Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Temp. Role
Timeline
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Hardik Shah

Student Recruitment | Outreach | Marketing & Branding
Mumbai

Summary

Entrepreneurial, passionate, and ambitious professional with over 15 years of diverse experience across international student recruitment, outreach, marketing, branding, loyalty programs, event management, and experiential activations. As an International University Representative, I have successfully led end-to-end student engagement — from initial introduction to academic programs through application support and visa processing — while building strategic relationships across South Asia and other global markets.

Adept at market research and consumer behavior analysis, I bring a strong ability to craft market-oriented solutions, tailor culturally relevant campaigns, and enhance brand presence in competitive landscapes. My deep background in events and on-ground activations enables me to conceptualize, plan, and execute campaigns and initiatives of any scale, with precision and impact.

Known for driving enrollment growth, improving student experiences, and executing high-impact campaigns, I thrive on challenges that require creativity, strategic thinking, and executional excellence. A confident communicator, well-traveled and globally minded, I bring a unique combination of education sector expertise and commercial marketing insight to every project. Currently seeking to re-establish myself in a dynamic, growth-oriented role where I can apply my extensive skills and global perspective. Open to relocation.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience

Work History

Representative - South Asia

EHL Hospitality Business School
04.2024 - Current
  • Spearheaded student recruitment across South Asia, achieving an impressive 500% year-on-year growth, making it the intake with the highest number of Indian students ever.
  • Catalyst in qualified applications and enrollments through school visits, sessions, education fairs, digital campaigns, and direct engagement.
  • Led regional outreach initiatives, including events, webinars, conferences, agent nurturing, and alumni engagements, to strengthen EHL’s brand presence and market reach.
  • Maintained a 70% conversion rate from applications to enrollment.
  • Collaborated with marketing and admissions teams to tailor culturally relevant campaigns, improving audience resonance and conversion rates.
  • Built and maintained strategic relationships with high schools, career counselors, IECs, consultants, and industry partners to drive long-term enrollment pipelines, and partnerships.
  • Enhanced brand visibility in the South Asian market.

Ikea Family Leader

IKEA - Home Furnishings
08.2022 - 03.2024
  • Led the IKEA Family loyalty program across Mumbai’s multi-format stores, focusing on customer recruitment, activation, engagement, and retention.
  • Drove a 315% increase in membership sign-ups, and a 22% rise in re-visitation through targeted offers and inspirational activities.
  • Boosted IKEA Family members' average transaction value to ₹11K with localized campaigns.
  • Achieved 400% growth in member engagement in FY23 via events, launch previews, and workshops.
  • Planned and executed the first-ever one-market food and kitchen campaign, increasing food ATV by 15% and generating 18% more kitchen planning leads.
  • Organized IKEA’s first in-store customer research talks, enhancing feedback-driven improvements.
  • Won the GAJ contest for customer engagement and feedback at IKEA Navi Mumbai, achieving Mumbai-wide targets.
  • Collaborated cross-functionally to align offers, improve CX, and create commercial opportunities.

Marketing Manager

1441 Pizzeria - A casual dining restaurant chain
12.2021 - 07.2022
  • Led the marketing function for a multi-regional chain, overseeing both company-owned and franchise stores.
  • Crafted and executed integrated multi-channel campaigns to ensure high-impact brand visibility, and targeted audience engagement.
  • Managed relationships with food aggregators and e-commerce partners, driving sales, and maintaining an average 4.5 dine-in and 4+ delivery rating across outlets.
  • Initiated key brand collaborations (e.g., Magic-Pin, Dineout, Paytm), resulting in a 20% uplift in sales.
  • Launched a new SBU focused on catering, corporate deals, and pre-buy gifting, expanding revenue streams.
  • Designed and implemented a loyalty program that improved customer retention to 38%.
  • Directed all agency and vendor relationships, including social media, creative, PR, POS, and digital infrastructure.
  • Conducted regular store visits to maintain consistent brand experience, visual merchandising, and service quality across all locations.

Sales and Marketing Specialist (Contractual)

Adnet Global – Post-Production Agency
11.2020 - 09.2021
  • Led sales & client servicing; managed end-to-end client lifecycle from prospecting to onboarding.
  • Executed targeted digital campaigns to maximize brand exposure and audience relevance.
  • Acted as the single point of contact between U.S. sales and Indian operations teams.
  • Conducted competitive research and secret shopping to inform positioning and offerings.
  • New accounts acquired: Nilkamal, Hafele, Hot & Bold Jewellery, UMA (USA).

Co – Founder

Artistic World – An Event and Ent. Management Agency
01.2014 - 11.2020
  • Founded a start-up focused on experiential events across weddings, corporate, and social segments.
  • Drove business growth through agency/venue partnerships, referrals, and industry influencers.
  • Managed celebrity bookings and profiles, offering full-service support, including PR, social media, and contract management.
  • Developed new themes and concepts through constant market research and trend analysis.
  • Led end-to-end project management for large-scale events, from concept to execution.
  • Oversaw vendor and venue management, including budgeting, negotiations, and on-site coordination.
  • Solely managed the wedding division for Cineyug Entertainment for a year.
  • Key markets: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Mumbai, Goa, Bangalore.

Asst. Manager – Key Accounts & Retail Activations

Nisa Local – A Retail Superstore
09.2010 - 09.2013
  • Managed sales, marketing, and retail merchandising for partnered brands across the UK.
  • Devised a university loyalty program and student events, boosting sales by 8%.
  • Increased revenue by 12–15% through in-store branding sales and smart POS placement, reducing product wastage by 40%.
  • Conducted in-depth market research to identify target audiences and optimize product demand.
  • Led customer service efforts to enhance in-store experience and retention.
  • Key clients: Kraft Foods, Kellogg’s, Lucozade, Buxton, McVitie’s.

Asst. BDM - Marketing & Client Servicing

Beyond Events and Promos (I) Pvt. Ltd.
06.2007 - 08.2010
  • Generated leads, pitched to clients, and mentored a client servicing team to build strong relationships.
  • Conceptualized and managed branding campaigns aligned with ATL themes to create immersive brand experiences.
  • Presented and negotiated activation concepts with C-level executives to secure high-value deals.
  • Launched a corporate gifting division, boosting revenue by 13%.
  • Assisted in planning and executing promotional activations and events, end to end.
  • Managed vendor, venue, and agency relationships to optimize costs and delivery.
  • Key clients: HUL, Maruti, Cisco, Airtel, J&J, Tata Motors, Red FM.

Brand Activation – Project Supervisor

Wizcraft International Entertainment Ltd.
04.2006 - 05.2007
  • Conceptualized and executed events and promotional activities, ensuring smooth delivery.
  • Coordinated between design, creative, production teams, and vendors for flawless activations.
  • Assisted and supervised corporate events, concerts, and experiential activations.
  • Managed artist and celebrity bookings and arrangements for projects.
  • Key project: IIFA Awards (Bollywood award show).

Education

MA (Master’s) - Advertising and Marketing

University of Leeds
Leeds, UK
2011

M.Com (Master’s) - Marketing and Business Management

Mumbai University
Mumbai
2010

B.M.S (Bachelor’s) - Marketing and Advertising

Mumbai University
Mumbai
2008

Skills

  • Student Recruitment and Outreach

  • Student counseling and Lead Management

  • International Sales and Marketing

  • Marketing Campaign & Event management

  • Sponsorship Management

  • Trade Shows and Exhibitions

  • Market Research & Analysis

  • Branding Campaigns & Activations

  • Retail Operations and Experiential Campaign

  • Media relations & Agency Management CRM / Loyalty programme

  • Merchandising and Collaterals (Prints)

Temp. Role

  • Halifax Bank (Leeds, UK) – 6 months
  • Customer Care Executive – Online
  • Gold Service Provider
  • Best performer for 3 consecutive months
  • Helped customers to reset their online banking details, solved website’s navigational issues, processed transactions and post-dated orders

Timeline

Representative - South Asia

EHL Hospitality Business School
04.2024 - Current

Ikea Family Leader

IKEA - Home Furnishings
08.2022 - 03.2024

Marketing Manager

1441 Pizzeria - A casual dining restaurant chain
12.2021 - 07.2022

Sales and Marketing Specialist (Contractual)

Adnet Global – Post-Production Agency
11.2020 - 09.2021

Co – Founder

Artistic World – An Event and Ent. Management Agency
01.2014 - 11.2020

Asst. Manager – Key Accounts & Retail Activations

Nisa Local – A Retail Superstore
09.2010 - 09.2013

Asst. BDM - Marketing & Client Servicing

Beyond Events and Promos (I) Pvt. Ltd.
06.2007 - 08.2010

Brand Activation – Project Supervisor

Wizcraft International Entertainment Ltd.
04.2006 - 05.2007

MA (Master’s) - Advertising and Marketing

University of Leeds

M.Com (Master’s) - Marketing and Business Management

Mumbai University

B.M.S (Bachelor’s) - Marketing and Advertising

Mumbai University

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Hardik ShahStudent Recruitment | Outreach | Marketing & Branding