Assistant to Founder & President, Alison Darcy

• Apr 2023 - Present

Development Administration & Performance Manager

• Sep 2019 - Apr 2023

· Worked across with the DCUET team in identifying and implementing processes that increase efficiency, optimise performance and assist in the delivery of the DCUET strategy.· Worked closely with senior management and development teams in the delivery of annual multi-million euro fundraising campaign through corporate and personal philanthropy, sponsorship and grant funding.· Lead the proactive, efficient, and organised business administration support function across a variety DCU campaign priority projects.·Identified and implemented process improvements that increased efficiency, optimised operational excellence, and assisted the development team in the delivery of specific gameplans.· Responsible for all aspects of gift management and the data of all financial transactions to maintain up to date and accurate records.· Responsible for the delivery of business performance management process to provide insights from data analysis of a range of stakeholder reports to focus and maximise the impact of business activities and decision making.· Undertook quarterly portfolio reviews with Associate Directors and Development Team to monitor progress against monthly/quarterly KPI’s.· Implemented a variety of administrative and operational processes to improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the DCUET team.· Ensured appropriate and GDPR compliant data was recorded by all co-workers are recorded on CRM database.· Collaborated on a diverse range of projects to meet deadlines across multiple teams and timeframes and geographical locations.· Provided HR administration, new staff onboarding, health & safety procedural support to CEO and senior management team.· Steering group member of multi award winning work placement programme - DCU Access to the Workplace. Show less

Executive Assistant To Chief Executive Officer

• Mar 2017 - Sep 2019

• Supported the Chief Executive Officer by providing proactive, efficient, and organised assistance to enable her to focus on key business issues. • Maintained the CEO’s diary and scheduling appointments. Identified the CEO’s commitments to University Bodies, Committees, Councils, and prioritised the CEO’s time to travel/attend relevant meetings. Managed and co-ordinated all travel arrangements including national and international trip itineraries and on the ground support.• Compiled weekly Executive Report(s) for the DCUET Management Team and DCU President’s Office. • Assisted the senior management team across a number of campaign priority projects identifying and implementing process improvements that increase efficiency and optimise performance.• Implement a variety of administrative and operational processes to improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the DCUET team.• Trusts & Foundations project research analysis for Director of US Philanthropy.• Prepared the CEO's expense claims, reconciled credit card statements and submitted billing information.• Screened incoming post, enquiries and requests with emphasis on anticipating needs and cataloguing priorities. • Handled phone calls, enquiries, emails and requests and when required greeted and welcomed the CEO’s guests. • Responsibility for the monthly compilation of information for Development Team reports and presentation of the information in an accessible and professional manner. • Oversaw the administration tasks carried out by the Office Administrative Support Team• Provided event planning logistical support to DCU Educational Trust events• Other ad-hoc duties as assigned by the Chief Executive Officer, Director of Development or Head of Finance. Show less

Freelance Business Administration & Office Management

• Jan 2008 - Mar 2017

•Executive Assistant / General Office Administration: maintain senior executives’ diary and schedule, co-ordinate travel itineraries, project research, document production, report proofing/editing and production, set up and maintain filing/accounts systems, meeting and event management, prepare CEO expenses claims, handle highly confidential documentation. •HR and Payroll: recruitment and selection, timesheets, administration of annual leave, wages, expenses, petty cash. •Finance: Banking, Insurance and Accounts: - Payable and Receivable, Budget Preparation, Annual Returns, Establishing and Managing relationship with Bank and Accountant. •Online Media Management: website design, social media development/management, press releases. •Sales and Marketing Initiatives to optimise competitive edge and business growth. •Event Management – staff parties, fundraising events, AGMs. Show less

Administration Manager

• Feb 2003 - Nov 2005

•Responsible for the day to day management of each of the 7 Club’s administration teams ensuring the efficient handling of new memberships, renewals, cancellations, financial transactions, member retention programs, mail merges, general office management. •Executive Assistant to CEO and Operations Director – manage diaries, act as point of contact in absence, handle confidential information and reports. Research projects on behalf of senior executives and compile results. •Provide necessary HR support– recruitment and selection, annual and sick leave, rosters, timesheets and contracts. •Implement new club policies and procedures and the maintenance of the in-house membership database. •Facilities Management – liaise with external contractors in relation to security; building maintenance, telecoms and IT. •Provide continuous IT support to each club on our in-house system and general IT infrastructure. •Assist in the design and testing of regular software upgrades required for the membership database in consultation with our software development supplier. •Manage the bad debt recovery system for direct debit defaulters to maximise club membership revenue and motivate each Administrator to achieve their monthly debt collection target in to achieve bonus. •Supervise to strict deadlines the preparation and processing of the SEPA Scheme of circa 8,000 members. •Develop on an on-going basis new initiatives to improve membership retention and increase revenue. Show less

Operations/Administration Manager

• Jul 2002 - Jan 2003

Reporting to the Board of Directors, I managed the operations and administration for both businesses with responsibility for 3 main online retail clients & lifestyle brands. • Daily administration including sales and marketing administration, weekly update of website homepages, site development, financial requirements, credit control, and dealing directly with Board of Directors. • Company Secretary • Order Fulfillment and distribution • Client Management, New business development. First point of contact for all client queries, addition of new suppliers to client’s gift stores, organisation of special promotions and other marketing initiatives. • Accounts payable/receivable, daily banking, use of TAS Books, • Working with colleagues in the maintenance and development of projects, business development, project plans and updates. • Facilities Management including organisation of all external contractors: telecoms, landlord, security, IT, insurance, office supplies, cleaning and maintenance. • Management of HR function: staff contracts, recruitment, references, monthly payroll (Sage Quickpay), staff supervision, timesheets, expenses, training, health and safety; staff events, health insurance and staff appraisals. • Report directly to Managing Director, on a weekly basis regarding the progress of the various projects. Show less

Office Manager

• Mar 2000 - Jun 2002

• Executive Assistant to CEO and CTO - diary management, travel itineraries, business/personal correspondence. • Senior administrative duties including finance control, budgeting, business strategy, project management. • Management of HR function: recruitment and selection; payroll; holiday and legal entitlements; references; organisation of company training requirements, events and social outings; health and safety. • Supervision of Office Administrator. • Facilities Management - insurance; leases; cleaning; landlord; utility bills; maintenance; telecommunications; security. • Responsible for daily banking, accounts - payable and receivable; using TAS Software and online banking. • Co-ordination of fulfillment requirements for Lifestyle Sports Limited and Quite Simply the Best Limited Online Stores including processing online orders, stock additions to sites, removal of discontinued stocks, photo-shoots, promotions. • Liaise with clients regarding project updates, requirements, assessments, ongoing editing of clients’ websites including writing press releases and articles. • Worked with colleagues on the maintenance and development of projects, timesheets, project plans. • Company formation and daily administration of Quite Simply the Best Ltd and Worldwide Internet Sports Limited. Show less

Front Office Supervisor

• Apr 1997 - Mar 2000

• Provided administrative and secretarial support to the General Manager of Campus Residences. • Responsibility for the recruitment, training and supervision of 6 reception staff. • Assisting in the organisation of residential international conferences being hosted at DCU, sales and marketing initiatives, finance. • Responsibility for compiling staff request forms, annual holidays, holiday pay entitlement. • Provide daily assistance to 600+ students living on Campus Residences. • Assisted in the development and testing of customized in-house database system TCAS. • Customer services, cash handling, accounts and credit control. • Daily supervision of accommodation reception area and reception staff. • Accommodation reservations for 500 bedrooms (general and VIP) during summer season. • Liaise with all internal/external contractors in relation to facilities management and office relocation. Show less