Manuel Lahoud
Tel:-
Email:-Address: 4th floor, bldg. 102, street 1800 (Elias Sarkis),
Mar Takla - Hazmieh, Beirut, Lebanon.
Personal Information
Nationality: Lebanese
Sex: male
Education
2021 | New Yor k Fi l m Aca demy – Fl or ence, Ita l y
Six months intensive film school program: Filmmaking, Scriptwriting & Production- | Leba nese Uni ver si ty – Fa cul ty of J our na l i sm
Bachelor degree: 2nd major in Public relations and Advertising- | Notr e Da me Uni ver si ty
Bachelor degree: Marketing and Communication
Experience
2018 - Pr esent | Admi ni str a ti on a nd C ommuni ca ti on Ma na ger /Pr oducer
Fr i ed r i ch E b er t Sti ftu n g NG O | Bei r u t D own town , L eb a n on
Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) has been operating in Lebanon since 1966, making it one of the few
multinational organizations that managed to remain functional throughout the Lebanese Civil War. Over
the past seven years, I have had the privilege of overseeing FES Lebanon’s operational, logistical, and
communication functions, playing an integral role in ensuring the organization’s success in an often
challenging and unstable environment.
In my administrative and logistical role, I am responsible for managing the daily operations of the office,
which involves leading a dedicated team and ensuring the smooth running of all organizational processes. I
coordinate with external service providers to streamline operations, manage procurement activities to
ensure resources are efficiently allocated, and maintain critical relationships with government institutions,
local partners, and key stakeholders. My role has required strategic problem-solving, proactive
negotiation, and robust logistical planning to maintain operations under Lebanon’s unpredictable political,
economic, and social environment. I have become adept at making timely decisions in high-pressure
situations, ensuring continuity and stability during crises such as Lebanon's ongoing economic collapse, the
Beirut port explosion, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2024 war. Each of these events required quick
thinking and adaptability, reinforcing my crisis management skills and deepening my commitment to the
organization's mission.
An essential aspect of my work has been communication, beginning in 2018 with the reinvention,
rebranding, and relocation of FES Lebanon after 55 years of presence in the country. In this phase of
transformation, I was responsible for reshaping the organization’s public-facing identity and repositioning
FES within the broader Lebanese context. I have managed several high-profile projects from inception to
completion, ensuring that strategic messages reached diverse audiences through targeted communication
efforts. This has involved crafting effective advocacy campaigns, handling media relations, and executing
large-scale events, often under tight timelines.
In my communications role, I developed and executed strategies across a wide variety of platforms,
including cinema, TV, radio, digital media, and print. This cross-media approach enabled me to maximize
our outreach, ensuring that our messaging had a broad and lasting impact. I collaborated extensively with
cross-functional teams, including program managers, external agencies, and media partners, to deliver
projects that required coordination across multiple areas. My leadership and collaboration skills wer e
pivotal in ensuring the seamless execution of these projects, even under the most challenging conditions.
Beyond my administrative and strategic responsibilities, I have also had the opportunity to conceptualize,
write, produce, and lead several high-profile media projects that blend communication, content creation,
and media production. These projects have significantly elevated FES Lebanon’s visibility and underscored
our mission to influence change through informed dialogue and creative storytelling:
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A Moment of Bliss (2021): I conceptualized, wrote, and produced a feature film for FES that
garnered over 20 international festival awards. The film offered a unique and nuanced perspective
on Lebanon, providing insight into the complexities of its culture and history. I also led the
communication strategy for the film, ensuring its message reached global audiences and gained the
recognition it deserved. Link to trailer
Nos el Mazeh Jadd (2022): I developed and produced a late-night talk show on a leading
Lebanese national TV channel LBCI that ran for four months leading up to the 2022 Lebanese
parliamentary elections. The show aimed to provide a platform for political candidates who
couldn’t afford traditional campaign methods, offering them a voice through interviews, discussions
on social and political issues, awareness-raising content. Link to trailer and intro of Episode 1.
Hide Park Political Podcast (2021-Present): I produced and managed this political podcast,
designed to bridge the divide between opposing political perspectives in Lebanon. The podcast
features in-depth discussions with politicians, journalists, and thought leaders representing various
sides of the Lebanese political spectrum. It provided a platform for constructive dialogue and aimed
to foster understanding among audiences with differing views. Link to podcast
Each of these projects required not only a solid understanding of communication strategy but also
expertise in content creation, media production, and project management. I successfully combined
administrative duties with creative leadership to elevate FES Lebanon’s profile and ensure that our
programs reached their intended audiences with maximum impact.
Through these experiences, I have honed my leadership abilities, developed a deep understanding of crisis
management, and refined my skills in communication, media production, and strategic planning. My work
at FES Lebanon has been deeply fulfilling, as I have contributed to the organization’s visibility in the
Lebanon, it’s resilience, and mission to shape political and social change in the region.
201 3 - 2018 | C ommuni ca ti on Ma na ger
Fr on ti er s -Ru wa d NG O | Ba d a r o, L eb a n on
Frontiers is an NGO dedicated to addressing statelessness in Lebanon by offering legal counseling and
representation to affected individuals. Driven by a passion for social change and a desire to shift my career
focus, I joined decided to join Ruwad and assumed responsibility for managing the Communication
portfolio.
In this capacity, I had the opportunity to lead and support various aspects of the organization’s work in
Lebanon. Key elements of my role included:
• Communication Strategy Development: I designed and implemented communication strategies to
effectively convey the mission of the statelessness program to various stakeholders, including
donors, partners, the media, and the public. These strategies involved crafting clear messages and
maximizing outreach through both traditional and digital platforms.
• Stakeholder Engagement: I worked closely with grantees, consultants, board members, and the
executive director to ensure alignment with program goals. I facilitated meetings, provided
updates, and fostered collaboration to ensure successful project execution.
• Event Planning and Outreach: I organized and participated in key events, such as seminars,
workshops, and delegation visits, to raise awareness about statelessness and engage key players.
These events were essential in building relationships with national and international partners.
• Program Expansion: I identified opportunities for growth and expansion by doing on-site long-term
missions in rural areas, engaging with communities to assess the needs of stateless populations
there. These discussions contributed to the development of new programming initiatives that
addressed the evolving challenges faced by stateless communities.
Throughout my time at Ruwad, I successfully bridged the gap between program management and
communications, creating an integrated approach that amplified the impact of the organization’s work
while fostering strong relationships with key stakeholders.
201 0 - 201 3 | C ommuni ca ti on & Ma r keti ng C onsul ta nt
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Pr oj ect D evel op men t Un i t | D ou a i h y G r ou p
Douaihy Pour Le Bois, a leading wood import/export company, expanded into a holding group, and I
joined their Business Development Unit as a Marketing Consultant. In this role, I contributed to the
company’s diversification, primarily in real estate and the F&B industry. My focus was on strategic
research, marketing planning, and campaign execution.
Key responsibilities included:
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Market Research: Conducted research to support expansion strategies, analyzing trends and
competitors in real estate and F&B sectors, providing insights for informed decision -making.
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Budgeting: Collaborated with finance teams to manage marketing budgets, set financial goals, and
optimize resource allocation for maximum ROI.
Marketing Strategy: Developed tailored strategies defining brand positioning and selecting
marketing channels to reach target audiences.
Campaign Execution: Led the design and implementation of marketing campaigns across various
platforms, coordinating with internal teams and external partners to create aligned materials.
Cross-Industry Collaboration: Worked closely with stakeholders in real estate and F&B sectors,
ensuring cohesive marketing efforts that supported broader business objectives.
Brand Positioning: Contributed to the rebranding of several projects, including logo design and
messaging, ensuring that each brand reflected the company’s expanded focus.
Through my work, I contributed in Douaihy Group’s successful expansion into new industries, applying
my skills in branding, budgeting, and strategic marketing to drive growth and success.
200 6 - 201 0 | Br a nd Ma na ger
Pa n d a | D u b a i , UA E
I joined Panda Hypermarket as part of the international team tasked with opening the first regional store in
Dubai, marking the company’s first outlet outside of Saudi Arabia. I was responsible for overseeing the
purchase and development of non-food products, playing a key role in the store’s successful launch and
operations.
Key responsibilities and achievements included:
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Supplier Relations & Negotiation: Conducted supplier evaluations and led negotiations to secure
favorable contracts, ensuring competitive pricing, high product quality, and reliable supply chains.
Market Research: Performed market analysis to understand consumer preferences and industry trends,
guiding the selection of non-food products tailored to the local market.
Exclusive Brand Development: Led the development of exclusive brands in partnership with
international manufacturers, managing product development, budgeting, design, and branding.
Ongoing Supplier Management: Maintained strong relationships with local and international suppliers,
continuously expanding the non-food product range with high-quality items.
In this role, I helped Panda Hypermarket establish a successful presence in Dubai, ensuring a diverse, highquality, and competitively priced non-food product range. My work in supplier negotiations, market analysis,
and product development directly contributed to the store’s success.
200 3 - 200 6 | Br a nd & Ar ea Ma na ger
A l Ba wa r d i G r ou p | Sa u d i A r a b i a
I joined Al Bawardi Group as Brand & Area Manager for the supply division, overseeing non -food retail
operations in textiles, tools, toys, kitchenware, garden, and camping products across KSA and Bahrain.
Reporting directly to the CEO (partners) in Lebanon, I was responsible for business planning, operations
management, and product development.
Key responsibilities included:
Business Planning & Market Analysis: Conducted market research, analyzed trends, and monitored
competitors. Developed action plans and launched new products based on market needs, managing
the process from concept to branding and production.
• Brand Development: Led new product line developments, ensuring alignment with brand standards
and customer expectations through close collaboration with design and production teams.
• Supply Chain & Operations Management: Managed supply chain forecasting and distribution,
ensuring on-time deliveries, particularly for promotional activities in both KSA and Bahrain.
• Cross-Department Collaboration: Worked with marketing, sales, and product teams to execute
campaigns and ensure product availability, contributing to revenue growth and customer
satisfaction.
In this role, I played a key part in strengthening Al Bawardi’s new retail unit presence, efficiently managing
operations and enhancing brand visibility across the two markets.
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1999 - 2003 | Pr oduct Ana l yst
BH V – A D MIC G r ou p | L eb a n on
I joined the purchase department at BHV - Monoprix, responsible for monitoring the lifecycle of products
from purchase to sale. This involved ensuring smooth flow, from securing efficient pricing and margins to
managing stock availability and promotions.
Key responsibilities included:
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Product Lifecycle Management: Coordinated product movement from purchase to sale, ensuring
timely deliveries and alignment with sales forecasts.
Margin Monitoring: Tracked product costs, optimized pricing strategies, and monitored profit
margins to maximize profitability.
Promotions & Discounting: Managed promotional pricing and discounts, ensuring alignment with
marketing campaigns and seasonal events.
In this role, I helped optimize operations , improve product availability, and increase sales efficiency, directly
contributing to the department’s success.
Trainings & Skills
Performance Management, Influencing skills, Creative Management - Dubai 2008 and 2009.
Communication Strategies Training,
Creating Personas, Drafting plans, Goals & Objectives - Berlin 2022
Communication Content Training,
Writing skills: Articles, press releases, statement, content rewriting, digital content - Tunisia 2021
Strong negotiations skills & Computer literacy ( Microsoft Office, Photoshop, Davinci)
Languages: fluent in Arabic, English and French.
