Jessica Houghton
Shipston on Stour,Warwickshire
Summary
A diligent, adaptable, and self-motivated professional seeking a challenging new role that will utilise existing skills and provide opportunities for further career development. Is known for her strong communication and customer service skills with the ability to build lasting relationships with colleagues and clients on all levels. Extremely organised with a proactive approach to problem solving. Eager to continue developing in a dynamic, new role.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
6027
6027
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Relationship Support Manager
Ashbridge Partners Ltd
11.2021 - 09.2025
- Started out as a part-time virtual assistant but quickly progressed through various promotions to become Relationship Support Manager across business development, marketing, and residential departments.
- Maximises business opportunities by sourcing and identifying new business leads, leveraging strong negotiation and networking skills to secure business connections.
- Fosters collaborative relationships with clients in the residential department, evaluating each mortgage case to ensure timely progression and ensure customer satisfaction.
Accredited Play Therapist
Various Primary Schools
09.2013 - 12.2021
- Forged positive relationships with numerous children across various primary schools, providing diverse support and implementing strategies to assist children with emotional and behavioural challenges.
- Collaborated with parents, teachers, and senior management to develop tailored plans to support children with their development and emotional regulation.
- Worked with parents as a Licensed Parent-Child Attachment Play Practitioner to implement a 10-step model to empower parents to enhance engagement and connection within their families.
- Ran staff training, inset days, and school consultations to provide wider support within schools.
Primary School Teacher
Various Primary Schools
09.2006 - 07.2021
- Worked as a teacher in a number of primary schools over the years, (excluding 2012 - 2019) including large London inner-city schools and more rural settings in the Midlands.
- Developed and delivered curriculum based lessons that targeted all areas of learning and development, creating a supportive and inviting environment to enhance students’ learning opportunities.
- Delivered specialised SEND provision for students with additional needs, and helped to set up a Resource Provision to further support children with communication and learning difficulties.
Account Manager
PSI Advertising, London
01.2002 - 07.2005
- Charged with managing and coordinating a range of global airport advertising campaigns, effectively balancing simultaneous projects and budgets to ensure impactful outcomes.
- Led and supported a multi-disciplinary team, delegating tasks and providing strategic input to ensure campaigns aligned with client objectives.
- Collaborated with clients and prepared regular proposals and reviews to ensure effective campaign management from end-to-end, maintaining client budgets.
Education
BA (Joint Hons, 2:1) - Italian & History of Art
Bristol University
Postgraduate Certificate - in Education
Brighton University & Wandsworth Primary Schools' Consortium
Postgraduate Diploma with Merit - Play Therapy
Leeds Beckett University & PTUK
Skills
- Strong Communicator
- Customer Service Focus
- Active Listening Skills
- Financial Management
- Strategic Planning
- Complex Problem Solving
- Report Preparation
- Regulatory Compliance
- Organisation & Planning
- Numerical Skills
- Analytical Thinking
- Negotiation & Presentation
Affiliations
I enjoy playing the flute in a local orchestrra. I am a keen cook and enjoy dog walks, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Volunteer Experience
NSPCC’s Childline, Volunteer Counsellor, London, 2003 - 2005. Completed training to be a telephone counsellor and provided telephone assistance on the helpline, supporting children with a variety of challenging situations and concerns including several child protection cases. Utilised robust active listening skills to make callers feel comfortable and safe, ensuring their concerns were appropriately acknowledged and handled.
PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT
- 2019 Completed a Cross-Continental Swim
Participated in the oldest swim race in the world – the Hellespont Swim in Turkey, from Europe to Asia.
- 2004 Swam the English Channel
Successfully completed the Channel swim from England to France as part of a 3-woman team, completing the crossing in 17 hours and raising £9,000 for Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital.
Timeline
Relationship Support Manager
Ashbridge Partners Ltd
11.2021 - 09.2025
Accredited Play Therapist
Various Primary Schools
09.2013 - 12.2021
Primary School Teacher
Various Primary Schools
09.2006 - 07.2021
Account Manager
PSI Advertising, London
01.2002 - 07.2005
BA (Joint Hons, 2:1) - Italian & History of Art
Bristol University
Postgraduate Certificate - in Education
Brighton University & Wandsworth Primary Schools' Consortium
Postgraduate Diploma with Merit - Play Therapy
Leeds Beckett University & PTUK