Charles Sebunya
New York,NY
Summary
Dynamic On-Camera Journalist, Executive Producer/Director, Award Winning Certified Trained Chef, Event Manager and more, whom is living and working around the world ... (with a proven track record at COMPASS GROUP)... To-date achieving OVER 172 million video views...
An expert in multimedia storytelling and Event Management, leveraging strong collaboration and creative skills to enhance media reach. Recognized for outstanding contributions, combining strategic vision with a commitment to excellence in high-pressure environment's globally ...
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
On-Camera Journalist , Executive Producer/Director
Freelance
, United States
01.1998 - Current
- Achieved over 172,613,213 video views by Q3, doubling totals from previous year.
- Managing, Executive Producing, Directing, and Journalism for high-profile live events globally...
- Covering major Events including US Inauguration, MET Gala, EMMYS, New York Fashion Week, London Fashion Week, Tribeca Festival, and many other global cultural events, awards and fundraisers.
- Collaborating with global media assets such as Getty Images, The Associated Press, MSN, Shutterstock, BFA, Newsflare, SipaUSA, Google ...
- Executive Producing compelling narratives for multimedia projects across diverse platforms... with a FAST TURNAROUND
- Expanding distribution partnerships to enhance media reach and visibility.
- Delivering earned and paid media services with guaranteed press coverage.
- Keeping GLOBAL audiences (and global teams) updated along the way, even via social media.
- Producing creative and memorable stories with active live shots.
- Constantly innovating, pitching strong stories, and always willing to experiment with new technology.
- Organized, flexible and works well under pressure, with the constantly changing deadlines, and 'business landscape' ...
- Research, set up interviews, and write content daily.
- Collaborates with photojournalists, producers, assignment editors, and executes story assignments.
- Effectively delivering breaking news live on-air, without a script.
- Shooting and editing stories
- Recognized and nominated for The Fashion Group International (FGI) Rising Star Awards, in The Content Creator category, recognized for his outstanding contributions to multimedia storytelling as a Director, Producer, and Journalist. He was among the finalists for this Inaugural Award, celebrating innovation in the digital fashion content arena, alongside other influential figures in the industry. Charles Sebunya' nomination highlighted the growing influence of digital creators in the fashion world, as reported exclusively by WWD.
Event Manager / Captain / Ceritifed Chef
COMPASS GROUP, ARAMARK
NEW YORK, NY
01.2007 - Current
- Accumulated over 30 years of award-winning global experience in managerial roles across prestigious entertainment, cultural, and corporate sectors.
- Collaborated with industry leaders such as Aramark and Compass Group to deliver exceptional service.
- Focused on hospitality, live events, luxury, tech, and TV entertainment industries.
- Possess open availability for managerial opportunities within diverse environments.
- Holds ANAB-accredited Food Handler Certification and TIPS New York ATAP On-Premise Alcohol Server Certification.
Event Chef
Eden Hospitality / Temp Positions
New York, United States
01.2007 - Current
- Menu Planning: Manage/create/menus for Events, including appetizers and meals.
- Food Preparation: Manage/supervise and help prepare food for events, including plating.
- Food Safety: Ensure food safety and kitchen safety standards are MAINTAINED (even during the most stressful periods).
- Equipment and Inventory: Organize food and equipment needed for events, including managing food inventory and truck orders.
- Catering: Manage all food-related catering functions, including coordinating menus, purchasing, scheduling, food preparation, and plating.
- Catering Chef: Plan, direct, manage/help prepare food for Events, Meetings, Parties & MORE back-to-back, simultaneously.
- Banquet Chef: Manage/lead the banquet food preparation staff and manage all food-related catering functions.
- Event Venue Chef: Manage/plan menus for multiple events and organize the food and equipment needed for events.
- Chef de Partie: Assigned to an number of kitchen stations, of which specializes in the preparation of an particular feature of The Restaurant's Menu: Grill, Roast, Vegetable, Pantry, Fry, Butchery, Sauce, Fish, Starters and Main Course.
- Check the quality of raw and cooked food products to ensure that industry standards are met.
- Check the quantity and quality of received products.
- Determine how food should be presented, and create decorative food displays.
- The preparation, cooking, garnishing, and presentation of food and food service.
- Estimate amounts and costs of required supplies, such as food and ingredients.
- Collaborate with other personnel to plan and develop recipes and menus, taking into account such factors as clients dietary requirements, seasonal availability of ingredients and the likely number of clients/guests/customers.
- Developing, designing, and creating new recipes, ideas, relationships, and products, including artistic contributions to menus, staff work areas & clients relations.
- Attention to detail and care paid thorough completing work tasks within an high pressured kitchen at an strict, organized timely manner.
- Undertake work assignments under the umbrella of such prestigious entertainment, cultural & corporate companies as Compass Group, Aramark, Eden Hospitality / Temp Positions for the following clients: The White House, Kennedy Center, CBS Studios, Rockefellers, L'Oreal, Pepsi Co., The Century Association Private Member's Club House, Aramark: CUNY Center, NYU, Synagogues, The New York Times, AmeriCares, American Express Tower, 2nd In Command Chef de Partie For The United States Mission Of The United Nations, Paramount, Warner Group, elite Museums, etc. & mores.
Brand Manager
Elite Associates Agency
London, United Kingdom
09.1998 - Current
- Undertaken substantial permanent & temporary assignments for the most prestigious names in the Retail Industry from Boutiques to Department Stores, to World Renowned Brand Names.
- While assigned to these Clients I was required to adhere to the company's stringent, high end customer service.
- Completion of the Harrods and Selfidges Store Approval process which included Cash Register Training, Security, and Health & Safety procedures before being eligible to work within the listed high end caliber boutiques, and stores.
Visual Merchandiser & Stock Control
Abercrombie & Fitch Flag Ship Stores
, United States
02.2007 - 02.2019
- Organized & managed the Visual Mechanize & Stock Control from scratch, under the guidance of CEO Michael S. Jeffries, for the first ever opening of The European Flag Ship Store In London, England.
- To then, going on to work for EVERY main Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Flagship Store in North America, United Kingdom & beyond.
- Gaining vital hands-on worldwide experience in real-time, of running a GLOBAL Company.
Stock Control & Visual Merchandiser / Brand Ambassador & Sales Associate
Dsw Shoe Warehouse, Inc.
Silver Spring, United States
09.2009 - 03.2010
- Manage: Stock Control & Visual Merchandiser, Brand Ambassador & Sales Associate.
Collectors Dept. Brand Ambassador / Sales Associate
Nordstrom
Los Angeles, United States
11.2007 - 05.2009
- Greet clients and ascertain what each personal client's wants and needs are, whilst managing my Collectors Department.
- Describe merchandise, explain the usage and the care of each merchandise to clients.
- Recommend, select, and help locate or obtain merchandise based on clients needs and desires.
- Online / In Store sales prices, total purchases and receive and process payments.
- Answer questions regarding The Collectors Department, Nordstrom and its merchandise.
- Prepare Store Events, Sales Slips, Clients Refreshments & The Whole Personal 'Client Experience'.
- Maintain knowledge and keeping up to date of current trends, The Sales and Promotions of Nordstroms & it's competitors.
- Knowledge of policies regarding payment and exchange, and security practice.
- Maintain records related to Personal Client Book & Sales, to drive business.
- Demonstrate the operation and versatility of merchandise.
- Place Special Orders or / and call other stores to find desired client pieces. (by any means necessary, car, flight and indeed in some cases, by foot).
- Having the knowledge of principles and methods for demonstrating, selling and marketing to an client, to then ending in the most important part, the final sale of merchandise to client(s).
- Customer Satisfaction, Resulting in Profit.
Brand Ambassador / Sales Associate
Selfridges
London, United Kingdom
07.1998 - 05.2007
- High End Brand Ambassador / Sales Associate for Men's Wear: Contemporary Dept.
- High End Brand Ambassador / Sales Associate for Perfumery Dept.
Call Center Telesales
Jo Malone Head Office
London, United Kingdom
09.2000 - 02.2001
- Deliver, managed and inform sales talks and reading from literature that describe products to Jo Malone's Client base and In store carriers, in order to thieve sales for the business.
- Explain products, services, prices and answer questions from clients and stores alike.
- Obtain clients information such as name, address, and payment method, and enter orders into computers.
- Record names, addresses, purchases, and reactions of prospects contacted.
- Adjust sales literature to better target the needs, wants and interests of specific clients and stores.
- Obtain names and telephone numbers of potential clients from sources such as telephone directories, magazine reply cards, online data and lists purchased from other organizations.
- Answer telephone calls / emails from potential clients who have been solicited through advertisements.
- Telephone & email to respond to correspondence from clients, and follow up initial sales contacts.
- Maintain records of contacts, accounts and orders.
- Make and close telephone deals.
- Deal with customer issues such as out of stock items and goods that have failed to reach their requested destination and, the most important, 'that overwhelmed contented, customer satisfaction call'.
Commis Chef
The Royal Automobile Club
New York, United States
01.1997 - 01.1999
- Commis Chef, after graduating from Westminster College.
- Responsibility of preparing food along side other Chefs, with an golden opportunity to learn and experience a variety of high standard world class cuisine styles from fellow chefs.
- Dealing with deliveries and handling stock rotation.
- Accurately measuring ingredients & accomplishing cooking standards, to then gaining The Higher Standards of Hygiene Certification.
- Given the opportunity to work and handle different sections of the kitchen; Grill, Roast, Vegetable, Pantry, Fry, Butchery, Sauce, Fish, Starters and Main Course.
- Ability to listen, understand & execute information and ideas presented, some at very short notice.
- Knowledge of techniques / equipment, quality control and costs.
- Maintaining sanitation, health and safety standards throughout the work areas.
- Clean food preparation areas, cooking surfaces, and utensils.
- Operate large-volume cooking equipment such as ovens, grills, deep-fat fryers, griddles.
- Verify that prepared food meets requirements for quality and quantity.
- Read food order slips and / or receive verbal instructions as to food required by Head Chef / Staff and Customers, then prepare and cook food according to instructions.
- Wash, cut, and prepare large volumes of food designated for cooking.
- Cook and package batches of food, which are prepared to order or kept hot / cold.
- Employed primarily, to witness and gain hands on experience in the day-to-day handling and activities of this Royal Kitchen Establishment.
- To then going on to developing well versed, and diverse skills in the how's & why's of becoming an accomplished chef.
Education
Qualified Chef - City and Guilds 706 1 & 2 Hotel and Catering, Hospitality, French and Food Hygiene Certification
University of Westminster
London, United Kingdom12.1999
Higher National Diploma - Marketing
University of Westminster
London, United Kingdom12.1999
Music Business Course - Sales & Marketing, Accounts, Public Relations, Sound Engineering
Goldsmith University of London
London, United Kingdom12.1999
Performing Arts Certification - Trained Dancer
Goldsmith University of London
London, United Kingdom12.1999
Skills
- Multimedia
- Sales
- Coaching
- Customer Support/Service
- Safety/Work Safety
- Retail
- Safety Process
- Protective Services
- Inventory Management
- Visual Merchandising
- Warehousing
- Customer Satisfaction
- Marketing
- Retail Sales
- Advertising
- Call Centers
- Field Marketing
- Telesales
- Customer/Consumer Behavior
- Direct Marketing
- Catering Services
- Music
- Public/Media/Press/Analyst Relations
- Audio Engineering
- Consulting
- Business Development
- Baccarat
- Organizational Skills
- Customer Experience
- Sales Promotions
- Record Keeping
- Apparel Design
- Resolve Customer Issues
- Order Processing
- Data Entry
- Sales Prospecting
- Telephone Skills
- Sales Closing Skills
- Cook Dishes
- Customer Relations
- Recipe Development
- Restaurant
- Food Services
- Detail Oriented
- Time Management
- Industry Standards
- Raw Food
- Food Presentation
- Menu Development
- Cost Estimates
- Safety Standards
- Quality Control
- Stock Rotation
- Cost Control
- Event Management
- Entertainment and Media
- Chef (Configuration Management)
- Event Strategy Development
- Event Marketing
- Journalism
- Broadcast Journalism
- Media Campaigns
- Content Development
- Content Delivery/Distribution
- Content Delivery Network (CDN)
- Creative Writing
- Business Writing
- Proposal Writing
- Copy Writing
- Promotional Products
- Online Promotions
- Social Media
- Social Media Marketing
- Management Reporting
- Fashion Industry
- Fashion Journalism
- Fashion Design
- Fashion Trends
- Broadcasting
- Television Broadcasting
- News Agency
- New Media
- News and Media
- Media Library
- Distribution Channel
- Distribution Management
- Distribution Operations
- License Management
- License Agreements
- Wire Service
- Fundraising
- Associated Press
- Order Picking/Packing
- Brand Management
- Staff Requirements
- Sales Management
- YouTube
- Plating Processes
- Menu Management
- Food Safety
- Purchasing/Procurement
- Video production
- Multimedia storytelling
- Event management
- Food safety compliance
- Content creation
- Brand strategy
- Audience engagement
- Social media marketing
- Crisis communication
- Effective collaboration
- Creative problem solving
- Attention to detail
- Relationship building
- Time management
- Public speaking
- Storytelling
- Public opinion research
- Remote broadcasting
- Deadline management
- Podcast production
- Social media engagement
- Videography and photography
- Report editing
- Interviewing strength
- Multimedia operations
- Press release writing
- Recorded segments
- Interviewing techniques
- Fact-checking proficiency
- Television presenting
- Human interest content
- Public opinion expertise
- Research and fact-checking
- Breaking news coverage
- Interview strategies
- Story development
- Content management systems
- Editorial judgment
- Multimedia production
- Story development skill
- Digital analytics tools
- Search engine optimization
- Writing and editing
- Social media reporting
- Interviewing skill
- Background research
- Team building
- Editorial collaboration
- Breaking news tracking
- Verbal and written communication
- Excellent communication
- Mobile Reporting
- Multitasking Abilities
- Daily planning
- Story pitching
- Broadcast journalism
- Decision-making
- Storytelling techniques
- Appointment scheduling
Certification
•City and Guilds 706 1 & 2 Hotel and Catering, Hospitality, French and Food Hygiene Certification
• Hospitality Certification
• Food Handler Certification (ANAB-Accredited)
• TIPS New York ATAP On Premise Alcohol Server Certification
• Hospitality Certification
• Food Handler Certification (ANAB-Accredited)
• TIPS New York ATAP On Premise Alcohol Server Certification
Personal Information
Key Career Highlights
- FGI Involvement: Beyond his nomination, Sebunya is a frequent fixture reporting from GLOBAL red carpets, including executive producing and directing high-impact, measurable, compelling video content/Media Assets for: high-profile events such as The Inauguration DC, The MET Gala, EMMY Awards, New York Fashion Week (NYFW), London Fashion Week (LFW), Tribeca Festival and many other global cultural events, awards and fundraisers... conducting high-profile interviews with celebrities, public figures, industry leaders and the public alike...
- Media Roles: He is an Award-Winning On-Camera Journalist and Executive Producer/Director with global distribution through platforms like Getty Images, MSN, Shutterstock, The Associated Press, BFA, Newsflare, SipaUSA, Google ...
- Culinary Background: He is an Award-Winning Certified Trained Chef whom studied at the prestigious University of Westminster alongside Jamie Oliver, and were both lectured by Gordon Ramsay.
- Fun Fact: He was previously signed to WarnerBros./EastWest France and achieved success on the European radio charts... (deciding to then return, and finish higher education)
Languages
- English, Fluent
- French, Advanced
Work Authorization
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Uganda
- Switzerland
- Ireland
- Isle of Man
- Gibraltar
- Belize
- Norway
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Jersey
- Guernsey
- Paraguay
Accomplishments
A prominent Journalist and Executive Producer/Director, whom was recognized as a finalist for The Fashion Group International (FGI) Rising Star Award. Sebunya was nominated in The Inaugural Content Creator Category, which highlights Original Content Marketing in Digital Media, Fashion, and Beauty. Charles Sebunya' nomination highlighted the growing influence of digital creators in the fashion world, as reported exclusively by WWD.
Certified Trained Award Winning Chef,
Food Handlers Certified, & TIPS Certification
Certified Trained Award Winning Chef,
Food Handlers Certified, & TIPS Certification
Timeline
Stock Control & Visual Merchandiser / Brand Ambassador & Sales Associate
Dsw Shoe Warehouse, Inc.
09.2009 - 03.2010
Collectors Dept. Brand Ambassador / Sales Associate
Nordstrom
11.2007 - 05.2009
Visual Merchandiser & Stock Control
Abercrombie & Fitch Flag Ship Stores
02.2007 - 02.2019
Event Manager / Captain / Ceritifed Chef
COMPASS GROUP, ARAMARK
01.2007 - Current
Event Chef
Eden Hospitality / Temp Positions
01.2007 - Current
Call Center Telesales
Jo Malone Head Office
09.2000 - 02.2001
Brand Manager
Elite Associates Agency
09.1998 - Current
Brand Ambassador / Sales Associate
Selfridges
07.1998 - 05.2007
On-Camera Journalist , Executive Producer/Director
Freelance
01.1998 - Current
Commis Chef
The Royal Automobile Club
01.1997 - 01.1999
Qualified Chef - City and Guilds 706 1 & 2 Hotel and Catering, Hospitality, French and Food Hygiene Certification
University of Westminster
Higher National Diploma - Marketing
University of Westminster
Music Business Course - Sales & Marketing, Accounts, Public Relations, Sound Engineering
Goldsmith University of London
Performing Arts Certification - Trained Dancer
Goldsmith University of London