Clare Williams
Summary
Reliable business professional with over two decades of executive administrative experience in media, retail and real estate. Highly dependable and resourceful with a stellar work ethic, exceptional communication and project management skills. Expert in event management, strong attention to detail, creative eye and demonstrated executive concierge mastery. Willing to take on greater responsibilities to drive high-performing cross-functional team goals and lead business growth.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work history
Freelance Executive Administrator
Alice Wilkes Design Ltd & Fiona Fleur Ltd
London, Remote
01.2025 - Current
- Develop and implement streamlined company policies and administrative processes for two London-based clients in luxury events industry.
- Serve as confidential point of contact for staff and freelancers regarding policies, procedures, and employment queries.
- Convert leads and cultivate new client relationships through targeted outreach and exceptional service.
- Develop tailored proposals and presentations using PowerPoint to secure new business.
- Manage complex calendars, anticipating scheduling conflicts and proactively implementing solutions.
- Plan and book domestic and international travel, negotiating rates and preparing detailed travel packs with itineraries and local guidance.
- Lead full-cycle recruitment - writing job descriptions, posting adverts, screening applicants, conducting interviews, and coordinating offers.
- Draft, review and manage NDAs, contracts, and other legal documentation with absolute confidentiality.
Senior Executive Assistant to CEO
Matouk
Fall River, Massachusetts
12.2023 - 06.2024
- Served as liaison between ELT, HR and employees, maintaining cross-functional communication and streamlining decision-making processes.
- As Welcome Ambassador, upheld brand standards at all times and strengthened customer relationships through professional and positive engagement.
- Improved operational efficiencies by implementing robust document management systems and meeting tight auditing deadline.
- Drove meeting success by compiling clear, error-free briefing documents, using SharePoint to access and manage information.
Executive Business Partner to Global CFO
SAP Concur
Remote, Rhode Island
10.2021 - 06.2023
- Right-hand to global financial leader of $188.6M SaaS enterprise, managed rhythm of business by collaborating cross-functionally to help plan, align, and deliver on critical milestones.
- Managed Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) with global sales teams across 7 time zones, highlighting progress towards KPIs and key stakeholders.
- Planned and facilitated special events including annual sales kick-off in Miami and Atlanta with 75+ Enterprise and SMB sales leaders.
- Produced and facilitated onboarding program for new CFO to be introduced to 2000+ employees in 'Get to Know your CFO' sessions held in Japan, Seattle, Chicago, London and NYC, building in client visits to cultivate business relationships.
- Planned and managed budget for multiple strategic off-sites in Europe and Japan, developing strategic partnerships for expanded business reach.
- Enhanced employee engagement by managing global pop-up shop, aligning purchasing strategies and reducing costs by 40% year over year.
Executive Assistant to SVP Real Estate
Ascena Retail Group (Ann Taylor, LOFT)
New York, NY
04.2017 - 03.2021
- Enhanced communication between ELT and employees in New York, New Jersey, Ohio, and California by coordinating events, meetings and conferences.
- Effectively tracked and communicated event planning status, timelines and action items from kick off to launch.
- Implemented post-event evaluation processes through Survey Monkey, hindsighting events and improving future performance.
- Assisted in decision-making processes by conducting comprehensive research and gathering time-sensitive content.
- Developed team recognition programme to increase employee engagement and morale.
- Managed employee engagement surveys, increasing department response rate by 35% and presented findings to leadership.
- Streamlined onboarding process for improved new hire experience and team integration.
- Reconciled expenses in Concur, managed department budget and drafted contract and purchase orders for team.
Executive Assistant to CEO
ACORD
New York, NY
04.2016 - 12.2016
- Business partner to new CEO of global non-profit supporting insurance industry with over 36K participating organizations from 100 countries globally.
- Managed complex international travel arrangements to ensure seamless business trips for CEO, facilitating speaking engagements at leading global industry events and institutions.
- Travelled to New York and London to oversee international Board of Directors meetings (16 members), managing logistics, travel, document distribution and recording of published minutes.
- Streamlined compliance, orientation and succession planning for Board of Directors, introducing new online portal to improve communication and increase efficiencies.
- Served as a primary contact for member inquiries, directing complex questions to relevant departments.
- Maintained membership records, ensuring data accuracy and compliance and supported engagement initiatives to imporve retention rates.
Executive Assistant to President
The Dressbarn Inc.
Mahwah, New Jersey
02.2010 - 04.2016
- Managed President's office of $1B women's apparel retailer with 8,000+ employees and 810 stores, serving as gate-keeper and primary liaison between senior leadership and executive office.
- Collaborated and liaised with 8 senior direct reports on ELT to maintain smooth flow of information and drive key objectives.
- Oversaw a complex, fast-paced calendar, coordinating internal, customer, and investor meetings.
- Organized and facilitated national sales meetings, leadership off-sites and somatic executive coaching for ELT.
- Assisted in management of out of state relocation of corporate HQ, helping company become first corporation to receive Grow NJ tax credit program with $32.4M subsidy over 10 years.
- Joined company mentorship program, holistically building relationships and cultivating leadership amongst administrative team.
Brand Licensing Manager
MTV Europe (Viacom)
London, UK
02.1994 - 06.1997
- Managed MTV's consumer product portfolio, sourcing licensees and expanding into new product categories to enhance brand visibility.
- Managed relationships with 60+ manufacturers of product across Europe, negotiating royalties and guarantees to secure favourable terms.
- Supervised all stages of product development to meet style guide and trademark requirements, partnering with legal team for protection of intellectual property rights.
- Produced and executed marketing campaigns to promote licensed product on and off-air.
- Researched competitive landscape, identified consumer and industry trends, and presented benchmarking report quarterly to ELT.
- Represented brand at licensing exhibitions and conventions, driving awareness of MTV licensed products across Europe.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration
University of Wales
Cardiff, UK 09.1991 - 05/1994
Skills
- Creative problem solving
- Project management
- Meeting coordination
- Cross-functional relationship building
- Advanced MS Office & Google Workspace
- Event and conference management
- Data management
- Project leadership
- Business correspondence
- Policy implementation
- Membership website software
- Fundraising techniques
- Member engagement
- WordPress knowledge
- Outreach strategies
Other
Bbb
Timeline
Freelance Executive Administrator
Alice Wilkes Design Ltd & Fiona Fleur Ltd
01.2025 - Current
Senior Executive Assistant to CEO
Matouk
12.2023 - 06.2024
Executive Business Partner to Global CFO
SAP Concur
10.2021 - 06.2023
Executive Assistant to SVP Real Estate
Ascena Retail Group (Ann Taylor, LOFT)
04.2017 - 03.2021
Executive Assistant to CEO
ACORD
04.2016 - 12.2016
Executive Assistant to President
The Dressbarn Inc.
02.2010 - 04.2016
Brand Licensing Manager
MTV Europe (Viacom)
02.1994 - 06.1997
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration
University of Wales
09.1991 - 05/1994
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