Siyanda Faith Njena
Roodepoort
Summary
Motivated professional with varied experience in client management and project administration. Brings a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and a commitment to excellence in all interactions. Supports business objectives through effective collaboration and proactive problem resolution.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Financial Advisor Assistant
Discovery
Johannesburg
02.2019 - Current
- Consulted with clients to define short- and long-term financial goals.
- Guided clients in defining realistic financial goals and creating actionable plans.
- Interviewed clients to identify income, expenses, and objectives for tailored plans.
- Cultivated strong relationships with new and existing clients to ensure service continuity.
- Built strong client relationships through regular meaningful communication for trust.
- Attracted new clients through networking and referral-led business development activities.
- Enhanced business visibility through strategic networking and referral initiatives.
- Conducted regular portfolio reviews aligned with clients’ risk tolerance changes.
- Negotiated with product providers to secure improved terms for clients.
- Assessed life and health insurance needs and recommended suitable coverage.
- Resolved client queries and concerns with prompt, attentive service.
- Managed complaints using calm, clear communication and practical problem-solving.
- Engaged with customers to understand needs and deliver excellent service.
- Resolved customer queries using effective communication and step-by-step guidance.
- Took client messages and routed them to relevant staff promptly.
- Provided clerical and administrative support to associated departments.
- Trained and mentored junior administrative team members on procedures.
- Drew up quotes and submitted new applications on company system.
- Executed quotes and submissions through company system for each case.
- Acted as key compliance contact and officer for regulatory queries.
- Recorded allocated new files onto compliance spreadsheet with daily updates.
- Maintained a comprehensive database of compliance records, audits, and corrective plans.
- Monitored compliance with regulations and internal policies against set standards.
- Assisted with compliance-related business queries as subject matter support.
Project Coordinator for Cell C Executive Management Team
Cell C
08.2009 - 11.2014
- Chaired project initiation work by aligning scope, objectives, and deliverables.
- Owned work plan monitoring and produced project reports and core documentation.
- Directed creation of scope, schedule, and financial reports for project control.
- Accounted for on-time, on-budget delivery by monitoring project performance.
- Managed project meeting coordination and scheduling to sustain delivery cadence.
- Steered weekly status meetings by presenting progress and refining plans.
- Established clear client and team expectations through structured communication and regular updates.
- Drove project tracking to support timely budget preparation and forecasting.
- Held multi-disciplinary teams accountable for communication and resource allocation.
- Protected stakeholder outcomes by delivering consistent updates, reports, and presentations.
- Governed change control by assessing scope, schedule, and budget impact.
- Assessed delivery performance by compiling lessons learned and recommending actionable next steps.
- Shaped project development and scoping to define achievable project boundaries.
- Directed procurement planning to secure compliant materials and timely delivery.
- Interpreted project data to surface trends and drive process improvements.
- Directed business process modelling to prioritise improvements across functions.
- Advised senior management on facilities requirements and ongoing operational support.
- Facilitated company growth by planning and executing key business operations initiatives.
- Administered project administration by controlling agendas, minutes, and meeting logistics.
Business Process Analyst
Cell C
07.2011 - 01.2012
- Analysed business processes to identify inefficiencies and recommend improvements for operational excellence.
- Owned business process analysis to identify inefficiencies and set optimisation recommendations.
- Drove client internal structure improvements to reduce known and potential risk.
- Managed requirement translation between business units and technical teams.
- Led collaboration with IT specialists to set and refine system specifications.
- Accountable for user acceptance testing to validate system fit to requirements.
- Established dashboard reporting standards for real-time performance visibility.
- Managed KPI tracking to ensure alignment with strategic goals and objectives.
- Chaired change implementation planning to keep disruption low across operations.
- Documented end-to-end process flows and owned user manual creation for change management.
- Led project management efforts to achieve timely delivery of business solutions.
- Governed manual definitions and SOP creation to standardise job title expectations.
- Directed customer feedback assessment to shape continuous improvement in services and products.
- Directed staff interview programmes to inform decisions using employee perspectives.
- Owned further process analysis to define optimisation strategies for productivity uplift.
- Accountable for BPM software development and deployment to automate workflows.
Executive Assistant to Executive Manager Marketing and Communications
Cell C
08.2009 - 06.2011
- Managed diaries and organised meetings and appointments for senior executives to optimise their schedules.
- Arranged international travel, visas, accommodation, and itineraries for executives to facilitate seamless business operations.
- Prepared reports, presentations, and briefs to support decision-making processes for leadership teams.
- Developed and maintained administrative processes to improve efficiency and support executive team productivity.
- Collaborated with other departments to ensure cohesive business operations and effective communication.
- Maintained organised calendar covering team meetings, trips and appointments.
- Scheduled and confirmed appointments for clients, customers, and executives to maximise time management.
- Handled sensitive information with discretion, adhering to data protection laws and company policies.
- Controlled access to executives by screening, redirecting, and responding to incoming correspondence to maintain confidentiality.
- Acted as the first point of contact for visitors, providing a professional welcome and directing them appropriately.
- Ensured timely communication by accurately relaying client messages to relevant team members.
- Liaised with staff, suppliers, and clients to foster positive relationships and streamline communication.
- Oversaw the recruitment, training, and supervision of junior administrative staff to ensure high performance standards.
- Assisted associated departments with clerical and administrative support.
- Recorded discussions and decisions during various meetings and conferences.
- Helped staff with special projects by setting up schedules and organising resources.
- Executed tasks for special projects assigned by executives.
- Implemented and maintained filing systems, ensuring efficient organisation and retrieval of documents.
Executive Assistant
Vodacom
08.2008 - 07.2009
- Managed diaries and organised meetings and appointments for senior executives to optimise their schedules.
- Scheduled and confirmed appointments for clients, customers, and executives to maximise time management.
- Handled sensitive information with discretion, adhering to data protection laws and company policies.
- Managed expenses and budgets for executive departments, providing timely reports to finance teams.
- Reviewed and recommended changes to administrative systems and procedures to increase operational efficiency.
- Monitored inventory of office supplies and placed orders to ensure availability.
- Prepared contract drafts, purchase orders and business correspondence for team.
Senior Editorial Assistant
Ndalo Media (Media 24)
Johannesburg
09.2006 - 07.2008
- Implemented SEO best practices in online content creation, enhancing article visibility and search engine ranking.
- Managed editorial calendar, coordinating deadlines and publication schedules for timely content delivery.
- Contributed to the development of editorial guidelines and policies, ensuring consistency in content quality and style.
- Proofread content meticulously, correcting grammar, punctuation, and style errors to uphold high-quality standards.
- PProofread manuscripts to identify and flag any grammatical and spelling errors.
- Conducted thorough research to support content development and fact-checking efforts, bolstering article accuracy.
- Researched topics and checked facts to maintain high standard of journalistic integrity.
- Drafted promotional content for company website, internal and external newsletters and social media pages.
- Handled rights and permissions enquiries, securing necessary clearances for copyrighted materials in publications.
- Coordinated with graphic designers to align visual elements with textual content, ensuring consistency across publications.
- Collated and correctly stored supporting documentation for all manuscripts, performing quality checks and audits regularly.
- Responded to enquiries from authors, editors, reviewers and public, keeping a polite, friendly and professional tone at all times.
- Responded promptly to incoming phone calls and emails for prompt, professional correspondence.
- Organised interviews and photo shoots, liaising with participants to ensure smooth execution and adherence to timelines.
- Provided high-level administrative support, adapting proactively to team needs and aiding efficiency.
Public Relations Assistant
Road Accident Fund
07.2003 - 08.2006
- Managed press releases, including drafting content and coordinating with media outlets for timely publication.
- Developed and maintained relationships with key media contacts to secure coverage for company initiatives.
- Organised media events, fundraisers and entertainment to generate media interest.
- Implemented successful PR strategies to maintain and build awareness.
- Prepared detailed event plans, including venue selection, guest lists, and logistics for successful execution.
- Arranged and conducted media interviews to gain favourable brand positioning.
- Monitored social media platforms, responding to enquiries and engaging with followers to build online presence.
- Managed the distribution of press kits and promotional materials at events and to media contacts.
- Provided support for the public relations team with administrative tasks, including scheduling meetings and managing correspondence.
- Produced internal communications, such as newsletters and bulletins, to keep staff informed of public relations efforts.
- Advised executives regarding public relations implications of policies, practices and programmes.
Personal Assistant for RAF Executive Communications Manager
Road Accident Fund
03.2003 - 04.2005
- Managed complex diaries, scheduled meetings, and coordinated travel arrangements for senior executives to optimise their time efficiently.
- Monitored emails and correspondence, prioritising and responding on behalf of the executive to streamline workflow.
- Handled emails and written business correspondence on behalf of senior office staff.
- Drafted correspondence and prepared presentations on behalf of executives, maintaining a high level of confidentiality and professionalism.
- Handled sensitive information with discretion, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations and company policies.
- Organised travel arrangements on behalf of colleagues, including booking hotels, transport and restaurants.
- Took accurate and detailed notes at meetings covering agenda items, action points and proposals.
- Communicated meeting action points to relevant staff for prompt resolution.
- Prepared meeting spaces and equipment for events and presentations.
- Developed and implemented filing systems, both electronic and paper-based, to improve office organisation and efficiency.
- Scanned and photocopied documents for office team members.
Education
Project Management Certificate -
Dynamix Learning
Johannesburg01-2010
Matric -
Sinikiwe High School
Eastern Cape, South Africa01-2004
Public Relations Diploma -
UNISA
Johannesburg, South AfricaSkills
- Client management
- Client onboarding
- Financial planning
- Regulatory compliance
- Project management
- Process improvement
- Problem solving
- Customer service
- Decision making
- Communication proficiency
Languages
English
Advanced
C1
afrikaans
Elementary
A2
xhosa
Advanced
C1
Interests
- Reading
- Community service
- Cooking and wine tasting
- Exercising and healthcare
Accomplishments
- I was promoted from personal assitant to PR Assistant, I received an award form out then CEO Mr Humphrey Kgomongwe, who recognised me for an excellent planning a succesful RAF campaign.
- Streamlined workflow by consolidating lengthy processes and redundant documentation which resulted in increased productivity and profits, which saw Cell C receive the Best Customer Service Award in 2009.
- I Advanced from Personal Assistant position at Cell C to Project Assistant for Cell C Executives due to my excellent project management skills, scheduling, gatekeeping, and stakeholder communication .
- Recognised by management at Discovery for closing a pool of open compliance cases that could have brought regulatory fines, litigation, and revoking of operating license for the broker.
Timeline
Financial Advisor Assistant
Discovery
02.2019 - Current
Business Process Analyst
Cell C
07.2011 - 01.2012
Project Coordinator for Cell C Executive Management Team
Cell C
08.2009 - 11.2014
Executive Assistant to Executive Manager Marketing and Communications
Cell C
08.2009 - 06.2011
Executive Assistant
Vodacom
08.2008 - 07.2009
Senior Editorial Assistant
Ndalo Media (Media 24)
09.2006 - 07.2008
Public Relations Assistant
Road Accident Fund
07.2003 - 08.2006
Personal Assistant for RAF Executive Communications Manager
Road Accident Fund
03.2003 - 04.2005
Project Management Certificate -
Dynamix Learning
Matric -
Sinikiwe High School
Public Relations Diploma -
UNISA