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Edgar Mercado, General Manager

Edgar Mercado

General Manager·Global Leisure and Entertainment,

United Arab Emirates

Diploma, Project Management

Work experience

Total years of experience: 28 years, 2 months

General Manager

January 2025 - Present

Global Leisure and Entertainment,

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

January 2025 - Present

• Overseeing the company's day-to-day operations, including managing budgets and resources supervising heads of departments of HR, Finance, Marketing, Sales, Consultancy, Project Management and Design
• Supervision on feasibility studies, financial projections and market research for project proposals
• Coordination of Project Management in development and construction phase
• Strategic planning for partnerships and new businesses
• Organizational development and organizational efficiency

Company industry:
Entertainment

General Manager - Experience and Development

December 2023 - December 2024

Abdullah Al Othaim Leisure Co.,

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

December 2023 - December 2024

• Project management, construction and development of new concepts, experience and best practices
• Sourcing IP's and new international brands and relations with suppliers
• Feasibility studies, financial projections and new business cases
• Coordination for operations training in construction phase (Pre and Post Opening)
• Enhancement of current operations in facilities throughout GCC countries
• Corporate planning and development, new strategies and partnerships

Company industry:
Entertainment

Senior Project Manager (Development and Operations)

November 2021 - November 2023

KCC Design Entertainment,

Wielsbeke, Belgium

November 2021 - November 2023

• Project management and coordination with clients and stakeholders, and advisory on realization and
development of projects in Europe and the Middle East
• Feasibility studies, financial planning, business plan, budgets and revenue streams
• Procurement and liaison with suppliers for development and construction works
• Operations know-how advisory (SOP's, Manuals, Guidelines and Training)

Company industry:
Entertainment

General Manager

September 2019 - March 2020

Fantasy Island

Colombo 1, Sri Lanka

September 2019 - March 2020

• Project management and implementation of concept design and Master Plan
• Financial scope, business plan and revenue streams
• Direction and coordination with international and local suppliers, quotations and delivery times
• Design of themed areas and coordination with technical teams for related matters
• Human resources planning; training and development programs
• Setting up the Operations Program (SOP´s) including visitors’ engagement and guest experience
• Alliances with sponsors, F&B partners and design of a loyalty program
• Development of the integrated ticketing system and Webpage with IT team

Company industry:
Entertainment

Project Manager

January 2018 - August 2019

Play Mart International,

Sofia, Bulgaria

January 2018 - August 2019

In charge of the development and operations of trampoline parks and playgrounds in Europe: Netherlands, France, Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland and Austria
• Project management, relation with clients and stakeholders
• Optimization of factory process
• Development of project schedules and delivery timelines
• Coordination with suppliers for installation and construction works
• Operations supervision, know-how and staff training
• Oversee European standards and regulations, implementation of best practices

Company industry:
Entertainment

Director of Special Projects

January 2016 - January 2018

Maxmakers,

Zurich, Switzerland

January 2016 - January 2018

Responsible for leading special projects in the Middle East, South East Asia and Russia
• Creation and development of Entertainment and Edutainment concepts, theme parks and water parks
• Financial planning: development of feasibility studies, business plan and business strategies
• Project management, budgeting, F&B operations, partner alliances and investment
• Operations Programs including financial scope, HR and staff guidelines (SOPs), training and development

Company industry:
Marketing
Job role:
Management

Director of Global Franchise Operations

April 2013 - January 2016

Minopolis,

Vienna, Austria

April 2013 - January 2016

Directed operations and startup in Europe and in Middle East
• Direction and supervision of Franchise Operations Program
• Operations supervision, assessments and implementation of best practices
• Operations Staff Training, SOPs and HR Manuals
• F&B operations including restaurants, coffee shops and other point of sales
• Business strategies and budget performance to improve profitability
• Regional expansion: Business plans and feasibility studies
• Project management and supervision of Architectural Design and Construction Development
• Business alliances with partners in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Germany, Belgium, Russia and Kazakhstan

Company industry:
Entertainment

General Manager

November 2011 - March 2013

Kidz Holding and KidzMondo,

Beirut, Lebanon

November 2011 - March 2013

• Setting up of the Holding and Operating Companies
• Overseeing Feasibility Study and Business Plan
• Project management, budgeting and business analysis
• Supervision of Architectural Design and Construction Development
• Development of Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) for park operations coffee outlets and restaurants
• Development of Integrated Software
• Operations supervision, assessments and implementation of best practices
• Training (all positions) Pre and Post-Opening supervision
• Direction and supervision of Franchise Program

Company industry:
Entertainment

Director

January 2009 - October 2011

KidZania,

Mexico City, Mexico

January 2009 - October 2011

• Direction and coordination with franchisees during the Development Program
• Implementation and project management, coordination for design and construction works
• Implementation of business strategies for operations enhancement in general including warehouse
and restaurants and point of sales
• Advisor for business experience, corporate development, best practices and financials and royalties
• Business supervision and assessments to ensure high standards of quality service
• Training for franchisee content, Concept and Business model (know-how) and KITE Program
• Projects in Dubai, Cairo, Jeddah, Kuwait City, Istanbul and Moscow

Company industry:
Entertainment

Project Manager

April 2003 - January 2009

International Consulting,

Mexico City, Mexico

April 2003 - January 2009

Projects in hospitality, tourism, real estate, automotive, telecommunications and F&B
• Generated over 10 projects in a 5-year period through direction of strategic planning, implementation and management of each project

Company industry:
Business Consultancy Services

Consul of Economic Affairs

February 2000 - March 2003

Consulate General of Mexico

Chicago Loop, United States

February 2000 - March 2003

In charge of the economic and commercial relations of Mexico with the Mid-West of United States

Company industry:
Public Administration

Deputy Director

September 1996 - January 2000

Ministry of Foreign Relations

Mexico City, Mexico

September 1996 - January 2000

Economic outlook and financial projections of Mexico in United States

Company industry:
Translation & Document Processing

Education

Alison

June 2016

June 2016

Diploma, Project Management

Switzerland

Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona

June 1996

June 1996

Master's degree, Political Science and International Relations

Spain

Master's degree, Political Science and International Relations at Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona Barcelona Spain Completion Date: September 1996
View attachment

Universidad Iberoamiericana

May 1994

May 1994

Bachelor's degree, Political Science and Administration

Mexico

Bachelor's degree, Political Science and Administration at Universidad Iberoamiericana Mexico City Mexico Completion Date: May 1994
View attachment

Skills

Strategic Planning
Expert
Strategic Planning
Expert
Project Management
Expert
Project Management
Expert
Global Business Development
Expert
Global Business Development
Expert
International Business Experience
Expert
International Business Experience
Expert
International Business
Expert
International Business
Expert
Operations
Expert
Operations
Expert
Business to Business
Expert
Business to Business
Expert
Corporate Development
Expert
Corporate Development
Expert
Detail Oriented
Expert
Detail Oriented
Expert
Results Focused
Expert
Results Focused
Expert
Problem Solving
Expert
Problem Solving
Expert
International Business Relations
Expert
International Business Relations
Expert
Project Management
Expert
Project Management
Expert
Strategic Planning
Expert
Strategic Planning
Expert
Project Development
Expert
Project Development
Expert
Global Business Development
Expert
Global Business Development
Expert
International Business Experience
Expert
International Business Experience
Expert
International Business
Expert
International Business
Expert

Languages

English
Expert
Spanish
Expert

Memberships

US Mexico Chamber of Commerce in Chicago

Honorary Member

March 2000

Training and Certifications

Certifications
Certificate in International Economy and Trade
Certificate in Business and Trade Negotiations
Certificate in Negotiations and Contracts
Certified Attractions Executive (ICAE)
Certificate Relations between Europe and North America, International Centre for European Formation
Aug 1998
Certificate United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
Jan 1993
Certificate Contracting and Consulting, Vancouver SCC
Feb 2008
Certificate Promotion and Trade Negotiations as Foreign Policy Tools, Ministry of Foreign Relations
May 2000
Certificate Permanent Course of United Nations, Olof Palme Foundation
Mar 1998
Certificate international Law, International Court of Justice, UN
Aug 1996
Certificate International Economy and Trade, Georgetown University
Feb 1999