Lyle Millar

Experienced, confident and forward-thinking visionary with over 20 years of experience in leading operations and managing productions for numerous entrepreneurial endeavours and hospitality and events organisations. A dedicated leader with a proven track record of motivating cross-functional teams that successfully exceed all quotas and surpass their expectations, driving revenues to new heights. Highly accomplished, results-oriented and deeply experienced with regards to building and maintaining productive operations, exceptional customer service and high-performing teams in the events, entertainment and hospitality industry. Thrives in fast-paced, collaborative and diverse environments, with an intense eye for detail and a professional ability to prioritise and manage multiple projects simultaneously. Now seeking opportunities to apply this vast skillset in a new position as a Senior Manager with a specific relation to events operations and productions. 

General Manager              March 2022 – Current

Bar Italia

London                   

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules and contract negotiations
• Developed and maintained relationships with customers and suppliers through account development
• Maximised efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures and technology systems
• Implemented operational strategies and effectively built customer and employee loyalty
• Delivered the business strategy and developed systems and procedures to improve operational quality and team efficiency
• Developed value-added solutions and approaches by leveraging trends in customer marketplaces and industries
• Organised budgets, oversaw profit and loss and achieved margin targets consistently to stay on track with growth plans

Accomplishments:

• Built a dedicated, highly-trained professional staff body and increased turnover month on month
• Completely changed the clientele to a much more balanced and accommodating space for everyone

Senior Event Operations Manager/Coordinator                 May 2021 – January 2022

My Gin Festivals

Bournemouth                   

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Drove business growth opportunities by promoting pilot programs on improved customer service and sales strategies
• Supervised and mobilised high-quality performances from multiple personnel, leading to operations excellence and managed the day-to-day processing and operations
• Facilitated optimal productivity through an adept oversight of department managers, suppliers, performers and staff members
• Leveraged the implementation of strategic initiatives and process improvements to boost company efficiency
• Aligned subcontracting services with the allocated budgets through effective management
• Minimised operating costs through improved staffing, resourcing and inventory management
• Carefully assessed customer needs and identified relevant services to expand customer base
• Determined and deployed process improvements based on known productivity or quality issues, enhancing business efficiency
• Achieved budget and timeframe targets through proactive project schedule monitoring

Accomplishments:

• Restarted the business from ground up after Covid-19 in a new country
• Set up same day events in multiple cities around the UK
• Improved operations to nurture the ability to handle 63 events over 9 months

Senior Operations Manager & Producer                  January 2018 – May 2021

Rogue Wave S.A

Cape Town, South Africa                   

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Established and oversaw the business strategy and functions related to producing world-class events featuring world-class artists such as Faithless, Clean Bandit, Black Coffee, Goldfish and more
• Generated sustainable revenue growth by monitoring industry forecasts, honing budgets and adjusting marketing strategies
• Cultivated forward-thinking, inclusive and performance-orientated business culture to lead industry in innovation and push progress 
• Directed and empowered performance excellence from multi-disciplinary teams of more than 20 staff members
• Attained and maintained substantial business, market share and customer base growth through the development and deployment of key operational initiatives
• Created and executed effective and engaging events communications including media pitches and press releases, receiving substantial media coverage
• Built, promoted, produced and marketed all aspects of the events from the ground up

Accomplishments:

• Decreased the excess spend by aligning RW's daily operations and key projects with timely and cost-effective approaches
• Created the most disruptive live dance brand in Cape Town
• Turned over millions of rands in short succession
• Worked with the biggest names in the industry

Chief Operating Officer           January 2018 – October 2020

The Local Food Truck Market

Cape Town, South Africa                   

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Streamlined operations by establishing and monitoring business procedure compliance
• Liaised with key stakeholders to propel business growth
• Successfully negotiated labour contracts with SANDF as well as terms of business acquisitions to increase business base, solidify the market presence and diversify offerings
• Augmented the customer base and operations through proactive management and venue optimisation
• Increased company revenue through aggressive new strategies
• Fostered an environment of customer service excellence by building and maintaining a high-performance culture
• Built, promoted, produced and marketed all aspects of the events from the ground up

Accomplishments:

• Spearheaded all business operations and strategy, leading to a 100% increase in profits
• Created a new family friendly weekly event that gained huge popularity over a short period
• Nurtured growth to a foot fall of over 2000 people per night

Festival Operations Director   June 2017 – January 2021

Cape Town Pizza & Pasta Festival

Cape Town, South Africa                   

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Developed and edited all Facebook, Instagram and BTL advertising and marketing content
• Swiftly built and nurtured positive customer relations using outstanding communication and interpersonal skills
• Incorporated a consistent brand tone when producing communications
• Built, promoted, produced & marketed all aspects of the events from ground up

Accomplishments:

• Devised and executed social media, email and web strategies to reach out to people between ages of 13 and 70 to inform them about CTPPF events and enhance social media user engagement by 100%
• Delivered substantial improvements to profits, reputation and overall popularity of the festival through strategic CTPPF promotions across media platforms

Marketing/Sales Manager             September 2014 – December 2016

Mother City Queer Project

Cape Town, South Africa                   

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Charted a successful course for sales, marketing and business development of MCQP VIP Suites, including sponsorship management/sourcing and full production management
• Formulated, implemented and monitored the execution of the marketing plan for MCQP
• Created partner proposals and ensured return on investments
• Designed and executed all marketing and hype generation through multiple avenues

Accomplishments:

• Attracted more than 28’000 attendees to the last event personally involved in.

General Manager       November 2013 – January 2015

Dragon Room

Cape Town, South Africa                   

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Revitalised a night club while acting as General Manager and leaned on experience working in the night life and event industry
• Took charge of a venue that was in complete disarray and struggling financially, with staff that were despondent and lacking structure, to a place where profits and sponsorships were greatly increasing
• Attracted some of the best global artists in the house music genre to come to South Africa and perform, such as Claptone, Ali & Fila, Alex Kenji, Soul Clap and used the venue for film shoots and wrap parties as well

Accomplishments:

• Within three months, increased profits from £80k per year to more than £50 000 per month and negotiated more than £500k in new sponsorships

Career Summary Continued

• February 2016 – September 2017, Madison Avenue, General Manager, Cape Town, S.A

• March 2015 – January 2016, Dash Productions, Event Manager, Johannesburg, S.A

• January 2008 – March 2015, DJ Lyle Masters, Event Promoter, Cape Town and Durban, S.A

• January 2003 – December 2007, G&G Productions, National Marketing and Events Manager, Cape Town, S.A

Qualifications 

• Certificate of Higher Education in Applied Social Psychology, S.A. College of Applied Social Psychology, Cape Town, South Africa, 2014 
• Modules: Applied Psychology, Personal License

Diploma of Higher Education in Film & Media, City Varcity, Cape Town, South Africa, 2001