Rola Zeidan

Menacom Group, Media City, Dubai- UAE ▪ 2010-2015
Part of WPP and Y&R Brands Menacom Group is leading marketing communications, public relations, media planning/buying and digital interactive conglomerate. With low employee turnover rates and over 1, 200 employees, it operates in 17 countries with more than 57 offices across the Middle East, North Africa (MENA) and Levant region.

HR Programs & Best Practices - Transformed previously disorganized, underperforming HR department, into a well-functioning, cost effective and highly utilized entity - 40% improvement in service scores over prior year’s employee survey data. Worked closely with business managers on creating a proactive approach & direction for the business + establishing KPIs. Ensured compliance with WPP internal policies, on boarding & exiting procedures for 57 offices.

▪Staff Recruitment - Reduced recruitment/ agency fees by revamping recruitment strategies and bringing function in-house. recruitment for top clients within the group such as Telecommunication- Nokia, FMCG-Coca Cola, Technology- Microsoft and many others…

▪Employee Benefits - Redesigned and negotiated benefits with senior management to realign with market conditions.

▪Training Programs -Decreased annual training costs by extensive in-house front-line staff and manager training. Provided additional consultancy support in determining learning & development approaches. Enhanced and implemented the Performance Development system and competency mapping following the WPP standards - annual practice. Handled Talent Management, retention & rewards, employee relations and satisfaction surveys.
▪Compensation/ Salary Structure - Increased morale and saved on operations and salary expenses by conducting thorough and extensive job description -salary analysis adjusting salary grade structure to reflect industry standards.

▪HR Information Systems -Implemented, integrated and maximized usage of new HRIS system. Brought project lower than estimated budget and dramatically improved efficiency of the HR functions. Developed HR system processes & talent retention plans that were implemented across the group.

12.2009 - 02.2010 Dubai BAKER HUGHES - (Contractual)

Headquartered in Houston, BH is the world's third-largest oilfield services company providing oil & gas industry operating in over 90 countries worldwide with 57, 000-plus employees.

On Contractual Basis

HSBC Bank Middle East Ltd is both the world's largest banking group and the world's 6th largest company. UAE has16 branches and is the firm's head office with a MENA headcount of 12, 000 employees.

HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST
05.2008 - 04.2009 Dubai (made redundant due to the financial crisis) IMPACT BBDO

Part of the world's largest marketing communication group - OMNICOM ranking amongst the top three international networks in the region with approximately 400 employees in the headquarters in Dubai and a low employee turnover rate.

HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST- Impact BBDO, Plus, IPN, Proximity & Pentamark

▪Selection & Recruitment -Successfully staffed & sustained corporate growth for main & sister companies - Conducted comprehensive executive search and selection -created an internal database & set a proper employee document filing system for the whole group.
▪Learning & Development -Involved in Performance & Talent MGT: individual promotions & career development plans, upgraded operating procedures & participated in Leadership development programs.
▪Retention -Consolidated feedback forms to enhance internal processes - Retained talent by 60% despite the crisis which resulted in increased performance.

A fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) Swiss Company covering 13 countries within the Levant and Gulf area, with 1700 employees around the Middle East Market. It is the world’s largest food company with 280, 000 employees and over 140 years of history.

▪High-tech hiring -Recruited all levels of employees -handled expatriation - Organized land logistics for transferees within ME market -Local & External hires - Decreased recruitment costs by 80% by re-designing and activating careers database.

▪Performance Management - Met with line managers to discuss promotions, poor performers & technical training needs to enhance performance. Consolidated data and generated reports.
▪Training & Development -Developed the annual training calendar for the head office & ME market Engaged in Employee surveys, suggestion schemes, succession planning forums & “Validation Board” meetings. Conceptualized and successfully led change management programs. Selected potential employees for the Graduate program through participating in University Career Fairs.

Founded in 1990, Educational Services Overseas Limited (ESOL), is an organization specialized in the establishment and management of American and British international schools in the Mediterranean, Near East and South Asia regions with over 2000 employees.

ASSISTANT OPERATIONS MANAGER - HEAD OF REGISTRATION & ADMISSIONS

Responsibilities
* Set the policies and procedures for the opening of both the British and American schools
* Consulted/ Tested all potential candidates and advised walk in parents
* Supported Senior managers/owners with statistics & business related reports & projects

Achievements
* Increased profit for the year by enrolling around 500 students
* Established HR & admin software systems & simplified processes

The American University in Dubai is a private, non-sectarian institution of higher learning founded in 1995 with around 300 employees (faculty & staff).

ADMISSIONS & ENROLLMENT COORDINATOR

Responsibilities
 Represented the university in different educational events and career fairs-locally & regionally
 Enrolled students - undergraduate & masters (Member of the MBA committee)

Achievements
 Recommended an internal filing system that helped cut down on office space
 Increased enrollment by 60% after active participation in school fairs

Sheraton & Holiday Inn are leading international hotel chains with branches worldwide extending their hospitality services through many employees that exceed 2000 in Lebanon only.

Business Development - Hospitality
12.1999 - 12.2001 Beirut SHERATON CORAL BEACH & HOLIDAY INN

GUEST SERVICE AGENT -Member of the pre - opening team

Responsibilities
* Ensured guest satisfaction through proper hospitality channels
* Handled all front desk & reservations activities + reports

Achievements
* Increased room revenue by 70% at the opening
* Established relations with tour operators to bring in groups - full occupancy monthly