Michelle Matzdorff Email & Phone Number

Germany

South Africa

****ExploreAI is now part of Sand Technologies!****

Empowering graduates on their journey to success!

As Placements Lead, my mission is to drive employment opportunities that align with students' professional aspirations and to connect with organisations seeking top talent in the Data Science and Data Engineering space. I am deeply committed to contributing to the growth and development of thousands of students across the African continent!

Key Responsibilities:

• Taking the lead in shaping the strategic direction of the Placements Team, charting new horizons.
• Establishing and maintaining continuous dialogue with our network, emphasising the value of hiring ExploreAI Academy-educated students and alumni.
• Delivering in-depth reports on student performance metrics to stakeholders.
• Collaborating with employer partners and recruiters to gather crucial insights into talent requirements.
• Nurturing and expanding our extensive network of employers and recruiters.
• Providing unwavering support to our graduates through comprehensive career development services.
• Identifying and bridging gaps in our career services offerings.
• Ensuring the Academy's talent pipeline aligns as closely as possible with the enterprise business's workforce requirements.
• Offering mentorship and guidance to both the placement team, fellow Explorers and graduates.

Empowering graduates on their journey to success!As the Placements Lead at ExploreAI, my mission is to drive employment opportunities that align with students' professional aspirations and to connect with organisations seeking top talent in the Data Science and Data Engineering space. I am deeply committed to contributing to the growth and development of thousands of students across the African continent!Key Responsibilities:• Taking the lead in shaping the strategic direction of the Placements Team, charting new horizons.• Establishing and maintaining continuous dialogue with our network, emphasising the value of hiring ExploreAI Academy-educated students and alumni.• Delivering in-depth reports on student performance metrics to stakeholders.• Collaborating with employer partners and recruiters to gather crucial insights into talent requirements.• Nurturing and expanding our extensive network of employers and recruiters.• Providing unwavering support to our graduates through comprehensive career development services.• Identifying and bridging gaps in our career services offerings.• Ensuring the Academy's talent pipeline aligns as closely as possible with the enterprise business's workforce requirements.• Offering mentorship and guidance to both the placement team, fellow Explorers and graduates.

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

I performed an Account Management function for a range of start-up, scale-up, and enterprise clients across a diverse range of industries in South Africa and Europe. When I left, I was serving a portfolio of about 70 clients. In order to help companies meet their hiring requirements, I advised on effective tech hiring processes and coupled this with the provision of data-driven insights on KPIs, metrics and performance. With access to in-house generated international reports on global tech hiring, I was able to help position my clients to win in the fast-paced world of tech, regardless of industry. Up until April 2023, I was also largely involved in selling the OfferZen product and positioning OfferZen as the market leader in tech recruitment, particularly within South Africa.

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

As a Recruitment Consultant with PeopleSolved, I specialised in recruiting top talent for positions within the IT, telecoms, and engineering sectors. My primary focus was on clients based in the DACH region where I played a crucial role in the complete recruitment process, encompassing client relationships and candidate placements.Key Responsibilities:Client Engagement: I established and nurtured strong relationships with clients. I delved deep into understanding each client's unique business requirements, organisational culture, and specific job prerequisites.Talent Acquisition: My role involved conducting extensive searches to identify and attract highly qualified candidates in multiple industries. I diligently screened and assessed candidates to ensure they were a precise match for client criteria in terms of skills, experience, and cultural fit.360 Recruitment Cycle: I managed the complete recruitment life cycle, from initial client engagement to successful candidate placement. Collaborating closely with clients, I defined job roles, negotiated salary packages, and established hiring timelines. Additionally, I coordinated interviews, managed feedback, and skilfully negotiated job offers.Candidate Relationship Management: I fostered and maintained strong relationships with candidates, guiding them through the job search and interview process. Providing valuable career advice and unwavering support, I assisted candidates in making well-informed career decisions.Client Satisfaction: I ensured that each client received high-quality candidates that precisely matched their unique needs and expectations. I proactively addressed client feedback and made adjustments to enhance the quality of our service.

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

As a B2B Travel Consultant at Ilanga Travel, my primary focus was on serving customers from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, and the Netherlands, with a focus on crafting tailor-made tours to Southern Africa. In this role, I played a vital behind-the-scenes role in designing, planning, and organising personalised travel experiences for our clients' customers.Key Responsibilities:Client Consultation: Engaged with European tour operators to understand their clients' travel preferences, interests, and budget.Itinerary Planning: Designed custom travel itineraries, including accommodations, activities, and transportation, tailored to each client's unique desires.Destination Expertise: Leveraged in-depth knowledge of Southern Africa to recommend the best destinations, attractions, and experiences to suit clients' interests.Logistics Management: Arranged accommodations, tours, and activities, ensuring seamless travel experiences for clients.Customer Support: Provided ongoing support to clients before, during, and after their trips, addressing inquiries and resolving any travel-related issues.Cultural Insights: Shared cultural insights and local knowledge to enhance clients' understanding and appreciation of Southern Africa's diverse cultures.

Cape Town Area, South Africa

Cape Town Area, South Africa

In my pursuit of achieving KPIs, I managed quality, implemented strategies, and served as the international liaison between Swiss Airlines Centers and Lufthansa inTouch Centers globally. I provided feedback, trained new staff in Amadeus GDS, and updated and maintained coaching materials. I efficiently handled Swiss Airlines' email requests, managed queues, and performed ticketing tasks while assisting passengers with various inquiries. My multifaceted approach meant that I surpassed KPIs while upholding high service standards.

Diploma In Digital Marketing, Marketing, Distinction

Diploma In Social Media Marketing, Distinction

Bachelor'S Degree, Marketing/Marketing Management, General

Education record