Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Certification
References
Affiliations
Languages
Timeline
Generic

BENEDETTA ZUCCOTTI

Tower Hamlet,London

Summary

Results-driven Event Planner with expertise in managing all aspects of event execution, from initial inquiry to post-event analysis. Strong client engagement and negotiation skills enhance public communication and stakeholder collaboration. Experienced in sales systems, focusing on target achievement and KPI monitoring. Leadership in HR and operational management empowers teams and ensures compliance with health and safety standards.

Overview

3
3
Languages
1
1
Certification
21
21
years of professional experience

Work history

Events & Sales Manager

Marylebone Leisure Group
London
2021.01 - Current
  • Multi-Venue Management: Oversee end-to-end sales and event operations across 8 diverse venues, including 5 premium Central London locations.
  • Client Lifecycle & Negotiation: Manage the full client journey from initial inquiry, proposal, and contract negotiation through to seamless event execution and post-event feedback.
  • Operational Briefing & Team Empowerment: Prepare detailed run sheets, operational spreadsheets, and pre-agreed food and drink packages for site teams, empowering General Managers to take full ownership and execute live events to high standards.
  • Diverse Event Portfolio: Deliver a wide range of tailored events, including corporate functions, Christmas parties, cocktail masterclasses, book launches, and networking sessions.
  • Platform & Revenue Optimisation: Utilise booking systems (DesignMyNight, SevenRooms) and third-party event platforms (Tagvenue, Hitched, Togather, Venue Hire) to drive bookings and maximise conversions.
  • Developed engaging sales presentations that effectively showcased unique offerings, resulting in increased client interest.
  • Established and maintained partnerships with suppliers and industry contacts, ensuring seamless event execution.
  • Fostered strong connections with clients through regular communication and tailored service offerings, enhancing client retention.
  • Oversaw major client accounts to ensure satisfaction and secure ongoing revenue streams.
  • Refined sales strategies to effectively attract, engage, and retain a diverse customer base.

General Manager with HR functions for the group

The Pizza Room
Bow, London
2019.12 - 2021.01
  • Coordinated group HR functions, enhancing recruitment, onboarding, staff induction, and performance management.
  • Developed and implemented robust HR policies and procedures, leading to improved staff retention.
  • Built high-performing teams to achieve organisational objectives.
  • Fostered a high-performance culture, resulting in increased productivity.
  • Managed daily operations, team performance, expenditure, and payroll budgets to maximize profitability.
  • Increased overall operational efficiency by implementing new management strategies.
  • Streamlined communication processes to facilitate better team collaboration.
  • Achieved customer satisfaction with regular feedback and improvement sessions.
  • Developed strategic business plans, enhancing corporate vision and objectives.
  • Maintained 5-star Food Hygiene standards and strict adherence to H&S regulations.
  • Established a positive work environment which promotes staff morale and productivity.

General Manager with HR functions for the group

The Pizza Room
Surrey Quays, London
2017.08 - 2019.12
  • Client Lifecycle & Negotiation: Manage the full client journey from initial inquiry, proposal, and contract negotiation through to seamless event execution and post-event feedback.
  • Operational Briefing & Team Empowerment: Prepare detailed run sheets, operational spreadsheets, and pre-agreed food and drink packages for site teams, empowering General Managers to take full ownership and execute live events to high standards.
  • Multi-Venue Management: Oversee end-to-end sales and event operations across 8 diverse venues, including 5 premium Central London locations.
  • Diverse Event Portfolio: Deliver a wide range of tailored events, including corporate functions, Christmas parties, cocktail masterclasses, book launches, and networking sessions.
  • Platform & Revenue Optimization: Utilize booking systems (DesignMyNight, SevenRooms) and third-party event platforms (Tagvenue, Hitched, Togather, Venue Hire) to drive bookings and maximize conversions.
  • Nurtured strong client relationships, resulting in increased business growth.
  • Oversaw key accounts to ensure steady revenue flow.
  • Refined sales techniques to enhance customer engagement and retention.
  • Crafted targeted sales pitches that improved conversion rates.
  • Built and maintained partnerships with suppliers to streamline operations.

Shop Manager

The Coffee Room
Bow, London
2015.06 - 2017.08
  • Oversaw daily shop operations, ensuring smooth running of business activities.
  • Managed a team of 10 employees, overseeing hiring, training, and customer service standards.
  • Developed a positive team culture, resulting in increased staff satisfaction and lower turnover rates.
  • Handled employee grievances promptly and fairly, maintaining morale within the workforce.
  • Delivered excellent customer experiences with personalised service approach.
  • Provided insightful product knowledge to customers, enhancing their shopping experience.
  • Solved customer complaints efficiently whilst maintaining high standards of service delivery.
  • Boosted overall sales performance through the implementation of effective merchandising strategies.
  • Managed store inventory to ensure adequate stock levels at all times.
  • Monitored market trends closely for competitive advantage in pricing strategies,.
  • Negotiated with suppliers for better prices, leading to improved profit margins.
  • Coordinated promotional events, creating greater brand awareness within the local community.
  • Ensured cleanliness of shop premises, presenting a professional image to customers.
  • Implemented health and safety protocols to ensure compliance with regulations and protect staff wellbeing.
  • Managed stock within set minimum and maximum levels to serve customers without over-extending finances.
  • Implemented service standards to ensure consistent quality in customer interactions. to maintain establishment reputation for excellence.
  • Enforced service standards to maintain establishment reputation for excellence.

Contemporary Art Events Organizer

Associazione Culturale Quartiere 3
Castelleone, Cremona, Italy
2007.01 - 2016.01
  • Exhibition & Event Curation: Coordinated and managed contemporary art exhibitions and cultural events, handling artists, venues, and logistics over a 11-year period.
  • Public Relations & Promotion: Engaged with visitors, art collectors, and external partners to promote events and negotiate venue spaces, enhancing audience attendance.
  • Managed multiple events simultaneously with end-to-end planning and delivery.
  • Coordinated on-site events by booking staff, speakers, and contractors, ensuring client requirements were met effectively.
  • Executed successful trade shows by coordinating all aspects from planning to implementation.
  • Collaborated with vendors for timely delivery of services at events.
  • Prepared comprehensive event briefs to ensure all staff were well-informed.
  • Facilitated communication between event organisers, staff, and volunteers to meet client briefs.
  • Maintained clear channels of communication, improving teamwork and collaboration.
  • Cultivated a positive work environment through effective conflict management.
  • Led volunteer teams to implement community outreach programmes, fostering stronger connections with local audiences.
  • Ensured adherence to timelines for efficient project completion.
  • Remained calm under pressure to resolve issues and deliver smooth, professional event management.
  • Maintained updated event and client documentation for accurate record keeping.
  • Maintained detailed databases, improving accessibility of information and resources.
  • Organised meetings to enhance communication across departments.
  • Arranged travel itineraries to facilitate seamless business trips for executives.
  • Provided front-end management, keeping events running smoothly and to time.

Patient Activities & Care Assistant | Psychiatric

Fondazione RSA di Soncino Onlus
Soncino, Cremona, Italy
2010.01 - 2014.12
  • Empathetic Communication: Fostered a calm, supportive, and stimulating atmosphere, prioritising patient well-being, active listening, and safety.
  • Provided emotional support to patients, contributing to enhanced mental well-being.
  • Encouraged patient independence through assistance with daily tasks, fostering increased self-esteem.
  • Interactive Environment Creation: Worked closely with patients and the lead educator to design and deliver structured, interactive daily activities for full-time residents.
  • Organised recreational activities to foster social interaction and engagement among residents.
  • Responded promptly to emergency situations, ensuring safety of all residents.
  • Maintained resident privacy while providing care services in a respectful manner.
  • Adhered strictly to professional standards, regulations and policies at all times while executing duties.
  • Worked closely under supervision from registered nurses contributing to efficient workflow within the facility.
  • Addressed concerns of patients' families, ensuring they felt valued and supported during care processes.

Journalist

In Prima Pagina' Weekly Newspaper
Crema, Cremona, Italy
2006.01 - 2010.01
  • Article Writing & Copy Editing: Drafted, edited, and proofread clear, engaging articles under tight daily/weekly production deadlines.
  • Executed investigative reports that unveiled hidden truths and informed public discourse.
  • News Gathering & Research: Researched local news stories, pitched original article ideas, and tracked ongoing community developments.
  • Interviewing & Networking: Conducted face-to-face and phone interviews with local authorities, community figures, and key stakeholders.
  • Pitched innovative story ideas regularly, contributed to editorial planning.
  • Enhanced public knowledge by covering local and national events.
  • Travelled extensively for on-the-ground reporting of major events,.
  • Covered live events, providing real-time reporting and updates.
  • Produced engaging multimedia content that enhanced audience engagement and increased online traffic.
  • Crafted compelling narratives from raw data, stimulating reader interest and enhancing understanding of complex topics.
  • Utilised data visualisation tools, simplified complex topics for readership.
  • Collaborated with photographers to enhance visual elements of news stories.
  • Developed captivating headlines to attract readership.
  • Worked under pressure during crisis situations, ensured accurate coverage.
  • Editorial Collaboration: Worked closely with editors, photographers, and layout designers to deliver complete print editions.
  • Partnered with editors to refine story content and enhance clarity.
  • Wrote feature articles, enriched the newspaper's variety of content.
  • Performed interviews with key individuals to extract valuable insights.

Education

ILM Diploma - Management & Leadership

Westminster Kingsway College
London

Bachelor's Degree - Political Science & International Relations

University of Pavia
Italy

Skills

  • Sales & Systems Expertise: DesignMyNight, SevenRooms, Tagvenue, Hitched, Together, Venue Hire
  • Event management
  • Client engagement
  • Contract negotiation
  • Client relationship building
  • Change management
  • Budget control acumen
  • KPI monitoring and analysis
  • Pricing strategy formulation
  • Change management
  • Team leadership
  • Communication proficiency
  • Customer service
  • Content creation
  • Goal orientation
  • HR leadership
  • Project management

Certification

ILM Diploma in Management & Leadership (2020)

References

Available upon request.

Affiliations

  • Art
  • Music
  • Travelling
  • Fitness
  • Cooking

Languages

English
Fluent
Italian
Native
French
Intermediate

Timeline

Events & Sales Manager

Marylebone Leisure Group
2021.01 - Current

General Manager with HR functions for the group

The Pizza Room
2019.12 - 2021.01

General Manager with HR functions for the group

The Pizza Room
2017.08 - 2019.12

Shop Manager

The Coffee Room
2015.06 - 2017.08

Patient Activities & Care Assistant | Psychiatric

Fondazione RSA di Soncino Onlus
2010.01 - 2014.12

Contemporary Art Events Organizer

Associazione Culturale Quartiere 3
2007.01 - 2016.01

Journalist

In Prima Pagina' Weekly Newspaper
2006.01 - 2010.01

ILM Diploma - Management & Leadership

Westminster Kingsway College

Bachelor's Degree - Political Science & International Relations

University of Pavia
BENEDETTA ZUCCOTTI