DENISE McGRATH
Manchester,Lancashire
Summary
Experienced administrator with strong organisational skills and ability to work under pressure while motivating other to meet deadlines. Skilled in building relationships with diverse stakeholders and managing events and projects effectively. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, maintaining confidentiality, and coordinating diaries and travel arrangements. Capable of producing pre-meeting documentation, attending meetings, and accurately documenting follow-up actions.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Project Delivery Manager - Education UK Marketing Division
The British Council
- Coordinated project management efforts in a busy marketing department to support timely delivery of initiatives.
- Contributed to business plan development and established key performance indicators to measure success.
- Managed a small team, providing training and conducting performance appraisals to enhance team capabilities.
- Oversaw production of content and supported global distribution of print products to various countries.
- Collaborated with corporate brand on strategic development initiatives.
- Produced financial reports on a monthly and quarterly basis.
- Facilitated training workshops for education institutions across the UK.
- Achieved project delivery success by coordinating team efforts and facilitating communication.
- Established and maintained strong client relationships throughout the project lifecycle.
External Relations Officer - Quality Development Unit
The British Council
- Working on projects that support the Prime Minister’s Initiative to encourage the recruitment of overseas students to study in the UK.
- Organising PR and training events for the Quality Development Unit and other areas of the British Council involved in international student support.
- Project managing the production of information publications provided to international students and UK education institutions.
- Staffing an information helpline for UK institutions and staff.
- Developed the Quality Development Unit website.
- Produce financial reports and statistics for Prime Minister’s Initiative Quarterly Board meeting.
- The British Council is the UK’s international organisation responsible for promoting UK education and cultural relations globally.
Diary Co-ordinator and Event Manager
STOCCAT
2024.09 - 2026.02
- Following a brief career change to work hands on in the Education sector supporting vulnerable young people, I have returned to a role I have many years’ experience in. Currently working as an executive PA to a CEO and three Senior Directors at a new and fast-growing education trust.
- Supporting a group of senior directors by managing five diaries, including the CEO’s. Working to often short and conflicting deadlines to schedule meetings with government agencies, local authorities, Head Teachers and OFSTED officials.
- Established professional relationships with stakeholders to facilitate cooperation in planning appointments and meetings.
- Making travel arrangements for the Senior Leadership Group to attend meetings and events nationally. Ensuring timely and cost effective transport and accommodation bookings
- Answering phone calls and responding to emails from internal clients and external business partners.
- Working as a team player with colleagues and external service providers, to ensure all internal events and training sessions met trust standards.
- Delivered three annual external conferences for the Trust, overseeing all aspects from inception to delivery.
- I have excellent customer service skills developed over many years working for a high profile international government agency(British Council), and have attended many overseas offices to review, and help them to develop customer management processes.
Project Officer
TMC Harpurhey PRU
2023.11 - 2024.06
- Supporting a group of boys with learning needs in the classroom, providing one to one support based on their individual needs.
- Providing pastoral support especially around safeguarding issues and using CPOMS to record concerns or shared information.
- Monitoring attendance and punctuality and encouraging students to improve and reach goals.
- Encouraging them to apply for and helping them become confident in preparing to attend mainstream college following GCSE’s.
SEN Learner Support
REED
2023.02 - 2023.11
- Hopwood Hall college: SEN Learner Support, working with 16-19 year old's in a SEN Learner Support role. Providing, academic, pastoral and confidence-building support to learner with Special Educational Needs both in a classroom and one to one basis with students. As well as accompanying students to their work experience placements to encourage independence.
- Abraham Moss College: Working in a Business Support role on a frontline reception desk. Helping students to enrol on ESOL and other functional skills courses, working with them to help settle them into induction week and college life. Providing support for all student enquiries, and supporting course tutors with admin requests, timetabling, and resource management.
- I was also required to do exam invigilation for English exams, following exams protocol when receiving, recording, and storing confidential papers.
- Setting up the examination room, retrieving and distributing exam papers
- Acting as an invigilator during the exam, including proving guidance and supervision of special needs candidates and completing paperwork for completed exams, correctly storing and arranging submission of all confidential paperwork.
Customer Management Advisor- Customer Management Team
The British Council
2022.02 - 2023.02
- Managed operational support to the Director Customer Management and team and the global customer service network to deliver the British Council Customer Experience
- Owning specific projects and activities to ensure optimum efficiency and quality
- Established and maintained information systems including the CSM SharePoint site and confidential staff records
- Onboarded and inducted new staff across the global network to maintain continuity of training.
- Coordinated the management and implementation of the annual global CSM conference.
- The British Council is the UK’s international organisation responsible for promoting UK education and cultural relations globally.
Education
GCSE - English and Mathematics
IT Btech Diploma - undefined
Rochdale Information Technology Centre
Skills
- Strong interpersonal skills to support relationship building with stakeholders
- Astute problem-solver with high-level negotiation skills
- Organised coordinator confident in managing complex schedules and logistical details to support operational needs
- Adept at managing resources and working with others to achieve objectives
- Driven to deliver high level support and manage day to day activities effectively
Certification
- Professional writing & Communication
- Management Foundation Course
- Recruitment & Selection Core Skills
- Coaching & Mentoring Skills
- NSPCC Safeguarding Children
- Prevent – anti radicalisation training
- Project Management Skills
- Brand Awareness
- Microsoft Project Management for administrators
- UKCISA Basic Advisory Skills
REFERENCES
- Jenny, Bonson, Director of Information, St Theresa of Calcutta Academy Trust, Manchester, Current Line Manager
- Graeme, Draper, Head of Innovations, Salford University, Contract supplier for BC online Education Training platforms
PERSONAL INTERESTS
Independent travel, my last trip was three weeks traveling Colombia solo, I volunteer to work paid and unpaid as a Children’s Chaperone for children working in the entertainment sector, To relax I enjoy going to the theatre and live music concerts and have recently taken up yoga practice
OVERSEAS WORK EXPERIENCE
- During my time at the British Council, I visited some of our overseas offices to facilitate training workshops for staff and Education Agents in:
- Colombia Hong Kong Nigeria
- Mexico City Slovenia Dubai
Affiliations
- I volunteer to work paid and unpaid as a Children’s Chaperone for children working in the entertainment sector. To relax I enjoy going to the theatre and live music concerts and have recently taken up yoga practice
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Diary Co-ordinator and Event Manager
STOCCAT
2024.09 - 2026.02
Project Officer
TMC Harpurhey PRU
2023.11 - 2024.06
SEN Learner Support
REED
2023.02 - 2023.11
Customer Management Advisor- Customer Management Team
The British Council
2022.02 - 2023.02
External Relations Officer - Quality Development Unit
The British Council
IT Btech Diploma - undefined
Rochdale Information Technology Centre
Project Delivery Manager - Education UK Marketing Division
The British Council