve complex business issues.
- Developed new employees and on-going performance assessment of current employees.
- Maintained client files with sales contracts, records of client interactions, client notes, and other information.
- Scheduled and attended meetings with clients and prospective clients as requested.
- Established performance and service goals and held associates accountable for individual performance.
- Performed duties and provided service in accordance with established operating procedures and company policies.
- Partnered with business leaders to deliver services that support company objectives and consistent with corporate values.
- Built relationships with customers and community to establish long-term business growth.
- Resolved problems with high-profile customers to maintain relationships and increase return customer base.
- Developed compelling presentation decks to gain approval for ideas and communicate results.
- Coached and promoted high-achieving sales and account management employees to fill leadership positions with qualified staff and boost company growth.
Director, RedboxDisruptors
Self-employed
06.2017 - 07.2023
- Conceptualizing and designing client solutions specific to client challenges and brief
- Oversaw operations and provided corrective feedback to achieve daily and long-term goals.
- Monitored office workflow and administrative processes to keep operations running smoothly.
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
- Implementation of innovative solutions working with client sponsors, project teams and stakeholders
- Crafting solutions related to strategy, training, performance management, change management, business planning, financial performance improvement, team & leadership alignment, HR Business Partnering, technology & people solutions
- E-learning and design
- Web design & content development
- Podcast & marketing strategy design & content crafting
- Development of business plans & company marketing content
- Financial forecasting & development of income statements, balance sheets, cashflow projections, profit & loss statements.
- Established departmental performance goals and provided feedback for underperforming areas.
- Optimized operational processes using analytics tools to address client-specific metrics.
- Formed strategic partnerships and connected with potential clients to drive business development.
- Monitored and coordinated workflows to optimize resources.
- Evaluated company documentation to verify alignment with regulatory requirements.
- Drafted and distributed reports to assist board members with critical business decisions.
- Identified and qualified customer needs and negotiated and closed profitable projects with high success rate.
- Recruited, hired, and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new organization.
- Cultivated and strengthened lasting client relationships using strong issue resolution and dynamic communication skills.
- Implemented business strategies, increasing revenue, and effectively targeting new markets.
- Implemented innovative programs to increase employee loyalty and reduce turnover.
- Updated and resolved incidents and managed accessorial charges objectively while maximizing profit.
- Tracked trends and suggested enhancements to both challenge and refine company's product offerings.
Organisation Design & Strategy Consultant (Independent Subcontracting with SPT Consulting (PTY) Ltd)
06.2021 - 08.2022
- Redesign of the NHBRC Organisational Structure (Macro & Micro Org Structure detailed)
- Situational Analysis (PESTEL)
- International and National Benchmarking
- Strategy Review and Research related to a "Fit-for-Purpose" organisation
- Design Principles
- Customer-centricity and Digital Transformation Research & Architecture Design for Structure Scenarios
- Presentations and Facilitation to Exco and Remco.
Executive, Strategy & Marketing, SHOKA Group
10.2019 - 08.2020
- Leading and developing the Shoka Group (www.shokagroup.com) business strategy 2020-2025 by facilitating the founders and investors for projected company growth in South Africa and Africa (targeted)
- Developing the first corporate brand identity and marketing collateral for Shoka Group at its inception and kick off (website, logo, brand toolkit, company presentations, etc.) with a brand team in South Africa and another in Argentina
- Developing a client pipeline and pursuance strategy which she implemented with the founding team
- Creating a market presence in the steel and rail industry in South Africa
- Interactive meetings with international investors, new employees and the new board.
Senior Manager: Business Development & Projects, Advanced Vocational Skills Institute (AVSI) Nelspruit
03.2019 - 12.2019
- Strategic Planning and Implementation of Projects which entails effectively conducting efficient business development functions
- This includes developing an integrated Business Development strategy and with a feasible implementation plan with schedule for the current financial year ending 31st March 2019
- Develop and compile project proposals and implementation plans which includes effectively managing current and new projects and the development of new project and implementation plans
- Manage AVSI / WETS (Workplace & Entrepreneurship Talent Solutions) Branding and Marketing Strategies
- This includes reviewing the current branding and marketing strategy of both organisations and re-working each business profile to be market aligned
- Manage, deliver and oversee training of major training projects to be delivered
- AVSI Staff Support and Development
- To effectively provide HR support, encourage teamwork and provide supervision to AVSI staff.
Strategy and Conceptualiser with the Board of Meropa Casino and appointed executives from Southern Sun (Pty) Ltd
06.2019 - 08.2019
- Preparation with the Chairman of the Meropa Casino Board and appointed board members to facilitate the Board to unravel and chart a roadmap for a Five-Year Operating Agreement Roadmap
- Using the metaphor of the Zulu, Sandra and Dr Eberl led the Board over a two-day period to uncover bottlenecks, create new and innovative strategies and uncover a five-year operation agreement (effectively a transitional plan and roadmap - high level).
Head & Specialist: Performance Management, Standard Bank Global, Johannesburg
06.2015 - 04.2017
- Lead Group Alignment by providing Market Insights and Thought Leadership; managing Group Frameworks on performance management; and ensuring compliance with the Groups Governance and Regulatory Requirements related to performance management and other human capital processes
- Lead Business Delivery Support by working with a multi-matrixed structure of Programme Management Offices, Human Capital Heads and Human Capital Business Partners for Expert Advisory & Consulting Services; Capacity Building; and providing Customized Contracted Solutions which are Fit for Purpose
- Provide HC Practices Support through System Enablement; Vendor Management; HC Analytics & Reporting and Communication & Education
- Develop & implement a new/refreshed Performance Management Strategy for the Bank
- Implemented Phase One of a Refreshed Fit-for-Purpose Performance Management Strategy for the Bank (March 2017).
Head: Performance Management (Practice Leader), First National Bank (FNB) Global, Johannesburg
03.2013 - 05.2015
- Lead the Performance Management Practice to implement a new/refreshed Performance Management Strategy for the Bank and/or the FirstRand Group
- Provide cutting edge Research and Innovative Solutions to place the Bank in the forefront in people performance in executing its 2020 Vision and Strategy
- Lead Business Delivery Support by working in partnership with Human Capital Executives and Heads; Human Capital Business Partners and Executives across the Bank in shaping a new Performance Management Strategy and solution (One-size-does-not-fit-all); enabling Oracle Performance Management as the vehicle for change management
- Implemented a refreshed Performance Management Strategy for FNB and FirstRand Group working with other HC Executives to use Oracle PM as a systems enabler to drive behavior change in performance management and people practices.
Lecturer, Entrepreneur, Self Paid Sabbatical, Usak, Turkey
03.2013 - 09.2013
- Englishways, Usak
- Lectured final year engineering students in TEFOL English
- Pursued Co-operative farming: agriculture and dairy.
Strategic Advisor, Phasha Property Investments, Johannesburg, South Africa
11.2012 - 02.2013
- Sandra was approached by Phasha Property Investments to assist with providing strategic advice and seeking funding partners for the development of a shopping mall in Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape
- This R300 Million Rand project required her to co-ordinate all the activities of the project from a stakeholder and funding perspective, as well as being the key contact between stakeholders and the client.
Associate Consultant (Freelance), Deloitte Consulting Johannesburg, South Africa
10.2012 - 02.2013
- SAFCOL: Assisted in facilitating the development of the Human Capital Strategy & Plan
- Conducted a Skills Audit Analysis and developed a detailed report and plan
- Government Pension Fund / GPAA: responsible for designing three (3) structure scenarios with a final recommendation of a new Process-based structure to the Minister of Finance
- She worked solely with an internal team and Exco to design the new structure, a very technical and consultative process because the organisation was moving from being a functional organisation to a process based structure aligned to the GPAA strategy for 2015-2016.
Human Capital Executive Lead, Deloitte Consulting Johannesburg, South Africa
03.2008 - 10.2012
- Sandra was an Executive Lead or Senior Manager within the Deloitte Consulting environment
- She joined Deloitte as a Manager and after two years was promoted to a senior management role based on her performance
- Within the Deloitte environment she worked across business units with teams on client projects
- She worked extensively in the areas of human capital and organisation design projects, concentrating on Economics and Finance Sector.
Chief Executive Officer, Stracienta, Johannesburg, South Africa
01.2007 - 02.2008
- Sandra was responsible for setting up Stracienta in South Africa as a new head office
- She held a 10% partnership in the business in the first 3 years after which that stake would change to 20%
- Her role as CEO encompassed setting the offices in Johannesburg with staffing
- She also fulfilled a global responsibility for Vice President: HR.
Director and Owner, Abaholi Consulting, Johannesburg, South Africa
01.2006 - 12.2006
- After leaving the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Sandra decided to pursue her own business activities
- She established Abaholi Consulting, with offices in Bryanston, Johannesburg and a staff compliment of 4 permanent staff and a network of associate consultants
- She consulted to a number of institutions, including UNISA and the Department of Social Development.
Human Resources Manager, Nelson Mandela Foundation, Johannesburg, South Africa
08.2003 - 08.2005
- Sandra was requested by the Nelson Mandela Foundation to assist the Foundation in becoming a site of excellence, by providing her expertise in the fields of Human Resources and Organisation Development
- She developed an HR Strategy and Plan, designed a new structure, and worked on various projects to promote the legacy of Mr
- Mandela.
Human Resources Consultant and Transformation Co-ordinator, Umgeni Water, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
08.1999 - 07.2003
- Sandra managed organization development and human resources for a water utility of 1300 employees
- She served as the Transformation Coordinator for the newly formed Transformation Committee of the Board of Umgeni Water and implemented a performance management system.
Senior Admin Clerk, Department of Transport, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
09.1990 - 08.1995
- Sandra carried out processes related to the Driver's License & Legislation Bureau and facilitated the process of approvals for various permits in KwaZulu-Natal
- She was also involved in the first Help Desk for NaTIS (National Traffic Information System).
Education
High School Diploma -
Haythorne Senior Secondary School, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Pietermaritzburg 04.2001 - 01.1989
MBA - International Business Management
Business School Netherlands, Cape Town, South Africa
04.2001 - 01.2003
No Degree - Public Relations And Organizational Communication
Durban University of Technology
Durban 04.2001 -
Bachelor of Commerce - Business Management, Economics And Human Resources
UNISA
South Africa 04.2001 -
No Degree - Strategic Management
GIBS
Johannesburg 04.2001 -
No Degree - Corporate Performance Management
Cornel Brand & Associates
Durban 04.2001 -
No Degree - Project Management
X-Pert Academy
Johannesburg 04.2001 -
Skills
Out-of-the-box thinkingundefined
References
- Mr Sifiso Mthembu, 082 458 5779
- Mr David Khunou, 082 505 9787
- Ms Myrtle Williams, 073 905 7402
- Dr. Nikolaus Eberl, 083 270 6011
- Mr Dire Mamogale, 071 416 2168
Accomplishments
Implemented the first Balanced Scorecard and Performance Management policy and processes from 1999 to 2002 at Umgeni Water in KwaZulu-Natal. Sandra was completing her studies with Business School Netherlands at the time. Her dissertation was based on the Balanced Scorecard which at the time, Kaplan & Norton had launched globally. This corporate wide intervention was part of the Transformation agenda of the Board of Umgeni Water, where Sandra served as part of the Board Committee. Umgeni posted its first profit twelve to eighteen months later. Umgeni Water still utilizes the Balanced Scorecard process with strong emphasis on ensuring that the employee and line manager's "psychological contract" was managed and attended to as part of the performance monitoring, evaluation and performance support process.
Sandra is also proud of the opportunity she was provided by the late Mr Mandela. She was headhunted due her successes at Umgeni Water and went on to support the Chief Executive and the Board of the Nelson Mandela Foundation to design, develop and implement an organization-wide Organization Development Programme for Mr Mandela as part of the first Strategy she developed for ex President, incorporating the quantification of Mr Mandela's personal brand as the icon known globally as Nelson Mandela; the replacement of the HIV/AIDS and Education Programmes with international donors, Oprah Winfrey Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to be replaced with the Centre of Memory, the 46664 Concerts and Mandela Day, amongst other initiatives.
Software
Oracle Human Resources & Performance ManagementModule
Timeline
Senior Manager & Client Engagement Manager
EY South Africa
08.2023 - Current
Organisation Design & Strategy Consultant (Independent Subcontracting with SPT Consulting (PTY) Ltd)
06.2021 - 08.2022
Executive, Strategy & Marketing, SHOKA Group
10.2019 - 08.2020
Strategy and Conceptualiser with the Board of Meropa Casino and appointed executives from Southern Sun (Pty) Ltd
06.2019 - 08.2019
Senior Manager: Business Development & Projects, Advanced Vocational Skills Institute (AVSI) Nelspruit
03.2019 - 12.2019
Director, RedboxDisruptors
Self-employed
06.2017 - 07.2023
Head & Specialist: Performance Management, Standard Bank Global, Johannesburg
06.2015 - 04.2017
Head: Performance Management (Practice Leader), First National Bank (FNB) Global, Johannesburg
03.2013 - 05.2015
Lecturer, Entrepreneur, Self Paid Sabbatical, Usak, Turkey
03.2013 - 09.2013
Strategic Advisor, Phasha Property Investments, Johannesburg, South Africa
11.2012 - 02.2013
Associate Consultant (Freelance), Deloitte Consulting Johannesburg, South Africa
10.2012 - 02.2013
Human Capital Executive Lead, Deloitte Consulting Johannesburg, South Africa
03.2008 - 10.2012
Chief Executive Officer, Stracienta, Johannesburg, South Africa
01.2007 - 02.2008
Director and Owner, Abaholi Consulting, Johannesburg, South Africa
01.2006 - 12.2006
Human Resources Manager, Nelson Mandela Foundation, Johannesburg, South Africa
08.2003 - 08.2005
High School Diploma -
Haythorne Senior Secondary School, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
04.2001 - 01.1989
MBA - International Business Management
Business School Netherlands, Cape Town, South Africa
04.2001 - 01.2003
No Degree - Public Relations And Organizational Communication
Durban University of Technology
04.2001 -
Bachelor of Commerce - Business Management, Economics And Human Resources
UNISA
04.2001 -
No Degree - Strategic Management
GIBS
04.2001 -
No Degree - Corporate Performance Management
Cornel Brand & Associates
04.2001 -
No Degree - Project Management
X-Pert Academy
04.2001 -
Human Resources Consultant and Transformation Co-ordinator, Umgeni Water, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
08.1999 - 07.2003
Senior Admin Clerk, Department of Transport, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
09.1990 - 08.1995