Manager Customer Service

Location:

Indianapolis, IN, 46256

Salary:

42,000

Posted:

May 29, 2012

Contact this candidate

Resume:

SARA A. RISLEY

**** ***** **. ****: 317-***-****

Indianapolis, IN 46256 Mobile: 317-***-****

qt3psf@r.postjobfree.com

IDENTITY STATEMENT

Accomplished, strategic, and driven Community Outreach Manager recognized for prospecting, establishing,

and nurturing professional relationships, collaborating with community leaders, networking resources, and utilizing persuasive communication skills to encourage target populations to act. Comfortable delivering information to

small and large audiences via social media/blog, behind a podium, over the radio, or in front of a TV camera.

Seeking stability, fast-pace, and opportunities to positively impact my employer’s bottom line while utilizing and enhancing my professional abilities.

Additional strengths:

Innovative Problem Solving Resource Collaborating Persistence Exceptional Customer/Client Services

Servant Leadership Mindset Team Building Acute Listening Emotional Intelligence

Creative Message Crafting Audience-Specific Marketing Detail Orientation Organization in Chaotic Times

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Strategic Communications & Marketing Consultant – contract, freelance, and volunteer projects 2005 -- present

• Client Sample: Lacy Leadership Association, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, NPower Indiana,

Paws & Think, The Burkhart Network, Barnes Community Outreach, Circle City Tours, Super Bowl XLVI

Host Committee, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra

• Sample of Services include: Coordination of Mayor’s Action Committee, advising clients on creative

marketing solutions, assisting with strategic event management, networking community resources, copy editing

manuscripts, assisting with Board relations, attending Board meetings and communicating results, coordinating

speakers for programs, recruiting Indiana elementary schools for national fundraising program

Volunteer Manager – Heartland Truly Moving Pictures 2010 – 2011

• Coordinated and managed over 350 volunteers and 25 unique volunteer committees responsible for

7 individual events in 10 days, festival operations, hospitality, and strategic marketing

• Developed, recruited, and moderated Heartland’s first Volunteer Advisory Council

• Enhanced volunteer program by researching, designing to specific needs, and implementing new online registration

system and providing related trainings

• Increased volunteer communications and established new opportunities for volunteer leadership and growth

Community Outreach Manager – The Ronald McDonald House of Indiana 2006 – 2009

• Led World’s most successful pop tab collection program resulting in just under $80,000 in 2008 alone

• Traveled Indiana serving as RMH spokesperson and community resource for 52 bedroom facility

• Delivered presentations at school convocations, service organization conventions, and public fundraisers

• Recruited and administered speakers’ bureau, managed tour program, and personally led daily tours of RMH

• Successfully pitched stories to media resulting in TV, newspaper, and radio exposure and community buzz

Development Coordinator - NPower Indiana 2002 - 2005

• Managed new member recruitment and membership enrollment, coordinated member communications

and events, and provided excellent customer service to members, donors, and other CICF staff/partners

• Served as liaison with Board of Directors and as NPower representative at community events

• Oversaw development including database management, electronic newsletter creation, and solicitation letters

• Created solution-focused success stories that resulted in increased interest in membership and corporate funding

SARA A. RISLEY / PAGE 2

Public Relations Account Coordinator- Bandy ● Carroll ● Hellige Advertising 2000 - 2001

• Managed Ronald McDonald program in Indianapolis and 32 surrounding counties including

scheduling, marketing initiatives, program instruction manuals, and press release creation

• Coordinated 350+ school and community performances as part of marketing initiatives

encouraging character building and good citizenship

• Maintained strong lines of communication with Ronald, McDonald’s owners, media, and school administrators

Executive Catering & Banquet Assistant- The Columbia Club 1999 - 2000

• Created descriptive marketing materials used to increase facility rentals and club memberships

• Managed in-house electronic calendar and communicated accurate, department-specific details

for all corporate meetings and events on daily basis

• Led facility site tours and delivered exceptional customer service to club members and guests

Related experience:

The Homewood Suites Hotel (Sales Manager)

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (Event Coordinator)

EDUCATION & HONORS

PURDUE UNIVERSITY, West Lafayette, IN

B.A. Communications with English Minor

3.85 GPA Phi Beta Kappa academic achievement

VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP & HONORS

Heartland Film Festival’s Spirit Award 2006

Mayor Bart Peterson’s Community Service Award 2004

Central Indiana Association of Volunteer Administrators (CIAVA) -- member

Conner Prairie Horizon Council -- member

Hamilton County LINK Youth Council -- Advisor

Heartland Film Festival Closing Event -- Chair

Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership – Counselor

Indianapolis Parks Foundation – Mayor’s Luncheon for Parks Committee -- member

Kiwanis International – member & Interclub Chair

Lacy Leadership Association – Education Committee -- member, CEO Event -- Chair

Methodist Hospital Foundation Task Core -- member

Run for Ronald Planning Committee -- member & Advisor

Super Bowl XLVI – Street Team Marketing & Fans First Representative

Also serve as In Transition/Job Search Consultant by providing helpful information, resources, and strategies via group and individual consultations

COVER LETTER

Sara A. Risley

9034 Crook Dr.

Indianapolis, IN 46256

qt3psf@r.postjobfree.com

317-***-****

May 29, 2012

To the Hiring Team at Indiana Department of Administration ~

Intriguing news regarding the mission and services behind the Indiana Department of Administration has been on my mind through recent years. However, the timing was never right for a contact similar to this one today. When I learned of the opening for a Communications Manager requiring skills I have utilized and perfected for several years, I knew this was the time to investigate adding my talents to your team. Serving in past and present leadership roles that have required excellent communications plus detail management and relationship maintenance skills, I have valuable experience in line with the abilities you are seeking. Please allow me to illustrate some of my past successes relevant to this position including all forms of communications, project and event management, and involvement with minority populations.

From 2006-2009, I led a key fundraising method for the Ronald McDonald House of Indiana (the Pop Tab Collection program) while serving as the Community Outreach Manager of the 52-room facility. By planning the world’s largest and most successful “Pop Tab Drop” for three consecutive years; delivering educational, energetic, and motivational presentations to schools all across the state and as an invited speaker at conventions; and engaging the media in the story the House had to share, the effort proved to be the most profitable pop tab drive on record. Through the sale of metal tabs collected and donated to our facility, close to $80,000 in 2008 alone was raised to help provide a home away from home for suffering families of hospitalized children.

Another example of my outreach, recruiting, and organizational abilities comes from the role I played at Heartland Truly Moving Pictures. There, I had the privilege of deploying more than 350 volunteers and 30 individual committees to create the extremely successful 2010 Heartland Film Festival; a festival comprised of seven major events in just ten days! The ability to professionally “show and tell” an organization’s important story (whether via written or spoken communication, or visual event), build enthusiastic community alliances, and motivate others are key strengths I could bring to the Indiana Department of Administration’s team as the Communications Manager and member of MWBE.

I have the skills you are seeking, an internal motivation to learn new systems and processes, and a personal commitment to deliver only quality work. I genuinely hope I will be selected for an interview allowing me to reveal more of my talents and interests. You are welcome to contact me at your convenience.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Sara A. Risley

317-***-****

“I worked with Sara coordinating tours of the Ronald McDonald House and running into her at schools and conferences around the state. She is exactly what her resume proclaims ~ enthusiastic, dedicated, detail-oriented, and motivating.”

~ Susan Miles, Kids Caring & Sharing Officer

Riley Children’s Foundation

Sara A. Risley

PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES

Diana Davis

former Director of Volunteers

Heartland Truly Moving Pictures

317-***-****

Peggy Frame

Executive Director

Training, Inc.

317-***-****