Resume

Apsida Life Science is a specialist recruitment business Headquartered in Surrey, with offices in London UK, Boston USA and Pretoria, SA. We provide a recruitment service that delivers genuine value and exceptional experiences through bespoke, cost-effective solutions grounded in quality and integrity. Leveraging our inch-wide, mile-deep networks we’re expertly placed to support your hiring needs across the CRO, Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Medical Device, CDMO, eClinical, Patient Recruitment & DCT space.

As an Associate Recruitment Consultant at Apsida Life Science, I specialise in talent acquisition for the CDMO sector across the UK, Europe, and North America. My focus areas include Manufacturing, Quality Assurance/Quality Control, and Technical Operations.

I partner with both candidates and clients to create impactful, long-term matches that align technical expertise with business objectives and team culture.

.Key responsibilities:
• Proactively source and engage high-calibre professionals using advanced search methods, market mapping, and talent pipelining strategies.
• Assess candidate suitability for both current vacancies and future opportunities within the CDMO space.
• Deliver tailored recruitment support by understanding each client’s specific operational and regulatory environment.
• Provide detailed market feedback and industry insights to internal stakeholders and hiring managers.
• Support business development initiatives by identifying talent trends and maintaining deep candidate networks.

Nov 2024 - Present (Remote)

Purpose-Driven Storytelling | Research & Editorial Writing | Social Impact Communications 

GoodViral is a purpose-driven organization and podcast that helps businesses integrate social impact into their leadership and operations to enhance profitability and community engagement. Through keynote speaking, consulting, and storytelling, GoodViral highlights individuals and organizations making a positive societal and environmental impact.

• Researched and authored inspiring, solutions-focused articles highlighting global innovations, human resilience, and positive social and environmental change.

• Created content that aligned with GoodViral’s mission of promoting socially responsible leadership, uplifting narratives, and values-based business practices.

• Ensured all written work was optimised for readability, clarity, and audience engagement, while upholding journalistic standards and factual integrity.

• Collaborated with editors to refine voice, tone, and structure, contributing to a growing platform that merges storytelling with social impact strategy. 

Jan 2022 - Sep 2024 (Daegu, South Korea)

Global Education Leadership | Talent Development | Cross-Cultural Team Management

• Acted as a strategic advisor to the CEO, spearheading global expansion and building people-focused systems across multiple education firms and consulting organisations in South Korea.

• Directed international operations and led multicultural teams across seven campuses, implementing people-first strategies to improve performance, cohesion, and culture.

• Managed end-to-end global recruitment—designing and executing hiring strategies, leveraging ATS platforms to streamline talent pipelines, ensure compliance, and deliver high-quality candidate experiences.

• Mentored and coached senior leaders, driving leadership development and improving team dynamics and collaboration across cultures.

• Implemented collaborative work systems using Slack (internal comms), Notion (knowledge sharing), and Asana (project coordination) to boost transparency and accountability.

• Oversaw large-scale people initiatives including curriculum revamps, international onboarding, and employee engagement programmes.

• Led corporate rebranding projects as Vice President (VP) at BeTop Kids and OrangeCat Education, aligning messaging with strategic expansion and people engagement goals.

• Directed global communication for Son's Edu, managing online presence across Meta, LinkedIn, and website platforms (Wix, GoDaddy), reinforcing brand identity and internal culture. 

Nov 2016 - Jan 2016 (Daegu, South Korea) 

People Management | Talent Strategy | Cross-Cultural HR Systems

• Hired, mentored, and trained over 100 educators, significantly improving classroom delivery, staff retention, and student outcomes across multiple campuses.

• Managed a diverse, high-performing teaching team, fostering engagement, collaboration, and professional growth.

• Led the design and delivery of large-scale education programmes, directly impacting learning outcomes and student satisfaction.

• Developed and executed strategic, end-to-end recruitment frameworks, ensuring alignment between talent acquisition, onboarding, and long-term retention.

• Spearheaded the transition to emergency online education during the COVID-19 pandemic, coordinating cross-campus implementation and digital upskilling.

• Built and executed marketing and social media strategies (Meta, LinkedIn) to elevate brand visibility and attract top talent.

• Designed and maintained professional websites using Wix and GoDaddy to support outreach and stakeholder engagement.

• Recognised a critical organisational gap and proactively advocated for the creation of a dedicated Global HR function—ensuring international staff had access to contracts compliant with Korean labour law, English-language documentation, and a central platform for support and conflict resolution.

• Pioneered inclusive HR practices by setting up systems that prioritised employee well-being, clear communication, and cultural integration. 

Nov 2013 - Nov 2016  (Daegu, South Korea)

Instructional Strategy | Educator Coaching | Curriculum Innovation

• Led and mentored a team of 13+ educators, driving consistent instructional quality, professional growth, and performance alignment with institutional objectives.

• Designed and delivered comprehensive teacher training programmes, improving classroom management, student engagement, and lesson effectiveness—reflected in a 25% rise in performance evaluation scores.

• Oversaw structured performance reviews and implemented data-informed improvement plans, contributing to a 30% increase in student satisfaction and academic consistency.

• Developed and refined customised curricula, aligning content with learner profiles, institutional benchmarks, and evolving pedagogy—resulting in a 20% boost in test performance.

• Revamped lesson planning through interactive, tech-integrated, and project-based learning models, increasing student engagement by 40% and retention by 15%.

• Acted as a liaison between faculty and senior leadership, advocating for teacher resources and development while ensuring compliance with educational standards. 

Jan 2020 - Sep 2024 (Daegu & Seoul, South Korea, Hybrid)

 Strategic Hiring | Cross-Border Recruitment | Brand-Led Talent Engagement

• Full-Cycle Global Recruitment: Managed high-volume, cross-functional hiring across diverse geographies and industries, sourcing top-tier talent for both technical and non-technical roles.

• International Talent Strategy: Designed and executed scalable hiring plans aligned with organisational growth, local market nuances, and international compliance standards.

• Employer Branding & Communication: Developed brand-aligned internal and external messaging to elevate employer reputation, enhance candidate experience, and attract culturally aligned professionals.

• Social Media Talent Engagement: Led multi-platform content creation and campaigns (LinkedIn, X/Twitter, Meta, Instagram), boosting brand visibility and driving qualified inbound interest.

• Website UX & SEO Optimisation: Directed website redesign projects and SEO initiatives, increasing qualified applicant traffic and conversion rates by 30%.

• Stakeholder & Executive Alignment: Crafted tailored communication materials, job briefs, and messaging strategies to align hiring goals with business needs across departments.

• Tech-Driven Recruitment Innovation: Introduced AI-powered sourcing tools and data-driven workflows, reducing time-to-hire by 30% and improving funnel quality. 

Sep 2012 - Sep 2013 (Daegu, South Korea)

Curriculum Development | Student-Centred Instruction | Language Acquisition

• Designed and delivered dynamic, age-appropriate lesson plans for learners aged 6–16, fostering measurable growth in English language proficiency, fluency, and classroom confidence.

• Facilitated customised Business English seminars for adult professionals, adapting instruction to meet varied industry needs and individual learning styles.

• Developed and implemented full curricula for elementary and middle school programmes, including the creation of seasonal intensive courses (summer/winter), tailored to institutional goals and student progression.

• Promoted an inclusive, interactive learning environment using multimedia resources and communicative teaching methods to boost learner engagement across age groups. 

May 2012 - Aug 2013 (Washington, D.C.)

 NGO Leadership | Conflict Transformation | Cross-Cultural Programme Management

• Served as a core leadership figure in a high-impact nonprofit programme uniting emerging Israeli and Palestinian changemakers through internships, dialogue, and civic leadership training.

• Facilitated cross-cultural leadership development and team-building initiatives, equipping participants with the skills to lead within divided societies and engage in constructive conflict resolution.

• Managed stakeholder communications with high-profile institutions including the U.S. Congress, Al Jazeera, the World Bank, and various embassies, ensuring meaningful engagement and visibility for the programme.

• Coordinated multi-agency events, including embassy briefings and advocacy sessions, while supporting participant placement in prestigious internship roles across Washington, D.C.

• Contributed to the organisation’s mission of empowering the next generation of peacebuilders, with a strong focus on storytelling, empathy-driven leadership, and community impact. 

Nov 2011 - May 2012 (Tsalenjikha, Georgia)

Education Access | Cross-Cultural Exchange | Community Empowerment

• Taught Interactive English Communication to primary students (ages 6–12), as well as adult learners—including local teachers, healthcare professionals, and community leaders—in rural Georgian settings.

• Organised and led community-wide English cultural events, including an original English-language play, officially endorsed by the former President of Georgia, to promote language learning and cross-cultural appreciation.

• Played an active role in developing the town’s cultural and academic centre, contributing to sustainable educational infrastructure and increased community engagement with global perspectives.

• Supported local educators through capacity-building workshops and informal training, helping to strengthen long-term English teaching standards in the region. 

Jan 2010 - Jul 2011 (Stellenbosch, Part-Time)

Higher Education | Curriculum Design | Bilingual Instruction & Research Support

• Designed curriculum content, assessments, and learning materials for over 300 undergraduate students, supporting academic delivery in both the Department of Education (Curriculum Studies) and the Department of History.

• Delivered undergraduate lectures and tutorials, fostering critical engagement and academic development across diverse student cohorts.

• Translated and edited academic materials between English and Afrikaans, ensuring clarity, accessibility, and linguistic accuracy in course delivery.

• Provided direct research and administrative support to Dr. Chet Fransch, contributing to ongoing academic publications, archival research, and academic planning initiatives. 

Feb 2010 - Jul 2010 (Stellenbosch, Part-Time)

Global Education Partnerships | Higher Education Strategy | Cross-Cultural Programme Management

• Oversaw academic and cultural exchange programmes between Stellenbosch University and partner institutions in China and Europe, strengthening global academic cooperation and intercultural understanding.

• Managed all aspects of international programme operations—from student placement to institutional collaboration—within a higher education framework aligned with both local and international standards.

• Organised high-impact liaison events and delegation visits, fostering strategic partnerships and enhancing the Confucius Institute’s visibility and academic relevance.

• Spearheaded campus-wide initiatives to promote Chinese language and culture, increasing student participation and stakeholder engagement through well-executed events, seminars, and cultural showcases.

• Played a key role in positioning the Institute as a bridge for cross-border education and diplomacy, with a strong emphasis on inclusive global learning experiences. 

Jun 2010 - Jul 2010 (Washington, D.C.)

 International Research | NGO Programming | Global Leadership Development

• Selected as one of only 13 South Africans for the prestigious South African Washington International Program (SAWIP)—a U.S.-based leadership initiative focused on global citizenship, ethical leadership, and social impact.

• Conducted targeted research in International Relations and Economic Development, contributing to educational workshops and public policy discussions hosted by the World Affairs Council.

• Led the planning and coordination of Embassy events in Washington, D.C., promoting intercultural dialogue and international cooperation among diplomatic stakeholders.

• Produced research briefs on BRICS economic growth and sustainability, supporting broader conversations on emerging global economies and their role in international affairs.

• Engaged in a collaborative leadership programme involving NGOs, civic leaders, and public institutions, cultivating a deeper understanding of social justice and cross-cultural diplomacy.