Muhammad Waleed Akhtar

Experience

A working record

Research fellowships, client success and operations leadership, and career-branding work across institutional and U.S. client contexts.

Oct 2025 — Present

Full-time · Islamabad, Pakistan

Research Fellow

Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR)

KIIR is one of Pakistan's leading foreign policy research institutions, publishing work on the Kashmir dispute, South Asian regional dynamics, and broader geopolitical affairs.

  • —Conduct qualitative desk research on the Kashmir dispute, examining political, legal, and security narratives within South Asian regional dynamics.
  • —Analyze geopolitical interests of major powers, with particular focus on China's strategic engagement through CPEC and its implications for regional stability.
  • —Apply systematic literature review techniques drawing on academic journals, UN documents, ICJ rulings, and primary-source policy reports.
  • —Contribute published research articles and a research paper meeting KIIR's institutional standards for academic rigor and editorial review.
  • —Author and publish opinion editorials across Kashmir Media Service, Pakistan Observer, Asia Free Press, The Spokesman, Daily Country News, Daily Parliament Times, Islamabad Today, Tarkeen-e-Watan News, The Destination, Daily Digital Era, and the KIIR website.

Oct 2026 — Present

Full-time · Islamabad, Pakistan (Remote)

Head of Client Success & Operations

SkilledForce

Promoted from HR & Payroll Manager into a broader role covering client success and operations for the company. I lead the Customer Success Managers and HR team, oversee a 20+ person group of Virtual Assistants, content writers, and resume writers, and am accountable to the CEO for a portfolio of 20+ clients.

  • —Own the performance of a 20+ client portfolio, tracking interview generation, opportunity progression, and retention across all accounts.
  • —Lead the Customer Success Managers and HR who oversee the team of VAs, content writers, and resume writers, keeping their work aligned with client expectations and service standards.
  • —Direct HR operations end to end, guiding the HR & Payroll Manager on hiring, onboarding, and training so new VAs and CSMs are ready to contribute quickly as the team grows.
  • —Identify underperforming campaigns and workflow issues early, working directly with the relevant team members to resolve them before they affect clients.
  • —Manage day-to-day operations across SkilledForce, reporting directly to the CEO on portfolio health, team performance, and key risks.

Aug 2025 — Sep 2026

Part-time · Islamabad, Pakistan

HR & Payroll Manager

SkilledForce

Oversee the full spectrum of HR operations for a virtual workforce of 20+ professionals across Virtual Assistance, Customer Success, CRM, Content, and Marketing departments.

  • —Manage accurate and timely payroll processing while ensuring compliance and leveraging HRIS systems for data accuracy and reporting.
  • —Design and implement KPI-based frameworks to monitor output, improve decision-making, and boost team performance across all departments.
  • —Develop employee retention and engagement initiatives to strengthen satisfaction and reduce turnover.
  • —Standardize 15+ SOPs and introduce workflow automation tools, cutting administrative time by 25%.
  • —Facilitate cross-departmental collaboration to align goals, streamline workflows, and maintain delivery quality.

Oct 2024 — Aug 2025

Full-time · Islamabad, Pakistan

Assistant HR Manager

SkilledForce

Led onboarding, training, and process optimization for 40+ professionals, combining HR strategy with workforce development to drive measurable outcomes.

  • —Directed onboarding and skill enhancement programs covering U.S. hiring practices, executive resume writing, ATS compliance, CRM workflows, LinkedIn optimization, and job search strategy.
  • —Designed and delivered a complete Go High Level CRM training course with instructional modules and assessments, reducing onboarding time by 25% and increasing operational productivity by 20%.
  • —Created and implemented 15+ SOPs that improved turnaround time by 20% and standardized service delivery across teams.
  • —Built streamlined processes for sourcing roles, recruiter outreach, and profile enhancement, improving both speed and quality of execution.
  • —Mentored team members to produce higher-quality resumes, cover letters, and client deliverables, boosting client satisfaction and placement success rates.
  • —Awarded Certificate of Appreciation by CEO Mubasher Hassan for enhancing workforce capabilities and improving operational productivity.

Apr 2024 — Sep 2024

Internship · Islamabad, Pakistan

Research Fellow

Global Defense Insight (GDI)

Contributed to global defense and security discourse through in-depth research on cyberterrorism and geopolitical strategy, producing published work for international policy and academic audiences.

  • —Investigated global security dynamics with a focus on cyberterrorism threats, defense strategies, and geopolitical shifts.
  • —Authored 'The Impact of Cyberterrorism on Global Security,' published September 2024, contributing to academic and policy discussions on borderless security threats.
  • —Applied thematic analysis to assess the impact of cyber threats on international security frameworks and state responses.
  • —Partnered with senior researchers to validate findings and ensure analytical rigor and policy relevance.
  • —Completed Reuters' Introduction to Digital Journalism course, strengthening skills in fact-checking, news reporting, and evidence-based writing.

Oct 2024 — Dec 2024

Part-time · Islamabad, Pakistan

Resume Writer & Virtual Assistant

Nausal Technologies

Hired by Nausal Technologies and deployed across multiple client platforms, delivering ATS-optimized career documents and LinkedIn strategies for U.S.-based professionals.

  • —Created 40+ ATS-compliant resumes tailored to client goals and industry requirements, adapted to executive branding standards and optimized for recruiter visibility.
  • —Delivered LinkedIn optimization, targeted job search execution, and professional branding support through the CareerBooster.Ai platform.
  • —Developed keyword-optimized LinkedIn summaries and experience sections to improve profile strength and search rankings.
  • —Engaged directly with clients to understand career objectives and customize documents for maximum placement impact.

Oct 2022 — Sep 2024

Full-time · Islamabad, Pakistan

Web Content Writer & Data Entry Operator

OffSetup

Worked across two functions at OffSetup, producing SEO-driven digital content for multiple clients while managing large-scale U.S. business data with precision and accuracy.

  • —Wrote engaging service pages, company profiles, and blog articles for BK Associates covering construction trends and design innovations, strengthening brand authority and online visibility.
  • —Created comprehensive, user-friendly tax guides for Filer.pk, simplifying Pakistan's tax filing process for individuals and businesses.
  • —Accurately entered 3,000+ U.S. hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals into the 365Sol platform with 100% accuracy, expanding verified property listings for end users.
  • —Applied SEO keyword optimization and best practices, improving organic search rankings and driving higher website traffic.