Exhibitions Officer
Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi)
Total years of experience :19 years, 11 Months
Key Project:
• Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum (opening 2015)
- Museum Operator / Client - TCA Abu Dhabi (created in 2012)
- Project Owner - TDIC
- Architect and exhibition design - Ateliers Jean Nouvel
- Museum Partner - Agence France Museums
Key Responsibilities:
• Acting as the main interface between TCA, TDIC, Consultants, Contractors and Stakeholders in order to translate the needs of the content and programming teams into technical requirements and specifications, according to project constraints; and resolving technical matters related to architecture and building including design, construction, operations, security, maintenance and facility management.
• Integrating operator needs and requirements within building design processes while remaining within budgets and schedules.
• Reviewing construction-related documentation as required and providing recommendation to facilitate timely decision-making.
• Leading on behalf of TCA on procurement of specialized items and advising on procurement strategies.
• Contributing to the development of curatorial briefs, interpretive plans and operational strategies.
• Preparing and coordinating briefs and budgets for museum operator-related projects, compliant with master schedule and budgets.
• Identifying, negotiating and motivating internal resources to contribute in achieving project objectives.
Career Pathway:
• Apr ‘09 - Feb '12: Exhibitions Officer (Delivery Dept)
• Mar ‘07 - Mar ‘09: Exhibitions Coordinator (Delivery dept)
Key Projects:
• Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum (opening 2015)
- Architect and exhibition design - Ateliers Jean Nouvel
- Museum Partner - Agence France Museums
• Zayed National Museum (opening 2016)
- Architect - Foster + Partners
- Exhibition design - Events
- Museum Partner - British Museum
Key Responsibilities:
• Managed the whole spectrum of exhibition design for 6000 sq. m of permanent galleries and signage / way-finding across the building and provided weekly reporting to senior management.
• Created and implemented a system for integrating the evolving scope of the permanent collection into the design process, based on a rapid identification and analysis of changes, accelerated decision-making and approval process, involvement of key stakeholders and effective communication plan throughout the design phases.
• Managed Consultants in the fulfilment of their scope and contractual obligations; reviewed applications for payment and made recommendations.
• Identified potential problems and risks; recommended mitigation and corrective actions, assigned responsibilities, tracked performance to achieve closure.
• Contributed to defining strategy for the procurement of exhibition design services and led main procurement activities.
• Coordinated the architectural competition for the design of Zayed National Museum
Key Projects:
• Temporary exhibitions - Gallery One, Abu Dhabi.
Key Responsibilities:
• Successfully delivered four successive architecture-themed exhibitions, ranging between 300 and 1500 sq.m.
• Managed exhibition design and fit-out: prepared scope of work, budgets and time schedule; managed design; led procurement for exhibitions production and installation services, supervised fabrication and installation.
• Researched exhibitions themes, planned and developed exhibition concepts, interpretation and content in collaboration with Consultants.
• Supervised operational teams and implemented services to satisfy a flow of 6000 to 8000 visitors/ month.
• Generated marketing material and visitor database, including visitor surveys, interviews and statistics, which enhanced daily functioning of activities and informed exhibition programming strategy.
Key Responsibilities:
• Identified primary areas of business based on market research and competitor analysis. Designed and implemented strategic marketing and business development measures to optimize sales, volume distribution and customer service (augmented room revenue for over AED 2.5 Million and increased average room rate from 230 AED/night to 590 AED/night).
• Expanded customer portfolio, established and maintained strong relationships with customers, thereby increasing product demand and awareness.
• Promoted hotel services and products through business meetings, representation in fairs and exhibitions and organization of events.
• Kept close tabs on market dynamics and competitor activities and proposed adapted sales strategies.
• Conducted periodic sales review and prepared sales analysis report to keep upper management abreast of all sales initiatives of the department.
• Successfully appointed as an Export Sales Representative by 4 French Companies including:
- Melfor : Dressings and Vinegar
- Eminence : Brushes and Hair Accessories
- Sophie Peirani : Hats and Jewellery
- Europe Environment : Air Treatment Engineering.
Key Responsibilities:
• Went to Turkey, Greece and Egypt to assess potential of each market
• Sourced new suppliers and generated new potential customers’ database for exportation
• Researched and analysed the three markets and provided recommendations on market penetration strategies and tactics.
Dissertation: Project Management in a Museum Context
Dissertation: The Art Market & How to Market the Arts
Specialization in Archaeology and Architecture
Bilingual French-German
