Relationship Manager
Office of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al Nahyan
Total years of experience :21 years, 3 months
Managing Office and Palace activities for the Office of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and providing personal assistance with an emphasis on the following:
• VIP management; managing travel and accommodation arrangements for H.H. Sheikh Abdullah, his guests and staff, especially handling last minute changes and urgent requests.
• Communications; liaising and handling all communications between the Abu Dhabi and Dubai Offices / Palaces. Handling all non-Arabic communications.
• Meetings; handling organization and logistics for meetings.
• Finance and payments; following up and consolidating payments for contractors and external providers.
• Operations; handling day to day operations, agenda activities and ad hoc requirements for the Office and Palaces of H.H., ensuring that time sensitive activities are completed as per request.
• Management of contractors, subcontractors and providers; overseeing projects at the Palaces of H.H. and performing quality assurance of services delivered as per agreed contracts. Seeking and shortlisting potential contractors.
• HR support; supporting the H.H. Office’s Human Resources operations by ensuring that staff management activities are addressed in a timely manner and as per U.A.E. laws and regulations.
Overseeing operations and administrative activities for Goanta Trading, Ltd, a family owned group of businesses, with activities mainly in the food production and distribution, construction as well as beauty and wellness industries.
o Overseeing daily production activities
o Managing staff
o Dealing with providers
o Financial management
As Protocol Manager, in charge of International relations events for the 15th Asian Games and 3rd West Asian Games in Doha, Elena was responsible for all planning and operational activities in order to offer a high level of service for VIPs and distinguished guests, both domestic and international. These activities included:
o Planning the protocol operations at official Asian Games Venues
o Developing the operational plan and preparing the detailed schedule of all Protocol activities
o Management and coordination of service providers, such as catering, transportation, hotels and accommodation, etc.
o Establishing the policies and procedures for the VIP lounges at venues
o Overseeing the service operations of the VIP lounges during the events
o Ensuring that the high quality standards were maintained
o Managing, training and supervising all volunteers and permanent staff
o Ensuring that any sensitive aspects of the guests cultural background are handled with tact and diplomacy
o Coordinating guests participation at Opening, Closing and Medal Ceremonies.
For the largest tour operator in North America, Elena has occupied a number of functions related to office management, special events and employee care management, including finance and human resources.
During her 10 years tenure with Gray Line, she has gathered an in-depth understanding of the Travel, Tourism and Hospitality industry. Reporting directly to the Controller/ Director of Administration Services, she held the following positions:
• Office Manager: Overseeing day to day activities of the office and managing all support contracts
• Personal Assistant: For the General Manager; Managing agenda and meetings, handling correspondence and administrative duties
• Payroll Administration and Accounts Payable Supervisor: Administration of full payroll cycle for 300 union and non-union employees
• Special Event Coordinator: Responsible to coordinate special events for both internal staff and external visitors
• Setting up a Service Recognition Program for the employees of the company as a work practicum with Horizon College.
• Managing daily activities of the office, handling agenda and organizing meetings for the General Manager, acting as single point of contact for all requests, handling correspondence, ensuring that office resources are available to conduct normal business activities
Reporting to the HR Manager and performing / supporting the following activities for more than 2, 000 employees:
• Payroll
• Training
• Recruitment
• Annual performance appraisal
Coordinating and handling office activities for the Office of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, performing (but not limited to) the following tasks: • Management of contractors, subcontractors and providers; overseeing projects and performing quality assurance of services delivered as per agreed contracts. Investigate and shortlist potential contractors. • Finance and payments; follow up and consolidation of expenses and preparation of payments for goods and service providers • VIP management; managing travel and accommodations arrangements for VIPs and distinguished guests. • Office operations; Handling day to day Office operations and ad hoc requirements, ensuring that time sensitive activities are completed as planned • HR support; supporting the Office’s Human Resources operations; by ensuring that medical insurance cards, end of services benefits, new employees visas and other processes are managed • Communications; liaising and handling all communications between the Dubai and Abu Dhabi offices