Esther W. Karanja
Nairobi
Summary
As a dynamic marketing professional with extensive experience in project management, corporate marketing and communications, I am pivoting to the development/NGO sector to align my skills with my passion for social impact. My goal is to apply my expertise in program management, strategic communication, and stakeholder engagement to advance transformative initiatives, particularly in humanitarian aid, community development, and capacity building.
Accomplished communications and marketing strategist with over a decade of experience leading regional projects in the technology and development sectors. Skilled in running multiple cross-functional projects from inception to completion, ensuring on-time delivery and alignment with organizational goals. Proven expertise in crafting and executing impactful communication strategies, driving stakeholder engagement, and managing large-scale budgets. Proven ability to design and execute impactful campaigns that enhance organizational visibility and generate measurable outcomes, evidenced by a 61% customer engagement increase across diverse regions. Skilled in budget development and optimization, adept at managing multimillion-dollar portfolios to drive efficiency and achieve organizational goals. Strong track record of collaborating with diverse stakeholders to align strategies with local and regional priorities, ensuring sustainable impact. Experienced in mentoring, capacity-building, and community engagement, fostering inclusive environments to drive social development initiatives. Passionate about applying strategic management and data-driven decision-making to enhance program outcomes and achieve long-term organizational objectives.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Operations Manager
Transformation Tribe Foundation
02.2025 - Current
- Role: Program Management & Coordination, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Budgeting & Financial Oversight, Monitoring & Evaluation, Compliance & Reporting, Staff & Volunteer Management, Community Engagement & Outreach
- Core responsibilities include but not limited to a successful program implementation, demonstrating leadership, data driven decisions, budget and resources management, program monitoring and evaluation, donor and community satisfaction, expansion of program reach, risk management and problem resolutions, staff and volunteer development, increased stakeholder development
- Conducted regular performance reviews, identifying areas for improvement and developing action plans to address them.
- Managed budgets effectively, consistently delivering projects on-time and within financial constraints.
Volunteer Coordinator for Education and Nutrition Support
Community Outreach Program, Kenya
01.2004 - Current
- Coordinated a volunteer-based initiative that provided school fee support and food assistance to over 100 primary school children annually in rural Kenya
- Led fundraising campaigns, raising $30,000 to cover school fees, meals, and educational materials for bright students
- Developed partnerships with local organizations and schools, improving access to education for children from underserved communities
- Organized community events and outreach programs to raise awareness about the importance of education and proper nutrition for children
- Focused on sustainability by creating a long-term funding model to ensure continued support for the children's education and well-being
- Established strong relationships with local organizations, fostering collaboration and expanding volunteer opportunities.
- Organized recognition events to show appreciation for volunteer contributions, boosting morale and promoting a positive organizational culture.
- Led volunteer appreciation events, fostering sense of community and belonging among participants.
Youth Mentor
Grassroots for Innovation & Change
Nairobi, Nairobi Province
05.2024 - 12.2024
- Role: Program Management; Mentorship and Support; Training Management; Community Engagement; Progress Monitoring and Evaluation; Advocacy and Representation; and Resource Mobilization
- Spearheaded youth mentorship programs, enabling over 10 young individuals to enhance career readiness and develop critical soft skills, contributing to long-term personal and professional growth
- Collaborated with local schools and organizations to design and execute 15 impactful community workshops, fostering engagement and skill-building among participants
- Champion for mental health awareness, leading targeted community initiatives that reached over 80 individuals, reducing stigma and providing access to vital resources and support
- Provided guidance and recommended coping mechanisms for youth dealing with difficult issues.
Senior Field Marketing Manager
Oracle Africa Operations
10.2016 - 01.2024
- Role: Data driven decision making, Strategic Marketing Leadership, Budget & Resource Management, Global Coordination & Local Adoption, Product Marketing & Go-to-Market Plans, Campaign Development and Execution; Collaboration with Sales Teams; Event Management; Performance Monitoring and Reporting; Brand Management; Team Leadership; and Stakeholder Engagement, Lead generation & demand generation, Customer Engagement & Retention
- Boosted Oracle's market presence in Africa by managing multimillion-dollar budgets and implementing targeted marketing strategies, driving brand visibility and regional growth
- Achieved a 61% increase in customer engagement by directing the strategic planning and execution of high-impact marketing campaigns
- Generated $1.2M in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) by collaborating with key stakeholders to execute the Modern Business Forum, promoting demand for AI and cloud solutions
- Enhanced cross-departmental collaboration through leadership of multi-functional initiatives, improving project outcomes and operational efficiency
- Transformed stakeholder engagement strategies by organizing prestigious events such as the Forbes Person of the Year forum, strengthening Oracle's industry leadership and customer relationships
- Created compelling event experiences that fostered brand loyalty among attendees.
- Developed comprehensive training materials to educate sales teams on new products and promotions.
- Optimized marketing budgets by closely monitoring expenditures and identifying cost-saving opportunities.
- Spearheaded regional initiatives that supported company expansion into new markets and territories.
Regional Marketing Assistant Manager - Sub Saharan Africa
Oracle Africa Operations
Nairobi, Nairobi Province
11.2012 - 09.2016
- Role: Marketing Strategy Development; Brand Management & Awareness; Public Relations; Event Planning; Internal Communications; Digital Marketing & Traditional Channels; Stakeholder Engagement; and Market Research
- Spearheaded the design and execution of integrated communication strategies, significantly enhancing brand visibility and aligning key stakeholders across multiple channels
- Delivered actionable, data-driven marketing insights that directly influenced strategic decisions, positioning the company as a leader in the market
- Developed and executed high-impact social media strategies, surpassing industry benchmarks and driving exceptional audience engagement and growth
- Cultivated and strengthened strategic partner and client relationships through targeted initiatives and collaborative campaigns, resulting in improved long-term business outcomes
Marketin, Public Relations & Global Data Protection Officer
Oracle Africa Operations
Nairobi, Nairobi Province
11.2007 - 09.2012
- Role: Marketing Strategy & Campaigns; Public Relations; Brand Management; Data Protection; Event Management; Content Creation; Stakeholder Engagement; and Monitoring and Reporting
Customer Experience and Asset Finance Assistant
NIC Bank
Nairobi, Nairobi Province
04.2006 - 06.2007
- Role: Customer Service; Process Improvement; Relationship Management; and Compliance
- Supported the finance team by processing invoices and expense claims promptly and accurately.
- Proactively identified potential risks within the organization''s finances, alerting management to concerns as needed.
- Managed and responded to correspondence and inquiries from customers and vendors.
Teacher (English and Literature)
Upper Hill Secondary School
Nairobi, Nairobi Province
05.2004 - 04.2005
- Role: Curriculum Development; Student Assessment; Mentorship and Guidance; and Administrative Management
- Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
- Organized extracurricular activities such as clubs or field trips that enriched students' learning experiences outside traditional classroom settings.
Education
Ph.D. - Project Management
Swiss International School of Business Management
Switzerland 01.2025 - Current
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Strategic Management
Strathmore University Business School
Nairobi 01.2007 - 06.2010
Bachelor of Education - English & Literature
The Catholic University of Eastern Africa
08.2002 - 10.2005
Skills
- Strategic Communication
- Programme Management
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Impact Measurement
- Budget Management
- Cross-Cultural Collaboration
- Program and Project Management
- KPI Management
- Monitoring and Evaluation
Problem-solving
Performance monitoring
Operations management
Data analysis
Planning and implementation
Timeline
Operations Manager
Transformation Tribe Foundation
02.2025 - Current
Ph.D. - Project Management
Swiss International School of Business Management
01.2025 - Current
Youth Mentor
Grassroots for Innovation & Change
05.2024 - 12.2024
Senior Field Marketing Manager
Oracle Africa Operations
10.2016 - 01.2024
Regional Marketing Assistant Manager - Sub Saharan Africa
Oracle Africa Operations
11.2012 - 09.2016
Marketin, Public Relations & Global Data Protection Officer
Oracle Africa Operations
11.2007 - 09.2012
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Strategic Management
Strathmore University Business School
01.2007 - 06.2010
Customer Experience and Asset Finance Assistant
NIC Bank
04.2006 - 06.2007
Teacher (English and Literature)
Upper Hill Secondary School
05.2004 - 04.2005
Volunteer Coordinator for Education and Nutrition Support
Community Outreach Program, Kenya
01.2004 - Current
Bachelor of Education - English & Literature
The Catholic University of Eastern Africa
08.2002 - 10.2005
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