Rashad Huseynzade
AlUla,Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Summary
I'm a people, operations and event manager with over 17 years of experience, and my mission is clear: I aim to make projects succeed. Paying close attention to details and always striving for excellence is a skill I've honed working in diverse, multicultural organizations. I specialize in planning, managing budgets, and keeping a watchful eye on every project to ensure it meets the highest standards.
But I'm not just about numbers; I'm also about people and teams. I lead with clear goals and rely on my analytical mindset to tackle complex challenges. With a proven history of delivering large projects on time, I'm your reliable choice for getting things done.
I'm not just a leader; I'm a team builder and a champion of collaboration. Through strategic leadership and dedication to excellence my strength lies in promoting open communication and nurturing strong relationships within teams. I don't just oversee projects and operations; I create environments where success naturally thrives.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work History
Culture Sites and Museums Operations Management
Royal Commission for AlUla
AlUla, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
01.2025 - Current
Senior Project Manager
COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company
Baku, Azerbaijan
03.2024 - 12.2024
- Led the COP29 Academy graduate program, overseeing the full process from 700 applications to final selection and integration.
- Initiated and implemented a coordination structure for 21 departments, facilitating the resolution of 250+ key issues within three months.
- Designed and managed the offboarding program for 3,000 workforce members, completing the process in under 21 days.
Project Manager, Client Services and Management
Expo City Dubai | COP 28 Central Delivery Team
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
06.2023 - 03.2024
- Facilitated seamless handover and takeover processes for COP28, managing the transfer of over 350 event spaces and ensuring end-to-end coordination.
- Streamlined and aligned various processes by reforming them into clear, easy-to-follow guidelines. These guidelines played a key role in improving design, execution, delivery and handover process.
- Played an instrumental part in spearheading the preparation and review of the venue hire agreement as part of the taskforce, ensuring precise contractual terms.
Project Manager, Site Operations and Workforce Man
Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, FIFA2022
Doha, Qatar
09.2022 - 12.2022
- Strategically planned, coordinated, and executed 21 Venue-Specific Training sessions over 5 consecutive days, providing a total of 63 hours of training to enhance the skills and knowledge of over 1000 workforce members and volunteers.
- Efficiently coordinated and scheduled over 100 engagement activities for volunteers within a tight timeframe of 45 days during tournament operations, fostering a cohesive and motivated team environment.
Cluster Manager, Operations
Expo 2020 Dubai
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
06.2019 - 04.2022
- Successfully managed end-to-end planning and execution of projects related to transport, catering, welfare, and recognition programs, serving a workforce of over 130,000 members.
- Oversaw a team of Managers responsible for scheduling and rostering 750 staff and 15,000 volunteers, ensuring seamless operations.
- Led a team of 10 managers in the creation and delivery of the comprehensive Workforce Onboarding Program, enhancing workforce training and integration.
Section Head, Site Operations
Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
12.2018 - 04.2019
- Collaborated with administration functions to orchestrate the Workforce Entitlement Matrix, resulting in clearly defined benefits, policies, and procedures for all 35,000 workforce members.
- Designed, coordinated, and delivered Venue and Role Specific Training for 5,500 attendees at the largest venue across six sessions. Achieved a remarkable 90% favourable response rate in post-training surveys from volunteers.
- Pioneered the Workforce Reward and Recognition Program, overseeing the entire process from design and procurement to inventory management and delivery of reward items. This program benefited 18,000 volunteers, 1,600 staff, and 5,500 contractors, enhancing their engagement and commitment to the event's success.
Senior Manager
Trivandi Chanzo, 5th Asian Games
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
06.2017 - 10.2017
- Successfully coordinated the execution of headcount planning, scheduling, and rostering exercises for our operations divisions' workforce of 9,000 members, ensuring efficient resource allocation and optimized operations.
- Initiated volunteer engagement projects hosted at 7 universities, fostering active participation and a sense of community.
Group Training Manager
Gilan Hospitality Group
Baku, Azerbaijan
11.2015 - 12.2018
- Produced an adaptable learning platform for 2,400 team members from 23 business units which to this day remains in use.
- Created the "Train the Trainer Learning Program" for senior managers to identify and develop existing talent within the organization. This two year project involving 300 staff resulted in increased staff retention, streamlined vacation & leave coverage principles and employee satisfaction increased by 25%.
Manager, Workforce Planning and Operations
Baku 2015 European Games Organizing Committee
Baku, Azerbaijan
07.2014 - 06.2015
- Successful delivery of workforce operations in four dynamic cycling venues.
Coordinator, Human Resources
Hilton Baku Hotel
Baku, Azerbaijan
12.2011 - 07.2014
- Successfully organized 2 corporate staff parties with 300 attendees each time, 3 fully inclusive career fairs as part of Hilton International Career Week with 3000 participants.
- Fulfilled 200 roles (up to managerial level) within the company.
International Trainer
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Baku, Azerbaijan
08.2007 - 09.2011
- Developed and implemented 18 local Train the Trainer projects with over 400 participants.
- Conducted 5 international trainings and seminars in Turkey, Georgia (2x), Bulgaria, and Ukraine.
- Conducted 120 local training sessions and covered various subjects, such as reproductive health, family planning and public health.
Education
Doctor of Medicine -
Azerbaijan Medical University
Azerbaijan 09.2003 - 07.2009
Languages
English
Fluent
Turkish
Fluent
Russian
Advanced
Certification
IOSH - Managing Safely
Project Management Professional (PMP)®
Volunteer Engagement
Trainer - Successful Career and Personal Branding
Baku 2017, 4th Islamic Solidarity Games
Trained 400 volunteers of Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games.
Related video: tinyurl.com/TrainerRashad
Workforce Operations Team Leader
Formula 1 - Baku Grand Prix
Focal Point in Charge
Y-PEER Azerbaijan
Timeline
Culture Sites and Museums Operations Management
Royal Commission for AlUla
01.2025 - Current
Senior Project Manager
COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company
03.2024 - 12.2024
Project Manager, Client Services and Management
Expo City Dubai | COP 28 Central Delivery Team
06.2023 - 03.2024
Project Manager, Site Operations and Workforce Man
Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, FIFA2022
09.2022 - 12.2022
Cluster Manager, Operations
Expo 2020 Dubai
06.2019 - 04.2022
Section Head, Site Operations
Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019
12.2018 - 04.2019
Senior Manager
Trivandi Chanzo, 5th Asian Games
06.2017 - 10.2017
Group Training Manager
Gilan Hospitality Group
11.2015 - 12.2018
Manager, Workforce Planning and Operations
Baku 2015 European Games Organizing Committee
07.2014 - 06.2015
Coordinator, Human Resources
Hilton Baku Hotel
12.2011 - 07.2014
International Trainer
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
08.2007 - 09.2011
Doctor of Medicine -
Azerbaijan Medical University
09.2003 - 07.2009
IOSH - Managing Safely
Project Management Professional (PMP)®
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