Mandy Dawson
Wixams,Bedford
Summary
Accomplished professional with expertise in education administration and social care administration. Demonstrates exceptional communication skills, strategic planning, and leadership abilities. Proven track record of remaining calm under pressure while effectively solving problems and building cohesive teams. Proficient in Microsoft Office and SIMS for schools, with a strong understanding of safeguarding practices. Career goal: to create a professional, efficient and positive work environment for myself and my team.
Overview
38
38
years of professional experience
Work history
Reception Administrator
Biltt Trust
Bedford, Bedfordshire
2022.09 - Current
- Carried out day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Quickly learned and applied new skills to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Successfully delivered on tasks within tight deadlines.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Offered friendly, efficient customer service and handled challenging situations with ease.
- Increased customer satisfaction by resolving issues.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Used Microsoft Word and other software tools to create documents and clear communications.
Receptionist
Elstow Manor
Bedford, Bedfordshire
2021.11 - 2022.09
- Ensured the availability of up-to-date content on company brochures and promotional material for prospective clients' use.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by efficiently managing all front desk enquiries.
- Directed visitors and clients to appropriate staff, ensuring efficient service delivery.
- Completed data entry tasks whilst adhering to strict deadlines.
- Managed phone calls, resulting in effective communication flow within the company.
- Upheld confidentiality with sensitive information handling procedures.
- Assisted with administrative tasks, improving overall functionality of the office.
- Maintained accurate logs of visitor entries for security purposes.
- Greeted incoming customers in a professional manner and provided friendly, knowledgeable assistance.
- Answered and helped resolve enquiries from clients, vendors and general public.
Send Teaching Assistant
Holywell Middle School
Cranfield, Central Bedfordshire
2014.06 - 2021.11
- Assisted in conducting assessments to determine student understanding of subjects.
- Assisted in lesson planning for effective curriculum delivery.
- Improved student engagement by utilising interactive learning techniques.
- Ensured safety of pupils during extracurricular activities for an accident-free environment.
- Maintained up-to-date records of pupil progress, tracking individual development effectively.
- Liaised between teachers and parents, maintaining open lines of communication.
- Assisted children individually or in small groups to help them master assignments and reinforce learning concepts presented by teachers.
- Supported classroom teacher with behaviour management, promoting a positive learning environment.
- Managed administrative tasks, aiding smooth running of the class.
- Supervised students in classrooms, halls, cafeterias, school yards, and gymnasiums, or on field trips providing safe, supportive environment.
- Provided additional support to students with special educational needs, ensuring inclusivity.
- Led small group sessions for enhanced focus on challenging topics.
- Developed and nurtured excellent relationships with students and staff, enhancing positive learning environments.
Therapy School Assistant
Oracle School
Silsoe, Central Bedfordshire
2013.09 - 2014.06
- Prepared educational materials to facilitate effective teaching.
- Helped maintain classroom discipline, fostering a conducive learning atmosphere.
- Assisted with extracurricular activities, promoting holistic student development.
- Offered administrative support to teaching staff, easing daily operations.
- Monitored student behaviour during breaks, ensuring a safe play environment.
- Provided individual support to students with special needs, enabling tailored learning experiences.
- Prevented student misbehaviour through constant classroom monitoring and prompt interventions.
Customer care manager
NatWest Bank
Bedford , Bedfordshire
2000.06 - 2013.09
- Streamlined customer service procedures, enhancing efficiency.
- Organised training sessions for staff to improve customer interaction skills.
- Coordinated with other departments to enhance customer experience.
- Devised new policies for dealing with difficult situations, reducing complaint escalations.
- Developed a comprehensive onboarding programme for new hires, ensuring quick adaptation.
- Led the documentation process of all customer interactions, aiding in future reference.
- Improved customer satisfaction by proactive problem-solving strategies.
- Conducted regular meetings with the team to discuss performance and set targets.
- Resolved escalated complaints with diplomacy and tact.
- Enhanced the brand image by delivering exceptional customer services.
- Encouraged feedback from customers, using it as a tool for improvement.
- Analysed performance metrics to identify areas of improvement.
- Managed workflow to continuously exceed quality service goals.
- Led and managed administrative staff to maintain smooth daily operations.
Area Manager
Clarks Shoes
Luton, Bedfordshire
1987.09 - 2000.06
- Supervised daily store operations, ensuring optimal customer service delivery.
- Fostered a culture of continuous improvement within the organisation.
- Improved team efficiency by implementing new strategies for task delegation.
- Established strong relationships with key stakeholders to enhance business growth.
- Developed robust sales strategies to maximise revenue generation.
- Liaised regularly with senior management to discuss operational updates and improvements.
- Coordinated several successful marketing campaigns contributing to market expansion.
- Promoted a positive work environment which increased employee retention rate.
- Managed budgets effectively, maintaining financial health of designated area stores.
- Conducted regular performance reviews, leading to increased staff satisfaction.
- Ensured compliance with all regulatory standards to maintain brand reputation.
- Trained members of the team for improved overall productivity.
- Addressed customer issues with compassion and professionalism, ensuring swift, successful resolution.
- Managed staffing schedules for high numbers of employees, delivering operational efficiency whilst remaining under budget.
Education
NVQ Level 3 - Assisting Teaching and Learning
Bedford College
Bedford 04/2013 - 09/2013
NVQ Level 3 - Educational Psychology
Bedford College
Bedford 09/2013 - 04/2014
Higher National Diploma - Child and Adolescent Counselling
Bedford College
Bedford 09/2014 - 05/2015
Higher National Diploma - CeMap 1,2 and 3
University of Glasgow
Glasgow 09/2001 - 09/2002
GCSEs - Maths, English, History, Biology, French
Icknield High School
Luton 09/1982 - 07/1987
Skills
- Communication skills
- Strategic planning
- Leadership
- Calm under pressure
- Problem solving
- Team building
- Microsoft Office proficiency
- SIMS for schools expertise
- Education administration
- Social care administration
- Safeguarding practices
Accomplishments
I have won various company awards during my time in retail and banking as well as other achievements during my time is administration.
I won Retail Manager of the Year for Clarks Shoes in 1994 this was due to my exceptional sales, marketing, customer service and stock and cost control of my branch.
In 2004 I won Customer Service Manager of the Year for Glasgow and the West of Scotland for The Royal Bank of Scotland. I was awarded this for the biggest increase in customer satisfaction fir my branch in the West of Scotland and a 0 score for errors in my audit.
I have been recognised by my current employer for my excellent contribution to my school due an Ofsted Review and my customer service to the school and other Trust Departments.
Timeline
Reception Administrator
Biltt Trust
2022.09 - Current
Receptionist
Elstow Manor
2021.11 - 2022.09
Send Teaching Assistant
Holywell Middle School
2014.06 - 2021.11
Therapy School Assistant
Oracle School
2013.09 - 2014.06
Customer care manager
NatWest Bank
2000.06 - 2013.09
Area Manager
Clarks Shoes
1987.09 - 2000.06
NVQ Level 3 - Assisting Teaching and Learning
Bedford College
04/2013 - 09/2013
NVQ Level 3 - Educational Psychology
Bedford College
09/2013 - 04/2014
Higher National Diploma - Child and Adolescent Counselling
Bedford College
09/2014 - 05/2015
Higher National Diploma - CeMap 1,2 and 3
University of Glasgow
09/2001 - 09/2002
GCSEs - Maths, English, History, Biology, French
Icknield High School
09/1982 - 07/1987