Employment History
December 2013- ongoing
Operational Manager, 1st Place Children and Parents Centre, London
Operational and strategic management of a charity run Children’s Centre. Main responsibilities include:
-Leading on the implementation, maintenance and growth of all 1st Place Business functions in order to ensure the smooth running and long term sustainability of the organisation, including writing a 3 year Business plan.
-Strategic and operational responsibility for all financial operations and performance.
-Oversee the finance function across all 3 sites, involving multiple income streams, restricted funds, and managing the financial audit
-Responsible for the HR function across the charity, developing and improving policies and procedures in line with current legislation
-Training new and existing managers in HR processes
-Undertaking Prince2 foundation and practitioner qualification
-Develop strategies for marketing and income generation
-Providing financial and HR advice and reporting to Trustees, Director and other senior management colleagues
-Expansion of the Room Hire part of the business, marketing and upgrading the conference facilities
-Strategic responsibility for IT within the charity and across all sites.
-Overall responsibility for the maintenance, security and effective supervision of the Centre buildings and grounds as well as the resources contained within them.
January 2011-November 2013
Centre Manager Playhouse Community Nursery London
Operational and strategic management of a charity run nursery. Main responsibilities include:
– Marketing and advertising within the local community
– Fundraising (both event fundraising and bid writing)
– Write and update 3 year Business Plan, including dealing with budget cuts from the local council, planning and implementing an organisational restructure
– Staff recruitment, development and training- focus on quality improvement
– Staff and customer retention through all the changes due to budget cuts
– Working alongside and helping to develop Management Committee
– Networking with other professionals and service providers in the borough
– Managing strategy for children with a SEN and supporting their families
– Working with and supporting vulnerable families
– Updating and implementing policies and procedures
– Managing a team of students and volunteers
– Maintaining strong working links with local council, external funders and corporate supporters
– Improving and developing community involvement activities
– Managed all finance functions- payroll, recording and reporting data, liaising with auditors, using SAGE and Quickbooks systems
August–November 2010
Schools Programme Manager, Wings of Hope London
Responsible for day to day operation of the charity, including putting in place structures and processes for the running and expansion of the charity, including recruitment, training, child protection policies, and volunteer management.
July 2008- August 2010
Centre Director, Explore Learning Chichester
Launched and managed a new Explore Learning centre in Chichester, a children’s education centre for children aged 5-14. Ultimate responsibility for centre’s development and operations, including profitability. Responsible for marketing the business in the local community, building strong relationships with local schools, libraries, Sainsbury’s management team, local newspapers and shopping centres. Maintained high standards of customer service for parents and quality of teaching for children. Responsible for development and training of full time staff, recruitment and training of part time tutor team. Train The Trainer course completed November 2008. Managed budgets and revenue for the centre. Reviewed existing processes to ensure growth of business and maintain reputation in the local community. Created a new schools initiative for gifted and talented children.
May 2007- June 2008
Assistant Centre Director, Explore Learning Reading
As part of a team of 3 managed the Explore Learning centre in Reading. Responsibility for external and internal marketing of the centre, including developing strong relationships with local schools and libraries. Recruited and trained part time tutors to ensure an excellent standard of tuition.
October 2006- April 2007
Processing Administrator, HBOS Newcastle
Provided excellent customer service, dealt with confidential and complex financial information, ensured targets and deadlines were met.
Education & Qualifications
2005-2006 University of Durham
MA International Relations (Europe) Distinction
2002- 2005 University of Durham
BA (Hons.) History 2:1
2000- 2002 The Rutland College Oakham, Rutland
A levels: History A, Geography A, Law A Government and Politics A
1995- 2000 The Vale of Catmose College Oakham, Rutland
GCSEs: 11 A*-B
Volunteer Experience
April 2012-ongoing
Trustee The Kilburn Festival
Primary responsibility on the board for fundraising applications to local councils, trusts and foundations to ensure the festival has enough funds to undertake its voluntary work.
April 2012-ongoing
Chair Volunteer Centre Camden
Initially acted as secretary for the board, then vice chair and now Chair. Responsible for ensuring the Board meets its charitable objectives, maintain good governance at meetings, inducting new Trustees, and attending events as a representative of the charity. Monitoring the strategic business plan, and helping to plan for the future.
Additional Skills
Emergency first aid qualified (2015)
Food hygiene level 2 (2015)
PRINCE 2 Foundation and Practitioner (2015)
