Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Timeline
Hi, I’m

Grace Thornton

East Sussex
Grace Thornton

Summary

I'm a seasoned Executive Assistant and project specialist with 9 years of experience at the C-suite level. With a knack for organisation, I effortlessly juggle complex calendars, travel arrangements, and task prioritisation to keep operations seamless. Whether it's a local project or an international event, I thrive in the fast-paced world of end-to-end project delivery across various industries.

As a hands-on and approachable leader, I provide stellar client service and have an uncanny ability to foresee actions, acting with autonomy and confidence. I'm a true multitasker, thriving in creative, fast-paced environments. My commitment to confidentiality and professionalism is unwavering, ensuring executives receive top-notch support to drive business success.

I'm not just a communicator; I'm a connector. Expert at building bridges between stakeholders at all levels, I foster smooth communication and collaboration, supporting team culture and shared goals. With broad industry experience spanning Creative, Media, Advertising, and Sales sectors, I'm dedicated to continuous improvement in the face of ever-evolving markets where no two days are the same.

I'm results-oriented and proactive, tackling complex problems head-on to ensure success. With me by your side, rest assured that your business objectives will not just be met but exceeded.

I am available to start immediately.

Overview

12
years of professional experience
3
years of post-secondary education

Work history

Hello Flamingo, Creative Design and Manufacturer
Newhaven

Executive Assistant and Creative Project Manager to CEO (freelancer)
11.2023 - 03.2024

Job overview

  • Developed and delivered creative design projects from initial concept to execution
  • Collaboration with clients on designs, managed production to budget
  • Raised issues and risks, proposed resolutions throughout
  • Resourcefully sourced cost-effective materials and field specialists
  • Created manufacturer packs
  • Coordinated workshop teams to ensure timely execution
  • Created post project launch metrics, compliance documents and measures of success
  • Acted as face of the business for clients in office, managed deliveries, couriers, F&B orders
  • All executive assistant duties: managed CEO's calendar, primary liaison between CEO and stakeholders, scheduled meetings, coordinated travel and created itineraries, proofread drafted and edited communications, conducted research for ongoing projects, handled confidential information, tracked and processed expenses, idea generation and creation for events and meetings, organised efficient and easily accessible online filing system for team.

NBCUniversal
West London

Executive Assistant to VP Retail EMEA and VP Creative
03.2019 - 01.2023

Job overview

  • Imaginatively designed, proposed and executed immersive retail experiences
  • Created and delivered design presentations to senior leaders to take to retail for launches in 2022
  • Planned and executed partnership acquisition events in EMEA
  • Led operations and logistics for the NBCU stand at The Brand Licensing Expo (BLE) October 2019, facilitated meetings and arranged talks at the stand, organised giveaways and merchandise
  • Headed up office Summer and Christmas party planning and execution to budget and timeline, liaising with all relevant internal and external parties to bring these events to fruition, sourcing venues, F&B partners, discounts, props, researching themes, all operational and logistical aspects
  • Full email inbox and calendar management, including professional and private calendar management
  • Producing travel itineraries, including all booking, logistics and expenses surrounding the travel
  • Creating PO's, invoicing, advance payments
  • Meeting set up and attendance, note taking
  • Office ambassador, actively listening and representing cross-division concerns and ideas, responsible for relaying communications and brainstorming office improvement ideas
  • Managed the logistics of online networking events as client lead
  • Secured high-profile partnership, The Princes Trust, by organising, and evaluating its pilot programme
  • Heavily involved in the maintenance and management of the yearly communications budget by monitoring and tracking all expenses across the team and VPs, and reporting quarterly on budget status.

NBCUniversal
Sydney NSW

Executive Assistant and Junior Office Manager to Office Services Manager
01.2018 - 01.2019

Job overview

  • Owned in-house private celebrity screening events, liaising with celebrity agents and arranging private access, meet and greets, F&B for screenings
  • Managed and maintained all NBCU front of house facilities with a deep understanding and implementation of on-site office procedures, being the front face of the office, welcoming all with a caring, positive aura
  • Logistics and Operations management
  • Designed and implemented the Sydney charity project consisting of over 100+ staff members resulting in 1000 care packs being distributed to the homeless charity Mission Australia
  • Responsible for start-up Sydney office programmes and events such as Health & Wellbeing and Ministry of Fun events, ensuring the office and team felt valued and appreciated while having fun along the way.

NBCUniversal
West London

Executive Assistant to VP of HR and Operations, VP of Talent and Communications, and Director of Employee Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion
06.2015 - 09.2017

Job overview

  • Led a team of EA's for the 2017 BAFTAS event at The Royal Albert Hall, London
  • Operated the executive guest list, seating plan, transportation logistics, red carpet event, industry introductions and networking
  • Ran screening launch events
  • Sourced and delegated all aspects of the project to an internal NBCU team
  • Including invitation distribution, security at event, guest list, VIP, gifting, post film drinks event logistics
  • Office space planning for teams including liaising with the Operational Facilities management on floor plans, desk set up, IT equipment, Health & Safety, and risk management
  • Updated company HR org charts and setting up email distribution lists as well as preparing and editing presentations to deadlines
  • Arranged domestic and international video conference calls and meetings with internal and external stakeholders, as well as screening calls and emails confidentially and tactfully.

Cannes Lions
West London

Sponsorship Account Manager
06.2014 - 06.2015

Job overview

  • Successfully retained and renewed contracts of high-end companies
  • Identified new commercial opportunities to drive growth across revenue lines
  • Responsible for the profile, strategic direction and development of new & existing business for Cannes Lions
  • A diverse range of clients including The Mail Online, Clear Channel, ICCO, Audi & CNN
  • Maintained strong sales pipeline through effective relationship building, call management and lead generation
  • Planned, organised and managed sponsorship and promotional events, managing these events to budgets and tight timescales.

Havas People Advertising Agency
West London

Media Planner
02.2013 - 06.2014

Job overview

  • Created cutting-edge, relevant campaign schedules that match (or exceed) the brief
  • Presented rationales to internal and external clients persuasively, cross-sold products, maintained relationships with domestic and international media suppliers
  • Contributed to tenders, proposals, pitch and strategy documents and meetings
  • Negotiated contracts
  • Involved in media contract/package negotiations both for our agency as well as the clients when required.

ARX Ltd
Scotland and Northern England

Sales Executive
12.2011 - 02.2013

Job overview

  • Full end to end sales process, from cold call and re-igniting stale leads to executing final sale
  • Formulated designs to optimise pharmacy dispensary space and improve efficiency of workflow
  • Juggled multiple clients at once, taking a potential client on an existing site visit with similar business models
  • Demonstrated ROI models on excel to show profitability of automating
  • Drew up the final contract including any individual clauses settled on during negotiation as well as calculating the maintenance contract and payment terms.

Education

The University of Edinburgh

Bachelor's degree in Humanities and Social Science from English Language and Linguistics
09.2008 - 09.2011

University overview

Skills

  • Executive Administration
  • Project management and development
  • Event planning, from concept to execution
  • Facilities, Operations and logistics management
  • Budget & forecast planning
  • Purchasing and procurement
  • Reports, data, research and analysis
  • Microsoft Office and Google Suite
  • Results and detail oriented
  • Sales and negotiation expert
  • Database and filing management
  • Key stakeholder and vendor sourcing
  • Prioritisation and time management
  • Organised and efficient
  • Relationship building
  • Customer relations specialist
  • Systems implementation

Timeline

Executive Assistant and Creative Project Manager to CEO (freelancer)
Hello Flamingo, Creative Design and Manufacturer
11.2023 - 03.2024
Executive Assistant to VP Retail EMEA and VP Creative
NBCUniversal
03.2019 - 01.2023
Executive Assistant and Junior Office Manager to Office Services Manager
NBCUniversal
01.2018 - 01.2019
Executive Assistant to VP of HR and Operations, VP of Talent and Communications, and Director of Employee Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion
NBCUniversal
06.2015 - 09.2017
Sponsorship Account Manager
Cannes Lions
06.2014 - 06.2015
Media Planner
Havas People Advertising Agency
02.2013 - 06.2014
Sales Executive
ARX Ltd
12.2011 - 02.2013
The University of Edinburgh
Bachelor's degree in Humanities and Social Science from English Language and Linguistics
09.2008 - 09.2011
Grace Thornton