Experience

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  Trafalgar Travel

  • Bohemia, Russia & Scandinavia

  • Travel Director

    • Aug 2013 - Present
    • Bohemia, Russia & Scandinavia

    * Handle all logistical aspects of running coach-based escorted holidays through Russia, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe: deliver lectures, assist clients with managing their time; liaise with drivers, porters, local guides, and various hospitality staff to ensure that each day on tour runs seamlessly* Organise, book, sell and collect payment for a wide range of optional experiences such as dinners, walking tours or cultural visits* Provide 24-hour on-call support for clients who may require emergency assistance

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  Flight Centre (UK) Limited

  • Assistant Manager

    • Jan 2017 - Aug 2020

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  826LA

  • Volunteer

    • Sep 2015 - Mar 2016

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  Contiki Holidays

  • Europe, Spain, Russia & Scandinavia

  • Tour Manager

    • Mar 2009 - Aug 2013
    • Europe, Spain, Russia & Scandinavia

    * Responsible for all day-to-day aspects of running a tour across Europe: confirming accommodation/excursion/restaurant bookings; orientating clients with maps and providing practical information for free time* Provide pastoral care for all clients on tour: this may include taking clients to see a doctor/to hospital; spending one-on-one time with them; or planning nights out for the group to ensure that all clients are enjoying their holidays and feel well looked-after* Researched and wrote an 80,000-word body of work about many facets of European culture and underwent an intensive 10-week on-the-road training trip, reputed to be the most rigorous in the travel industry* Research, compose and deliver engaging speeches which may be up to two hours in length: these talks range from providing logistical information about the operation of the tour to a 50-point Paris City Tour to a comprehensive overview of the rise of Nazism and the Holocaust. All talks are geared to an audience of young adults from mixed backgrounds* Research and write handouts for clients about various aspects of travelling in Europe (museums, practical aspects, transportation systems)* Mentored junior Tour Managers to offer support and assistance during their first year* Assisted with recruitment of new Tour Managers: critiqued group presentations, participated in individual interviews and wrote profiles to assist Training Managers* Ran a Familiarisation Tour for independently- affiliated travel agents from around the world

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  UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA EDUCATION ABROAD

  • London, United Kingdom

  • Programme Officer

    • Oct 2006 - Mar 2009
    • London, United Kingdom

    * Acted as office manager and first point-of-contact for 700 inbound and outbound exchange students; acted as liaison between university staff in California and the UK/Ireland* Planned, implemented and ran a series of 2/3-day orientations for incoming exchange students. Sessions included academic and cultural information as well as sightseeing, meals and other activities. Groups ranged in size from 4-45 students. Responsible for planning all aspects of these sessions, including: scheduling, booking accommodation and group transport, selecting and booking social and cultural activities.* Reviewed, updated and produced a number of internal academic documents to assist students with transitioning abroad, as well as ensuring their familiarity with complicated processes for credit transfer* Advised and supported outbound students on all matters relating to applying and preparing for their exchange year; hosted pre-departure events for up to 70 students and worked with students on a one-to-one basis as needed; trained UK university staff to better advise their own students* Created, monitored and managed an annual orientation and operations budget of £100K; paid all invoices and used QuickBooks to provide accurate monthly financial reports for auditing by the Head Office. Assessed and implemented a 10% budget cut during recession* Line managed one permanent member of staff and recruited, hired, trained and managed a team of student interns

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  Birkbeck, University of London

  • London, United Kingdom

  • Registry Officer: Research

    • Jun 2005 - Oct 2006
    • London, United Kingdom

    * Provided pastoral and administrative support to the College's 900 research students from entry stage through to graduation; sole record-keeper for both paper and electronic records; liaised with departmental administrators and faculty on a variety of issues* Primary point-of-contact for external examiners: handled payments and analysed and followed-up on reports; produced annual report for Academic Senate and Quality Assurance* Organised and produced papers and minutes for several College committees including Research and Scholarship committees* Administered American student loans in compliance with federal audit standards; developed budget for several scholarships for international students; advised students on the range of financial help available and the cost of study in London