The Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications at the Amani Project is responsible for leading and executing the organization’s comprehensive marketing, communication, partnerships and branding strategies. This role is pivotal in driving the mission of the Amani Project, which aims to promote cycling as a tool for community empowerment and sustainable development across Africa. The director oversees all aspects of the brand's external and internal communication efforts, ensuring consistent messaging and positioning in alignment with the organization’s goals.

The Project Manager for the Migration Gravel Race (MGR) is responsible for overseeing and coordinating all pre-race planning, on-site event operations (in coordination with the race director), and post-event tasks, ensuring a seamless and memorable experience for participants, staff, and media. This role combines strategic planning and hands-on event management, with a focus on enhancing the event’s visibility, customer experience, and operational efficiency.This role requires excellent project management, communication skills, and a strong ability to adapt to dynamic, real-time event challenges. The Project Manager will work closely with the race director and other team members to ensure the Migration Gravel Race is a seamless, enjoyable, and memorable event for all involved.

Helping businesses leverage their identity through consultation, brand development, and creative vision. Offering Bespoke marketing and communications solutions to the outdoor, events and cycling industry.https://shawnrath.myportfolio.com

Partner Management-Be the key point of contact for partners with the purpose of managing and delivering their sponsorship assets in line with their business objectives, ensuring all contractual assets are delivered to the highest standard-Understand the contract, develop an asset overview and service plan for each partner account-Schedule regular status calls or meetings based upon partner account size to ensure open and structured communication-Liaise with various internal departments, including Marketing, Digital, Athlete Services, Operations, Sales, and Senior leadership team.-Assist in managing any contractual changes, including renewals, revision in terms, expansion, or deletion of territories-Work with Accounting and Finance departments to facilitate payments when necessary, as well as to flag potential financial issues-Deliver post-event or annual partner recap reportsPartner Activation-Work closely with the event teams, including but not limited to, operations, logistics, athlete services and local marketing teams to transfer all relevant Global Partnerships information for the events-Coordinate the ordering of the commercial branding package for each event connecting with our in house graphic designers and liaising with the operations teams to order with our official branding suppliers in EMEA-Create branding and activation plans for each race for all partners with on-site assets-Coordinate with local branding manager and branding team to deliver all commercial partner branding-Manage all partner activation touch points onsite including but not limited to Haute Route Village, press conferences, registration, welcome functions, race day announcements, post event activation recovery area and awards ceremonies-Deliver post-race activations reports-Attend races, including weekends, to support and represent the Global Partnerships EMEA department in the delivery of sponsorship assets

Strategic MarketingWorks closely with the management team to develop the right long-term strategic vision by:- Understanding the audience and customers- Knowing perfectly the market and its players- Building the appropriate offer structure/ products that will meet customer expectationsMarketing and communications: - Deliver event registration sales targets for country/region. - Create comprehensive, strategic marketing plans which successfully meet targets and manage their implementation.- Plan and deliver athlete and marketing communication content for direct marketing campaigns in consultation with relevant departments/people (copywriter) - Develop content, campaigns and maintain social media accounts strategy- Create and foster media partnerships and secure PR opportunities for events and country business unit. - Work closely with head of marcom and EMEA IRONMAN teams to:o Analyze athlete registration trends and behaviors to develop targeted campaigns to accelerate sales velocities and manage athlete groups.o Take ownership of marketing objectives and make recommendations on the allocation of budgets and activities to meet registration and participant satisfaction goals.o Work on the implementation of specific programs (ambassadors, teams, etc..)- Be responsible for the website content and updates according to the global plan in collaboration with the Head of Marcom and partnership department (newsletter inclusions, websites updates on partner pages etc.)On-event marketing and communication: - Plan and execute with the appropriate team, on-event communication to support rider experience - Ensure a bespoke content to cover the event and bring awareness on the market. - Be responsible for PR coordination on event. - Ensure smooth and running collaboration with all the service providers (photorunning, video production teams etc..)

Personnel and Project Management-OVersaw and supported a small team dedicated to Gravel Epic development including full time staff and contractors including by not limited to marketing & communications, sponsorship, participant relations, operational staff, event production staff, etc.-Management and production of all tools related to Gravel Epic: budgets, operational workflows, planning documents, best practices, presentations, training, etc-On site oversight and support in delivery for the event operational team for of all aspects of a multi-day event.Financial Management-Management of Gravel Epic budget and monthly forecasting and reporting to board of directors.Strategic Development-Developed and implemented all future expansion strategies.-Worked with key team members to oversee and guide development planning for each business function.-Lead on sourcing future business opportunities including but not limited to liaison with host venues, strategic partnership sourcing, brand representatives and ambassadors.Marketing, Communication & Brand management-Worked closely with Haute Route Groups Head of Marketing and Communications to define strategic objectives and plans.-Managemented all of Gravel Epic Series, Communication Plan.-Developed and implementation of the global 360-degree communicationstrategy.- Implemented all PR/ Influencer strategy, including forming pitches, approaching media and ultimately securing positive coverage.-Organized and managed media/ influencers trips to events-Created bespoke and exciting Media Partnership relationships

Development and implementation of the global 360-degree communication strategy for the Gravel Epic.Management of communication agencies/freelancers throughout the year and at the events.Ensure the development of digital marketing campaigns (web, email, social). Website development and optimization/ Website updates, Media campaigns.Database creation and managementManagement of Marketing and Communication budget Social Media management: Content plan and implementation + interactionImplementation of PR/ Influencer strategy, including forming pitches, approaching media and ultimately securing positive coverage.Create bespoke and exciting Media Partnership relationships

• Working to create an inclusive and fun cycling community in Swiss Romandie and Haute Savoie by utilizing social media tools and human experiences to drive engagement. • Hosting, managing, leading group rides and working with Katusha Sports to create inspiring events with local brand and community partners.• Created “local strava” segments and challenges for community members to engage with for the chance to win Katusha Sports merchandise.• During the Covid-19 Pandemic lockdown created, lead, and grew Katusha Sports digital group rides via Zwift and Roovy. Coordinated and directed other community ambassadors to share the responsibility of leading while creating a large ride group across Europe, SE Asia, and the North American markets. • Driving sales via our brand partners (local vendors) and digital sales. • Created inspiring group rides around the UCI world tour calendar. These rides were theme based and introduced people to the brand and local café partners. This events entailed watching the finale and celebrating cycling.o Paris Roubaix - Aprés drinks and watch party for the final hour of the race.o Tour de Romandie - Aprés drinks and food at the Katusha-Alpecin professional cycling team bus and warm-up area. Allowed interaction with the riders and team bus.o Genevandrian – Tour of Flanders - Aprés beers and frites at local cafe to watch the final hour of the tour.• Helped create, build, and foster relationships with local cycling clubs. These partnerships lead to new business and growing the custom cycling apparel business for the Katusha Sports.

Worked towards French language competency. finished B1 coursework. Working towards B2 competency.

-Instrumental in opening the first intentional Flagship size store at REI in 15 years.-Reviewed, screened, and interviewed over 1500+ candidates for new store opening. -Onboarded 125 new employees including, new hire orientation, product knowledge and exposure, merchandising, and new store procedures.-Created standard operating procedures and best practices for individual departments in the store.-Lead and managed the 5th largest bike and ski tuning business in the company within the first year of business.-Developed and met sales goals for the cycle and snow sports business specific to the Washington DC store.-Planned, implemented, and lead the first all store inventory leading to accurate on hand numbers, loss/shrink metrics, and implementation of new business procedures to control business expenses.-Helped and lead a team of over a 100 employees to meet end-of-year sales of 19+million dollars in sales.

Managed a team of approximately 50 employees to provide top-notch customer service and drive growing annual sales of approximately $8M. Responsibilities include payroll management, budgeting, driving sales, scheduling, training, change management, employee development, coaching, feedback, community outreach, and motivating and engaging a team to achieve results.

Active keyholder-responsibilites include, managing staffing levels, leading daily huddles and communicating daily sales goals, opening the store, resolving customer issues, and acting as impromptu manager for the store.Managed all inbound and outgoing freight for the Columbia store.Lead, oversaw, and coached stocking team consisting of five personnel through day to day restocking functions and floor maneuvers.Increased revenue from Used Gear sales, from $5,000-$15,000 per sale.Trained and coached all new hires and store personnel on all snow sports, outerwear, roof rack systems, cycling.Comprehensive inventory management with SAP.Generated and implemented storewide restructuring of storage and warehouse space, leading to increased product space and revenue.

Peer coached and developed teammates in a variety of areas ranging from membership sales to product knowledge.Lead multiple clinics concerning snow sports, cycling, technical outerwear products, follow up huddles, and further peer coaching concerning best sales techniques.Lead Sales teams through implementation of new staffing program (runner/floater) during anniversary sale leading to first ever $500,000 day along with meeting and exceeding total sales goal for the two week sale by $52,950.Directed and lead sales setup up team in receiving and sorting sale product in preparation for largest anniversary sale to date. Point person for store wide inventory, lead and facilitated staff of 150 teammates while scanning over 10,000 article variants, with shrink numbers at .4% of budget.Worked with management to supplement the floor with additional product that was needed to supplement current inventory, and help boost snow sports sales.Promoted the co-op through meeting and maintaining membership sales goals.

Successfully took store from warehouse space to grand opening in one months time, by receiving and building fixtures, adhering to REI visual standards in floor setup, processing new product and stocking merchandise on the floor.Lead the store in membership sales for the first six months by maintaining a sales goal over 250%, lead membership selling clinics, designed and lead membership sales contest for floor staff to help others reach and maintain goals.Helped receive and stock replenishment trucks twice a week.Promoted the co-op by resolving customer service issues in a timely and appropriate manner by implementing the REI 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Encouraged multiple sales by providing customer assistance.Supervised eight staff members while promoting the company, facilitated new hire training, and advised customers in the values of Blockbuster Rewards program.Setup and lead staff favorites, a popular monthly favorite wall.Received, prepared, and setup new merchandise and visual components pursuant to Blockbuster visual standards.Balanced and counted register tills in the morning and evening, handled bank deposits, change orders, and petty cash.Closed the location, dealing with vendor returns and asset liquidation through sales of everything in the store (fixtures, merchandise, security systems…).