Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Languages
Interests
Timeline
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ZAAKIRAH GANGAT

ZAAKIRAH GANGAT

Charleston

Summary

I’m a results-focused professional with experience in financial management, project coordination, and leadership across construction, business, and household management. I’m skilled at managing budgets and timelines, building strong client relationships, and staying calm while delivering solutions under pressure.

Overview

11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Career Nanny

Freelance
07.2022 - 07.2025
  • Delivered professional childcare and household support for multiple families across New York, Virginia, and South Carolina, caring for children from infancy through school age
  • Maintained structured daily schedules, including meals, naps, playtime, and school transportation.
  • Prepared nutritious meals and snacks tailored to children’s dietary needs and family preferences.
  • Communicated daily updates to parents on children’s progress, milestones, and routines.

Co-founder & Joint Managing Director

THNDR
11.2020 - 01.2023
  • Enhanced financial strategy, increasing profit margins by 110%, through meticulous budget management and cost analysis.
  • Led social media team and coordinated with brand ambassadors, boosting brand visibility and public awareness.
  • Led planning and scheduling of project timelines for product launches, ensuring timely execution and resource coordination.


Child Care Specialist

Cultural Care Au Pair
06.2021 - 04.2022
  • Managed schedules and coordinated activities for 2 families, ensuring smooth household operations and timely completion of tasks.
  • Provided specialized care for children with special needs, demonstrating strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Collaborated with parents to plan and execute summer camp schedules and play dates, enhancing children's experiences and maintaining effective communication.

Quantity Surveyor

Boshard Construction
01.2020 - 06.2021
  • General Contractor: Experience with ground-up commercial construction, refurbishments, and construction maintenance on a refinery.
  • Managed financial progress of multiple construction sites, ensuring projects met deadlines and stayed within budget, demonstrating strong organizational skills and construction experience.
  • Prepared Letters of Intent and Letters of Appointment for subcontractors during the pre-construction phase, facilitating project initiation and coordination.
  • Measured work progression by all trades on site, compiling monthly payment certificates and cost reports, ensuring accurate financial tracking and reporting.

Semester Vacation Work

Boshard Construction
01.2018 - 12.2019
  • Assisted with ISO compliance and subcontractor audits, ensuring adherence to industry standards and improving project quality.
  • Increased project completion rate by assisting in 3 active head office projects, demonstrating strong organizational skills and construction experience.
  • Prepared tender and contractual documents, ensuring all completed project documents were properly archived and accessible.

Sales Promoter

Tonic&Soda Events and Promotions
01.2015 - 12.2019
  • Enhanced public awareness of products through targeted campaigns, resulting in a 30% increase in client sales.
  • Sold out Nescafé Dolce Gusto coffee makers at my location, driving targeted sales.
  • Collaborated with team members to execute successful promotional events and boost brand visibility.

Intern Quantity Surveyor

Boshard Construction
01.2017 - 12.2017
  • Coordinated on-site measurement meetings with subcontractors, ensuring accuracy in project execution and timely completion.
  • Tracked project budgets and expenses, ensuring cost-effective project delivery and adherence to financial goals.
  • Compiled BOQ (Bill of Quantities) and managed RFIs (Request for Information) & VO's (Variation Orders), demonstrating strong organizational skills and construction experience.

Sales Assistant

Crabtree & Evelyn
03.2015 - 12.2015
  • Delivered exceptional customer service while managing inbound and outbound sales communications, addressing client needs and promoting products.
  • Provided exceptional customer service to enhance the shopping experience and promote loyalty to the brand.
  • Collaborated with team members to ensure a seamless shopping experience for customers and maintain a well-organized store layout.

Education

Bachelor's Degree - Quantity Surveying

Nelson Mandela University

Associate's Degree - Diploma Building

Nelson Mandela University

Bachelor's Pass -

Wynberg Girls' High School

Skills

  • Budgeting and Cost Management
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Detail-Oriented
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Organization Skills
  • Time Management
  • Creative Problem Solving
  • Written and Verbal Communication
  • Client and Vendor Relations
  • Schedule management

Certification

  • Project Management — Cornell University
  • Online Business Entrepreneurship — Hudson County Community College
  • Critical thinking and creative problem solving — Hudson County Community College
  • Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) — Lead Academy
  • Health and Safety — Registered Master Builders Association
  • C105 - Candy Planning and Estimating for Construction Management Training Course — Construction Computer Software (RIB CCS)

Languages

English
Native or Bilingual
Afrikaans
Limited Working

Interests

I enjoy solo travel and spending time outdoors, especially swimming and relaxing at the beach Staying active in my own way is important to me I’m a big Formula 1 fan, so I usually spend Sundays watching the Grand Prix I also value quiet time to recharge and love trying out new restaurants and coffee shops

Timeline

Career Nanny

Freelance
07.2022 - 07.2025

Child Care Specialist

Cultural Care Au Pair
06.2021 - 04.2022

Co-founder & Joint Managing Director

THNDR
11.2020 - 01.2023

Quantity Surveyor

Boshard Construction
01.2020 - 06.2021

Semester Vacation Work

Boshard Construction
01.2018 - 12.2019

Intern Quantity Surveyor

Boshard Construction
01.2017 - 12.2017

Sales Assistant

Crabtree & Evelyn
03.2015 - 12.2015

Sales Promoter

Tonic&Soda Events and Promotions
01.2015 - 12.2019

Associate's Degree - Diploma Building

Nelson Mandela University

Bachelor's Pass -

Wynberg Girls' High School

Bachelor's Degree - Quantity Surveying

Nelson Mandela University

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