Darek Plonka, Finance Expert in New York, United States
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Darek Plonka

Verified Expert  in Finance

Management Consulting Expert

Location
New York, United States
Toptal Member Since
February 23, 2017

Darek managed the raise of $1.8 billion through public debt securities and was in charge of investor relations for the fastest growing mobile network operator in Europe. Freelancing gives him the opportunity to help young companies in a variety of industries. Darek has extensive experience executing value creation strategies, which gives him a deep understanding of implementation challenges and a robust change management toolbox.

Market ResearchFinancial ModelingFinancial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)ValuationBusiness DevelopmentFinancial ReportingMergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

Career Highlights

Investor Relations Director
Play
Senior Specialist
T-Mobile
Business Analyst
McKinsey & Company

Education Highlights

Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA)
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
Master's Degree
Warsaw School of Economics

Case Studies

Work Experience

Investor Relations Director

2013 - 2015
Play
  • Managed projects and led a cross-functional team of twenty raising $1.8 billion through public debt securities.
  • Liaised with key internal stakeholders: the private equity shareholders and the management board.
  • Ensured proper communication of business strategy and business plan to the rating agencies, underwriting banks, and commercial banks, providing revolving credit facility.
  • Supervised drafting of bond prospectuses, roadshow presentations, and rating agency presentations.
  • Managed all aspects of investor relations and external financial reporting.
  • Conducted strategy review and led development of a new business plan.
Focus areas: Business Strategy, Business Planning, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Financial Reporting, Investor Relations

Senior Analyst

2009 - 2013
Play
  • Provided strategic and financial assessment and business case formulation for new products and initiatives across all business segments.
  • Helped develop financial and operating budgets.
  • Delivered a 30% sales boost and increased profitability by developing a new product portfolio and pricing strategy.
  • Reduced credit fraud by 70% and optimized the subscriber acquisition budget using big data analytics to design an IT system for real-time customer screening and a custom-tailored experience.
  • Implemented a plan jointly with the CMO to become official partner of Apple, Inc., as one of the first independent mobile network operators in Europe.
Focus areas: Price Analysis, Data Analysis, Business Development, Budgeting, Financial Modeling, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

Senior Specialist

2008 - 2009
T-Mobile
  • Led the successful launch of an online sales channel for prepaid services.
  • Supported the Head of Private Market in development of new strategy for prepaid.
  • Coordinated financial modeling for strategic initiatives.
Focus areas: Financial Modeling, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Strategy, Sales, Market Research

Business Analyst

2006 - 2008
McKinsey & Company
  • Interacted directly with clients' senior management throughout problem diagnosis, solution development, and implementation.
  • Specialized in financial modeling, performance management, market research, and operational efficiency improvements.
  • Helped design a blueprint for the expansion of an American bank in Poland.
  • Assisted in the development of a long-term capital investment program following the merger of two leading Central European steel producers.
  • Participated in the formulation of a post-merger value creation program for the leading Central European petrochemical conglomerate (USD $15 billion+ in revenue).
Focus areas: Operations Improvement, Performance Management, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Post-merger Integration, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Business Strategy
2010 - 2015

Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) in Management Accounting

Chartered Institute of Management Accountants - London, UK

2001 - 2007

Master's Degree in Finance

Warsaw School of Economics - Warsaw, Poland

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