Other Women's Jobs // A Day In The Life & Career Of Rawand Al Qalawi

NAME: Rawand Al Qalawi

LinkedIn: Rawand Al Qalawi

JOB TITLE: Senior Regional Marketing Specialist at Lavoya Restaurants Group

MOVED TO THE UAE IN: 2019

Rawand AlQalawi is a Senior Regional Marketing Specialist with over seven years of experience in strategic marketing, brand management, and integrated campaign execution, with a strong focus on the food and beverage industry. Currently based in Dubai, she plays a key role at Lavoya Restaurants Group, where she leads regional marketing initiatives for prominent brands including Dave’s Hot Chicken, Em Sherif Deli, and Barbar within the region’s highly competitive F&B landscape.

With a hands-on and results-driven approach, Rawand translates brand vision into impactful marketing strategies across digital platforms, social media, PR, influencer partnerships, events, and in-store activations. Rawand's work centers on maintaining brand consistency while adapting each concept’s voice to resonate with diverse audiences and evolving consumer behaviors, ensuring strong market relevance and commercial alignment.

Known for her collaborative mindset, attention to detail, and ability to thrive in fast-paced environments, Rawand brings structure, creativity, and strategic clarity to every project. Her growing influence within Lavoya Restaurants Group reflects her commitment to excellence and her meaningful contribution to the continued growth and evolution of the region’s F&B sector.

Today Rawand shares with us a typical day in her world:

8AM:

Mornings are usually when I take a few moments to clear my head and ease into the day before everything starts moving at full speed. By 8AM, I like to take advantage of the quiet period to map out the day ahead while getting ready for work. Once done, I do a light scan of emails, messages, and social platforms to ensure there is nothing urgent that requires my immediate attention before I step into work mode. I’ve learned that starting the day with clarity makes all the difference. When priorities are clear and the team feels aligned, everything flows more naturally. That early sense of direction and positive energy often sets the tone for the rest of the day.

10AM:

This is the time when I’m fully in execution mode, with a busy workspace filled with activity. Emails open, campaign decks on screen, WhatsApp messages buzzing, and a constantly changing to-do list keeping me on my toes. I’m moving between meetings, reviewing content, and aligning on deliverables with internal teams, agencies, and partners, making sure everything is on track across the brands I manage. This is also the point when my coffee kicks in, and ideas start to flow.

1PM:

After a busy morning, I like to take a break and have lunch with my colleagues. It’s a chance to step away from work, share stories, celebrate little wins, and enjoy a laugh together. This helps bring the team closer and reminds me how much our day-to-day success depends on working together and supporting each other. By the time we head back to our desks, everyone feels lighter, more energised, and ready to dive back into their tasks with more positivity and focus.

2PM:

The afternoon is when everything I’ve been planning starts to take shape. I’m switching between reviewing emails, following up on campaigns, checking timelines, and giving creative work a closer look, all while tracking how our content performs across platforms. I also think it is crucial to stay closely connected to digital trends, social platforms, and competitor activity, always keeping an eye on what’s capturing attention and engaging audiences. Observing consumer behavior and understanding what resonates in the market is essential for shaping the campaigns I manage. These insights spark new ideas and help me fine-tune strategies to ensure relevance and impact.

4PM:

By 4PM, the day is in full swing. Now I’m juggling approvals, last-minute changes, and coordinating with agencies while making sure activities are on track before wrapping up the day. Over time, I’ve learned that strong prioritisation, clear communication, and structure are essential to balance the fast-paced demands of the industry. Staying organised and calm under pressure comes from experience, time management, and adaptability. Even when multiple tasks require attention at once, I’ve found ways to stay focused on the bigger picture and keep momentum going.

5PM

This is when I sign off on any final updates, review priorities for the next day, and leave the office knowing that the workflow is set up for a smooth start in the morning. Despite my busy day, I like to keep things positive, whether that’s through a quick check-in with the team or sharing a laugh with them as we wrap up and head out. As a leader, I truly believe in creating a friendly environment to keep my team motivated to perform at their best.

6:30PM:

I am usually on the road, driving home, and taking a deep breath while stuck in traffic. On the bright side, this is when my mind starts humming as I notice the billboards, ads, and branding around me. I find myself analysing what works, what grabs attention, and how it could spark new approaches for campaigns or activations. These moments often inspire small creative tweaks or even bigger strategic ideas. It’s a reminder that for me, inspiration doesn’t stop when the office lights go off. Sometimes the best ideas come from simply observing the world around me.

8PM:

By the evening, I try to switch off and focus on unwinding, but it’s often hard to completely disconnect. I’ll still glance at social platforms, especially if a live campaign or activation is running. After that, I enjoy a home-cooked meal and spend a quiet moment with family. It’s a simple ritual that helps me relax after a busy day at work.

10PM:

I usually end the day by disconnecting from screens and letting my mind slow down. However, I still like to strike a balance between reflecting on the day ahead and relaxing by setting tomorrow’s priorities, then allowing myself to fully disconnect. Curling up with a cup of tea, I feel grounded knowing I’ve done my best for the day. I cherish the quiet moments that come with nightfall as they are what allow me to wake up refreshed and ready to take on whatever challenges the next day brings.