SHIVANI ROBINSON

Promoted from Project Manager to Project Director in recognition of strong performance and leadership, taking responsibility for the strategic planning and delivery of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF) while leading larger cross-functional teams and organisational workstreams.

• Led the strategic planning and end-to-end delivery of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF), growing attendance from approximately 2,500 to over 14,000 attendees across two days.
• Established Sheraa's Events Department from the ground up, recruiting, mentoring and developing a high-performing team while implementing the operational frameworks required to support the festival's continued growth.
• Directed the complete event lifecycle, including strategy, governance, budgeting, procurement, production, operations and post-event evaluation.
• Managed the festival's multi-million-dirham budget, ensuring strong financial governance, commercial performance and operational excellence.
• Led cross-functional teams, external partners, agencies and senior government stakeholders to deliver a seamless visitor experience aligned with Sheraa's strategic objectives.
• Drove festival programming, partnerships, sponsorship integration and experience design, strengthening SEF's position as one of the region's leading entrepreneurship festivals.
• Produced executive reporting, KPI analysis and strategic recommendations to support leadership decision-making and continuous improvement.

• Directed and delivered multiple large-scale destination management programmes, bringing thousands of international delegates to the UAE and leading every aspect of the end-to-end delegate experience, from international arrivals and accommodation to transportation, hospitality, venue operations and on-site delivery.
• Managed strategic planning, budgeting, procurement, production and operational delivery for complex multi-day international programmes across multiple venues.
• Built and maintained trusted relationships with executive stakeholders, clients, hospitality partners, suppliers and government entities to ensure seamless project delivery.
• Produced detailed project proposals, operational plans, timelines, presentations and risk management strategies for high-profile events and activations.
• Led cross-functional teams of 150+ staff, production agencies and specialist suppliers, ensuring projects were delivered on time, within budget and to the highest quality standards.
• Facilitated strategic planning and creative workshops, transforming client objectives into innovative, commercially successful event experiences.

• Managed the planning, co-ordination and delivery of key workstreams across the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF), ensuring projects remained on schedule and aligned with organisational objectives.
• Co-ordinated cross-functional teams of 40+ staff, ensuring timely delivery of milestones, dependencies and critical project deliverables.
• Oversaw branding, marketing communications and sponsorship integration, ensuring a consistent festival identity and visitor experience.
• Supported the development of festival programming, content strategy and agenda planning in collaboration with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Managed relationships with sponsors, community partners and suppliers, contributing to partnership development and stakeholder engagement.
• Produced executive project updates, monitored delivery progress and identified risks to support informed decision-making by senior leadership and the CEO.

• Founded and launched a hospitality concept, leading the business from initial concept through to operational readiness.
• Developed the commercial strategy, brand positioning and customer experience, establishing the business for successful market entry.
• Built and led a team of 10–15 employees, overseeing recruitment, training and performance management.
• Managed budgets, procurement and operational planning while implementing scalable business processes.
• Directed marketing strategy, customer acquisition and brand development, driving awareness through integrated digital and promotional campaigns.
• Managed external suppliers and consultants, ensuring projects were delivered on schedule, within budget and to brand standards.

• Managed pre-opening project workstreams supporting the mobilisation and operational readiness of the Australian Pavilion ahead of Expo 2020 Dubai.
• Developed project plans, operational schedules and readiness documentation to support venue activation and successful programme delivery.
• Co-ordinated multidisciplinary teams, contractors, consultants and suppliers, ensuring key milestones were achieved within programme timelines.
• Worked closely with internal stakeholders, international partners and Expo teams to align planning activities and operational requirements.
• Produced executive progress reports, monitored project risks and implemented mitigation strategies to maintain programme objectives.

• Planned and delivered large-scale consumer events and experiential brand activations, managing budgets, logistics and stakeholder engagement to ensure successful execution.
• Contributed to an MECSC Silver Award-winning customer engagement initiative, recognised for excellence in customer service and brand experience.
• Developed and implemented integrated marketing initiatives to strengthen brand awareness, customer engagement and commercial performance.
• Identified new business opportunities and supported strategic growth through client relationship management and commercial development.
• Recruited, trained and mentored teams, fostering a customer-focused culture and delivering consistently high service standards.