OVERVIEW

I am a professional, highly organised and effective Executive Assistant with 30 years’ experience helping senior managerial or directorial staff to make the best use of their time by dealing with all the necessary secretarial and administrative tasks. I have extensive experience working on diary management, office admin and travel arrangements both locally and internationally down to the finest detail. I am detail oriented and thrive under pressure. I contracted from 2015-2018 due to retrenchment.

I am currently looking for a suitable position with a company that wants to recruit talented individuals.

PERSONAL DETAILS

Date of Birth

1 March 1972

Nationality

South African

Marital Status

Divorced with one child – 15 years

Health

Excellent

Driver’s License

Code 08/own car

Languages

English, Afrikaans

Notice period

Residential Area

Immediately

Paulshof, Fourways

EDUCATION

1989

1990

One Year Course

BOKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL

MATRIC

Subjects: English, Afrikaans, Typing, Home Economics, Business Economics, History

LESLEY CARNELLEY BUSINESS COLLEGE

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT COURSE

Achievements: Obtained a Distinction in Pitman Advanced Typewriting and Business English

Typing Speed: 80 w.p.m.

Subjects: Pitman Typewriting, Dictaphone, Pitman Shorthand, Transcription, Pitman Accounts, Word Processing, Office Administration, Business English

TRAINING COURSES ATTENDED

Business Image

Career Confidence

The Secretarial Role: Team and Interpersonal Skills

Setting Objectives

Image Excellence

A Development Programme for Office Professionals

SKILLS

Computer Skills

MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Project

Goldmine database

Sage

Ariba

Email and Internet

Professional Skills

Critical thinking

Decision making (clear and timeous)

Able to work under stress if left alone to do the job

Excellent telephonic skills

Deadline driven

Multi-tasking

Work well under pressure

Planning, organising and prioritising

High level of strong secretarial, administration and communication skills

Able to understand financial systems to work on purchase orders and expense claims

Can complete tasks despite frequent interruptions

Note taking

Travel planning

Business administration

Secretarial duties

Filing systems

Document management

Able to prioritise and work under pressure to meet deadlines.

Personal Skills

Problem solving abilities

Trustworthy

Loyal

Professional

Detail orientated

Courteous

Determined

Creative and innovative

Flexible to adapt to any type of environment

Up for a challenging position

Excellent attendance and punctuality record

Aptitude and enthusiasm for learning

Diplomatic, tactful, discreet and approachable

Comfortable working alone on a daily basis.

EXPERIENCE

TRAINING DEPARTMENT SECRETARY, SOUTH AFRICAN GUIDE DOGS ASSOCIATION

May 2019 – June 2020

Assisting the Training Department: Guide Dogs, and Service/Autism Support Dogs

Handling all calls from existing and potential working dog owners, which includes:

Queries, problems and messages

Potential applicants for the organisation

Applicant forms, interviews, arranging classes

Keeping a spreadsheet for applications updated at all times

Ensuring that the waiting list is correct for working dog owners for the Johannesburg and Cape Town branch

Drafting letters to facilitate Working Dog owners access onto flights

Drafting letters to facilitate clients with access problems, i.e. accommodation, work environment, etc.

Drafting letters with general Working Dog information which may be required by corporates, universities, etc.

Travel arrangements for students and their Guide Dogs returning from class

For Students on class, preparing all class information and lectures. This includes:

Dog information

Letters to Vet and updated Vet book from Kennels

Photographs

Checking that all equipment is ready and available for the class

Dog medallion and access card

Generating pro-forma invoices for all students on class

Making travel and accommodation arrangements for staff undertaking Association-related travel, both locally and internationally, as well as negotiating the best possible reduced rates

Undertaking all administrative duties for the Department, including:

Updating all Working Dog owner’s files

Updating all dog, client, puppy raisers records on the database

Updating department record boards regarding working dog owners and applicants

Ordering equipment for classes, and generating invoices, as well as stock control of equipment

Dealing with queries from the general public, which include requests to adopt dogs, become Puppy Raisers or to become Guide Dog Mobility Instructors/Trainers

Printing and framing of all photos and certificates for the Graduation Ceremonies

Compiling the Powerpoint presentations for the Graduation Ceremonies, which includes requesting information and photographs from the Puppy Raisers for the presentation, and attending the Ceremonies to assist with the presentation

Taking minutes at the weekly Training Department meetings, and sending them out within 3 days

TEAM SECRETARY, NEDBANK LIMITED

December 2017 – May 2018

Reason for leaving: Contract ended

PMDA (Project Management Design and Architecture Department)

Assisting the Executive Assistant, and Team Secretaries with:

Booking appointments

Typing documents

Printing and binding documents

Laminating

Assistance with nWow Project work, and capturing information on the Jira system

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR, JSE LIMITED

January 2017 – August 2017

Reason for leaving: Fixed term contract until December 2017, but I was retrenched

Assisting the Capital Market Division

Commodities/Key Clients Manager

Equities & Equity Derivatives Manager

Primary Markets Manager

Head of Bonds and Currencies

Head of Strategy

Assisting staff with:

Electronic diary management

Setting up client meetings

Book parking and collect clients from Reception

Travel co-ordination, including visa applications, accommodation, transfers (local and international)

Minutes of meetings

Assisting staff members with monthly expense claims

Processing invoices on SAGE 300, and following up on approvals and payments

Full office administration including printing, purchasing and managing office supplies, arranging catering for internal as well as client meetings, filing

Checking emails

Managing the Disaster Recovery process for the division

Records Management – maintaining all records of documentation which is onsite or offsite (Metrofile)

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT, VISA SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA (PTY) LTD

September 2015 – September 2016

Reason for leaving: Fixed term contract (Maternity leave cover)

Executive Assistant to: James Simpson, Country Manager South Africa Jabu Basopo, Country Manager Southern and East Africa Members of SSA Senior Management Team (5)

Assisting the Country Managers and senior management team with:

Electronic diary management, including international meeting co-ordination

Setting up client meetings both locally and regionally

Co-ordinating internal and client meetings, as well as workshops, training and presentations

Travel co-ordination, including visa applications, accommodation, transfers (local and international including Africa, USA, Europe and UAE)

Minutes of meetings

Monthly reports (business activity – international)

Compiling, co-ordinating and distributing the monthly newsletter

Assisting 6 staff members with monthly expense claims

Full office administration including printing, stationery, arranging catering for internal as well as client meetings

Checking emails

Compilation of itinerary for conferences, as well as registration of conference attendees

SECRETARY – TAILINGS DEPARTMENT, JONES & WAGENER (PTY) LTD – ENGINEERING

February 2015 – July 2015

Reason for leaving: 5-month contract (Maternity leave cover)

Assisting Technical Director and staff with:

Electronic diary management

Co-ordinating meetings

Travel co-ordination, including visa applications

Minutes of meetings

Purchase Order Requisitions for approval and payment

Full office administration

Co-ordinate weekly client meetings (and some minute taking)

PERSONAL ASSISTANT, SNC-LAVALIN (PTY) LTD - ENGINEERING

December 2010 – November 2014

Reason for leaving: Retrenched

PA to Technical Director and Process Manager, I then took over assisting the Engineering Manager and his department of approximately 20 people. I also assisted the Process and Pyrometallurgy Departments.

Assisting Engineering Manager and other staff with:

Electronic diary management

Co-ordinating meetings

Travel co-ordination, both local and international, including visa applications and forex orders

Minutes of Engineering Management meetings, and Process Department meetings twice a month

Expense claims for local and international travel

Purchase Order Requisitions for approval and payment

Training confirmation and bookings

Full office administration

Minutes at monthly meeting

PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT

EXECUTIVE PA / ADMINISTRATOR, CHANGE PARTNERS (PTY) LTD

October 2008 – September 2010

Reason for leaving: The company underwent restructuring, and I was retrenched

Executive Coaching and Leadership Development company

Executive PA / Administrator for the Managing Director and 2 Executive Directors

PA TO 2 AUDIT DIRECTORS, ERNST & YOUNG

August 2007 – December 2007

SABBATICAL, VARIOUS CONTRACTS

April 2007 – September 2008

I took a sabbatical for 18 months, and worked on a 5 month contract in between. My daughter was 2 years old at the time.

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO COO, STRATE LTD

January 2004 – March 2007

Reason for leaving: The COO left and a new role was created which I applied for. It was not stimulating and I decided to leave.

Executive Assistant to COO (who is also an Executive Director and Board member)

PA TO CEO, MEROPA COMMUNICATIONS

October 2003 – December 2003

Reason for leaving: I had an opportunity to work with my previous boss from Deloitte.

PA TO DIRECTOR (CHANGE LEADERSHIP), DELOITTE CONSULTING (WOODMEAD)

May 1996 – April 2000

PA TO DIRECTOR (FINANCIAL SERVICES) AND DIRECTOR (ENERGY AND UTILITIES), DELOITTE CONSULTING

May 2000 – October 2003

Reason for leaving: I felt I wasn’t growing and wanted a change.

PERSONAL ASSISTANT / SECRETARY TO THE FINANCIAL CONTROLLER, NEW AGE BEVERAGES LTD

TYPIST FOR THE FINANCE AND COMPUTER DEPARTMENTS, NEW AGE BEVERAGES LTD

November 1994 - April 1996

SALES ADMINISTRATOR TO NATIONAL ACCOUNTS MANAGER, NEW AGE BEVERAGES LTD

October 1995 - April 1996

Reason for leaving: Career advancement. I wanted to gain more experience and work more on the Microsoft packages.

PERSONAL ASSISTANT, IMPACT HUMAN RESOURCES CC

January 1991 - November 1994

Reason for leaving: Career advancement

Personal Assistant to: Managing Director, Partner (Banking/Financial Recruitment Consultant)

STUDENT SECRETARY, JHISAACS, JOHANNESBURG

16 July - 20 July 1990

One Week Student Practical

REFERENCES

Available on request

Contact this candidate