ALLAN GIFFORD
SOUTH MELBOURNE,VIC
Summary
Detail-oriented team leader with strong operational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
EVENT DIRECTOR
Medical Meetings / Face 2 Face Event Management
05.2022 - Current
- Built and implemented cost-reduction strategies and industry best practices, reduced event expenses and streamlined planning and delivery.
- Oversaw event happenings in progress, answered guest questions, acted quickly to resolve problems and trained and supported new team members and volunteers.
- Implemented protocols and procedures to effectively manage planning process.
- Supported senior leadership by developing status reports on activities related to planning, scheduling, cancellation, inquiries, resourcing, risk mitigation, and proposal development for various events.
- Researched vendors and locations, liaised between event staff and facilities and arranged teams to coordinate event setup and teardown.
- Established clear objectives and goals for each event, drove execution toward goals and measured and monitored results to track impact.
RESIDENT MANAGER - Waiparuru Hall
University Of Auckland
06.2020 - 02.2022
- Operating Australasia's largest fully catered student accommodation with 950 beds
- Deputizing the Head of Operations for all university halls and residences across Campus Life
- Managing staff including full-time, part-time and student staff members. Ongoing training and development plans
- Quality assurance and best practice implementation with contract catering and cleaning staff
- Establishing policies and processes regarding Covid-19 in line with Government guidelines and code of conduct
- Oversee operations, training, recruitment, budget, engagement, and pastoral care for the hall
- Reported and documented maintenance requests and scheduled appropriate services.
- Conducted property move-ins, move-outs and walk-through inspections.
- Provided for peaceful and safe resident relations through complaint management and conflict resolution.
- Used StarRez to maintain the resident database of personal information, repairs, billing and lease agreements.
- Delivered emergency 24-hour on-call service for tenants on building issues.
- Ownership of overall engagement calendars including O-week schedule, study and social activities (including hall ball)
- Developed annual operating and engagement budgets and forecasts
HOTEL MANAGER - Fixed Term
Chateau Tongariro Hotel
09.2019 - 03.2020
- Demonstrating visible operational leadership and management to the staff at 114-room historic hotel.
- Responsibility of 102 staff, including 85 live onsite positions.
- Strategic analysis and forecasting with department heads for increased revenue and guest satisfaction.
- Maintain OH&S requirements including licensing, evacuation drills, training & induction reviews.
- Interdepartmental communication for successful execution of major events (Christmas Day, New Years Eve, local sporting events).
- Prepared monthly reports for head office review.
- Developed and implemented strategies to optimize operational efficiency and maximize profits.
- Analyzed and evaluated business data to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Analyzed financial performance of property and adjusted strategies or processes as needed to improve outcomes.
- Participated in financial activities such as setting room rates, establishing budgets and allocating funds to departments.
- Fostered a safe staff lodging environment with reliable and effective security services.
SENIOR EVENT MANAGER
Medical Meetings / Face 2 Face Event Management
05.2016 - 09.2019
- Account management of mid-large scale events in the automotive and pharmaceutical sectors.
- Pre-opening manager for interstate office relocation, staff recruitment and training.
- Oversaw preparation and management of event budgets to deliver at or below projected costs.
- Nurtured and built relationships with vendors, venues and industry contacts to obtain the best pricing and services for events.
- Evaluated existing plans, processes and events planning services to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Negotiated contracts with venues, vendors and suppliers to obtain the best rates and services.
- Supported senior leadership by developing status reports on activities related to planning, scheduling, cancellation, inquiries, resourcing, risk mitigation, and proposal development for various events.
- Created detailed timelines and budgets for events to meet all deadlines.
- Monitored and controlled event expenditures to meet budgets.
- Implemented contingency plans to address last-minute changes or unforeseen events.
- Implemented protocols and procedures to effectively manage the planning process.
- Coordinated travel and accommodations for event attendees.
- Produced concept plans for high-profile corporate meetings and events.
- Coordinated transportation and parking arrangements for guests and vendors.
ASSISTANT PURSER
Carnival Australia
07.2015 - 02.2016
- Passenger and crew safety primary care
- Port arrival and departure preparation
- Ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew, including training, rounds and emergency drills
- Attend all security and medical incidents
- POS reconciliation and reporting through revenue streams
- Foreign exchange, crew movements, complaint handling and guest communications and announcements
- Onboard experience survey consolidation and reporting
- Inter-departmental and shoreside communication
SENIOR EVENTS MANAGER
Shangri-La Hotel Sydney
02.2012 - 07.2015
- Coordinate all hotel-based logistics including arrivals/check in, food & beverage requirements, accommodation management, conference and audio-visual logistics.
- Maintain relationships with clients for retention.
- Lead interdepartmental briefings to ensure effective communication has been disseminated.
- Managed administrative logistics of events planning, event booking, and event promotions.
- Coordinated with kitchen or catering staff on delivery, timing and service style of food.
- Assembled creative and innovative event attractions based on internal capabilities.
PROGRAM EDITOR
Carnival Australia
02.2010 - 02.2012
- Working directly with the Cruise Director to design and create the daily onboard entertainment schedule – The Pacific Daily.
- Liaised with revenue departments to establish promotions in which advertisements had to be created.
- Daily hosting duties and attending all theme nights onboard.
- Prepared, rewrote, and edited pieces to improve readability and impact.
- First in charge of passenger muster station for emergency situations.
- Determined readiness of written pieces, made changes, and approved final versions for publication.
Education
DIPLOMA OF ARTS - EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Massey University
Online Study07.2024
HOSPITALITY OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT - Hotel Management
Hospitality Standards Institute
Taupo, New Zealand07.2010
Skills
- Safety and Security Procedures
- Budgeting and Spending Control
- Records Management Systems
- Operation and Control
- Customer Service
- Management of Personnel Resources
- Business Operations
- Emergency Medical Care
- Critical Thinking
- Operations Analysis
- Onboarding and Coaching
- Administrative Support
- Safety Requirements
- Risk Assessment
- Emergency Situations
- Guest Satisfaction
- Internal Control Systems Management
- Hospitality Management
- Staff Supervision
- Quality Assurance
- Passenger Documentation
- Public Announcement
Timeline
EVENT DIRECTOR
Medical Meetings / Face 2 Face Event Management
05.2022 - Current
RESIDENT MANAGER - Waiparuru Hall
University Of Auckland
06.2020 - 02.2022
HOTEL MANAGER - Fixed Term
Chateau Tongariro Hotel
09.2019 - 03.2020
SENIOR EVENT MANAGER
Medical Meetings / Face 2 Face Event Management
05.2016 - 09.2019
ASSISTANT PURSER
Carnival Australia
07.2015 - 02.2016
SENIOR EVENTS MANAGER
Shangri-La Hotel Sydney
02.2012 - 07.2015
PROGRAM EDITOR
Carnival Australia
02.2010 - 02.2012
DIPLOMA OF ARTS - EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Massey University
HOSPITALITY OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT - Hotel Management
Hospitality Standards Institute
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