Patricia de Kerchove

Project & brand management leader | Expertise in team development, client relations & operational excellence | FMCG, public & non-profit sectors

Brussels, Brussels Region, Belgium

About

Senior Project & Brand Manager | Team Leadership, Operational Excellence & Stakeholder Engagement | 20 Years in FMCG (L’Oréal) | Public & Non-Profit Project Leader. As a Project & Brand Management Leader with 20+ years of experience at L’Oréal, I have built a strong expertise in leading high-performing teams, managing complex projects, and driving brand growth in dynamic FMCG environments. In recent years, I have broadened my impact by managing projects in the public and non-profit sectors — notably leading multicultural teams at the European Commission’s Visitors Centre and Experience Europe, and coordinating educational interventions with Cool@School. My leadership style is grounded in team development, operational efficiency, and fostering clear, impactful communication across all levels of an organization. I am passionate about creating alignment between teams, clients, and stakeholders to achieve shared goals and deliver sustainable results. I am eager to connect with professionals and organizations seeking a dynamic leader who can bridge corporate expertise with public and social impact projects.

Experience

  • Project Manager at PROFIRST
    Nov 2022 - Present · 3 yrs 8 mos

    Project Manager in charge of the DG COMM account (European Commission), managing the teams of Visit Assistants at the Visitors Centre and Experience Europe exhibition. Key Responsibilities & Achievements: • Supervise a team of 35 multilingual Visit Assistants, ensuring optimal team performance, motivation, and development. • Handle recruitment, onboarding, training programs and performance management of staff. • Manage daily operations: scheduling, contingency planning, real-time supervision to ensure premium visitor experience. • Act as the primary liaison between Profirst and DG COMM, ensuring effective communication, reporting, and service delivery aligned with client expectations. • Responsible for administrative reporting, KPI tracking, budget management, and compliance with legal & HR regulations

  • Project Manager at Cool@School
    Mar 2022 - Present · 4 yrs 4 mos

    Project Manager responsible for the strategic coordination and operational management of educational interventions aimed at developing emotional, and relational skills within the Belgian school system. I lead the end-to-end project lifecycle, ensuring effective collaboration with internal teams, school directors, and education sector partners. Key Achievements & Responsibilities: • Plan, execute, and monitor intervention programs in collaboration with schools, education networks, and internal teams. • Manage budgets, resources, and timelines to ensure timely and high-quality program delivery • Develop and execute communication strategies to enhance the NGO’s visibility and impact • Prepare impact reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders. • Organize awareness and fundraising events to support the growth and sustainability of activities.

  • Recruitment Consultant at B-WIDE
    Jan 2022 - Feb 2022 · 2 mos

    Managed end-to-end recruitment processes, from candidate sourcing and engagement to interview coordination and final hiring decisions. Collaborated closely with hiring managers to understand role requirements and ensure a smooth recruitment experience.

  • L'Oréal (Full-time · 20 yrs)
    • Country Manager & Education Lead - REDKEN Belgilux
      Mar 2017 - Sep 2021 · 4 yrs 7 mos

      Led REDKEN’s strategic repositioning in Belgilux, achieving Top 3 market ranking. • Managed a team of 13 and 20 freelancers; fostered a culture of performance and creativity. • Transformed education strategy: 80% online / 20% offline. • Full P&L accountability; optimized cross-functional collaboration (Finance, Supply Chain, Market Dev.). • Created high-profile industry events to amplify brand visibility.

    • Regional Sales Manager L'Oréal Professionnel
      Apr 2016 - Mar 2017 · 1 yr

      • Managed a team of 6 Sales Consultants, driving commercial execution and sales targets. • Developed joint business plans with key clients to boost sell-in and sell-out performance. • Strengthened collaboration between Sales, Education & Marketing teams.

    • Education Director l'Oréal Professionnel
      May 2011 - Apr 2016 · 5 yrs

      • Defined and executed the Education strategy aligned with brand and country KPIs. • Managed the upskilling of 8 Educators; grew the Artistic Team from 3 to 20 members. • Led the project management of the new PPD Academy in Brussels. • Designed and organized flagship client events supporting the brand DNA.

  • Conference Project Manager at Marcus Evans Japan LTD
    Oct 2000 - Jun 2001 · 9 mos