SUMMARY
MARIE JOSEE UWAYEZU
Rwandan | Kigali, Rwanda | --| LinkedIn
Strategic and results-driven operations and finance professional with 5+ years’ experience in high-impact roles across
technology, real estate, and education. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage multi-million dollar budgets,
and streamline complex operations. Adept at stakeholder engagement, project execution, and financial compliance.
Passionate about systems thinking, continuous improvement, and delivering measurable value.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Mount Kenya University – Kigali, Rwanda
September 2023 – Present
MBA
Relevant Coursework: Strategic Management; Management Accounting; Advanced Human Resources Management;
Administrative law; General Management; Business Operations; Industrial Relations; Wages and Salaries Administration;
Project monitoring and Evaluation.
African Leadership University – Kigali, Rwanda
September 2017 – February 2021
BA. International Business and Trade
Relevant Coursework: International Trade; Financial Management; Financial Accounting; International Business; Business and
Law; Strategy and Decision Making; Business and Government; People Management; Business Communication; Business
and Operations Management; Marketing and Advertising; Project Management.
PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE
Operations Coordinator
Hence Technologies Rwanda – Kigali, Rwanda
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Oversaw and optimized daily operational workflows across departments, resulting in a more structured, responsive, and
efficient office environment, significantly reducing downtime and administrative bottlenecks.
Developed and facilitated cross-departmental work shadowing sessions to transfer institutional knowledge and ensure
functional fluency across roles, accelerating employee onboarding and collaboration.
Managed external service providers and vendor relationships to ensure reliable service delivery, contractual compliance,
and a consistent, high-quality work environment.
Spearheaded internal operational system upgrades using tech-based tools and process automation, enabling real-time
tracking of key metrics and eliminating manual inefficiencies.
Played a central role in planning and delivering company-wide engagement initiatives and internal events to promote
employee well-being and an inclusive workplace culture.
Finance Officer
Imara Properties Rwanda – Kigali, Rwanda
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November 2021 - February 2024
Administered a financial portfolio exceeding $2 million, ensuring complete financial compliance, budget accuracy, and
timely reporting for all company transactions.
Provided strategic counsel to senior management on financial reporting obligations and legal frameworks, directly
contributing to improved risk management and audit performance.
Led monthly payroll processing and managed contractor and supplier payments using QuickBooks, ensuring timely
disbursements and transparent financial records.
Served as the primary liaison to external auditors, streamlining data preparation and audit responses to support the
timely completion of year-end audits and full compliance with statutory requirements.
Co-led the creation of high-impact project proposals and marketing collateral that helped the company expand its
footprint and attract new strategic partnerships.
Finance and Operations Assistant
Cost-wise Contractors Ltd – Kigali, Rwanda
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February 2024 - May 2025
March 2021 - August 2021
Collaborated with HR and finance departments to process payroll for over 1,200 employees monthly, ensuring minimal
error rates and a significant reduction in payment-related complaints.
Designed and implemented a request-tracking system that improved employee support service responsiveness and
reduced outstanding internal requests by over 50%.
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Managed procurement tracking across five departments to coordinate vendor delivery timelines and maintain smooth
supply chain operations without service disruptions.
Took ownership of monthly tax filings and employee benefits contribution submissions, ensuring timely and compliant
reporting in line with national tax regulations.
Built a centralized financial database to track departmental expenditures, enabling real-time budget monitoring and more
informed strategic decision-making.
Assistant Lead Campus Coordinator
African Leadership University – Kigali, Rwanda
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February 2018 - February 2021
Directed a team of 20 to establish and refine front desk systems and student support protocols, resulting in a 40%
increase in service satisfaction among students and staff.
Managed recruitment, onboarding, and training of campus operations staff and vendors, including security and custodial
teams, to ensure high standards of cleanliness, safety, and professionalism.
Coordinated the scheduling of 37+ interns each quarter, ensuring a balanced workload, fair rotation, and efficient
allocation of human resources.
Took the lead in compiling and submitting monthly payroll documentation for interns, ensuring accurate recordkeeping
and zero payment delays.
Supported weekly operational leadership meetings, addressing critical team issues, setting clear performance
expectations, and aligning efforts across all functional groups.
CERTIFICATES
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Driving License (Category B) – March 2023
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Fundamentals of Project Planning & Management – University of Virginia, June 2020
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Supply Chain Management – Rutgers University, September 2020
SKILLS
● Project Coordination & Execution
● Reporting & Management
● Vendor & Stakeholder Relationship Management
● Administrative Systems & Process Optimization
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Payroll & Tax Compliance (QuickBooks)
Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
Procurement & Logistics Oversight
Data-Driven Decision Making (Excel, Dashboards)
INTERESTS
● Innovation and Emerging Technologies
● Process Optimization and Systems Thinking
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Leadership Development and Team Building
Lifelong Learning and Professional Growth
LANGUAGES
● Kinyarwanda – Native
● English – Fluent
● French – Beginner