Ashan Gunawardena

Experience

• 

  Brandix

  Jan 2009 - Jan 2010

  HR Assitant

  - Managing of Personnel Records and Maintaining HRIS Reports and Profiles.- Developing of Job Descriptions, KPI’s for various job roles across all departments – Casualwear Cluster- Compiling and Developing the Group Training needs analysis reports, the training calendar as well as research and compilation of various additions to the analysis report on alternative and latest training areas and methods.- Organizing and executing events for the group and clusters when required, managing budgets and 3 rd parties. Show less

• 

  ZILLIONe Business Solutions Pvt. Ltd

  Jan 2010 - Jan 2011

  Management Trainee / Business Development Executive

  - Developing Mar-Com plans for Customer Relationship Management & Financial Data Management systems.- Sales & Marketing to Corporate and Government Sector – *Achieving a benchmarked target as a Mgt. Trainee- Renegotiating of terms and renewal of contracts with existing clients whilst researching & suggesting better solutions for existing and foreseeable issues.

• 

  Bates Strategic Alliance and Strategic Alliance PR (exclusive affiliate of Burson-Marsteller)

  Mar 2011 - Nov 2016

  Manager - Special Projects

  - Client servicing, business development & client retention - customer service & service delivery Mgt.- Brand Management & Strategic Planning + Public Relations Management- Conceptualizing of brand strategies & development of 360 degree integrated Mar-Com Plans. - Market, Consumer & Social Research- Event Management & T&D of External partiesKey National Project (3 yrs.) – Key Expert to European Union on Comm's & Project Management - Joint program management between implementing partners, donor organization & the Gov. of SL. EU-SDDP - in partnership with (IFC, UNICEF, UNDP, UNOPS, FAO, ILO)- Field research in assessing ground situation on Income generation, livelihood & local governance to devise the comms strategy- Developing sustainable protocol & procedures to ensure seamless flow in execution of strategy.- Sourcing, negotiating & managing of 3rd party suppliers on deliverable's i.e. – Informational items, Media buying, Commercials/Documentaries, Events, Online & Soc. Media mgt.- Planning & execution of Key events, Script writing & orchestrating the development of documentaries + tactical campaign for their publicity. - In charge of executing the 360 degree communication (include: SM & Online publicity) & building positive social perception for the European Union in Sri Lanka. - Managing relationships with Gov. Institutions & other PPP's for operational needs & mutual benefit.Key National project (2yrs.) – National Project Manager - JAAFPromoting the image whilst pushing for robust positive social perception -142 Factories.- Managing all ATL & BTL executions + public relations activities.- Grooming media on the perception change and creating allies for the industry within the media- Planning, Organizing & Execution of social forums with the key opinion leaders island wide. - Conceptualizing, Planning and Execution of a livelihood development project targeting the industry workers families across 2 years. Show less

• 

  Ogilvy Public Relations

  Feb 2017 - Jul 2017

  Project Manager Business Development & PR

  - Developing Subsidiary for Public relations under Geometry Global. - Generating and following up on leads and converting leads for the new subsidiary under Ogilvy PR. - Development of proposals, PR Campaigns and strategies for various Clients; MALIBAN Group, SAITM, ARPICO - Arpitech, MoneyGram- Developing media relations for clients in dealing with Crisis Situations; Client- SAITM- Devising and execution of PR strategies in cohesion with marketing plans & advertising campaigns.

• 

  Self-employed

  Jul 2017 - Dec 2017

  Consultant - Corporate Communications & PR
• 

  Deloitte Consulting

  Dec 2017 - Jul 2023

  -Developing Business for the local firm for Tax & Audit services; through pursuing White Space clients, GCJ’s and through other tactical BD strategies at ground level. -Develop Business for regional firm on Advisory Services – Financial, Risk and Consulting Practices.-Managing client retention through relationship management reviving client relationships. -Supporting the development of brand and operational development strategy - Deloitte Lanka Operations -Managing client relationship throughout delivery and providing oversight and project management support to delivery teams.-Point of contact for all client’s queries, conflict resolution, grievances, process mgt, and issues resolution. -Overall responsibility for Brand Management & Corporate Identity of the Local Firm. Show less

  • Senior Project Manager

    Apr 2021 - Jul 2023

  • Manager - Clients & Industries

    Dec 2017 - Mar 2021
• 

  Towerponics Grow Corp Pvt. Ltd

  Jan 2024 - now

  Operations Lead / Aeroponic Tower Manufacturer & Agri-Autonomist.

  - Oversight of all R&D on manufacturing of Aeroponic towers and its domestic as well as commercial application / viability in Sri Lankan farming industry. - Managing overall financials & daily operations of R&D centers. The R&D Centers serves as the primary point of research & product development of the tech manufactured by the company as well as the testing ground for various crops through the use of Aeroponic towers.- Develop the company’s brand strategy & got-to-market plan. - Providing training to local farmers on application of Aeroponic tower farming across Sri Lanka- Establishing & Managing external partnerships with corporates and SME’s within the farming industry in providing advisory services on adapting modern farming practices & the use of technology.- In-charge of T&D of all team members on the skills required to run & manage R&D centers + model sites. Show less