Sagar Tilakraj

Experienced Chief of Staff, Project Manager, and Business Growth Manager with a track record of 10+ years in strategic planning, problem-solving, and operational leadership, consistently exceeding financial objectives. Skilled in cross-functional team management, resource allocation, and driving successful go-to-market strategies. Versatile background spanning various industries. Former entrepreneur with excellent communication, client management, negotiation, branding, and marketing skills. Certified Project Management Professional and award-winning Master's graduate.      

Chief of Staff                                                                                                                October 2021 – July 2023
PlayVerse – A Venture Studio, India

• Strategic partner and advisor to the CEO in company-wide planning and operations, managing external and internal stakeholders, overseeing a global team, supervising resource allocation, and serving as chief project manager.
• Raised CA $2 million in funding in India from Akatsuki Inc. - a Tokyo listed entity. 
• Launched India’s first verticalized animation video streaming service – Anime Play, scaling to over 100,000 users.
• Successfully negotiated licensing agreements with 14 IP owners across Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia.
• Established and grew PlayVerse Toys to CA $1 million, launching 10 products through E-Commerce and Institutional Sales.
• Successfully brought the toys to global markets through Amazon Global in USA, UK, UAE, Australia, and Japan. 
• Licensed and localized a children’s animated series, Penelope, into 6 languages, achieving over 12 million views on YouTube within 4 months. Negotiated the sale of rights to a leading television broadcaster in India. 
• Spearheaded Product, Growth, and Marketing at FundsConnect, a web platform that simplified fundraising for founders 
• Supported the planning, resource gathering, and development of Billions Quest - a blockchain game based on global stocks as NFTs. 

Vice President – Business Development, Growth & Marketing                          May 2021 – September 2021
Industricals, India

• Implemented growth initiatives, leading a team of 7 resulting in a 55% increase in customer acquisition, 30% increase in customer activation, and 75% increase in revenue over a 4-month period.
• Expanded operations into 3 new cities in India in 6 months, 
• Successfully reduced debtor days from 34 to 29 for the sales team, improving cash flow and financial performance across 900 active B2B customers.
• Signed the 20 largest principals in India as sellers on to the platform.
• Launched a private label electrical brand, launching 8 products in 6 months.  

Founder                                                                                                                         May 2018 – March 2021
Wattayah Foods LLC (Samsara | BBQ & Biryani Factory), Oman

• Established and managed two successful restaurants, Samsara and BBQ & Biryani Factory achieving annual revenues of CA$2 million with a year-on-year growth rate of 26%, and institutional catering exceeding CA$1 million.
• Built and led a cross-functional team of 70 members and implemented efficient processes that reduced procurement costs by 5% and increased customer satisfaction by 11% over a two-year period
• Successfully secured the bid to provide over 10,000 meals daily at the largest school in Muscat, Oman and the Middle East.
• Developed a comprehensive marketing strategy, resulting in an average month-on-month footfall increase of 14%.

Senior Business Development Manager – Trading and Projects                       October 2015 – October 2018
Star Lights Electrical LLC, Oman

• Oversaw the sales division for country-wide operations of lighting and associated products, managing a team of 9 members across commercial projects, private projects, and retail, resulting in annual revenues exceeding CA$3 million. 
• Successful P&L leader with a year-on-year strengthened bottom line, growing top-line, and solid budget oversight.
• Led a four-fold expansion of the retail presence, driving increased market reach and sales opportunities. 
• Spearheaded B2B sales and project management in over 60 commercial lighting projects. 

Human Resource Analyst                                                                                                  April 2012 – July 2014
Credit Suisse Services India Private Limited (for On Demand Agility Solutions), India                   

• Masters in Management Science – Cranfield University, UK                
  Dual Winner of Director’s Prize for Best Thesis 2015 and Best Student 2015
• Bachelor of Business Administration - Symbiosis Centre for Management Studies, India
• Project Management Professional (PMP) – Project Management Institute 
• PowerMBA – An innovative democratized pursuit of modern business knowledge 
• PowerMBA Digital Marketer ­– ThePowerMBA 
• GPODS – Global Policy, Diplomacy, and Sustainability Fellowship