Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Custom
Timeline
Generic

GEMMA SALES

Bolton,Greater Manchester

Summary

I would describe myself as a dedicated professional with a passion for Performing Arts and have extensive experience in musical theatre instruction. I can confidently demonstrate exceptional accuracy and attention to detail, alongside adaptability to various teaching styles. I have proven ability to create effective schemes of work linked with Drama and Performance within educational settings, inspiring students while respecting individuality. I have experience in budget management, decision making, and effective multitasking, complemented by strong written correspondence and cultural awareness. I would class myself as a hard-working, charismatic team player who is also confident to lead where required and feel passionately about creativity, inclusivity and excellence in the arts.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience
2022
2022
years of post-secondary education

Work history

Personal Travel Expert

Designer Travel
Bolton, Greater Manchester
03.2024 - Current
  • Provide accurate quotations for clients from the information taken during the initial conversation.
  • Researched accommodation options to provide choices for varying tastes and budgets.
  • Boosted sales through strategic up-selling tactics.
  • Assisted clients in planning detailed itineraries to maximise their holiday experience.
  • Organised special requirements like wheelchairs or dietary needs; enhanced comfort during travels.
  • Handled unforeseen problems such as cancellations or changes in plans; minimised disruption for clients.
  • Developed in-depth knowledge of various worldwide destinations for better client service.
  • Advised customers on visas and travel safety.
  • Tracked flight prices to secure best-possible prices for customer trips.
  • Used destination knowledge to enhance customer trips with local recommendations.
  • Confirmed payment of deposits from clients before commencing with bookings.

Administrator

Designer Travel
Ramsbottom, Borough of Bury
07.2022 - Current
  • Answered inbound phone calls, from Homeworkers, suppliers and occasionally customers, resulting in problem-solving, excellent customer service and resolutions to queries on bookings.
  • Processed invoices sent to us by the suppliers which included checking the client's personal information and holiday details against our booking system ensuring accuracy and attention to detail at all times.
  • Monitoring the Administration Outlook Inbox for any important and urgent emails that require immediate attention.
  • Sorting through the incoming mail and sending out hard copies of clients tickets in the post.
  • Handling sensitive information discreetly and being aware of Data Protection for homeworkers and clients.
  • Producing reports to chase outstanding invoices from the suppliers.
  • Generating and emailing balance letters to clients to remind them to make payments for their holidays.


Performing Arts Teacher and Subject Leader/Teaching Assistant

Bowdon Church School
Bowdon, Lancashire
08.2009 - 07.2022
  • Liaising with touring theatre companies with the intent of booking shows to come into school for the children
  • Managing theatre/coach bookings
  • Planning Cross-Curricular Drama lessons for Year 1 through to Year 6
  • Working with local schools and theatres to build working relationships
  • Working collaboratively with staff members to monitor the safeguarding of children
  • Creating and carrying out risk assessments for school theatre trips and in school
  • Teaching Drama and Dance to across Key Stages 1 and 2
  • Casting, planning, managing and delivering a Drama Summer School each year
  • Filming and editing videos for in-school projects
  • Running and delivering after school Performing Arts sessions
  • Working with the class teachers to create lessons based on the needs of the children including PHSE topics such as Bullying
  • Creating schemes of work during the Coronavirus Pandemic for the school while the children were working from home
  • Creating colourful and engaging classroom displays
  • Supporting the school choir and casting, directing and choreographing the school production each year

Cashier

Bank of Scotland
Manchester
01.2009 - 08.2009
  • Working face-to-face with customers on the main desk
  • Ordering change requests for local city centre businesses
  • Paying in customer cheques, which required excellent attention to detail skills

Senior Sales Assistant

Next Plc
Manchester
01.2008 - 01.2009
  • Solving customer queries and complaints
  • Manning the tills and processing sales and refunds
  • I was a keyholder and opened the store on certain days
  • Working with the team and other managers to create a pleasant workplace

Children's Specialist

Borders
Manchester
01.2007 - 01.2008
  • Attending author events around the UK to promote books in store
  • Creating and implementing fun and inspirational events for the school holidays and book launch events
  • Attending weekly calls with the other Children's Specialists to discuss data and figures for that week
  • Setting up pop-up bookshops for school and library open days

Front of House Assistant

Manchester Opera House
Manchester
01.2001 - 01.2007
  • Checking tickets for patrons and showing them to their seats in the theatre
  • Selling confectionery and ice creams before the show and during the interval
  • Problem solving for Patrons
  • Cashing up tills at the end of the evening
  • Working the bar before the show and during the interval and taking interval drinks orders
  • Fire Safety Training

Education

High School - English, Maths, History, German, Textiles, Drama, RE, IT

Parrenthorn High School
Manchester
09.1994 - 07.1999

BTEC National Diploma - Performing Arts Musical Theatre

Shena Simon College
Manchester
09.1999 - 07.2001

Higher Level Teaching Assistant Status - Teaching

Lancashire County Council
Manchester

Skills

  • Accuracy and attention to detail
  • Adaptability to teaching styles
  • Creating schemes of work linked with Drama and Performance within an educational setting
  • Musical theatre instruction
  • Passion for Performing Arts
  • Respect for individuality
  • Budget management
  • Ability to inspire
  • Decision making
  • Effective multitasking
  • Written correspondence
  • Adaptability
  • Charismatic
  • Cultural awareness

Affiliations

  • Theatre and Performance
  • Travel

Custom

Theatre is the one area of my life that I have always held a strong passion for. I regularly visit the theatre whether it be amateur and community projects or in a professional capacity. Whilst my heart is in Musical Theatre, I also thoroughly enjoy plays and music too. I feel so lucky to live in a city where theatre is thriving and that it has such a variety of different theatres and productions. 

 I also have a strong passion for Travel and currently have my own Travel Business, Designer Travel by Gemma Louise which I am keen to still run during my free time. I love exploring new places and inspiring my clients. One of my favourite destinations is Japan, which I was lucky to have recently visited in October last year. 

Timeline

Personal Travel Expert

Designer Travel
03.2024 - Current

Administrator

Designer Travel
07.2022 - Current

Performing Arts Teacher and Subject Leader/Teaching Assistant

Bowdon Church School
08.2009 - 07.2022

Cashier

Bank of Scotland
01.2009 - 08.2009

Senior Sales Assistant

Next Plc
01.2008 - 01.2009

Children's Specialist

Borders
01.2007 - 01.2008

Front of House Assistant

Manchester Opera House
01.2001 - 01.2007

BTEC National Diploma - Performing Arts Musical Theatre

Shena Simon College
09.1999 - 07.2001

High School - English, Maths, History, German, Textiles, Drama, RE, IT

Parrenthorn High School
09.1994 - 07.1999

Higher Level Teaching Assistant Status - Teaching

Lancashire County Council

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