yasmine choualhi, Project Operation Manager

yasmine choualhi

Project Operation Manager

Australian Trade and Investment Governmental Agency

Location
United Arab Emirates - Dubai
Education
Master's degree, Business Administration
Experience
12 years, 1 month

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Work Experience

Total years of experience :12 years, 1 month

Project Operation Manager at Australian Trade and Investment Governmental Agency
  • United Arab Emirates - Dubai
  • My current job since August 2021

Role objective:
Strategize, manage, and coordinate project delivery of Expo2020 business activities, in close collaboration with Trade Commissioner and Regional Director

Responsibilities:
• Managed operations from design concept, documentation, and implementation
• Allocated resources to each project to ensure project handover and analysis
• Liaised with Australian Federal Trade Commissioner, Australian State Government Trade Commissioner, Australian Expo Commissioner General, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and UAE Government
• Conducted market and feasibility studies for the Clients
• Provided on-ground support to visiting delegations

Achievements:
Planned and delivered 3 VIP flagship trade programs in various sectors (Health, F&B, and Education)
Set up and monitored milestones and deadlines for several ongoing projects coordinating with contractors
Facilitated the service of 100 NSW companies cross sectors during Expo2020
Project leader and liaison between the Australian States and Federal Authorities and local Authorities

Head of Business Network Operations (IMEA Region) at NZTE
  • United Arab Emirates - Dubai
  • My current job since May 2018

Role objective:

Develop a network of subject matter consultants for the IMEA region in order to support NZ companies during their market research or go-to-market execution (B2C, B2B, B2G, and G2G). Scope: IMEA: Riyadh, Dubai, New Delhi, and Mumbai offices, reporting to Trade Commissioners, Regional Director IMEA, and General Manager for Services NZ.

Responsibilities:
• Built a portfolio of 30 external Subject Matter Experts, each specializing in a specific IMEA sector (tackling the lack of expertise internally)
• Appointed specific consultant to the right Client (NZ companies), to support them for their regional implementation project
• Established and monitored a project plan for each client’s implementation project - approx. 100 projects from A to Z over 3 years.
• Allocated new resources at each step of the client’s project (legal, training, business culture, regulations…)
• Closely monitored regional budgets (AED 945K for MEA and AED 281K for India) in line with NZ Inc. guidelines
• Served as the point of contact for any initiative in Arabic, which led me to work with various high-level GCC personalities (ministers…etc.)
• Organized the IMEA “beachhead” quarterly events onsite and offsite (online), between consultants and internal stakeholders
• Revamped the billing process completely to allow a monthly invoice clearance and budget visibility
• Organized the trade minister’s agenda during UAE exhibitions and fairs (GulFood, Dubai South…etc.)
• Coordinated with MFAT and local Government authorities NZ minister visits

Achievements:
Facilitated AED 135 million in business deals for NZ Companies in the IMEA region
Played a key role in the launch of the NZ Business Council, handling all the operations from A to Z
Was detrimental in securing NZTE’s 1st MoU with Dubai Exports
Increased Client satisfaction (NZ Companies) by 21% within the first 6 months
Built and grew key relationships with various Government entities, from scratch
An expanded repertoire of Subject Matter Talent Pool by 38%
Drastically improved the Trade Commissioners decision-making process on feasibility projects, thanks to an upgraded reporting system

Service Delivery Manager (IMEA) at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
  • United Arab Emirates - Dubai
  • My current job since May 2018

Role objective:
To help NZ companies create a successful presence in the IMEA region, while ensuring the highest customer satisfaction (NZ companies). I report to the Trade Commissioners for IMEA: Saudi, Dubai, New Delhi and Mumbai offices, Regional Director IMEA, General Manager for Services NZ.

Responsibilities:
• Identified, hired & trained a portfolio of 30 external consultants, each specializing in a niche sector (to overcome lack of expertise internally)
• Collected and analyzed Client (NZ companies) specific implantation requirements and appointed the right consultant to the project
• Set up a project agenda and milestones, while monitoring the step-by step delivery and adherence to customers’ needs.
• Constantly debrief with Clients and allocate new resources at each step of the project (legal, training, business culture, regulations…)
• Closely monitored regional budgets for MEA and India to ensure adherence with head office guidelines in NZ.
• Coordinated with MFAT and local Government authorities NZ minister visits
• Organized the trade minister’s agenda during UAE exhibitions and fairs (GulFood, Dubai South…etc.)
• Served as the point of contact for every initiative that needed to be conducted in Arabic, which essentially led me to work with various high level GCC authorities

Achievements:
Expanded repertoire of skills by 38%, by identifying and recruiting additional expertise
Revamped the billing process completely to allow a monthly invoice clearance and budget visibility.
Played a key role in the setup of the NZ Business Council, handling all the operations work.
Supported the NZ MOU signing with Dubai Exports
Increased Customer satisfaction survey 21%
Developed a new reporting system to help the Trade Commissioners make better decisions on each feasibility projects.
Collaborated and communicated successfully with other Government entities

Project Manager at Rise Group
  • United Arab Emirates
  • August 2017 to January 2018

Rise is a marketing and commercial services consultancy with specialist experience in Entertainment and Cultural Sponsorship; Media and Advertising; Transport & Infrastructure; Retail; and Public Private Initiatives.

Role objective:
To coordinate projects phases and deliverables and obtaining approval to engaging key stakeholders for
•Riyadh Government - Al Riyadh Development Authority (Metro Commercial project) / (Metro Naming Rights project)
•Riyadh Government - Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs
•Project Director and Company Managing Partners

Responsibilities:
•Set up and monitored milestones and deadlines for the several ongoing projects coordinating with subcontractors
•Key point of contact between the client and subcontractors in Engineering, Legal, Architecture, etc. for 6 metro lines and 85 stations
•Prepared and reviewed English/ Arabic presentations for various projects in UAE and

Operations Officer at Albatross Global
  • United Arab Emirates
  • October 2016 to August 2016

Albatross Global is a customer experience agency dedicated to helping brands deliver luxury experiences to their target consumers. With 17 offices in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas, Albatross presently serves over 200 luxury and premium brands.

Role objective:
To coordinate projects phases for various clients in the Middle East and Africa region in order to ensure on time delivery of the market research and store performance evaluation.

Responsibilities:
•Set up and monitored milestones and deadlines for the several ongoing projects in the MEA region
•Contacted and coordinated with the Store Performance Evaluators (SPE) for the visits to be conducted
•Conducted a recruiting campaign for freelance Store Performance Evaluators for French speaking African countries

Achievements:
•100% on-time delivery of the projects under my supervision
•Increased by 100 % the number of freelance SPE for the African countries

Operations Analyst at KDC Development Consultancy (“KAIZEN
  • United Arab Emirates
  • July 2014 to January 2014
Business Coordinator at KDC Development Consultancy / KDC Limited ("KAIZEN
  • May 2012 to July 2012

is a boutique firm offering specialized advisory services to Government, Institutional and Individual Clients in the domains of Economic Development, Asset Development & Management, as well as Real Estate Development.

Role objective:
To coordinate project phases, from preparing supporting reports to obtaining approval to engaging key stakeholders for
•Jeddah Government - Jeddah Development and Urban Regeneration Company
•Project Director and Company CEO

Responsibilities:
•Set up and monitored milestones and deadlines with all sub-contractors for 2 major projects
•Prepared CEO’s bi-monthly presentations, along with monthly reports and project status updates
•Key point of contact between the client and 10 subcontractors in Finance, Engineering, Legal, Marketing, Architecture…etc.
•Conducted feasibility studies for multi billion dirham projects in KSA and UAE
•Initiated multiple tenders and pre-selected various suppliers in the Education, Real Estate and Civil Engineering sectors.

Achievements:
•100% on-time delivery on both projects under my supervision:
•Heart of Jeddah - development of an entire city out of sounds
•DWC project - The Villages
•Was recognized to produce perfect work the first time around, which improved overall project efficiency
•Established effective communication channels which ensured smooth operations

Internship at LAFARGE (Cement Factory, Distribution
  • Algeria
  • December 2010 to June 2011

As the leader in the building materials industry, Lafarge has a local presence in 90 countries. With the most innovative cement, concrete, and aggregates solutions available, Lafarge has the most efficient business model and the best performing operating models and teams.

Role objective:
To source and analyze market data for cement industry in Algeria in order to provide a more efficient service to the distribution networks. Support multiple product launches for new range of cement and concrete products in the Algerian market

Responsibilities:
•Analyzed the national cement distribution market
•Studied and optimized Lafarge’s network distribution routes efficiency
•Contributed to the design of the cement bags for 4 new products (Coal, White, Concrete and Standard Cement)
•Led and delivered over 5 visual promotions and event communications
•Participated in the brain storming panel for the launch of 4 new products


Achievements:
•Improved truck turnover frequency by almost 10%

Assistant at AQUA PROPERTIES (Real Estate
  • United Arab Emirates
  • September 2011 to January 2011

Aqua properties was founded in 2005 and provides clients with a full real estate repertoire including off plan investment opportunities, residential and commercial property transactions as well as assisting them with finding their perfect family home.

Role objective:
To solve major delivery issues related to real estate project in order to negotiate a suitable solution for both Landlords and Developers engaging the preapproval of the CEO
•Lavista development: 12 story building
•The Olgana project and Hilliana towers: 25 and 49 story buildings

Responsibilities:
•Initiated new floor plan distributions for Landlords caused by the 7-year delay of the project
•Prepared and reviewed the sales and purchase agreements (SPA) of Hilliana and Olgana towers
•Reconciled multiple Landlords expectations with Developer delivery
•Negotiated yearly property management contracts with Landlords
•Conceptualized, implemented and developed marketing plans of the listed products

Achievements:
•Recognized to be one of the hardest working individual in the team
•Managed to solve 100% of the handover challenges for the Lavista development with win-win / case by case solutions

•Arrived in Dubai and started my MBA on evening classes at the Canadian

Junior Purchaser at PIMALGERIE (Steel
  • Algeria
  • August 2008 to October 2009

Established in 1963, PIM ALGERIE specializes in import and distribution of ferrous and non-ferrous steels that are used for mechanical purposes. These products are supplied from Europe under European conformity certificates, « NF EN DIN ASTM AISI » with chemical analyses.

Role objective: Was appointed to be the first point of contact for all English communication with various suppliers and negotiate contract merchandise renewals.

•Negotiated on behalf of the director hundreds of tons of imported merchandise, annual contracts renewals and rates
•Prepared and reviewed documents related to imports (Credit Letters, Bill of Loading, Conformity certificates…etc.)
•Select suppliers and advise top management based on the best quotations
•Sourced new suppliers and maintained the communication with existing suppliers

Customer Service at Algiers
  • Algeria
  • July 2007 to December 2007

My role was to contact / cold-calls potential prospects and organize meetings with the sales team.

Responsibilities: Making 500 calls per day / 250 conversations per day - introducing solar panels concept for property owners
Achievements: Generating an average of 2 face to face meetings per day between the sales force and my prospects

Education

Master's degree, Business Administration
  • at General Management Canadian University of Dubai
  • January 2013
Master's degree, Business Administration
  • at General Management Canadian University of Dubai
  • January 2013

in

Bachelor's degree, Business
  • January 2007

in Mathematics Lycée International Alexandre Dumas

Specialties & Skills

Marketing
Administration
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
CONTRACT MANAGEMENT
CUSTOMER RELATIONS
DELIVERY
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
GOVERNMENT
MARKETING
MEETING FACILITATION

Languages

Arabic
Expert
English
Expert
French
Expert