Roman Kulik
Chief of Staff | Strategy & Growth Leader | Real Estate & Finance Executive
Amsterdam, NL.About
Highly accomplished Chief of Staff and Strategy & Growth Leader with over 7 years of experience driving significant financial transactions, strategic investments, and operational transformations within real estate and hospitality. Expert in leading complex CapEx programs, optimizing financial models, and orchestrating M&A due diligence, consistently delivering measurable impact and fostering organizational growth.
Work
The Social Hub (backed by GIC - Singaporean SWF)
|Chief of Staff to CEO & Founder (Strategy & Growth Office)
Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Netherlands
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Summary
Led the Project Management Office for a €250 million CapEx Asset Management program, driving strategic initiatives, investor relations, and organizational transformation for a GIC-backed hospitality firm.
Highlights
Directed a €250M CapEx Asset Management program for property enhancements (room renovation, F&B outlets, team reorg), successfully raising €50M from shareholders and progressing towards a €200M tranche.
Delivered key milestones in Amsterdam & Barcelona, achieving +30% EBITDA by upgrading rooms, F&B, and team structures, demonstrating strong operational and financial impact.
Developed comprehensive P&L and cashflow models for internal and external analysis, ranging from operational assumptions of outlets to unlevered IRR calculations for investors.
Directed a strategic €8M investment in EdTech scale-up Talent Garden, aligning with company vision and core business enhancement through market research, due diligence, and investment process.
Supported the CEO in pivoting the company from a project-based to operator-focused environment through organizational restructuring, adjustment of meeting structures, and optimized information flows.
The Social Hub (backed by GIC - Singaporean SWF)
|Finance & Business Development Manager
Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Netherlands
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Summary
Orchestrated complex financial transactions and strategic planning for a €2.1 billion M&A deal, driving digital transformation and optimizing annual planning cycles.
Highlights
Successfully led Commercial Due Diligence and business plan creation for a €2.1 billion M&A transaction, selling Aermont's stake to GIC, coordinating with Morgan Stanley and other advisors.
Secured investor approval for a transformational project, planning investments up to €150M in digital platform and physical asset upgrades, encompassing program scoping, upside quantification, and benchmark analysis.
Implemented and managed a revised Annual Planning Cycle, reducing process length by 30% and fostering a more aligned organization with enhanced financial templates and reporting structures.
The Social Hub (backed by GIC - Singaporean SWF)
|Business Development Associate
Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Netherlands
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Summary
Managed a €16 million investment program focused on strategic transformation across Real Estate, Brand, IT, and Finance, while driving significant cost efficiencies.
Highlights
Managed a €16M investment program within the Transformation Office, accelerating strategic initiatives across Real Estate, Brand, IT, and Finance.
Achieved 40% YoY recurring cost reduction measures at HQ-level through frequent C-suite interactions, demonstrating effective financial management.
The Social Hub (backed by GIC - Singaporean SWF)
|Investment Analyst
Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Netherlands
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Summary
Conducted financial underwriting for real estate investment opportunities and supported critical cost-cutting responses during the Covid-19 outbreak.
Highlights
Managed financial underwriting for multiple investment opportunities in the UK and led deal sourcing efforts, contributing to portfolio growth.
Coordinated C-suite, shareholders, and PWC during the Covid-19 outbreak to define immediate cost-cutting measures, supported by financial analysis and scenario modeling.
Zoku Hotels
|Development Manager
Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Netherlands
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Summary
Spearheaded financial modeling and value engineering initiatives to enhance Zoku's strategic proposition and facilitate deal underwriting.
Highlights
Created and implemented a new financial model for deal underwriting, streamlining investment evaluation processes.
Led the Value Engineering project, aimed at improving Zoku's strategic proposition towards developers and enhancing project viability.
Zoku Hotels
|Jr. Real Estate Developer
Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Netherlands
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Summary
Conducted comprehensive market analysis and financial underwriting for new Zoku Hotel developments in key European cities.
Highlights
Conducted market analysis and financial underwriting for Zoku Vienna & Copenhagen, contributing to successful openings in 2021.
Hosted the Young Leaders Summit about the future of real estate at MIPIM conference, engaging with industry leaders and emerging talent.
Volunteer
Movement on The Ground
|Fundraising and Operations
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Summary
Supported fundraising and operational efforts for a humanitarian organization, contributing to community impact in the Netherlands and Greece.
Highlights
Contributed to fundraising initiatives and operational support for humanitarian aid projects in the Netherlands and Greece.
Education
Said Business School, University of Oxford
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Master's Degree
Strategy & Innovation, Globalisation and Financial Strategies
Hotelschool The Hague
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Bachelor's Degree
Hotel Management
Courses
Thesis on defining target cities for Zoku based on real estate, demographic and economic factors
Languages
English
Russian
Dutch
French
Skills
Strategic Planning & Growth
Growth Strategy, Strategic Investments, Business Development, Organizational Restructuring, Market Analysis, Business Plan Creation, PMO Leadership, Transformation Management.
Financial Management & Analysis
P&L Management, Cashflow Modelling, IRR Calculations, Financial Underwriting, M&A Due Diligence, Investor Relations, Cost Reduction, Budget Management, Financial Analysis, Valuation.
Real Estate & Hospitality Development
Property Enhancement, Asset Management, Deal Sourcing, Hotel Development, Real Estate Market Analysis, Value Engineering, CapEx Programs.
Leadership & Operations
C-suite Collaboration, Stakeholder Management, Team Reorganization, Process Improvement, Program Management, Operational Efficiency, Project Delivery.
Data & Reporting
Scenario Modelling, Upside Quantification, Benchmark Analysis, Financial Reporting, Data-Driven Decision Making.