Mollie Knowlden
Poole,Dorset
Summary
Highly organised operations and event delivery professional with 9+ years’ experience coordinating complex sailing programmes, events, logistics and stakeholder operations within high-performance sport.
Experienced in delivering national and international sailing events, managing athlete and coach support, travel logistics, supplier coordination, budget administration and operational planning in fast-paced environments.
Calm under pressure and solutions-focused, with a proactive approach to improving processes, building efficient systems and delivering high standards across multiple workstreams. Passionate about athlete development and high-performance sport, with a strong understanding of sailing operations and working within a team.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work history
Events Officer
Royal Yachting Association
Southampton, Hampshire
2022.02 - Current
- Lead operational planning and delivery support for national and international sailing events, coordinating logistics, scheduling and stakeholder requirements across multiple programme workstreams.
- Act as primary operational contact for athletes, coaches and volunteers during major championship delivery, ensuring effective coordination of accommodation, transport, event schedules and welfare requirements.
- Delivered operational support for the 2023 Formula Kite European Championships and planning support for the 2026 iQFOiL World Championships.
- Coordinate high-profile stakeholder activity including Royal visits, sponsors and external partners.
- Develop detailed delivery plans, schedules and operational processes to manage critical deadlines and event requirements.
- Manage event budgets, supplier relationships and procurement activity, ensuring cost-effective delivery against agreed expenditure.
- Oversee competitor and volunteer registration systems, ensuring GDPR compliance and accurate participant data management.
- Coordinate volunteer recruitment, deployment and onsite management during major events.
- Work collaboratively with senior leadership, internal departments, officials and external stakeholders to ensure effective programme delivery.
- Continuously review operational systems and implement process improvements to increase efficiency and delivery consistency.
Dinghy and Windsurfing Administrator
Royal Yachting Association
Southampton, Hampshire
2017.03 - 2022.02
- Coordinated national training and accreditation programme logistics across RYA training centres and instructor networks.
- Managed complex scheduling and operational administration for coach assessor and trainer revalidation activity.
- Delivered annual national training conference for 200+ delegates, exhibitors and stakeholders.
- Managed budgets and expenditure for regional operational delivery teams.
- Coordinated stakeholder communications across UK and international sailing training networks.
- Supported programme expansion projects including hydrofoiling integration and international recognition development in China.
- Maintained programme systems, databases and operational records.
Sales Assistant
Russell & Bromley
Chichester, West Sussex
2016.09 - 2017.04
- Ladies and children’s department selling higher end products
- Dealing with the general public whilst in a team environment.
- Created a welcoming store environment by maintaining clean and well-organised displays.
Dinghy & Windsurfing Instructor
Mark Marner Holidays
Lemnos, Greece
2016.05 - 2016.09
- Teaching RYA courses in both dinghy sailing and windsurfing
- Teaching adults and children at beginner and advanced levels
- Safety/Rescue boat cover and land based safety observation.
- Tallying guests on and off the water to ensure safety procedures maintained.
- Boat rigging, de-rigging, maintenance and repairs.
- Leading Kayak and Stand Up Paddleboard Safari’s.
Training Schemes Administrator
Royal Yachting Association
Southampton, Hampshire
2015.06 - 2016.04
- Processing inspection reports for all training centres and Superyachts
- Processing payments for inspectors
- Updating training centre details on the NAV database.
- Authorising recognition to new centres following inspection.
- Representing the department at boat shows.
- Responding to training enquiries from centres and general public.
Sales Assistant
Cotswold Outdoor
Chichester, West Sussex
2014.10 - 2015.05
- Advised customers on outdoor products for activities including: climbing, hiking, skiing and general outdoors.
- Received detailed product training on specialised equipment.
Dinghy Instructor
Ocean Elements Holidays
Porto Heli, Greece
2014.06 - 2014.09
- Entrapment and spinal board rescue training
- Teaching RYA dinghy sailing courses
- Teaching both adults and children at beginner and advanced levels
- Safety/Rescue boat cover and land based safety observation.
- Tallying guests on and off the water to ensure safety procedures maintained.
- Boat rigging, de-rigging, maintenance and repairs.
Sales Assistant & Admin
Andark Diving & Watersports
Southampton, Hampshire
2012.05 - 2014.05
- Achieved PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) open water diving qualification.
- Helicopter crash simulator training
- Direct customer support with detailed product knowledge in store and at boat shows
- In store display building
- Stock taking and office admin
Sales Assistant
Marine Superstore
Chichester, West Sussex
2013.04 - 2014.04
- Yacht chandlery and clothing
Education
Bachelor of Science - Adventure Education
University of Chichester
Chichester /2013 - /2017
A-Levels - PE, Psychology, Photography and Geography
Barton Peveril College
Eastleigh, Hampshire /2011 - /2013
GCSEs - 12 GCSE's, including English, Maths & Science
Cams Hill School
Fareham, Hampshire /2006 - /2011
Skills
- Operational Planning
- Cross-functional Coordination
- Logistics Delivery
- Stakeholder Communication
- Budgeting
- Problem Solving
- Decision Making Under Pressure
- Organised
- Task Orientated
- Calm under pressure
- Proactive
- Good attention to detail
Timeline
Events Officer
Royal Yachting Association
2022.02 - Current
Dinghy and Windsurfing Administrator
Royal Yachting Association
2017.03 - 2022.02
Sales Assistant
Russell & Bromley
2016.09 - 2017.04
Dinghy & Windsurfing Instructor
Mark Marner Holidays
2016.05 - 2016.09
Training Schemes Administrator
Royal Yachting Association
2015.06 - 2016.04
Sales Assistant
Cotswold Outdoor
2014.10 - 2015.05
Dinghy Instructor
Ocean Elements Holidays
2014.06 - 2014.09
Sales Assistant
Marine Superstore
2013.04 - 2014.04
Sales Assistant & Admin
Andark Diving & Watersports
2012.05 - 2014.05
Bachelor of Science - Adventure Education
University of Chichester
/2013 - /2017
A-Levels - PE, Psychology, Photography and Geography
Barton Peveril College
/2011 - /2013
GCSEs - 12 GCSE's, including English, Maths & Science
Cams Hill School
/2006 - /2011