Laura Taylor

Managed end-to-end planning, from concept to execution of all family events, including Day out with Thomas, Midlands Fire & Rescue Show, Statfold Goes Jurassic, Rails to Victory, Halloween Spooktacular, Day out with Thomas Festive Celebration and Magical Santa Express.

Coordinate corporate functions, such as conferences, weddings, company away days, school proms, award dinners, private hires and uniform camps.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Established strong relationships with suppliers to secure cost-effective deals
• Coordinated team activities for streamlined event execution
• Organised comprehensive event schedules for maximum efficiency
• Facilitated smooth running of events by coordinating all logistical elements
• Source suitable entertainment & activity options, creating memorable experiences for visitors
• Oversee event budgets to ensure cost-effectiveness and profitability
• Generated reports to evaluate KPIs, event logistics and financial data to inform future event strategies
• Work with the marketing team to promote upcoming events to drive awareness, and increase sales
• Worked with day-of event team to minimise delays and disruptions using critical thinking skills to solve unexpected issues
• Handle unforeseen challenges smoothly, ensuring minimal disruption to the event flow
• Manage multiple tasks concurrently under tight deadlines without compromising on quality or customer service
• Led tours for customers planning events, corporate away days and conferences
• Determined client budget, vision and requirements through consultations to provide tailored event solutions
• Conducted post-event evaluations to improve future events

In addition to the above, I was responsible for financial reporting to track year to date performance across all revenue lines, provide daily reports for the company accountant to assist with daily bank reconciliation. Ticketing system development, event set up which involves creating and managing the software application that provides integrated ticketing, visitor management and EPOS which allows the selling of tickets, events, memberships, gift vouchers and retail.

Providing administrative support services to the Community Safety Team (CST) and a funded pilot project for Exempt Accommodation.

• Supported accurate record-keeping with proficient data entry skills
• Expedited document electronic filing system
• Managed mailbox, logging all enquires onto action trackers and assign tickets to relevant CST Investigator for specific ward areas
• Attended regular weekly meetings with project partners (Adult Social Care, Social Housing, Benefits, CST) taking and distributing relevant notes
• Responsible for sharing updated action trackers data with CST Investigators to identify status for all cases, and to transfer new cases and closed cases to relevant action trackers
• Maintain accurate case records, reports and documentation using in house action tackers
• Collate and gather case records as part of the Community Trigger process in readiness for potential case reviews
• To conduct interview calls with victims to gather information and collate victims' personal statement of all anti-social behaviour incidents
• Handled sensitive information discreetly maintaining high level confidentiality at all times
• Identify safeguarding concerns and make appropriate referrals in line with policies and procedures
• Coordinate and schedule virtual meetings with relevant CST investigators and partner agencies — including Adult Social Care, Social Housing, Police, Health Services, and individual victims for Community Trigger case reviews, ensuring effective calendar management and problem-solving to accommodate all participants
• Participate in panel case reviews and record meeting notes
• To collate notes from case reviews, update action trackers and share outcomes with all relevant partners
• To provide administrative cover for other teams as necessary
• To ensure that members of the management team receive proactive and timely, accurate, concise information to support them in their role

Working part-time for a start-up IT Provider, IT consultancy but mainly IT project management business, working remotely from home. Prerequisite requirement for this role included leading the website project which included creation of the website content and designing the web pages using a wireframing technique. Managing the relationship with the third-party Graphic Designer and freelance Web Developer whilst ensuring work is completed on time, within the quality standard of the company and within budget. Setting up of Social Media Platforms including Facebook, Twitter & LinkedIn with continuous management including content creation using design software Canva and responding to messages. The use of Agile software, Jira for ticket tracking on multiple Kanban Boards created for each business need and Confluence for creating and sharing documentation.

• Reporting to the IT Director for daily meetings on Teams to review the Kanban board (Agile Software), this included an overview of the daily tasks completed, outstanding and waiting to be signed off
• The use of PowerPoint for web brief designs to wireframe each webpage and add rich content, pass to IT Director for sign off and then communicate with the third-party Graphic Designer and Web Developer to implement the designs and to configure/build webpages
• Test the website functionality to ensure all links and call for actions go to the correct places, such as enquiry forms are directed to the correct email addresses
• Update the Kanban Boards within Jira, track and assign tickets to correct team members & third-party suppliers including bug tracking
• Design unique social media content using Canva that stays in line with the company branding
• Schedule and attend local Business Networking meetings to promote Random Software Solutions
• Contribute to brainstorming planning/strategy interactive workshops held remotely on Teams and use of a Miro Board

Manage the sales of all Zoo products including educational visits, animal/keeper experiences, birthday parties, corporate memberships, groups, education clubs, uniform camps and corporate team building whilst ensuring the accurate and efficient processing of all Zoo bookings and sales, ensuring sales of Zoo products are maximised. Actively generate new business by targeting schools and businesses by promoting all aspects on the Zoo and its role in Conservation through proactive telephone marketing and upselling. A very fast-paced office environment, with a departmental budget of £878,000.00 (prior to Covid-19).

• Manage incoming and outgoing calls for busy sales office
• Ensure that sales procedures are followed correctly, with accurate billing of sales and payments received in line with terms and conditions
• Accrue accurate records of bookings and data to maintain CRM (Microsoft Dynamics) and booking system
• Handled inbound queries by phone, email, social media messaging and in person
• Budget and KPI tracking
• Compiled and analysed sales data, providing valuable insights for strategic decision-making
• Analyse departmental documentation for appropriate distribution
• Development of documentation and spreadsheets and ensure electronic filing system is maintained
• Coordinated with marketing team, ensuring successful product launches
• Identify potential new revenue streams, creating relevant P&L for senior management review and approval
• Enhanced customer satisfaction by managing sales enquiries effectively
• Facilitated efficient communication between departments resulting in smoother workflow
• Responded to customer inquiries and resolved issues promptly to maintain client satisfaction
• Followed up on sales quotes and potential leads within target timeframes
• Prepared and distributed sales reports for internal review and analysis, accruing accurate sales figures for departments monthly Profit & Loss
• Actively deal with all bespoke leads and convert into sustainable bookings, creating itineraries incorporating Zoo products/resources
• Raise purchase orders for department costs within the accounting periods
• Collate booking information to provide event/party function sheets and distribute to relevant departments
• Plan and forecast yearly booking diary, ensuring all products were available for bookings via office and website
• Assist with sales and marketing on event days, attend outreach events and completed site show rounds
• Contributed and presented the department news during monthly staff brief to other departments
• Review general administrative processes and make efficient improvements to drive work efficiency and productivity