Subscribe to daily business and company news across 19 industries
×
Ilse Lourens
I am a friendly mature female, equally adept at both administration and customer relations. My excellent people skills and significant experience in delivering exceptional outcomes in administration, hospitality & event scenarios complement my ability to communicate effectively and establish and maintain business relationships.
I am an organized, proactive, adaptable multi-tasker, great at problem solving with the ability to work well under pressure. A determination to achieve customer satisfaction in every interaction has been a consistent feature of my career.
Show profile Hide profileEvents Executive. Inanda Club, January 2020 - March 2020 - Retrenched due to Covid-19
A client facing & administrative role. Responsible for all events and meeting enquiries, offering a turnkey event solution. From the initial call, meeting the client and tailor design an event package that suits the client's needs and budget. Updating the booking system on all confirmed bookings and issuing invoices.
Liaising with the in-house caterers and banqueting managers with regards to event specs and set up. Booking external suppliers on behalf of client, AV Sound, hiring, décor and flowers.
Event Sales & Office Manager. By Word of Mouth Catering & Events Company, September 2018 - Dec 2019
Achieve growth and hit sales targets by successfully managing the sales team. Handling all new sales leads, taking briefs, qualifying and delegating to event coordinators. Prepare sales reports to management and forecast pipeline. Manage event coordinators on a day to day basis, helping with quoting, meetings & site inspections, customer relations, admin, event reconciliations, personal coaching and HR related matters. On site event management. Company meetings and liaising with various departments. Help the sales team to close deals. Working closely with the managing director on sales strategies and sales forecasts.
Office Manager & PA to COO. F3 Group, August 2009 - July 2018
Managing all aspects of the office administration, sales, admin and customer relations functions for a leading portable event infrastructure services provider. Handling HR and assisting the owner with full PA duties, operations, logistics planning and executing. Consulting on event planning and coordination, and liaising with company departments and external suppliers to deliver first-in-class event infrastructure. Drawing on my event management experience to create and support the spaces in which exceptional events happen.
Events Coordinator and Manager. By Word of Mouth - October 2007 - August 2009
Kitchen Manager. Flavour Creative Cuisine - October 2006 - September 2007
Kitchen & Canteen Manager. Donald's Donuts - May 2006 - September 2006
Complete project management for a new canteen, from initial layout options to final décor choices. Researching, selecting and liaising with contractors and suppliers to deliver the facility on time and on budget. Overseeing menu design, staff hiring, training and compliance. Successfully launching the canteen and managing all operational aspects, from financial management to food and beverage.
Guesthouse Manager. Fahrenheit Resorts - December 2004 - September 2005
Sales and reservations management, guest relations and concierge function. Overseeing and delivering every aspect of the guest experience from initial contact to checkout at the head of a small, dedicated team. Manage all staff and ensure the guesthouse standards are upheld. Cooking breakfast and cheffing for private dinner parties held at the guesthouse.
Film Production & Event Coordinator. Flavour Creative Cuisine - April 2002 - December 2004
Liaising with film production companies on specialized menu planning according to budgets and dietary requirements. Responsible for the entire offering, from budget management to logistics and delivering film location catering solutions. Event designing start to finish.
Kitchen & Procurement Manager. Flavour Creative Cuisine - October 2000 - April 2002
Managing the kitchen for a busy film catering company.
Events Executive. Inanda Club, January 2020 - March 2020 - Retrenched due to Covid-19
A client facing & administrative role. Responsible for all events and meeting enquiries, offering a turnkey event solution. From the initial call, meeting the client and tailor design an event package that suits the client's needs and budget. Updating the booking system on all confirmed bookings and issuing invoices.
Liaising with the in-house caterers and banqueting managers with regards to event specs and set up. Booking external suppliers on behalf of client, AV Sound, hiring, décor and flowers.
Event Sales & Office Manager. By Word of Mouth Catering & Events Company, September 2018 - Dec 2019
Achieve growth and hit sales targets by successfully managing the sales team. Handling all new sales leads, taking briefs, qualifying and delegating to event coordinators. Prepare sales reports to management and forecast pipeline. Manage event coordinators on a day to day basis, helping with quoting, meetings & site inspections, customer relations, admin, event reconciliations, personal coaching and HR related matters. On site event management. Company meetings and liaising with various departments. Help the sales team to close deals. Working closely with the managing director on sales strategies and sales forecasts.
Office Manager & PA to COO. F3 Group, August 2009 - July 2018
Managing all aspects of the office administration, sales, admin and customer relations functions for a leading portable event infrastructure services provider. Handling HR and assisting the owner with full PA duties, operations, logistics planning and executing. Consulting on event planning and coordination, and liaising with company departments and external suppliers to deliver first-in-class event infrastructure. Drawing on my event management experience to create and support the spaces in which exceptional events happen.
Events Coordinator and Manager. By Word of Mouth - October 2007 - August 2009
Kitchen Manager. Flavour Creative Cuisine - October 2006 - September 2007
Kitchen & Canteen Manager. Donald's Donuts - May 2006 - September 2006
Complete project management for a new canteen, from initial layout options to final décor choices. Researching, selecting and liaising with contractors and suppliers to deliver the facility on time and on budget. Overseeing menu design, staff hiring, training and compliance. Successfully launching the canteen and managing all operational aspects, from financial management to food and beverage.
Guesthouse Manager. Fahrenheit Resorts - December 2004 - September 2005
Sales and reservations management, guest relations and concierge function. Overseeing and delivering every aspect of the guest experience from initial contact to checkout at the head of a small, dedicated team. Manage all staff and ensure the guesthouse standards are upheld. Cooking breakfast and cheffing for private dinner parties held at the guesthouse.
Film Production & Event Coordinator. Flavour Creative Cuisine - April 2002 - December 2004
Liaising with film production companies on specialized menu planning according to budgets and dietary requirements. Responsible for the entire offering, from budget management to logistics and delivering film location catering solutions. Event designing start to finish.
Kitchen & Procurement Manager. Flavour Creative Cuisine - October 2000 - April 2002
Managing the kitchen for a busy film catering company.
