Operations and project manager Abu Dhabi, UAE lobanovaksenia.21@gmail.com +971 55 716 85 92 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ksenialobanova/
I turn ideas into experiences and logistics into seamless execution. With 10 years in events, I blend creativity, strategy, and precision to craft unforgettable moments. Detail-obsessed, analytically sharp, and a natural problem-solver, I thrive on innovation, collaboration, and making every event exceptional.
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Key achievements
Led a team managing 100 simultaneous events in one month, showcasing strong leadership and operational efficiency, ensuring seamless execution and exceptional client satisfaction.
Personally organized 200+ events, demonstrating strong project management skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to delivering exceptional client service.
Earned nominations in prestigious industry awards, including:
Wedding Awards Russia – “Best Wedding Concept”
White Awards (White Sposa Russia Magazine) – “Best Wedding Solution”.
Organized weddings for famous Lebanese actors, Lovin Dubai founder, and other high-profile clients.
Strategically increased event budgets from AED 9K to AED 120K within less than a year by improving client relations, negotiation strategies, and value-driven event concepts.
Experience
Operations manager Easy Wedding Dec 2023 - Dec 2024
Oversaw daily event operations, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and efficiency.
Implemented strategic policies and SOPs to streamline event planning and execution.
Optimized event logistics by identifying inefficiencies and enhancing productivity.
Managed OPEX, ensuring cost control and alignment with business goals.
Tracked KPIs to assess team performance, event success, and efficiency.
Led performance reviews and optimized execution strategies for continuous improvement.
Resolved bottlenecks in event planning, improving efficiency and vendor coordination.
Worked with customer service teams to resolve escalations and maintain high client satisfaction.
Senior event manager Apr 2023 - Dec 2023
Oversaw stakeholder management, maintaining strong relationships with vendors, venues, and strategic partners to ensure seamless event execution.
Developed event-specific contract structures and pricing models, ensuring transparency, scalability, and alignment with commercial objectives.
Led process improvements, integrating sales, marketing, and event operations workflows to enhance event planning efficiency and customer acquisition.
Worked with marketing and sales teams to optimize lead generation.
Analyzed event industry trends to identify new business opportunities, improve experiential installations, and expand service offerings.
Implemented risk management strategies to mitigate potential disruptions in event planning, vendor coordination, and client relations.
Event Manager Easy Wedding Jun 2022 - Apr 2023
Coordinated logistics and vendor management for large-scale events, ensuring perfect guest experience.
Engaged with government authorities and embassies to manage legal documentation and compliance for international destination weddings.
Developed structured communication and proposal preparation strategies, enhancing client experience and streamlining event booking processes.
Led problem-solving initiatives, swiftly addressing client concerns, improving service recovery strategies, and ensuring high satisfaction rates.
Collaborated with internal teams to optimize event workflow efficiency, enhance vendor coordination, and improve service offerings.
Freelance event planner Sept 2021 - Jun 2022
Worked with event agencies and direct clients.
Founder & Operations manager (retail company working with marketplaces) Sep 2020 - Dec 2023
Conducted market analysis, developed financial models, and built business strategies for product launches.
Managed supplier relationships, negotiated contracts, and optimized supply chain logistics.
Developed and executed cost-saving measures, ensuring financial efficiency.
Handled financial reporting and tax compliance, ensuring transparency and regulatory adherence.
Head project manager Carpe Diem Wedding and Event Apr 2016 - Sep 2021
Managed daily business functions and cross-team collaboration for large-scale corporate and private events, optimizing event service workflows and operational outcomes.
Developed and executed event-specific operational strategies, ensuring cost-effective, scalable, and high-impact event solutions aligned with commercial objectives.
Led crisis management initiatives, ensuring rapid response strategies for unexpected challenges and maintaining event continuity.
Supervised and mentored event project teams, ensuring high performance, leadership development, and adherence to industry best practices in event execution.
Freelance event planner 2015 - 2016
Worked with event agencies and direct clients.
Brand promotion event
Event in Ritz Carlton Ras Al Khaimah
Lebanese stars Sara Abi Kanaan and Wissam Fares' wedding in Abu Dhabi court
Education
RANEPA
2008 - 2013 | Master's Degree in Business Administration with First class honours
Event MBA
2024 | Director of events - Modern Trends and Technologies in the Event Industry
Yandex practicum
2022 | QA Engineer
Wedding branding
2015 | Event management
Company's 5th anniversary celebration and brand promotion
