Claire Bridger
Relocating to Black Isle ,Scotland
Summary
British Citizen, experienced professional in Botswana's tourism and hospitality sector, specialising in hunting safaris. Expertise in business administration and office management, managing logistics that enhance client experiences. Delivers exceptional service while ensuring compliance for international clients and streamlining processes to improve service delivery and client satisfaction.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
General Administrator
Tholo Safaris Botswana
Ghanzi, Ghanzi District Botswana
08.2014 - Current
- Coordinated transportation logistics for 14 camps across Botswana, enhancing client experience
- Scheduled professional hunters for all 14 camps.
- Generated quotes and invoices for client transactions, streamlining billing process
- Conducted follow-ups on outstanding payments
- Monthly salaries and wages for 120 staff members across botswana, online and cash payments
- Facilitated rifle import applications to ensure compliance for international clients
- Secured import permits for clients, ensuring compliance at first point of entry
- Emailing clients' information on the camps and areas, gathering client information documents, passports and special needs
- Making sure all agreements and indemnities were signed by hand by each client
- All international client correspondence from when the hunting safari was booked.
General Manager
Kanana Safaris Botswana
Ghanzi , Ghanzi District Botswana
07.2011 - 08.2014
- Managed all aspects of Game Ranch and cattle farm for Kanana, including overseeing game lodge operations and coordinating salaries and wages for over 50 staff members monthly.
- Coordinated with the professional hunters, trackers and lodge staff, maximising client satisfaction and successful hunt outcomes.
- Facilitated client hunting safari processes, ensuring a smooth transition and positive overall experience from the client booking the safari to the end of the safari.
- Executed international marketing strategies targeting the US for annual hunting conventions, increasing brand visibility and attracting prospective clients.
- Developed strong and positive relationships with prospective clients through exceptional interpersonal communication skills.
- Executed international marketing strategies targeting the US for annual hunting conventions, increasing brand visibility and attracting prospective clients.
- Assisted guests daily, providing exceptional service and effective problem-solving.
- Cultivated positive work environment, fostering teamwork and encouraging open communication to enhance staff engagement.
- Managed payroll processing for the office, ensuring accurate and timely salary payments to all employees.
- Recruited and hired staff for organisational vacancies and enforced consistent policies across the workforce.
- Mentored new staff on correct procedures, compliance requirements and performance strategies.
- Managed inventory of lodge and farm supplies, ensuring timely reordering to maintain operations.
- Streamlined office procedures to improve overall operational efficiency.
- Managed office administrative tasks, including filing, data entry, and document preparation, to support overall operational efficiency.
- Handled confidential documents with discretion, maintaining the integrity and security of sensitive information.
- Monitored email and postal correspondence, directing messages to appropriate departments and responding to inquiries promptly.
- Hosted office meetings with staff to answer questions, resolve issues and keep employees informed of changes.
- Took ownership of expenses for all activities for Head office and submitted monthly reports.
General Manager / Administration
Fountain Valley Nature Reserve
02.2011 - 07.2011
- Oversaw general operations of lodge with five luxury self-catering suites, ensuring high standards of service and guest satisfaction.
- Managing all Conferences & Weddings
- Oversaw catering operations to provide quality food and service.
- Performed all front office administrative duties, liaised with international and local clients, managed rooming lists, invoicing, hunting administration, and cattle administration with breeders’ association.
- Facilitated communication between guests and guides to ensure an enjoyable experience.
- Reservations.
- Attending to Guest Complaints.
- Employment and Termination of Contracts.
- Ordering of Lodge Stock
- Performed regular stock assessments to maintain inventory accuracy.
- Registering of calves on Beefpro and all other administrative duties for the cattle.
- Handled petty cash transactions and maintained accurate records.
- Monitored debtor accounts and ensured timely follow-up on payments.
- Managed creditor payments to ensure timely transactions and foster positive relationships with suppliers.
- Supplier Payments
- Invoicing
- Monthly reporting for Directors
- Invoicing
Duty Manageress
Emdoneni Lodge & Cat rehabilitation centre
11.2010 - 02.2011
- Overseeing the General running of the Lodge (40 rooms)
- Executed front office administrative duties and liaised with international clients on rooming lists and confirmations for game drives and cat tours, ensuring seamless guest experiences.
- Managing all Conferences & Weddings
- Facilitated communication between guests and guides to enhance visitor experience.
- Resolved guest complaints to enhance the visitor experience.
- Reservations for FIT’s and Group bookings
- Accounts Manager for Tour Operators
- Lodge Marketing
- Marketing Adopt a Cat Project
- Ordering of Lodge Stock
- Monthly/Weekly/Daily Stock Takes
- Administered employment processes and facilitated contract terminations, supporting efficient workforce management.
- Oversaw petty cash for daily operations and maintained accurate financial records to ensure financial integrity.
- Supervised debtor payments to facilitate prompt collections.
- Administered creditor accounts to foster positive supplier relationships.
- Monthly Sales Reports
- Invoicing
Head Receptionist / Front Office Manager, Housekeeping Manager
Zulu Nyala Game Lodge
05.2009 - 11.2010
- Managed all administrative duties in front office, liaised with international clients, organised rooming lists, and confirmed game drives and group arrivals.
- Guest & Guide liaison.
- Check in and out of FITs and Groups.
- Addressed and resolved guest complaints to enhance guest satisfaction.
- Oversaw housekeeping administration, allocated rooms daily, conducted room checks and handovers, captured data on guest manager, performed monthly stock takes, issued daily stock, and managed a team of 12 housekeepers across 53 rooms.
- Executed daily banking tasks to maintain accurate financial records.
- Completed final invoicing for clients to ensure accurate billing.
PA and Marketing Assistant for Hunting Outfitter, Motsomi Curio Assistant
Adventures Africa Safaris & Tours
10.2007 - 05.2009
- Registered outfitter on international websites and promoted in US hunting magazines to increase visibility and attract new clients.
- Managed marketing and administrative tasks for outfitter, liaising and corresponding with international clients to enhance client experience.
- Coordinated airport transfers and organised all legal documentation for hunting clients, ensuring compliance and smooth arrival.
- Managed daily operations of Curio Shop, overseeing inventory and customer interactions.
Education
NSC - Secretarial & Business Admin
Roodepoort College
Roodepoort South Africa Level 3 - First Aid
May Day Botswana
Ghanzi Botswana Basic Accounting Certificate -
Damelin Correspondence
Johannesburg - Correspondence Game Lodge Management -
Wildlife Campus
South Africa - Online Skills
- Office management
- Administrative duties
- Document organisation
- Data entry
- Document preparation
- Invoicing
- Event scheduling
- Project management
- Order management
- Stock take and purchasing
- Account reconciliation
- Call handling
- Customer service
- Customer relations
- Guest relations
- Maintaining office records
- Calendar management
- Scheduling appointments
- Time-management
- Task prioritisation
- Data entry accuracy
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Computer literacy
- Decision making
- Confidentiality maintenance
- Highly organised
- Attention to Detail
- Ability to prioritise
- Written and verbal communication
- Staff management
Language Skills
English
Afrikaans
Custom Section
Code 08 (South Africa & Botswana)
Personal Information
- Citizenship: South African
- Health Status: Excellent
References
- Eaton & Sons / Tholo Safaris / Chartic Pty Ltd, Kim Eaton, +267 35 562-7000
- Tough Stuff Adventures Pty Ltd, Ian Thomson, +27 82 444 9732
- Gowers Farm Pty Ltd, Chrisna van der Nest, +27 72 199 7737
Interests
- I have always been involved with horses, I am currently the National Matrix Data Capturer for Botswana Western Mounted Games I have also held the position on the National Secretary for Botswana Western Mounted Games
Timeline
General Administrator
Tholo Safaris Botswana
08.2014 - Current
General Manager
Kanana Safaris Botswana
07.2011 - 08.2014
General Manager / Administration
Fountain Valley Nature Reserve
02.2011 - 07.2011
Duty Manageress
Emdoneni Lodge & Cat rehabilitation centre
11.2010 - 02.2011
Head Receptionist / Front Office Manager, Housekeeping Manager
Zulu Nyala Game Lodge
05.2009 - 11.2010
PA and Marketing Assistant for Hunting Outfitter, Motsomi Curio Assistant
Adventures Africa Safaris & Tours
10.2007 - 05.2009
NSC - Secretarial & Business Admin
Roodepoort College
Level 3 - First Aid
May Day Botswana
Basic Accounting Certificate -
Damelin Correspondence
Game Lodge Management -
Wildlife Campus