Justine Allen
Event and Experience Manager
Hamilton,WKO
Summary
High achieving, well regarded event and experience manager of 10 years. Award winning commercial breakfast radio producer / announcer.
Adept at advising as well as managing all aspects of event planning and delivery. Demonstrated cost-effective budgeting and exceptional time management skills, as well as an absolute eye for detail. Enjoy playing a conduit role ensuring engaging, considered, well delivered events.
A results driven leader. Proven ability to identify needs, resolve conflicts and build strong relationships. Possess excellent problem-solving, communication and interpersonal skills.
Organized and dependable, successful at managing multiple priorities and relationships with an extremely positive and empathetic nature. Confident public speaker (MC / performer / adult learning facilitator).
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Events and Activations Advisor
Hamilton City Council
12.2023 - Current
- Key conduit with external organisations / individuals (and internal council departments) managing relationships and advising on key aspects of their events, leading to approved permitting (over 140 events permitted annually)
- Lead planner and manager on a range of internal, civic, and council events, as well identifying leverage / engagement opportunities at external events (over 40 events annually)
Events Lead - Visitor Destinations
Hamilton City Council
05.2022 - 11.2023
- Successfully managed the strategic approach and delivery of events/ experiences at Hamilton City Council's premiere visitor destination sites: Hamilton Gardens, Te Kaaroro Nature Precinct (Hamilton Zoo and Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park) and Waikato Museum.
- Developed an annual events plan, coordinating events and staff across the visitor sites efficiently
- Created successful joint site campaigns(Find Your Fun school holidays, Matariki, and Children's Day)
- Efficiently and effectively managed a delegated budget ($58,000)
- Relationship managed significant internal and external stakeholders (including senior leadership, iwi, internal staff, external event organisers and suppliers)
- Successfully coordinated involvement in major city events (FIFA Women's World Cup 2023)
- Achievement in this role: created the successful Find Your Fun school holiday campaign, record attendance at all three sites on key dates (resulting in increased revenue)
Visitor Experience Manager (Hamilton Zoo)
Hamilton City Council
08.2017 - 05.2022
- Member of the senior leadership team at Hamilton Zoo, leading the visitor operations team (admissions / front of house / visitor experience)
- Strategic oversight of Hamilton Zoos marketing.
- Successfully implemented change management initiatives; including during the covid pandemic, and the build of a new visitor arrival centre.
- Creative planning and delivery of zoo events and community engagement visits
- Development and implementation of the Zoo's education and volunteer programmes.
- Achievement in the role included: new education and marketing initiatives successfully rolled out in response to the pandemic (including online classes), increased visitation in key periods (including the current single day record of 3600 visitors), positive guest reviews / feedback
Civic and International Events Manager
Hamilton City Council
01.2014 - 08.2017
- Successfully created and managed over 40 annual civic events and international delegation visits for the Office of the Mayor
- Professionally organised the hosting of VIP's at high level events; including DHL Lions Tour, FIFA U-20 World Cup, ICC Cricket World Cup
- Aptly coordinated mayoral involvement at special events, including the royal tours of the Prince and Princess of Wales (2014) and King Charles and Queen Camilla (2016).
- Successfully managed Hamilton's four sister city relationships, overseeing MoU signings, delegation visits to Hamilton, and organising international visits (event logistics, itinerary creation, on the ground management);
- Managed relationships with significant stakeholders including senior council leadership, elected members, iwi, Department of Internal Affairs, New Zealand embassies and consulates, foreign affairs offices, influential business leaders
- Efficiently and effectively managed a delegated budget ($60,000)
- Achievements in this role included creation of well regarded civic events, growth in our sister city relationships (education and trade wise) and two successfully run visits to China
Commercial Breakfast Radio Producer and Co-Host
The Radio Network (now NZME)
04.2010 - 12.2013
- Award winning Commercial Radio Producer and Co-host at Waikato's Classic Hits ('Bunty and Justine in the Morning')
- Proficient in the management of key stakeholders and guest contributors, including: publicists, journalists, press secretaries, government leaders, entertainers, media personalities, sports figures, and advertising clients
- Successfully collaborated with advertising clients and radio sales team, to devise and execute innovative marketing campaigns.
- Well regarded Master of Ceremonies (including high profile corporate and public events)
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Management Communication / Screen & Media
University of Waikato
Hamilton, NZSkills
- Clifton Strengths Top 5 - Empathy, Input, Woo, Achiever, Adaptability
- Effective Communication
- Conflict resolution
- Relationship Management
- Attention to detail
- Budget management
- Collaboration
- Self-motivation
- Multitasking
- Presentations and Public Speaking
- Group Facilitation
- Leadership
- Performance Management
Accomplishments
- NZ Radio Awards - Finalist 2013 - ‘Bunty and Justine in the Morning' - finalist for Best Breakfast Music Show (regional)
- University of Waikato Certificate of Achievement 2013 - Recognising outstanding achievement in chosen field, broadcasting and artistic endeavours
- NZ Radio Awards - Winner 2012 - ‘Bunty and Justine in the Morning' - winner of Best Breakfast Music Show (regional)
Affiliations
- Professional Singer / Performer
Timeline
Events and Activations Advisor
Hamilton City Council
12.2023 - Current
Events Lead - Visitor Destinations
Hamilton City Council
05.2022 - 11.2023
Visitor Experience Manager (Hamilton Zoo)
Hamilton City Council
08.2017 - 05.2022
Civic and International Events Manager
Hamilton City Council
01.2014 - 08.2017
Commercial Breakfast Radio Producer and Co-Host
The Radio Network (now NZME)
04.2010 - 12.2013
Bachelor of Arts - Management Communication / Screen & Media
University of Waikato
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