Paula Maria James
Hopwood,Lancs
Summary
Accomplished professional with extensive expertise in executive support and strategic planning, demonstrating proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and SAP Workplace. Adept at conflict resolution, diary management, and effective team building, ensuring seamless service coordination and procedural compliance. Proven track record in event planning and execution, finance administration, and stakeholder liaison, maintaining confidentiality assurance throughout. Committed to enhancing organisational efficiency through advanced note-taking, presentation formatting, and electronic filing system management. Career aspirations include furthering skills in change management to drive impactful organisational transformations.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work history
PA to the Director of Research & Innovation
Manchester Metropolitan University
Lancs
2022.06 - 2026.03
- Executive Personal Assistant to the Director of Research & Innovation Directorate.
- Overseeing Office management, coordination of Conference Events, meetings, networking activities
- Ensured effective use of resources with internal and external teams.
- Introducing robust approaches to improve internal processes
- Worked closely with leadership teams to uphold standards of data privacy and confidentiality.
- Experienced with EDI & Aurora process, Athena Swan- departmental & institutional
- UEG /DVC Executive Support team Network
- I am motivated to quickly resolve challenges
- Developed and maintained filing systems, both electronic and paper, to streamline document retrieval processes.
- Handled confidential documents with discretion, maintaining privacy and security of sensitive information.
- Assisted in the recruitment process by screening candidates and organising interviews, streamlining talent acquisition.
- Organised company events and conferences, from planning stages to execution, enhancing team morale and corporate image.
- Ensured smooth information flow with timely distribution of agendas and minutes.
- Oversaw purchase orders effectively and efficiently.
- Provided IT support for basic office equipment issues, minimising downtime and maintaining productivity.
- Took notes and minutes during meetings and appointments for Director reference and actions after meetings.
- Monitored office supplies and reordered stock, preventing shortages and supporting daily operations.
- Took accurate and detailed notes at meetings covering agenda items, action points and proposals.
PA/ Corporate Support
First Choice Homes
2021.08 - 2022.03
- Provide comprehensive & confidential secretarial and support services to Executive Directors
- Service Managers and Non-Executive Directors
- Supported professional services to streamline operations.
- Prioritized efficiency and cost-effectiveness in service delivery.
- Excellent Interpersonal skills to engage professionally with stakeholders at all levels and build effective working relationships
- Implemented office procedures to improve workflow and reduce administrative bottlenecks.
- Managed diary and organised meetings for senior executives, improving time management and efficiency.
Administrative Officer
Rochdale Borough Council
2021.04 - 2021.07
- FOI Requests /Complaints/backlog
- Confidentiality- complex cases- proactive in initiative to improve methods of working to current process and develop robust systems of improvement
- Adhering to strict data protection policy
- Handled daily office activities, including data entry and database auditing, maintaining smooth operations.
- Conducted research and compiled data for various projects, ensuring accuracy and relevance of information.
Undergraduate Administrator
NHS Northern Care Alliance Group CCG
2020.03 - 2021.03
- Student Doctors' Inductions to the hospital- Basic Fire training facilitator
- Time Tabling for student placements
- Demonstrated high independence and initiative in data analysis to draw conclusions and make recommendations.
- Implemented continuous improvements in processes and change management.
- Adhering to robust Data protection practices
- Offering guidance and advice to new students with policy expectations of practice and environment - Delivering training on patient confidentiality/ policy-liability to maintain the hospitals protection of extremely sensitive data
Effective Use of resources Senior Officer
NHS CCG
2019.10 - 2020.02
- Company Overview: Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group
- Reviewed Individual Funding Requests from GP practices within 10 CCG districts.
- Reviewed applications to determine acceptance.
- Clinical cases prepared from medical records and various medical documentation working closely with internal external stakeholders -Cases presented to clinician Boards if just short of policy remit
- Present and record outcomes
- Prepare and disseminate outcomes to patients/GPs -high volume to extremely strict deadlines
- Delivery elevated levels of Customer service
- Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group
- Worked diligently under pressure whilst preserving high-quality output.
- Upheld laws and regulations within jurisdiction, ensuring compliance from all parties involved.
- Managed conflict resolution for maintaining peace in the facility.
- Improved team efficiency with regular training sessions.
- Collaborated with colleagues for effective teamwork.
- Handled sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
Supported Learner Worker
Hopwood Hall College
Middleton, Bolton
2018.09 - 2019.08
- Supported Learning for Young People with challenging behaviour/needs
- Providing 1-1 support & Group work to encourage inclusion and engagement
- Assessing and setting SMART targets for young people's education and social progression
- Demonstrating data protection, student regulations and all compliance issues - safeguarding while prioritising own work with successful engagement and student results
- Using creativity and flexibility cultivating inspiration to maintain good practice and engagement
Restaurant Manager
Saints & Scholars
Didsbury, Manchester
2015.11 - 2018.08
- Implemented effective training sessions to improve overall team service.
- Promoted workplace inclusion through exemplary leadership.
- Maintained high service standards by fostering effective teamwork.
- Implemented daily 20-minute pot wash routine to foster inclusion.
- Promoted a unified team environment through equal tip sharing.
- Championed 100% guest satisfaction by providing excellent dining experience.
- Optimised profits by controlling food, beverage and labour costs daily.
PA to the Head of Communication & Engagement
CCG clinical Commission Group
Kirklees
2014.02 - 2015.01
- Serviced Ethics Committee and NHS partnership meetings.
- Event Coordination and General Practice service improvement proposals by introducing the use of technology for improved service delivery
- Managed diary and organised meetings for senior executives improving time management and efficiency.
- Drafted correspondence and reports on behalf of senior management, ensuring clarity and professionalism in communications.
- Scheduled appointments and managed calendars for multiple executives, optimising their workload and commitments.
- Managed customer enquiries and feedback, enhancing customer service and satisfaction levels.
- Prepared and distributed meeting agendas and minutes, facilitating effective communication among team members.
- Implemented office procedures to improve workflow and reduce administrative bottlenecks.
- Oversaw maintenance of office premises, ensuring a safe and pleasant working environment for all employees.
- Communicated meeting action points to relevant staff for prompt resolution.
- Used accounting software to prepare company bills and process incoming payments.
- Handled emails and written business correspondence on behalf of senior office staff.
Office Administrator
Manchester City Council
2007.01 - 2014.01
- Company Overview: Drug & Alcohol Strategy Team
- PA/Office admin for Clinical Commissioner and Strategic Partnership meetings.
- Converted paper-based office processes into efficient digital workflows.
- Drug & Alcohol Strategy Team
- Supervised work of contracted employees to deliver work on schedule.
- Collaborated with staff to formulate budgets and improve department revenue.
- Diffused challenging situations using conflict management techniques.
- Enhanced working relationships by participating in team-building activities.
- Optimised team training and staff development.
- Engaged with customers to better understand needs and deliver excellent service.
- Demonstrated consistent hard work and dedication to achieve results and improve operations.
Education
Combined Professional Services Degree - Change, strategy and projects at work - Developing leadership - Essential economics: macro and micro perspectives -global development: poverty, inequality, sustainability -Analysing data - Data governance
Open University
OU UKMath's, English, Art, Sport-GCSE -
NVQ LEVEL 3 Business & Administration -
Level 4 Diploma PA Executive -
Train the Trainer - Manchester
New Horizon
ManchesterR& I Management
MMU
Skills
- Conflict resolution
- Diary and schedule management
- Executive support
- Strategic planning
- Event Coordinator
- Finance administration
- Travel bookings
- Supply sourcing and ordering
- Stakeholder liaison
- Procedural compliance
- MS office proficiency
- SAP Workplace
- Advanced note-taking
- Confidentiality assurance
- Microsoft office suite proficiency
Timeline
PA to the Director of Research & Innovation
Manchester Metropolitan University
2022.06 - 2026.03
PA/ Corporate Support
First Choice Homes
2021.08 - 2022.03
Administrative Officer
Rochdale Borough Council
2021.04 - 2021.07
Undergraduate Administrator
NHS Northern Care Alliance Group CCG
2020.03 - 2021.03
Effective Use of resources Senior Officer
NHS CCG
2019.10 - 2020.02
Supported Learner Worker
Hopwood Hall College
2018.09 - 2019.08
Restaurant Manager
Saints & Scholars
2015.11 - 2018.08
PA to the Head of Communication & Engagement
CCG clinical Commission Group
2014.02 - 2015.01
Office Administrator
Manchester City Council
2007.01 - 2014.01
NVQ LEVEL 3 Business & Administration -
Level 4 Diploma PA Executive -
Train the Trainer - Manchester
New Horizon
Combined Professional Services Degree - Change, strategy and projects at work - Developing leadership - Essential economics: macro and micro perspectives -global development: poverty, inequality, sustainability -Analysing data - Data governance
Open University
Math's, English, Art, Sport-GCSE -
R& I Management
MMU