Claire Harrison
Lisburn,Newry Mourne and Down
Summary
Committed and motivated employee of Historic Royal Palaces with over 15 years extensive expertise teaching, directing and managing projects for young people throughout Ireland. Passionate Event Coordinator with experience of hotel management and delivering exceptionally high standards of customer service with intricate attention to detail. Focused and energetic employee well-versed in strong communication and organisational skills with an impressive track record in collaborative, cross-functional teamwork within high pressure environments. Competent leader with an excellent reputation for encouraging fellow staff and promoting best practices within teams. Adept at multi-tasking and committed to achieving excellence and purpose in all tasks undertaken. Experienced in meeting time and budget requirements through focused planning and negotiation. Confident in presentation skills and ability to engage diverse audiences. Enthusiastic about collaboration with fellow employees in order to push boundaries and develop positive working relationships to facilitate optimised productivity and performance. Ambitiously creative and flexible for adaptive project leadership. Thrives under pressure and adapts to challenges with ingenuity and resilience.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work history
Event Facilitator
Historic Royal Palaces
Hillsborough, Lisburn and Castlereagh
2025.06 - Current
- Managed and delivered many complex events as part of the Dialogue and Partnership Team. Including ceremonial, official and stakeholder events.
- Designed bespoke operational logistic plans for each event, focussing on efficiency, confidentiality and exceptional attention to detail. Key factors include; timeline creation, attendee management, event design, vendor supervision, staff co-ordination and security details.
- Demonstrated strong communication skills to manage and engage with teams across Castle site to ensure excellent organisational skills and seamless guest experiences. Helping to champion a "one team" approach across the estate.
- Ability to engage confidently and professionally to encourage and motivate staff to create world-class guest experiences.
- Capability to direct multiple, complex and changing details simultaneously. Whilst remaining calm under pressure and adapting professionally to make quick decisions to solve problems.
- In-depth knowledge of Health and Safety requirements including risk assessments throughout Castle estate.
- Understanding of Royal Household and Government ceremonial protocols.
- Awareness of heritage conservation considerations in operational settings with knowledge of hospitality operations, service standards, and event management best practice.
- Demonstrated discretion, professionalism, and sensitivity in all guest interactions, especially VVIP engagements.
- Flexibility to work directly with Housekeeping and Hospitality Teams in Castle allowing the opportunity to navigate operational issues from a wide spectrum across estate.
- Key events which I have facilitated include; Investiture Ceremonies, Citizenship Ceremonies, Gun Salutes, Royal Garden Parties, Internal shareholder dinners and conferences including the Berlin Process 2025.
Palace Host
Historic Royal Palaces
Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
2023.03 - Current
- Produced and created resources to provide engaging and inspirational public and private tours of Hillsborough Castle. Including subjects such as history, art, politics and conservation.
- Communicating professionally and vibrantly to present tours and aid further discussions with guests from a wide ranging demographic.
- Creating a welcoming presence and attentive customer service through engaging with guests, selling tickets and retail items and answering queries to enrich their customer experience.
- Demonstrating a true passion and enthusiasm for all that Hillsborough Castle and Gardens has to offer whilst encouraging guests of all ages and abilities to get involved and be aware of all events/activities available on site.
- Maintaining and assisting in Walled Garden Shop. Helped gardeners pick and display produce whilst gaining plant knowledge in order to assist guests with any planting/garden queries.
- Relishes working as part of a busy team during challenging working environments and events, such as The Coronation Weekend Party, The Honey Fair, Halloween at Hillsborough and Christmas at the Castle.
- Professionally greet, assist and serve guests at various Castle functions and ceremonies. Creating a positive and engaging atmosphere where guests feel welcome and empowered by their visit.
- Resolved guest and member complaints, maintaining customer satisfaction and workforce effectiveness.
Schools Session Presenter
Historic Royal Palaces
Hillsborough, Lisburn and Castlereagh
2022.02 - Current
- Produced and developed a variety of educational resources and presentations through detailed historical and educational research.
- Deliver engaging and interactive historical and heritage sessions for school pupils of all ages and family groups.
- Work with a number of costumes, props and resources to aid delivery.
- Adapt to differentiating sessions to suit and facilitate audiences of various additional needs and abilities.
- Provide a passionate and engaging session where young people are enthused, able to make connections and find relevance with the past.
- Delivering school sessions directly in Hillsborough Castle or remotely via Zoom.
- Delivered key content and programme for staff training and development during the 25th Anniversary commemorations for The Good Friday Agreement.
- Completed ongoing staff training sessions including Makaton training, Mental Health Awareness, Conservation training, Autism NI Training, The Royal Standard Customer Service training and Royal National Institute for the Blind.
Managing Trustee
The Harrison Chambers of Distinction
Belfast
2020.06 - Current
- Collaborated with industry experts to implement and establish high quality property management systems, exceptional guest experience opportunities and operational excellence across Front of House, Housekeeping and Maintenance.
- Developed creative and innovative ideas to create memorable guest experiences at family-run hotel.
- Managed daily hotel operations for optimal guest experience.
- Negotiated supplier contracts for better procurement deals.
- Managed customer service interactions, addressing concerns and preserving positive experiences.
- Supported housekeeping management in maintaining first-class hotel conditions.
- Streamlined hotel operations for increased efficiency and profitability.
Childrens and Family Co-ordinator (Salaried)
Lagan Valley Vineyard Church
Lisburn , Antrim
2015.09 - 2018.06
- Managed and developed a staff team of over 20 volunteers, interns and paid staff members. Planned and created weekly programmes of learning and engagement activities for over 90 children which included written resources, multimedia entertainment, SEND materials and outdoor activities.
- Project managed and designed seasonal church and local community events with audiences of over 500 people, including a Christmas Bethlehem Experience, an Easter Worship Party, Community Clean Up events and Neighbourhood Family BBQ Nights in local estates.
- Worked closely with external parties to align work with mission statement and maximise impact e.g. Collaborating with Atlas Womens Centre charity and their funders, Lisburn Castlereagh Council, to create a garden of wellbeing by transforming a dead zone area into a beautiful peaceful space with dedicated plant nurturing and growing beds as well as a children's sensory and yoga exercise area.
- Built positive working relationships with local authority departments, (Lisburn & Castlereagh Council, P.S.N.I, local primary and secondary schools), charities (Atlas, Via Wings, Sure Start, HomeStart, Care for the Family and Womens Aid) and other external freelance facilitators to enhance and promote events.
- Certified Care for the Family Facilitator. Produced and presented in a number of local church organisations, an inspirational programme of family support and learning sessions, including ParentTalk and The Kitchen Table Project.
- Dedicated Child Protection Officer promoting safeguarding standards in line with updated regulations to help protect from risk.
- Delivered high-quality results within budget and timeframe targets.
Musical Director
Northern Ireland Military Wives Choir
Lisburn , Antrim
2012.11 - 2015.06
- Led and directed the newly formed N.I.M.W.C.
- Co-ordinated and choreographed regular choir rehearsals with over 50 members and ensured a technically varied and entertaining repertoire.
- Collaborated with a variety of local authority organisations to ensure promotion and opportunities for choir to perform to public audiences. This resulted in various high profile events including an audience with the First Minister at Stormont Buildings, performing at local military award ceremonies at Hillsborough Castle, The Festival of Remembrance Celebrations and Saint Patrick's Day Celebrations at The Giants Causeway.
- Recruited and auditioned musicians of various genres to enhance choirs performance which helped create a further diverse programme for events.
- Liaised with fellow musicians, vocalists and musical directors to establish a high standard of performance in order to match audience expectations.
Director/Vocal Coach
Diva Arts Musical Theatre Company
Hillsborough , Co.Down
2006.09 - 2014.09
- Established my own Musical Theatre Company based in Hillsborough Village Centre.
- Taught private vocal coaching and group lessons to over 200 young people aged 4-18.
- Instructed and directed pupils in the art of Musical Theatre, helping them to gain confidence, vocal skills, self-assurance whilst enjoying learning and discovering new talents.
- Collaborated with CineMagic as a freelance facilitator to produce and direct week long musical theatre workshops with children from Northern and Southern Ireland.
- Assessed pupils abilities and strengths by entering them for London College of Music Examinations which provided opportunities to perform in regular showcases.
- Championed and established a monthly partnership with Diva Arts and a local elderly dementia club, "We'll Meet Again Club", to provide musical entertainment and well being support.
Teacher
Ashfield Boys High School
Belfast , Antrim
2009.12 - 2010.12
- Employed creativity and enthusiasm for History to develop a creative, dramatic and engaging curriculum for Year 8-12 students.
- Collaborated with other teachers and charities to coordinate social activities and field trips in alignment with curriculum.
- Developed and championed a cross community link with secondary schools in the local area which was facilitated through a collaboration with CineMobile. Screenings of films with historical content relevant to their curriculum allowed pupils to work together through discussions and written activities.
- Planned and organised classrooms that consistently facilitated a positive learning experience and encouraged active participation.
- Promoted physical, mental and social development by implementing classroom games and outdoor recreational activities.
- Developed engaging lesson plans by applying knowledge of educational theories and methods. Adapting these daily to suit the needs and ambitions of each class.
Education
P.G.C.E - Politics
Queens University
Belfast, Antrim06.2010
L.L.C.M - Musical Theatre & Performing Arts
London College of Music
London 06.2008
BA Hons - Drama & Politics
Queens University
Belfast, Antrim06.2007
Skills
- Passionate and driven
- Collaborative
- Advanced communication skills
- Large Scale Event Co-ordination
- Efficient and organised
- Enthusiastic
- Purposeful and innovative event planning
- Hotel management experience
- Adept in Royal Household and Government Protocols
- Team leadership and supervision
- Budget management
- Training and development
- Dedication to high-end service and household management
- Flexible schedule
- Competent in use of Excel, Word, Powerpoint and Outlook
- Full Driver's License and access to own car
Timeline
Event Facilitator
Historic Royal Palaces
2025.06 - Current
Palace Host
Historic Royal Palaces
2023.03 - Current
Schools Session Presenter
Historic Royal Palaces
2022.02 - Current
Managing Trustee
The Harrison Chambers of Distinction
2020.06 - Current
Childrens and Family Co-ordinator (Salaried)
Lagan Valley Vineyard Church
2015.09 - 2018.06
Musical Director
Northern Ireland Military Wives Choir
2012.11 - 2015.06
Teacher
Ashfield Boys High School
2009.12 - 2010.12
Director/Vocal Coach
Diva Arts Musical Theatre Company
2006.09 - 2014.09
P.G.C.E - Politics
Queens University
L.L.C.M - Musical Theatre & Performing Arts
London College of Music
BA Hons - Drama & Politics
Queens University