Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
LANGUAGES
Awards
SYSTEM EXPERIENCE
Timeline
Generic

Cheryl Pennefather

Dubai

Summary

Accomplished and detail-oriented Executive Assistant with over 10 years of experience supporting C-suite and senior executives in high-pressure, fast-paced environments. Known for delivering exceptional administrative support with discretion, efficiency, and precision. Adept at managing complex calendars, travel, communications, and office operations while ensuring seamless executive workflow. Recognized for exceeding performance expectations and contributing to organizational success through strong communication, proactive problem-solving, and multitasking capabilities. Now seeking to bring these strengths to a progressive and dynamic organization.

Overview

14
14
years of professional experience

Work History

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT/ OFFICE SERVICE EXECUTIVE

AL TAYER INSIGNIA
09.2021 - Current
  • Provide high-level administrative support to VP HR and VP Finance, including calendar management, meeting coordination, travel arrangements, and expense claims.
  • Manage communications, drafted and proofread documents, presentations, and reports, ensuring professionalism and accuracy.
  • Coordinate internal and external meetings, events, and conferences while maintaining confidentiality and handling sensitive information with discretion.
  • Oversee office operations, including supply management, invoice processing, LPO issuance (JDE and Onbase), and supplier onboarding and maintenance.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to streamline administrative processes and enhance office efficiency.
  • Support the annual operational planning, business strategy development, and performance review cycles to drive alignment and accountability across teams.
  • Project Management:
  • - Led the planning and execution of employee engagement programs, introducing innovative initiatives such as team surveys, birthday recognitions, and interactive message boards to enhance workplace culture.
  • - Project-managed logistics for offsite events and conferences, coordinating end-to-end planning to ensure smooth execution and stakeholder satisfaction.
  • - Collaborated with brand teams to coordinate quarterly business reviews, ensuring timely delivery of reports and data accuracy.
  • - Oversaw document management processes, streamlining the organization, accessibility, and compliance of team records and reports.
  • CSR:
  • - Support end-to-end planning, coordination, and execution of CSR programs, events, and sustainability initiatives in collaboration with internal teams and external partners.
  • - Organized volunteer activities, outreach efforts, and community partnerships while maintaining strong relationships with local organizations and stakeholders.
  • - Develop CSR communication materials and compiled data for reports, highlighting key metrics and impact.
  • - Maintain accurate records of CSR activities, budgets, and partnerships, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and reporting requirements.

SENIOR RESOURCE PLANNER- AUDIT

KPMG LOWER GULF LIMITED
10.2020 - 12.2020
  • Manage end to end resource management operations involving resource planning, deployment of resources, project planning, execution tracking and proactive bench to address demand.
  • Delivering utilization reports after in depth analysis with insights to improve long term efficiency and profitability.
  • Tracking progress of various projects and allocated resources.
  • Book resources for future projects as a part of forecasting and scheduling.
  • Coordinate with stakeholders and recruitment team for short- and long-term resource plans.

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT/ OFFICE MANAGER- RIDES & EATS

UBER MENA
06.2019 - 09.2020
  • EA to GM rides MENA, GM Eats MENA & Public Policy Director -MEA.
  • Executive Assistant to GM Rides MENA, GM Eats MENA, and Public Policy Director MEA, delivering comprehensive administrative, operational, and logistical support.
  • Managed calendars, travel, visas, and compliance documentation; coordinated external meetings, internal events, and cross-functional engagements.
  • Oversaw budget tracking, expense reporting, invoices, and POs; ensured smooth financial operations in collaboration with Strategy & Planning.
  • Developed team playbooks and procedures; liaised with Facilities, IT, and Security to resolve logistical and office-related issues.
  • Supported end-to-end recruitment, including interview scheduling, candidate coordination, and onboarding.

SENIOR EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT / SENIOR BUSINESS UNIT ADMINISTRATOR

KPMG LOWER GULF LIMITED (Financial Services)
04.2011 - 05.2019
  • EA: Provided high-level executive support, including calendar management, meeting coordination, travel arrangements, and confidential correspondence handling.
  • HR:
  • - Managed employee leave processes (annual, study, and sick), maintained HR databases, and supported payroll with accurate employee data.
  • - Coordinated recruitment activities, including scheduling interviews and preparing employment documents such as contracts and new hire guides.
  • - Organized performance review sessions and maintained up-to-date employee records.
  • - Reviewed and updated HR policies and procedures to ensure compliance and relevance.
  • MIS/Admin: Budgeting & Revenue tracking: weekly/monthly basis
  • - MIS controls & system entries of invoicing clients monthly.
  • - Assist with issuance of key deliverables i.e. financial statements, PIB returns, CB returns.
  • - Compile information for BSD Forms for submission to Central bank.
  • - DFSA file completion and entries of regulated clients & their required information.

Education

Bachelor's Degree - Commerce & Economic (BCOM)

CHRP & CHRM (HR Certification) - undefined

American Certification Institute
06.2020

Skills

  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships at all levels of the organization
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills
  • Confidentiality, Discretion, and Professional Integrity
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office & Tech-Savvy
  • Analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions

LANGUAGES

English (expert)
Urdu (expert)
Hindi (spoken)

Awards

Recognized by both teams for outstanding performance at Al Tayer Insignia., Awarded twice in 4 years for an outstanding contribution (at KPMG), Managing 2 high demand executive and teams.

SYSTEM EXPERIENCE

  • Eng@ge
  • Concur
  • Fanaar
  • Taleo
  • Onbase
  • JDE
  • Oracle
  • Connect

Timeline

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT/ OFFICE SERVICE EXECUTIVE

AL TAYER INSIGNIA
09.2021 - Current

SENIOR RESOURCE PLANNER- AUDIT

KPMG LOWER GULF LIMITED
10.2020 - 12.2020

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT/ OFFICE MANAGER- RIDES & EATS

UBER MENA
06.2019 - 09.2020

SENIOR EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT / SENIOR BUSINESS UNIT ADMINISTRATOR

KPMG LOWER GULF LIMITED (Financial Services)
04.2011 - 05.2019

CHRP & CHRM (HR Certification) - undefined

American Certification Institute

Bachelor's Degree - Commerce & Economic (BCOM)

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