Kirsty Stanley
Colchester,Essex
Summary
Results-driven Manager with 14 years’ leadership experience in the wedding and events industry.
Proven track record of delivering exceptional customer service, leading high-performing teams, and maintaining high operational standards in fast-paced environments.
Skilled in staff engagement, performance management, and HR functions including recruitment, employee relations, and disciplinary processes.
A confident and fair leader with strong communication and delegation skills, now seeking to apply transferable management expertise within new industries.
Overview
126
126
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Recruitment Consultant
Casanovas Recruitment Solutions
2025.02 - 2026.03
- Operating as a 360 Recruitment Consultant within an independent consultancy, specialising in HR and Accountancy recruitment with a strong focus on compliance, employment legislation, and consultative client support.
- Proactively developing new business opportunities through networking events, industry forums, and client outreach.
- Managing and nurturing relationships with existing clients while building connections with prospective organisations.
- Sourcing and attracting high-calibre candidates via multiple online platforms.
- Managing the full candidate lifecycle, including competency-based registration interviews to assess capability, compliance awareness, and suitability.
- Overseeing the complete onboarding and compliance process: Right to Work checks, ID verification, referencing, and ensuring candidates meet all regulatory and client-specific standards.
- Leading initial client meetings to understand hiring requirements and negotiate terms of business and fee structures.
- Hosting HR-focused forums and networking events to keep clients informed of legislative updates and industry developments.
Front of House Manager
Perrywood Garden Centre
2024.03 - 2025.01
- Partnered with the Operations Manager to provide senior oversight of the onsite catering operation, leading front-of-house teams to deliver high standards of service and operational efficiency.
- Directed day-to-day restaurant operations, ensuring the venue was fully prepared for service, maintained to exemplary cleanliness standards, and securely closed in line with company procedures.
- Ensured full compliance with Environmental Health Officer (EHO) regulations, overseeing food preparation, labelling, storage, and hygiene standards to maintain audit-ready conditions at all times.
- Managed end-to-end stock control processes, including inventory audits, goods receipting, and supplier liaison for all food and beverage lines to optimise availability and minimise waste.
- Oversaw safe management of cleaning materials and equipment, ensuring COSHH compliance, appropriate storage, and adherence to health and safety legislation.
- Led workforce management processes, including rota planning, holiday approvals, sickness absence management (including return-to-work meetings), and the handling of performance management and disciplinary procedures in line with HR policy.
- Fostered a positive, accountable team culture through hands-on leadership, clear communication, and consistent performance standards.
Customer Service Sales Executive
Main Event Wedding Shows Ltd
2023.09 - 2024.02
- Working for this well established Bridal Magazine and Wedding show organiser my responsibility was to build rapport and sell advertising space and exhibition stands to clients within the wedding industry.
- Running wedding shows as the show manager, dealing with all planning requirements to ensure the show runs smoothly from organising floor plans, liaising with venues for pre show meetings, booking and organising equipment supplies and full set up of the venue on the day of the show.
Group Venue Manager
The Tabor Group Ltd
2011.03 - 2023.08
- My hard work and dedication to The Tabor Group allowed me to progress through the company. I started as a PA to the Managing Director, was promoted to Group Operations Manager, finally holding the position of Group Venue Manager overseeing the operational logistics of 3 exclusive use wedding venues.
- With the processes and procedures I implemented I am proud to have played a huge part in the success of the company, due to my consistent positive approach.
- A competent Line Manager, overseeing approx 70 staff members, across 7 departments of the business.
- Direct liaison with the Board of Directors, attending monthly meetings to discuss the business as a whole and business strategies.
- Responsible for controlling budgets ensuring profitability of the company in all areas, exceeding targets set year on year.
- Managing and motivating the team through effective performance management and encouraging personal development.
- Planned tasks and workflows for teams to achieve goals and meet deadlines.
- Boosted team morale to enhance service quality.
- Participated in continuous improvement by generating suggestions, engaging in problem-solving activities to support teamwork.
- I pride myself in being a very hands on Manager, leading by example which has allowed me to be part of every process from selling weddings, planing and coordinating weddings and running them end-to-end.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by resolving complaints promptly.
- Met licensing and statutory requirements for compliant events and performances.
Divisional Manager
CSS Recruitment Services
2006.03 - 2011.02
- I began my employment at CSS Recruitment in 2006 as a receptionist, and within a year was offered a role as a consultant on the Commercial desk, then shortly after was promoted to a Divisional Manager.
- Meeting and greeting all candidates and clients on arrival to the company. Received all inbound emails from applicants and directed them to the correct department or consultant.
- Designed and displayed window advertisements, and updated the company website regularly with current vacancies.
- Administration: starter sheets, permanent invoices, rate agreements for clients, timesheets, attendance graphs and preparing all registration packs.
- Followed up sales leads to generate new business for the division.
- Dealt with candidates both face-to-face and over the phone, interviewed candidates on a one-to-one basis.
- Managed key accounts for the company; attending meetings and reestablishing relationships with old clients to secure new business.
- Marketed CV's to clients, selling the candidates into the job role.
- Developed and maintained a profitable client base / controlled a large portfolio of clients in the Essex area.
- Entered and monitored new job roles on the internal database
- Negotiated rates for new business, and ensured relevant paperwork was in place. Trained new members of staff, setting them goals and ensuring they achieved them.
- Line Management of the Industrial division.
- Dealt with feedback and escalated concerns to provide customer satisfaction and positive communication with the company.
Corporate Sales Administrator
Norton Way Motors
2005.05 - 2006.03
Customer Service Coordinator
Lynx Express Ltd
2002.01 - 2005.05
Bar / Waitress
Yates Wine Lodge
1900.01 - 2002.12
Sales Assistant
Bay Trading Co
1999.04 - 2001.12
Education
A Level -
Oaklands College
Welwyn Garden CityGCSEs - undefined
The Nobel School
StevenageSkills
- 13 years experience in the hospitality industry, with exceptional customer service skills
- An effective manager who achieves targets and retains staff
- Negotiation and conflict management
- Organised, confident and self-motivated
- Identifies and develops opportunities and makes things happen
- Lead by example with a hands on approach
- Forward planning and strategic thinking
- Business development
- Client Relationship Management
Certification
- ACAS – Managing extreme persistent and difficult workplace behaviours
- ACAS - Managing a fair investigation
- Effective Team Leader / Supervisor workshop IOSH Managing Safely
- COSHH Awareness
- BIIAB Level 2 award for Personal Licence Holders
Timeline
Recruitment Consultant
Casanovas Recruitment Solutions
2025.02 - 2026.03
Front of House Manager
Perrywood Garden Centre
2024.03 - 2025.01
Customer Service Sales Executive
Main Event Wedding Shows Ltd
2023.09 - 2024.02
Group Venue Manager
The Tabor Group Ltd
2011.03 - 2023.08
Divisional Manager
CSS Recruitment Services
2006.03 - 2011.02
Corporate Sales Administrator
Norton Way Motors
2005.05 - 2006.03
Customer Service Coordinator
Lynx Express Ltd
2002.01 - 2005.05
Sales Assistant
Bay Trading Co
1999.04 - 2001.12
GCSEs - undefined
The Nobel School
Bar / Waitress
Yates Wine Lodge
1900.01 - 2002.12
A Level -
Oaklands College