Flavia Balas

Arcual is an art and tech startup founded in 2022 through a collaboration between Art Basel and LUMA Foundation. Leveraging the expertise of BCG Digital Ventures in technology and Web3, Arcual aims to empower artists by placing them at the heart of the art ecosystem.

As an Operations Manager, I operate at the intersection of People & Culture and Finance, overseeing operations across three hubs and actively contributing to cross-departmental initiatives. Key successes include:

• Crafting a robust hardware policy and implementing a new joiners deck and buddy system to enhance onboarding experiences.
• Spearheading seamless onboarding and offboarding processes for optimal employee transitions.
• Championing the research, negotiation, and implementation of tools for process optimization (travel, MDM, people enablement software, accounting solution).
• Orchestrating captivating company retreats and events to foster team cohesion as well as creating an employee champion scheme.
• Leading and co-creating impactful learning and development initiatives.
• Facilitating thought-provoking Lunch and Learn sessions and workshops on biases and leadership styles.
• Driving the design and analysis of pulse surveys to generate actionable insights.
• Leading the internal sustainability team, working on reporting and initiating projects.
• Collaborating on payroll management together with our thrid party partner.
• Providing meticulous oversight of invoice and expense processes to enhance reporting capabilities.

Web 3.0 Foundation's mission is to nurture cutting-edge applications for decentralized web software protocols. It aims to deliver a decentralized and fair internet where users control their own data and identity.

As an Operations Specialist at Web3 Foundation, I operated at the intersection of operational efficiency and organizational growth, orchestrating a myriad of responsibilities to drive success within the dynamic Web3 landscape. Notable achievements during my tenure include:

• Crafting and executing HR sourcing strategies to attract top talent, aligning with the organization's mission and vision.
• Championing the planning and execution of four international company retreats, fostering team cohesion and synergy across diverse teams.
• Collaborating with external partners to conceptualize and implement our company SWAG initiative, enhancing brand visibility and employee engagement.
• Developing robust intra-office communication protocols, enhancing collaboration and efficiency within the team.
• Facilitating travel arrangements for team members, ensuring smooth logistics, and minimizing disruptions and costs.
• Spearheading contract and price negotiations with office vendors and service providers, driving cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency.
• Successfully overseeing the relocation of the office from a smaller space to a larger one, managing the entire process to ensure a seamless transition for all stakeholders.

During my tenure at Marriott International, Inc., I progressed from a trainee to an event executive, managing events across two countries and three properties. Responsibilities included:

• Handling group and convention requests, negotiating contracts, and coordinating event logistics.
• Providing daily reports to managers, ensuring transparent communication.
• Organizing corporate events and group reservations, providing personalized client care.
• Conducting site inspections and briefing other departments on upcoming reservations.
• Driving new business growth and maintaining client relationships through strategic networking.
• Capturing sales opportunities and effectively managing guest complaints.
• Monitoring revenue and competition, conducting regular research to stay informed of industry trends.
• Maintaining up-to-date account and contact databases in the property management system.