MARIA OFIMES
London,United Kingdom
Summary
Accomplished professional with expertise in budgeting, team leadership, and strategic planning. Adept at upselling, team building, cross-functional collaboration, and stakeholder relations. Experienced in planning large leisure and corporate events while adapting to constantly changing environments and priorities.
Enjoy working with a variety of people with a strong desire to learn and succeed.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Conference & Events Co - Ordinator
Regent’s University
London, UK
01.2023 - 03.2025
- Manage, plan, and execute a variety of events including weddings, reunions, UHNW celebrations, corporate events, charity fundraisers, and award ceremonies for up to 2000 guests
- Developed detailed event proposals, securing key clients.
- Negotiated with vendors for optimal service contracts
- Created visually appealing setups for engaging events
- Excelled in time management for efficient conference planning
- Arranged audio-visual equipment to meet event space and client requirements
- Discussed event requirements with clients and generated custom packages
- Resolved on-site issues promptly, maintaining optimal event flow
- Completed post-event evaluations to enhance future event planning efforts
- Support the Head of Events as required with marketing related tasks such as the production of brochures, promotional offers and staff training
Conference & Events Manager (Secondment)
Regent’s University
London, UK
09.2023 - 12.2023
- Managing the day-to-day operations of the conference and events team to maximize revenue during the Head of the Events sick leave
- Ensure the highest levels of customer service through liaising with internal operational departments and external suppliers, delivering and exceeding customers’ expectations
- Negotiated contracts with vendors, securing favourable terms for the company
- Ensured client satisfaction by providing superior event management solutions
- Designed innovative themes and concepts for corporate functions
- Designed event floorplans in alignment with budget and venue constraints
- Determined client budget, vision and requirements through consultations
- Balanced multiple projects simultaneously whilst maintaining attention to detail in a fast-paced environment
- Liaised between clients, staff, and third-party vendors for harmonious event operations
- Handled budgeting tasks, reducing unnecessary expenditure on events
- Oversaw set-up and breakdown of events to maintain an organised workspace
- Dealt effectively with last-minute changes to schedules or plans during events
- Prioritised safety regulations in all aspects of event planning
Conference & Banqueting Sales Manager
Clayton Crown Hotel
Cricklewood, UK
06.2018 - 03.2022
- Worked closely with the General Manager & Deputy GM in Operation's Hotel Management, sales, staffing, financial control and business planning
- Weekly, monthly and period forecasting including writing of the yearly budget, group blocks and food & beverage projections
- Responsible for monthly objective
- Maximize revenue for the hotel through four key areas: superior sales service ensuring the hotel's process is better than the competition, excellent event execution, up selling, and effective management of groups
- Selling and executing superior events with strengthen customer loyalty and increase repeat business opportunities, whilst leading and directing the events team
- Handle all incoming leads whether from telephone, fax, email or pro-active sales
- Offer quotation and effectively lead the customer through the hotels Sales Process form inquiry stage to the end of their event and the billing is complete
- Ensure all departmental procedures are correctly followed including but not limited to: hotel sales process, hotel show rounds and sales efforts, customer entertaining, forecasting and space release policy, event management procedures and policies, billing policies, contracting policies and correct follow up
Conference & Banqueting Co - Ordinator
Clayton Crown Hotel
Cricklewood, UK
07.2017 - 06.2018
- First point of contact for all meeting & events enquiries via telephone, email & walk-ins
- Meet clients and conduct show rounds of the hotel, accommodation and event facilities to the end of winning the business
- Upsell and cross sell products and services including accommodation in house and to our sister hotels
- Worked directly with the Meeting & Events Manager in pro –actively generating sales leads for all departments within the hotel
- Manage and control the bookings spread sheet/diary
- Provide the management and sales team with relevant reports on business
- Organize relevant product showcase and attend exhibitions
- Prepare a concise, complete and accurate schedule/function sheet for each event
- Booking of external suppliers (AV, entertainment)
Restaurant supervisor
Crown Moran Hotel
Cricklewood, UK
10.2011 - 07.2017
- Optimizes customer experience, serving each guest with sincere, positive and enthusiastic attitude
- Processed cash, credit card and voucher payments using POS terminals
- Delivered quality food and beverage service to over 300 guests per shift
- Performed additional tasks to keep dining room running smoothly
- Always maintained safe food handling standards
- Maintained facility compliance with health codes, sanitation requirements and license regulations
- Uphold high standard of cleanliness in all work areas
- Upsold, cross-sold and recommended additional items to customers to increase restaurant sales
- Offered diners detailed allergen advice across daily menus and specials, ensuring optimal customer care
Education
Bachelor Degree in Commercial Activities - Economics & Accounting
George Baritiu High School
09.2002 - 07.2006
Skills
- Budgeting & finance
- Team leadership
- Leadership
- Strategic planning
- Project Management
- Procurement and invoicing
- Contract negotiation
- Cost accounting
- Upselling
- Team building
- Cross functional collaboration
- Stakeholder relations
- Large leisure and corporate events planning
- Adapt to constantly changing environments and priorities
- Communication skills
- Calm under pressure
- Problem-solving
- Resourcefulness
- Quality Assurance
- Upselling
- Multilingual
Accomplishments
Employee of the Year 2017
Languages
Romanian
Native
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Conference & Events Manager (Secondment)
Regent’s University
09.2023 - 12.2023
Conference & Events Co - Ordinator
Regent’s University
01.2023 - 03.2025
Conference & Banqueting Sales Manager
Clayton Crown Hotel
06.2018 - 03.2022
Conference & Banqueting Co - Ordinator
Clayton Crown Hotel
07.2017 - 06.2018
Restaurant supervisor
Crown Moran Hotel
10.2011 - 07.2017
Bachelor Degree in Commercial Activities - Economics & Accounting
George Baritiu High School
09.2002 - 07.2006
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