Leah Silvester
MANAGER
Summary
Dedicated professional with a successful background in running a fully operational office and providing high executive support. A tactical and inspiring team leader, with experience in training, team development, monitoring & evaluation, and project management.
Insightful Manager with experience directing and improving operations through effective employee motivational strategies and strong policy enforcement. Proficient in best practices, market trends and regulatory requirements of industry operations. Talented leader with analytical approach to business planning and day-to-day problem-solving.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
2012
2012
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Manager
African Guide Academy
01.2018 - Current
- Deliver all administrative tasks required for the academy to execute daily operations seamlessly and efficiently
- Schedule and follow-up on appointments with potential clients and existing clients; as well as answer customer queries
- Maintain positive partnerships and relationships with all stakeholders
- Attend to emails and telephone calls on behalf of the Managing Director requiring the application of decision-making capabilities
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
- Fostered partnerships with industry leaders, enhancing company's reputation and creating new business opportunities.
Sales & Reservations
African Guide Academy
06.2017 - Current
- Processing guest bookings and enquiries
- Suggested best suited courses as per individual profile and desires/goals
- Staying current on new requirements and procedure as per BQA standards
- Training junior staff in customer service, conflict resolution and safety procedures
- Accurately calculate all rebates and miscellaneous charges for clients
- Liaise with Botswana Qualifications Authority on all activities and communication like audits, learner records, learner registration, OGS protocols
- Supervise and assign duties to junior staff
- Engage, daily, with international agents wanting to book their clients to OGS, e.g, agents from Germany, UK, South Africa, USA, Italy, Spain, Netherlands and Australia
- Mentoring new employees and demonstrating the best ways to provide service to clients and guests
- Provided exemplary customer support during high-volume periods, maintaining professionalism under pressure.
Administration Coordinator
NEPAD Business Foundation
07.2014 - 07.2015
- Implementing physical and digital filing systems for the Agriculture & Food Security Desk and the Africa Infrastructure Desk
- Improved office procedures by practicing automation to track records
- Ensured office procedures and operations were efficient and in compliance with company policies
- Arranged domestic and international travel plans for senior staff, including airline tickets, hotel reservations, and car rentals
- Handled office operations
- Managed NBF databases: maintaining key contacts of current donors to ensure good relations
- Setting up meetings with donors and liaising with the fundraising task team
- Producing correspondence documents and maintaining presentations for donors
Programme Officer
Capacity and Development Services
02.2012 - 06.2014
- Prepared meeting agendas and program documents for various meetings
- Wrote first drafts of business documents, including statute documents, concept documents, and proposals; and submitted copy to supervisor for approval
- Presented management with concept reports so they could make informed decisions
- Ensured effective and efficient team communications, such as newsletters, emails, etc
- Created and maintained physical and electronic systems to keep records up-to-date and compliant, purged unnecessary and/or outdated records
- Organizing international, regional and national events
- Support programmes and strategies to raise awareness about CapDev amongst a range of movements and networks
- Liaised with points of contacts in the AU, SADC, NEPAD, UN Organs for projects handled by CapDev
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Tourism Management and International Studies, French Studies
Monash University
Johannesburg, RSACertificate in Advanced Project Management - undefined
University of Cape Town
Skills
Stakeholder management
Timeline
Manager
African Guide Academy
01.2018 - Current
Sales & Reservations
African Guide Academy
06.2017 - Current
Administration Coordinator
NEPAD Business Foundation
07.2014 - 07.2015
Programme Officer
Capacity and Development Services
02.2012 - 06.2014
Certificate in Advanced Project Management - undefined
University of Cape Town
Bachelor of Arts - Tourism Management and International Studies, French Studies
Monash University
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