Darlene R. Cui
San Francisco
Summary
Dynamic professional with a proven track record of success in fast-paced environments across diverse industries. Recognized for exceptional communication skills, sound judgment, and advanced project planning and coordination capabilities that foster a collaborative atmosphere. Solutions-oriented leader with extensive expertise in staffing, hiring, onboarding, operations management, and vendor relations. Committed to driving performance improvement, enhancing operational efficiencies, and consistently exceeding organizational objectives.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Venue and Event Manager
Non Plus Ultra, Inc.
02.2025 - Current
- Designed and executed event logistics for high-profile corporate, private gatherings, and public shows.
- Oversaw budgeting processes, tracking expenses to ensure alignment with financial goals.
- Coordinated on-site management during events, ensuring seamless operations and client satisfaction.
- Managed budgets and negotiated contracts with vendors, ensuring cost-effective event execution.
- Led a team of coordinators, providing mentorship and guidance throughout planning processes.
- Oversaw logistics for multi-day events, including accommodations, transportation, and scheduling.
- Collaborated with clients to create customized event experiences aligned with their vision.
- Managed vendor relationships, ensuring timely delivery of services and materials.
- Developed detailed project plans to streamline event execution and improve efficiency.
Event Production Manager
Non Plus Ultra, Inc.
10.2018 - 02.2025
- Spearhead planning and project management of events, develop timelines, direct staff, and ensure events are executed smoothly to meet client needs.
- Executed small- to larger-scale events such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, Salesforce, and more.
- Deliver friendly, professional customer service, responding to customer inquiries and requests in a timely manner, as well as completing document management and data entry into MS Excel and Salesforce.
- Ensure accurate staffing levels for events, resolve any production issues, and provide leadership and guidance for teams of clients, vendors, and in-house staff.
- Liaised across the organization to complete client requests, acting as a client point of contact and managing customer needs, cultivating strong, trusting client relationships to increase referral business and client retention.
- Drove vendor management, building key, strategic relationships, and increasing sales for the company’s preferred vendor list.
- Supervised venue maintenance and general conditions, maintaining outstanding space, and guaranteeing readiness for events or walkthroughs at any time.
- Played a key role in floorplans, SOPs, rules and regulations, and sales collateral, assisting the marketing department and employing effective cross-functional collaboration.
Bar Manager
Legends
10.2017 - 10.2018
- Delivered positive customer experience while serving guests at multiple bars within Mattress Firm Amphitheater, multi-tasking to ensure all orders completes in a timely manner.
- Completed cash drops and accounted for tips and accurate reporting.
- Managed inventory charged with counting opening and closing inventories and accurately reporting data with MS Excel spreadsheets.
- Drove staff levels, monitoring sales and transferring associates during high-volume sales times.
- Provides direction to employees regarding operational and procedural issues.
- Managing business aspects of the bar, such as negotiating supplier contracts, taking inventory and reordering supplies, managing budgets and setting goals.
- Planning and taking part in promotional events.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Motion Picture & Television
Academy of Arts University
San Francisco, CA01.2013
Bachelor of Science - Computer Engineering
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA01.2010
Skills
- Project & Event Management
- Strategic Organizational Planning
- Process Redesign / Change Management
- Creative Issue Resolution
- Administrative Support
- Data Analysis & Reporting
- Staff Training & Development
- Efficiency & Optimization
- Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, Sharepoint, G Suite, Salesforce, Triple Seat, ConnectTeam, Hot Schedules, Prismm, Expensify
- Event logistics management
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Vendor negotiation
- On-site event coordination
Certification
- CSEP - Certified Special Event Professional
- Project Management Certification Course
Timeline
Senior Venue and Event Manager
Non Plus Ultra, Inc.
02.2025 - Current
Event Production Manager
Non Plus Ultra, Inc.
10.2018 - 02.2025
Bar Manager
Legends
10.2017 - 10.2018
Bachelor of Science - Computer Engineering
San Francisco State University
Bachelor of Arts - Motion Picture & Television
Academy of Arts University