ELLIE GARETY-JONES

Since May 2022 I have been employed by SAGA Cruises. I joined as 'Administration Assistant' before being promoted to 'Crewing Co-coordinator', I then stepped into the 'Crewing Manager' role before being promoted to 'Hotel Operations Executive'. My role has evolved since joining and is varied, including aspects of crewing logistics, operations management, budget management, procurement and HR. I currently look after a team of around 30 SAGA representatives working onboard our SAGA vessels, as well as our special interest hosts and tour managers. In collaboration with our external entertainment agency I also co-ordinate and look after our enrichment and celebrity guest speakers and entertainers across our growing fleet of vessels. I have successfully presented 3 learning seminars and have implemented various internal department standard operating procedures with great feedback.

• Lead and implemented all ship equipment and staff uniform procurement across all operating ships, both pre season and during
• Managed crewing logistics for various vessels, including contracting and visa requirements for colleagues
• Coordinated flights and ground operations for onboard teams, special interest hosts, and celebrity guests, facilitating seamless logistics
• Coordinated schedules for enrichment entertainment acts and celebrity guests on board
• Processed payroll and oversaw expense management for all members of the onboard team
• Conducted training and e-learning sessions for all colleagues, compiled performance data, and managed quarterly performance conversations
• Conducted and analysed colleague engagement surveys, and executed strategic improvements to boost colleague satisfaction
• Compiled on boarding documentation

I started my employment with John Lewis & Partners as a retail assistant and thereafter was promoted to customer support administrator. From December 2018 onwards, I supervised training for new temporary seasonal staff, guiding their transition to permanent roles and ensuring effective on boarding.

• Completed office administration tasks, managed calls, and organised meetings to ensure smooth operations
• Handled escalated customer complaints and queries, providing resolutions to enhance customer satisfaction
• Ensured adherence to company policies and procedures during daily operations
• Processed foreign currency transactions and managed insurance policy inquiries
• Completed consumer finance agreements and credit card applications on behalf of HSBC and John Lewis Finance
• Supported and implemented communication strategies for internal employees
• Facilitated new employee interviews and developed learning paths

• Created EGJ Beauty, a local mobile beauty business, while managing full-time work commitments. Developed and marketed social media channels on Facebook and Instagram, achieving over five hundred followers within five months of launch. Collaborated with local social media influencers to promote brand through product sampling and events, gaining recognition on suppliers' social media page in May 2019.

• Acted as first point of contact for customers, providing assistance and information
• Operated a busy switchboard system, taking and relaying messages
• Performed general administrative duties for management and peers
• Coordinated successful company events, enhancing customer engagement and satisfaction
• Created and managed social media content to promote company initiatives and connect with customers
• Prepared reports, presentations and documents for meetings

• I was approached by the Director of the company and taken into the team on the basis of assisting with promoting and creating the online presence for the company. After identifying where the company sits in the market, myself and the team were able to create a website, social media channels, local press advertisements and a successful promotional pack which we sent out to the relevant target audience. Alongside working on these campaigns, I continuously maintained the company's market presence by completing typical personal assistant tasks and responsibilities. In some cases, this directly led to the company securing a number of prestigious contracts with high profile clientele such as Kate Moss, Carl Turner and large event space contracts such as 'Pop Brixton,' 'Pop Fields,' and 'The Coachworks'

• In the September of 2015 I completed the customer service work experience programme at British Airways, in the week I learned valuable skills in the field of customer service and experience of working for one of the biggest and most prestigious companies in the United Kingdom. After completing my work experience I was invited to a British Airways awards ceremony, where I was awarded the British Airway's work experience student of the year award due to my 'enthusiasm, motivation and outstanding performance' during my placement.