Catriona O’Brien
Bexleyheath,Kent
Summary
Highly skilled HR professional with extensive expertise in time management efficiency, organisational awareness, and employee relations. Proficient in performance appraisal handling, leave request processing, and personnel record keeping, ensuring seamless HR operations. Demonstrates strong knowledge of HR policies, health and safety regulations, and risk assessment methodologies to support compliance and workplace safety. Adept at teambuilding facilitation, effective networking, and stakeholder engagement to foster collaborative environments. Resilient under pressure with a commitment to integrity and initiative-taking, aiming to drive organisational success through strategic HR practices.
Offering strong organisational skills and keen eye for detail. Knowledgeable about recruitment processes, employee relations, and administrative tasks. Strong communicator with collaborative mindset and ability to adapt quickly to new environments.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
12
12
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Teaching assistant in primary school
Upton Primary School
Bexleyheath, Bexley
2018.09 - Current
- Taught whole class lessons in teacher's absence across upper key stage 2 year groups
- Conducted regular reading sessions promoting literacy amongst young learners.
- Assisted in preparation of lesson plans, resulting in well-organised, effective classes.
- Aided in the supervision of children during break times further ensuring their safety while on school premises.
- Facilitated group activities during lessons which promoted team-work amongst students.
- Utilised creative teaching aids whilst assisting main teacher during lessons, making subject matter more interesting for students.
- Enhanced children's understanding of complex ideas by simplifying and explaining concepts in an engaging way.
- Assisted with the marking of pupils' work, providing constructive feedback where necessary.
- Provided special attention to students with learning difficulties for better inclusion in class activities.
- Monitored pupil behaviour during class time, ensuring a conducive learning environment.
Recognition Co-ordinator
Barclays Retail Bank
Canary Wharf, London
2010.10 - 2015.01
- Provided programme query resolution for the Long Service Awards Barclays UK and our Recognition Way Ahead online programme
- Provided reports to the Recognition and reward team weekly/ monthly: fulfilling adhoc and regular requests for budget and nominations made
- Managed the Way Ahead intranet, reviewing content and identifying improvements and implementing where appropriate
- Support Head of Recognition as required, provided support for specific Reward activities such as UKRBB Payround deliverables and PD planning
- UK RBB HR Recognition programme delivery including, managing Way ahead monthly, quarterly and annually award nominations and delivery of awards, co-ordinate monthly HR award judging panel along with designing and delivering plan of communication and engagement across all HR winners and UKRBB HR population.
- Took redundancy January 2015 and was a home-maker until September 2018
Reward Team Assistant
Barclays Retail Bank
Canary Wharf, London
2010.10 - 2011.07
- To provide administrative support to UKRB Reward Leadership Team
- To reconcile and maintain file records of all documentation relating to the team and as required and in compliance with internal document and records management processes.
- To act as a member of the UKRB Reward team, supporting the delivery of various projects including Payround, PD, staff training
- Liaise with management and staff regarding a wide range of ongoing matters. Monitor, progress and ensure all actions and paperwork are coordinated in preparation for meetings in line with deadlines.
- Maintain a good working relationship with other UKRB HR and GRB Reward and administration staff, providing back-up and cover during periods of heavy workload or absences
- Act as the main reference point both in the presence and absence of Head of Reward and the Reward Leadership Team. Respond to/resolve a wide range of queries, channelling to the appropriate area.
- Ensure that Barclays’ policies governing travel and other expenditure are applied throughout the team
- Maintain complete and accurate HR records for UKRB Reward Team including (Performance Development, sickness, holidays and adhoc requests).
- Manage the processes for joiners and leavers in accordance with HR procedures
- Maternity Leave July 2011 – September 2012
Reward Administrator
Barclays Retail Bank
Canary Wharf, London
2007.09 - 2008.03
- In my 6 month contract I concentrated on the monthly Pay & Status process for the entire UK Retail Bank
- Working on strict deadlines and managing salary critical data
- Interacting with the HR community and HR Managers to ensure policies are understood and deadlines are adhered to
- Working on spreadsheets (using V lookups and Pivot tables) and on Access databases to manipulate the data for presentation to the reward Authorisers
- Undertaking data analysis and research using SAP and PDS to ensure data accuracy
- March 2008–August 2009 Maternity leave
- September 2009- July 2010 Completed my PGCE in Primary Education gaining Qualified Teacher's status (QTS)
- August- September Home-maker
HR Administrator and EMEA Sales Co-ordinator
IDC UK
, London
2006.05 - 2006.11
- Working closely with the HR Director and first point of contact for HR and sales processing queries for 100,000 staff.
- Advising in response to maternity queries, employee's holidays, pension, life assurance, new joiners and leavers, recruitment, staff development through organising training for UK and European staff and office management
- Processing invoices and payroll.
- Involved in the implementation of purpose built internal HR database created by our IT department, creating all the European employee files. Updating, monitoring and liaising all changes with other European HR departments on a daily basis.
- December 2006—August 2007 Travelling around the world.
Recruitment Consultant
Witan Jardine Recruitment Consultancy
2005.12 - 2006.03
- Placing newly qualified accountants into Investment Management companies, from Schroder’s, State Street (third party administrators) to smaller hedge fund and Venture Capital Firms.
- Writing advertisements, qualifying and registering new candidates with the company.
- Developing new business within the Investment Management area through cold calling and building existing rapport with previous clients.
- March–April 2006 Travelling throughout the USA
Front Office Recruitment
Partners Group Recruitment Firm
2005.02 - 2005.11
- Involved in a start-up Front Office desk at Target Partners (a subsidiary of Partners Group), to provide primary and secondary research into Portfolio, equity and broking market.
- Managed recruitment processes for successful team expansion.
- Supported recruitment process, contributing to talent acquisition efforts.
- Streamlined recruitment process with efficient scheduling of interviews.
Administrative Assistant/PA
NHS Direct London
, London
2004.06 - 2004.09
- PA to the Nursing Director, organising her diary, procurement, typing, photocopying, invoicing, organising travel arrangements, receptionist, office and facilities management.
- September 2004 - January 2005 Travelling throughout Africa
Administration Assistant
Michael Aherne MP/Accountant Position
2003.06 - 2003.09
- Resolved administrative problems by analysing information and identifying solutions.
- Handled petty cash transactions, ensured proper financial management within office.
- Maintained office supplies inventory for seamless operations.
- Processed client requests for enhanced customer satisfaction.
Duty Manager
Bewleys Restaurant
Limerick
2002.07 - 2002.08
English Teacher
Grupos Organizados, English Language School
2002.03 - 2002.06
- English Teacher (work experience as part of my University degree)
- Tailored teaching approach to accommodate individual student needs, promoting academic growth.
- Outdoor teaching through a variety of fun sports, with structured grammar classes at the beginning of the day
Barmaid/Receptionist/Chambermaid
Hilltop Hotel
1995.06 - 1999.08
Education
Postgraduate Certificate in Education - Teaching
Goldsmiths University
London 2009.09 - 2010.07
Bachelor of Arts - European Studies
University of Limerick
Ireland 1999.01 - 2004.01
Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign Language -
University of Limerick
Limerick, IrelandA Levels/Leaving Certificate/GCSEs - Secondary school
Colaiste Eoin Cork
Youghal, Ireland 1993.09 - 1999.06
Skills
- Time management efficiency
- Organisational awareness
- Performance appraisal handling
- Leave request processing
- Effective networking
- Risk assessment methodologies
- Teambuilding facilitation
- HR policies knowledge
- Personnel record keeping
- Fluency in hr terminology
- Health and Safety regulations
- Employee Relations
- Documentation management
- Resilience under pressure
- Communication proficiency
- Initiative taking
- Integrity upholding
- Stakeholder engagement
Languages
Irish
Advanced
Italian
Elementary
Spanish
Intermediate
German
Elementary
French
Elementary
References
References available on request
Hobbies and Interests
I enjoy playing my Irish sport, Camogie, reading, listening to music, cooking, travelling, dancing and in the last two years I joined a my local hockey club having never played before. My skills from camogie were transferable which helped me develop successfully.
Affiliations
- Playing sports (Hockey, camogie, Latin and Ballroom dancing)
Certification
Bachelor of Arts in European Studies
Postgraduate in Certificate of Education with Spanish
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Teaching assistant in primary school
Upton Primary School
2018.09 - Current
Recognition Co-ordinator
Barclays Retail Bank
2010.10 - 2015.01
Reward Team Assistant
Barclays Retail Bank
2010.10 - 2011.07
Postgraduate Certificate in Education - Teaching
Goldsmiths University
2009.09 - 2010.07
Reward Administrator
Barclays Retail Bank
2007.09 - 2008.03
HR Administrator and EMEA Sales Co-ordinator
IDC UK
2006.05 - 2006.11
Recruitment Consultant
Witan Jardine Recruitment Consultancy
2005.12 - 2006.03
Front Office Recruitment
Partners Group Recruitment Firm
2005.02 - 2005.11
Administrative Assistant/PA
NHS Direct London
2004.06 - 2004.09
Administration Assistant
Michael Aherne MP/Accountant Position
2003.06 - 2003.09
Duty Manager
Bewleys Restaurant
2002.07 - 2002.08
English Teacher
Grupos Organizados, English Language School
2002.03 - 2002.06
Bachelor of Arts - European Studies
University of Limerick
1999.01 - 2004.01
Barmaid/Receptionist/Chambermaid
Hilltop Hotel
1995.06 - 1999.08
A Levels/Leaving Certificate/GCSEs - Secondary school
Colaiste Eoin Cork
1993.09 - 1999.06
Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign Language -
University of Limerick