Recruited to manage financial and administrative processes and procedures of AFI Festivals department. Responsible for reporting and management of multiple project budgets. Oversaw financial analysis, tracking and reconciliation of AFI Festival events. Drafted third party contracts, vendor agreements and seasonal temporary employee job descriptions. Processed, tracked and reviewed expense reports, invoices and travel request authorizations for staff and VIP guests. BUDGET & CONTRACT MANAGEMENT: Streamlined working budgets to facilitate financial reporting and analysis; oversaw contracts clarity and details; direct billing and invoicing, accounts payable/receivable and purchase order creation.DATABASE MANAGEMENT: Worked with IT department to improve user interface accessibility for FileMaker Pro database.

High-impact role, supervising and project managing operations of high-profile forward-facing events and conferences. Worked with local trade associations, businesses and individuals to develop partnerships and sponsorship opportunities. State accreditation for continuing education. Budget forecasting, reporting and other accounting and financial analyses. PROJECT AND EVENT MANAGEMENT: Point of contact on multi-venue catering and special events for VIP committees, guests and 1,000K+ attendees. Managed all event and meeting planning logistics, complex program scheduling, timelines and day-of operations and costs. Creation and design of marketing materials, direct and digital mass mailings, and oversaw trade-show exhibitor operations. Supervised high-profile attendee requests and travel activities. Delivered record-setting attendance at USC Gould by optimizing marketing, sales and service delivery processes. Negotiated complex contracts and agreements with third-party vendors and venues. Delivered 109% of revenue goals and 112% of target registration and delivering events at 5-10% under budget.ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONS: Coordinated daily team meetings to communicate current trends and new developments, trends and insights. Supervised full and seasonal staff. Streamlined work processes.  Oversaw state continuing education accreditation for university, working directly with providers and applicants in the reporting of continuing education credits Managed and forecast annual operating budgets of over $750K.  New staffing model reduced overtime 30% in first year. MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS: Strategist on all facets of social media outreach and website. Creation and design of marketing materials, direct and digital mass mailings. Conducted data analysis, promotions, mobile app coordination and direct mail. In conjunction with IT department created tailored customer relationship database to facilitate marketing.

Promoted from Special Events Manager in 2008. Operational oversight for upscale establishment catering to celebrities, dignitaries and corporations, directing staff of up to 50. Project management ensured an outstanding customer experience delivered throughout while meeting cost and time constraints. Negotiated and closed sales agreements; responded to requests for proposals. Developed and designed marketing materials and advertisements. EVENT & SALES GENERATION: Generated $3M in special private event, catering and group sales; growing 21% YOY.  Worked closely with clients and patrons to plan, coordinate and facilitate successful experiences for anywhere from 10 to 700+ VIP attendees for corporate events, red carpet premieres and galas.ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT: Direct sales and operations liaison servicing clientele and accounts of VIP organizations and individuals including ABC Television, American Bar Association, Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce, The Broad Foundations, CBS Television, Fox Entertainment, Fox Searchlight, Irell & Manella and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Recruited to provide versatile inward and outward-facing marketing, financial and event planning leadership. Consulted with clients to design and facilitate social and corporate events, weddings and conferences; working within budget and cost constraints. Closed sales, generated proposals and designed menus. Managed staff, independent contractors, vendors and event schedules. Planned, coordinated and facilitated on and off-site events. SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS: Created and instituted a standardized system for proposal writing and applied sales tracking software for greater work efficiency, recording and reporting functions.SALES AND PROJECT MANAGER: Key resource for corporate event clients including.