Lara Buys

Experience

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  Nemesia Dameskoshuis

  Jan 2015 - Dec 2015

  House Committee Member

  House Committee member in charge of organizing the house dance, regulating the welcoming and orientation program for first years and organizing social events for the house

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  Gravity Ideas

  Jul 2016 - Jul 2016

  Intern

  I did a week long internship at Gravity, a behavioural sciences company in Cape Town, as part of figuring out what I'd like to do for my career moving forward. As part of my internship I was published on their blog.

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  Gravity Ideas

  Nov 2016 - Feb 2018

  I worked in Market Research, User Testing, and product development. With a focus on the financial services industry in South Africa, I worked with clients such as Capitec Bank and Allan Gray to understand how their customers thought about money (investing, saving, debt, etc.) to develop more effective communication and tools. We helped create financial apps, financial literacy modules and website layouts that were based on how real world consumers engaged with their money.During my time at Gravity I helped grow the company, and train and on board new team members. I Completed two online short courses while working here to formalize the knowledge I gained while working in the field of behavioural science, and assisted in the development of training materials and lesson plans that are taught at higher learning institutions across the country. Show less

  • Junior Behavioural Strategist

    Jan 2017 - Feb 2018

  • Intern

    Nov 2016 - Dec 2016
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  Oscars Arc

  Apr 2017 - Jun 2022

  Pro Volunteer

  I was part of a group of professional "volunteers" who help run the organization in Cape Town. We manage the new and junior volunteers, and engage with the public about the organization and the process of adopting a dog. I conducted and evaluated home-checks, consider applications, manage the day to day running of the organization and the pop-up container, manage vet appointments and visits for dogs based in Cape Town, and assist with any other admin work that needs to happen in the background for the organization to run successfully. A major focus for the pro-volunteers was fundraising and brand awareness, helping to keep the non-profit organization running to save more lives. Show less

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  M&C Saatchi Abel

  Jan 2019 - Apr 2021

  As an account executive for a through the line advertising agency, I worked primarily as a project manager: tracking budgets and timelines, presenting to clients and stakeholders, managing our internal creative and media purchasing teams, and attending shoots/recordings for brand compliance & quality checks.In addition to the administrative side of the job, I was fortunate to hop into the strategic and creative development process from time to time given my background in behavioural science.I worked for a range of clients, but the work I enjoyed the most was for Shoprite's CSR team (giving back to our communities) and for the Investec Cape Town Art Fair (event planning). Show less

  • Account Executive

    Jan 2020 - Apr 2021

  • Intern

    Jan 2019 - Jan 2020
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  Self Employed

  Apr 2021 - Aug 2022

  Freelance Copywriter

  In the gap between leaving the world of "big agency" advertising and moving to Canada, I opted to take a step back and work for myself as a free-lance copy writer & editor . I worked remotely for clients all over the world, writing and editing copy for legal websites, travel blogs, pet brands, and a book celebrating innovation. I supplied copy in a range for formats including blogs, articles, website copy, social media copy and annual performance reports.

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  King James

  Jun 2022 - Aug 2022

  Contract Project Manager @ Atmosphere

  I executed a 3-month contract with Atmosphere. My primary focus during my time with the team was putting together their proposal during a RFP for a major account in the South African marketing landscape. I worked on copy writing & editing, video creation & editing, proposal compliance and submissions.

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  Compass Group Canada

  Aug 2022 - Jan 2025

  Regional marketing manager supporting Compass Group Higher Education campuses across Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. Working with the regional operations teams and the corporate head office divisions to implement and customize marketing programs for students and dining services, creating unique solutions to campus specific challenges, and driving year on year performance growth. I manage the marketing execution & student engagement the food service providers at two leading universities in Atlantic Canada - Acadia University in Wolfville, and Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax. Working with the central Compass Group marketing team, I develop marketing calendars, execute events & pop-ups, plan monthly promotions & features, manage social media and websites, and drive sales for both accounts.

  • Regional Marketing Manager, Eastern Canada

    Jul 2024 - Jan 2025

  • Marketing & Student Engagement Manager

    Aug 2022 - Jul 2024
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  Davis Pier Consulting

  Jan 2025 - now

  Analyst

  Joined the Davis Pier Consulting team as a general Analyst, working across all areas of service delivery and focus within the firm. I’m especially passionate about our work in behavioral science, service design, and population engagement, all with the aim of improving service delivery and the way the public interacts with public services.