Bahjat Dada

With highly experienced professional with over 18+ years of managing real estate and financial portfolios in Dubai, exceeding a billion Dhs. Along with my expertise in international branding, I excels in identifying investment opportunities, evaluating properties, and forecasting requirements. I also establish corporate governance, policies, and standard operating procedures, and oversees portfolio operations and construction projects. With his exceptional management skills, I successfully managed residential, commercial, and industrial properties.

OBJECTIVE

With highly experienced professional with over 18+ years of managing real estate and financial portfolios in Dubai, exceeding a billion Dhs. Along with my expertise in international branding, I excels in identifying investment opportunities, evaluating properties, and forecasting requirements. I also establish corporate governance, policies, and standard operating procedures, and oversees portfolio operations and construction projects. With his exceptional management skills, I successfully managed residential, commercial, and industrial properties.

KEY SKILLS

1. Investment Management, Properties Acquisition, Marketing, Operations Mgmt., Contract Negotiations, Strategic Business, Property Management
2. Office Management/ Administration, Client Services, Secretarial Practices
3. Customer Relations, Documentation, Scheduling Meetings/ Appointments, Employee Relations
4. Brand Management, Market Research & Competitor Analysis, Product Positioning, Product Promotions
5. Real Estate Sector Policies & Procedures, Office Correspondence, Property Management, Lease Strategies, KPI’S
6. Business Development, Banking Operations, Insurance, Knowledge of Banking Products & Features
7. Key Customer Accounts, Building Sales & Marketing Strategies, Market Research, Business Promotions
8. Leadership, Team Management, Motivational, Organizational, Interpersonal & Communication Skills
9. Analytical Skills, Ability to Work Under Pressure, Decision Making & Problem-Solving Skills
10. Computer Skills: MS Office Applications.
11. Setting Corporate Governance. 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 

Operations Manager.                                                                                               SEPT 2024 – Present

Verona Investment, UAE – Dubai

Operations Manager
Oversee daily operations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, ensuring smooth processes and efficient resource management. Report directly to the CEO and Owner, implementing strategies that align with the company’s investment goals.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Investment Operations: Manage due diligence, transactions, and portfolio operations while ensuring compliance with regulations. Develop and regularly update SOPs to optimize efficiency and maintain regulatory alignment.
2. Operational Strategy: Design and execute strategies that support investment goals, adapting to evolving business needs.
3. Process Improvement: Enhance workflows for risk assessment, performance tracking, and reporting; integrate and streamline SOPs into daily activities.
4. Team Leadership: Manage operations teams across locations, conduct evaluations, and provide training to ensure adherence to SOPs and continuous improvement.
5. Financial Oversight: Monitor budgets and financial performance of investments, analyzing trends and providing actionable recommendations.
6. Vendor & Compliance: Negotiate vendor contracts, ensure adherence to SOPs, and maintain compliance with local and international regulations. Mitigate risks with effective strategies and processes.

Executive Manager                                                                                                                                   June 2022 – AUG 2024

Insaattan, Istanbul – Turkey

1. Prepare and set the followings:
2. Contribute on setting up the company vision.
3. Setting up the general policy.
4. Setting up operation SOP's
5. Setting up the management structure
6. Setting up JD related to the staff working in real estate and property management Company.
7. Setting KPI’s.
8. All above to be reviewed in regular bases as needed and then revise and update according to it.
9. Set Full requirements and scope of work of the new proposed company platform (website and applications)
10. Manage all operations at the Company and ensure all related issues are being sorted out in a most professional, timely and efficient manner.
11. Monitor and manage all operations related to the properties and coordinate between the related departments (each as per department area of specialty). 
12. Assist the Chairman in preparing the strategic plan of the Company.
13. Review and contribute of setting up contracts after legal department contracts preparation.
14. Act as spoken person between Customers and company, outside counsel, consultants, and brokers to negotiate.
15. Manage and maintain a tracking database of all portfolio market matters (For the targeted area)
16. Ensure that the company and Customers’ obligations to each other are reflected in the various documents entered between company and customers including but not limited to: Proposals, Agreements, agreement Amendments, agreements Extensions, Customer name Change, property Surrender and/or Termination Agreement, etc.
17. Carefully check all documents for accuracy and completeness before transactions. 
18. Provide the concerned department to Update company website with information requires update.
19. Negotiate, draft, and maintain brokerage listing agreements.

Managing Partner:                                                                                                                              March 2020 – AUG 2022

Fannoos APP, UAE – Online Based                                                                  

1. Monitoring day-to-day business operations.
2. Approve and contribute to marketing plan, along with approving marketing materials.
3. Overseeing hiring and firing activities, along with payments and evaluations, along with setting KPIs to third party performance.
4. Assessing organizational and personnel performance, implementing changes as needed for improvements.
5. Manage client satisfaction.
6. Ensures best practices are applied across application backend contractors (Development & Marketing).
7. Plan, prepare, and oversee app activities, and yearly KPIs.
8. Identify, develop, and lead Company’s platform partnerships to Build app reputation.
9. Request and attend regular meetings with management and third part service providers.
10. Negotiate commercial terms and contracts with partners and third-party providers.
11. Review Contracts with related parties.
12. Ensure that the selected third-party contractors are high class experience as a partner. Act as the day-to-day contact for key platform partner contacts, and ensuring timelines are met.
13. Deals directly with all customer concerns, questions, and complaints.

Branch Manager                                                                                                              October 2013 – June 2019 

Al Khaleej Investment, Sharjah., United Arab Emirates                                                                                                                              

Key Responsibilities

1. Identify suitable new investment visibility studies, analysis, budgeting and setting financial objectives.
2. Properties Evaluation 
3. Establishes rental rate by surveying local rental rates; calculating overhead costs, depreciation, taxes, and profit goals.
4. Prepare regular reports.
5. Attracts tenants by advertising vacancies; obtaining referrals from current tenants; explaining advantages of location and services; showing units.
6. Contracts with tenants by negotiating leases; collecting security deposit.
7. Accomplishes financial objectives by collecting rents; paying bills; forecasting requirements; preparing an annual budget; scheduling expenditures; analyzing variances; initiating corrective action.
8. Maintains property by investigating and resolving tenant complaints; enforcing rules of occupancy; inspecting vacant units and completing repairs; planning renovations; contracting with landscaping.
9. Maintains buildings systems by contracting for maintenance services; supervising repairs.
10. Secures property by contracting with security patrol service; installing and maintaining security devices; establishing and enforcing precautionary policies and procedures; responding to emergencies.
11. Enforces occupancy policies and procedures by confronting violators.
12. Overseeing and agreeing contracts and providers for services.
13. ensuring that facilities meet government regulations and environmental, health and security standards.
14. overseeing building projects, renovations or refurbishments
15. Prepares reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing data and trends.
16. Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
17. Accomplishes organization goals by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.

Property Operations                                                                                                             August 2012 – October 2013

Green Coast Enterprises, Dubai, United Arab Emirates                 

Key Responsibilities:

1. Preparing Operation policies 
2. Attend tenants complains and internally coordinate for solutions. 
3. Follow with tenants on any pending matter such as rent payments.
4. Conduct properties inspection
5. Ensure proper delivery of soft services (i.e. cleaning, security, pest control, etc.)
6. Property management and administration of all common areas across the portfolio
7. Dealing with relevant local authorities as and when needed 
8. Create and maintain an up-to-date property inventory list
9. Built an amicable relation with tenants through direct communication and visits.
10. Attend emergencies situation as directed by line manager.
11. To develop and maintain relationships with the Tenants.
12. Ensure for all service lines that a professional, high quality, value for money service is delivered and meets agreed key performance indicators.
13. Effectively, induct all Site FM & Premises Coordinators, ensuring control of site budgets in relation to all service lines.
14. Ensure Site FM & Premises Coordinators, manages all aspects of hard and soft services, looking for alternative solutions, introduce new service lines to increase integrated proposition and improve performance.
15. To manage, control and deliver the financial aspects of the contract. Prepare, set and agree annual budgets. 
16. For each contract, agree on continuous improvement measures in relation to innovation and development.
17. To ensure all works are competently completed,
18. Effectively manage time, planning and organization
19. Maintain professional and positive company image.
20. Any other duties as and when required.

Real Estate Manager                                                      November 2006 – August 2012

MAG Group, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Designation Chronology:

1. DEC '2010 – Aug ‘2012: Real Estate Manager
2. Nov '2006 - DEC '2010: Assistant Real Estate Manager

Joined the company as Properties Coordinator and Executive Secretary, and merited promotion to the position of Real Estate Manager.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Formulating strategies to expand customer base in the marketing area as well as achieving maximum profitability and growth in line with company vision and values.
2. Chalking out a full fledged business plan for development, enhancement of sales revenue of existing and future properties. Researching and providing updates on market condition to Chairman and Vice Chairman.
3. Developing and implementing all brand events, launches and inaugurations. Making detailed presentations and responding to specific queries pertaining to ROI, lock-in periods, investment portfolios, etc.
4. Actively participating in business growth of the company, generating leads and independently working on special assignments in consonance with core business KPIs and handling real estate portfolios of HNW clients and retail investors. 
5. Acquiring new businesses by identifying opportunities, involving variety of sales and promotional activities through phone calls and meetings and successfully closing the deals.           
6. Liaising with other real estate agents/ property consultants and team members, showing belief in empowerment of juniors and carry people in a performance driven environment.
7. Creating weekly reports on status of work pertaining to sales and site visits. Monitoring day-to-day functions of sales and ascertaining after-sale satisfaction.
8. Liaising closely with operational staff on all details for a prospective new contract and gain their agreement on all details by demonstrating excellent people management skills.
9. Handling all ad-hoc functions pertinent to managing real estate for owners, renting property, negotiating leases, supervising maintenance, and maintaining asset value.

Highlights:

1. Represented the company at several meetings and conferences as a professional negotiator and finalize deals in favorable business terms for the company.
2. Instrumental in restructuring company filing system which further increased the operational efficiency of the company.
3. Successfully augmented annual sales revenue of the company by 16 million Dhs and achieved high end sale value of 53 Million Dhs within a short span of 3 and a half years.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Coordinated daily administrative operations of the office, established procedures for administrative support, scheduling meetings/appointments, handled correspondence and kept updates of all departmental activities.
2. Handled several tasks pertinent to the assigned project, negotiated and prepared leases and renewal agreements as well as processed rental applications, Rental Bond Board documents, inspection reports, monthly owner statements, lease packets, etc.
3. Provided support to the senior property manager in a range of functions associated with leasing and maintained properties in accordance with the owner’s instructions.
4. Maintained close tabs with office listings including property advertisements to direct inquiries to the most appropriate member of the staff promptly.
5. Efficiently utilized marketing skills and fostered strong business relations with prospective clients thereby boosted profitability.
6. Proactively developed a customer database in order to streamline the company’s contact management activities.
7. Enhanced sales and support services as well as networks by undertaking several marketing initiatives via tele calling, telemarketing in compliance with company standards.
8. Drafted written launch plans outlining the launch process and submitted the same to senior management for its authorization.
9. Extensively engaged in contractual negotiations for securing business deals for the company.

Brand Coordinator                                                                       August 2004 - October 2006

Al Sawani Group, Dubai, United Arab Emirates                                                                                                                                                               

Highlights:

1. Played a pivotal role in the brand development of three reputed brands namely Red Earth, XOXO and U2 for the company.
2. Rocketed company sales by 30% by introducing new product lines for the existing company products as well as augmented annual turnover of reputed brands such as U2, XOXO, Red Earth by 35%.
3. Pioneered the establishment of 4 retail stores for the reputed brand U2 and 2 retail stores for the brand Red Earth.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Spearheaded an integrated range of branding and marketing strategies for all 3 brands in Middle East as well as maintained relations with major accounts/suppliers in US, France, HK, UK, Italy, Canada whilst promoting the brand in consistent with the overall goals of the business.
2. Administered processes of marketing, merchandising, purchasing, production, supply chain, planning, and logistics for brand penetration.
3. Planned and implemented promotional and marketing ventures for reputed brands such as Guess?, Esprit, Replay as need arose.
4. Devised the annual marketing plan/ budgets in conjunction with the corporate vision and prepared reports for management with recommendations.
5. Assisted brand manager in the development of a trends presentation highlighting right trends, fabrics, technical knowledge of performance fabrics, silhouettes, and colors for each upcoming season as well as prepared seasonal line sheets and cost sheets.
6. Aided in overall activities of the purchase department encompassing planning, volume allocation among suppliers, negotiation, contracting and delivery.
7. Processed invoices, created Letter of Credit applications and made amendments in L/C based on changes to Purchase Orders.
8. Liaised with various departments such as Accounts, Customs/ Traffic Dept., Order Entry, Allocations and Distribution Centre as well as monitored inventory and drafted requisite reports for the same.
9. Adhered to time frames in service delivery whilst taking feedback for future enhancements of marketing services offered.
10. Maintained a database of customer orders for all major accounts at the time of processing costs, pairs, delivery dates.
11. Managed the merchandise movements in many chains right from suppliers to the distribution center in Jabal Ali and then to the clients in the Middle East as well as developed strong business relations with the clients.
12. Defined product specifications by liaising with dealers, end-users and sales force as well as implemented product development strategies in order to enhance product value.
13. Coordinated with retailers for product promotions as well as kept a track of shipments and processed incoming orders.

Training:

1. Jan'01 - Aug'03: Trainee, The Syrian Insurance Co., Damascus, Syria 

Key Responsibilities:

1. Developed new insurance business and serviced existing clients by determining their insurance needs, delivered timely service and provided professional advice to the customers.
2. Explained policy features to clients and assisted them in selecting the right policy for their needs and maintained necessary documentation.
3. Gained practical experience in; interacting with policyholders for appraising advantages/disadvantages of various insurance policies, promoting sale of insurance plans, analyzing insurance programs and suggesting appropriate amendments.
4. Performed an array of duties like calculating premiums, establishing payment methods and customizing insurance programs to suit individual customers, often covering a variety of risks.

EDUCATION

1. Intermediate Institute Commercial Banking (IICB), Syria

Higher diploma in Banking (June 2004)

PERSONAL DETAILS

1. Date of Birth: 16th of March 1984
2. Nationality: Syria
3. Driving License: UAE and Syria
4. Languages Known: Arabic (Mother Language ) and English (Fluent) 

IICB: Economics and Banking