Sara Dias-Foster
Partnerships Development Manager
Leeds
Summary
As a results-driven partnerships professional with a proven track record of onboarding successful alliances, my expertise lies in identifying and nurturing strategic relationships that align with organisational goals and drive business growth. I possess exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, enabling me to build rapport and trust with stakeholders at all levels. I am eager to leverage my skills in an innovative, fast paced and ever evolving environment. Personally, I enjoy walking my dog, live music and swimming. I hold a full UK driver’s licence, can work remotely and/or travel regularly
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Partnerships Development Manager
StepChange Debt Charity
1 2012 - Current
- A diverse role straddling both Business Development and Relationship Management
- Scoping and onboarding new funding & strategic partnerships as well as managing and maintaining established and existing relationships
- Developing new business opportunities; sizing and scoping, awareness sessions with potential future partners, considering “the art of possible”, securing donations, developing new funding principles and products, collaborating internally
- Managing on-going relationships with existing partners; sharing insights and best practice, new operational processes, gaining new product buy in and nurturing relationships to ensure ongoing funding
- Internal stakeholder management: Cross departmental relationship building and communications, recognising key stakeholders and gaining buy in to ensure a smooth and seamless way of working, acting as a departmental ambassador to improve impact awareness, working closely with various areas such as Marketing, Finance, Operations and Technical Support
- Networking; Attending regular events and conferences in the finance and third sector, engaging with industry leaders and influencers to uncover new opportunities, representing the company in an impressive and positive manner
- Data analysis; regularly conduct data analysis to identify trends and inform strategic decision-making, generating comprehensive reports and delivering findings to key stakeholders.
Line Manager
StepChange Debt Charity
- Operational line manager, leading a team of no less than 12 advisors
- Managing team performance and “acting up” as departmental manager when required
- Advisor performance management: Quality and productivity monitoring, providing constructive feedback and coaching
- Absence management: supporting advisors and working with HR Team to adhere to policy, offering wellbeing adjustments and encouraging manageable improvements
- Recruitment; departmental recruitment lead, CV sifting, conducting interviews, candidate selection and onboarding
- Creditor champion: working closely with Strategic Relationships & Business Development to encourage creditor understanding, supporting these Teams with operational improvements and efficiencies to maintain funding
- Development: personal time spent with SR & BD Team to gain experience, leading to new role as Relationship Coordinator
- Departmental targets & deadlines; Volume forecasting, resource planning, data analysis and workstream allocation.
Team Leader
Damart
10.2005 - 12.2011
- Managing front line staff to ensure excellent customer service; quality monitoring and coaching as well as disciplinary action where necessary
- This helped me to adapt my communication style and consider the right way to get the best out of an individual
- Monitoring call centre incoming volumes and taking immediate action to reduce terminated call volumes; monitoring staff availability and productivity and offering overtime where needed
- This involved the ability to think on my feet and make tough decisions
- Reviewing call scripts and process flows, updating where necessary and suggesting potential improvements
- Working as part of a team to deliver KPI’s and support each other where needed.
Education
Bingley Grammar School
Bingley, West Yorkshire 01.1998 - 04.2001
Skills
- Business Development
- Target delivery
- Relationship management
- Pipeline management
- Data analysis
- Project management
- Excellent written and communication skills
- Opportunity scoping
- Networking skills
- Confident public speaker
- Stakeholder management
- Process development
- Presentation delivery
- Coaching and mentoring
- Line management
References
Available on request
Timeline
Team Leader
Damart
10.2005 - 12.2011
Bingley Grammar School
01.1998 - 04.2001
Partnerships Development Manager
StepChange Debt Charity
1 2012 - Current
Line Manager
StepChange Debt Charity
Similar Profiles
Chloe HallChloe Hall
Budget and debt advisor at Stepchange Debt CharityBudget and debt advisor at Stepchange Debt Charity
Rachel TitleyRachel Titley
BI Data Analyst at StepChange Debt CharityBI Data Analyst at StepChange Debt Charity
Saket Kumar TiwariSaket Kumar Tiwari
Solution Strategy Senior Associate at StepChangeSolution Strategy Senior Associate at StepChange
Stephen BlowStephen Blow
Director at French Carp LakesDirector at French Carp Lakes
Thomas Rocco ValentiniThomas Rocco Valentini
Golf and Country Outside Facilities Employee at Greystone Golf ClubGolf and Country Outside Facilities Employee at Greystone Golf Club