Gerald Czaja

Experience

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  Aerotek

  Mar 1999 - May 2001

  Technical Recruiter

  Launched career in technical recruiting by connecting engineering and IT professionals with roles at client companies, including several Fortune 500 firms. • Quickly developed a reputation for assessing candidate fit and client needs accurately, resulting in efficient placement of qualified candidates and high client satisfaction rates. • Managed the full recruitment cycle (sourcing, screening, interviewing, onboarding), coordinating closely with client hiring managers and internal account executives to ensure alignment on requirements. • Demonstrated strong communication and problem-solving skills by addressing hiring challenges – such as hard-to-fill roles or urgent requests – through creative sourcing strategies and rapid adjustments. • Consistently met or exceeded recruitment targets, contributing to the growth of Aerotek’s client base and earning recognition as a reliable, high-performing team member. Show less

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  Wizard Connection

  Aug 2001 - Jan 2007

  Sales Executive

  Drove substantial sales growth for an event design and production company by developing new client relationships and delivering creative event solutions. • Managed key accounts and secured high-profile event contracts with major corporate clients, contributing to a significant expansion of the company’s client portfolio. • Collaborated with event designers, decorators, and logistics crews to ensure flawless execution of events, aligning team efforts with client expectations and event objectives. • Demonstrated quick problem-solving on event projects, addressing last-minute changes and challenges calmly and effectively to maintain client confidence and event success. • Contributed to a high-performing sales team culture by sharing industry best practices and mentoring new sales representativ Show less

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  Ryah Creative Group

  Jan 2007 - Dec 2010

  Business Development Manager

  Spearheaded business development and sales for a growing event and multimedia production agency, establishing a strategic growth plan that substantially increased annual revenue and client base. • Identified and pursued new business opportunities with corporate clients converting prospects into long-term partnerships and driving a 200% increase in annual sales over a four-year period. • Collaborated with creative, marketing, and production teams to craft compelling proposals and deliver integrated solutions, ensuring all departments were aligned with client expectations and project goals. • Employed a hands-on, problem-solving approach to address client challenges, customizing event strategies to meet unique needs and securing a high rate of client satisfaction and repeat business. • Mentored junior account executives and fostered a high-performance, client-centric culture within the sales team, resulting in improved team cohesion and consistent revenue growth. Show less

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  AVI-SPL

  Dec 2010 - Sept 2014

  Account Manager

  Generated significant revenue growth in the audio-visual technology market by developing strategic account plans and expanding business with enterprise clients. • Managed end-to-end sales cycles for complex AV integration projects, quickly translating client business needs into technical solutions in collaboration with engineering and operations teams. • Built trusted advisor relationships with client executives and IT stakeholders (including Fortune 500 companies), ensuring solutions aligned with their strategic objectives and facility requirements. • Consistently surpassed sales targets, achieving up to 150% of annual quota through proactive account development, upselling/cross-selling, and exceptional service delivery. • Coordinated closely with cross-functional teams (engineering, project management, customer support) to maintain alignment and clear communication, resulting in on-time project completions and high client satisfaction. Show less

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  Freeman Company

  Oct 2014 - Jun 2020

  Drove strategic business development efforts targeting agency partners, creating a new pipeline of opportunities that led to a significant increase in event production contracts. • Built and maintained relationships with senior executives at partner agencies and Fortune 500 client companies, collaborating on solutions that expanded Freeman’s market reach. • Quickly identified and addressed client needs and challenges, coordinating with internal sales, creative, and operations teams to propose effective event solutions and win new business. • Exceeded first-year business development targets by securing multiple new agency partnerships worth over $6M in revenue, demonstrating a strong growth mindset and results-driven approach. • Fostered alignment and communication between the agency division and other departments, ensuring seamless execution of projects and a unified approach to client service. Show less Managed a portfolio of high-value corporate clients (including Fortune 500 companies) in the events and brand marketing space, delivering innovative solutions that drove client engagement and repeat business. • Provided strategic consultative guidance to client executive teams, leveraging deep industry expertise to shape event strategies aligned with their business objectives and brand messaging. • Led cross-functional internal teams (creative design, operations, marketing) to plan and execute large-scale events, ensuring all departments remained aligned with client expectations and project timelines. • Proactively resolved on-site challenges and complex logistical issues with quick, effective solutions, resulting in consistently successful events and high customer satisfaction ratings. • Mentored new Client Solutions Managers and shared best practices, contributing to a high-performance team that exceeded sales and client retention targets year-over-year. Show less

  • Business Development Manager/Agency

    Jul 2019 - Jun 2020

  • Sr. Client Solutions Manager

    Oct 2014 - Jul 2019
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  Code Red Roofers

  Jul 2020 - Oct 2023

  Spearheaded company-wide growth initiatives and corporate strategy as an executive board member, driving a 200% increase in annual revenue and significant geographic expansion over tenure. • Oversaw key corporate functions (HR, operations, sales, marketing) and introduced streamlined processes to quickly resolve organizational challenges, improving overall efficiency and scalability. • Collaborated closely with the CEO, fellow board members, and department heads to align cross-functional teams with the company’s strategic objectives, ensuring unified execution of growth plans. • Built and mentored high-performing teams across corporate service departments, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and operational excellence. • Championed open communication and alignment across the organization, bridging field operations and corporate offices to enhance stakeholder engagement and support rapid growth. Show less Led overall company operations and business development during a pivotal growth phase, applying strategic leadership to improve performance and prepare the company for expansion. • Quickly assessed operational inefficiencies and implemented effective solutions (such as new workflow systems and training programs) that increased project delivery speed and customer satisfaction. • Worked closely with the CEO and executive board to set company direction and execute strategy, aligning sales, operations, and marketing efforts with growth objectives. • Recruited, developed, and managed high-performing teams in both sales and operations, establishing clear performance goals and fostering a culture of safety, quality, and excellence. • Promoted transparent communication and cross-department alignment, ensuring that field crews, sales teams, and support staff were coordinated and focused on common company goals. Show less

  • Vice President of Corporate Services and Growth / Executive Board

    Jun 2021 - Oct 2023

  • General Manager/Executive Board

    Jul 2020 - Jul 2021
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  His Image Solutions

  Jan 2024 - now

  Business Development Consultant

  • Provide strategic leadership and growth-oriented guidance to multiple client organizations, quickly assessing business challenges and delivering actionable solutions that improve performance. • Partner directly with C-suite executives (including Fortune 500 leaders) to develop and implement corporate growth strategies, ensuring alignment with each company’s vision and market opportunities. • Leverage cross-functional expertise across sales, operations, HR, and marketing to design comprehensive business improvement plans that drive sustainable growth for clients. • Build and lead a high-performing consulting team, instilling a focus on results, accountability, and continuous improvement in addressing client needs. • Facilitate clear communication and alignment across all levels of client organizations, bridging gaps between departments and stakeholders to ensure successful execution of strategic initiatives. Show less