Sara Mason-Parker

Experience

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  Thomas Cook

  Oct 1997 - Mar 2002

  Overview• Experienced Learning & Development and Communications professional • Instructional designer and course developer of e-learning programmes, trainer-led courses and self-study modules • Involved in the full training cycle including identifying business objectives, training needs analysis, implementation and evaluation• Extensive communication skills include professional writing, internal communications, public relations, proof-reading, negotiation, influencing, coaching, training delivery and leading presentations• Design-conscious with experience of both print and online page layout• Strong internal and external relationships with suppliers, subject matter experts and key stakeholders across all areas of the business including senior management Show less

  • Learning & Development Travel Training Designer

    Sept 2001 - Mar 2002

  • Various Roles - Reservations and Customer Service Management

    Oct 1997 - Sept 2001
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  Hays Independence Group & Worcester College of Technology

  Aug 2003 - Oct 2011

  Learning & Development Travel Trainer/Retail Manager

  Responsible for managing an independent travel agency, focusing on maintaining and increasing sales, whilst implementing and delivering hands on training to future travel professionals within store.

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  Travel Gossip

  Aug 2011 - Aug 2017

  Creator & Co-Founder

  A members only website for Travel Industry employees - www.travelgossip.co.uk - 'your voice, your community'

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  Corporate Traveller

  Oct 2011 - Jul 2012

  Team Leader / Business Development Manager

  As Team Leader, my role was to lead a team of BDMs to identify and secure new business opportunities across various industries that require corporate travel. My role included assisting SME businesses (with a £25K - £2M annual travel budget) in reducing their travel related expenditure, improve and streamline their booking procedures and increase their overall service level. Achieved through a combination of implementing and managing a coherent travel policy, supplier deals and traveller-tracking systems I was able to offer a blended online/offline solution. Show less

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  Gapyear.com

  Jul 2012 - Jun 2013

  Appointed as GM by Flight Centre UK to implement structure and process with their latest acquisition to make it commercially viable. Reporting directly into the board of directors, responsibilities included overseeing the:- Content & Editorial team - focus was on increasing organic traffic, improving SEO and engagement with members on the site & various social media channels- Commercial team - improving income through traditional advertising and interactive campaigns (through content & social media) - Product Managers - implementing guidelines and partaking in regular audit checks of product on the site- Marketing - assisting with creating media packs, merchandise and commercial/community EDMs. This included data cleansing and testing to focus on quality rather than quantity results- Web Development - working closely with e-commerce and web developers to implement 90 day strategies, prioritising, high-value tasks- Budget & P&L - working closely with the finance team to improve age debtAs part of my role I was responsible for submitting regular business plans, projecting budgets for the oncoming financial year and overseeing tasks such as new brand guides,logos, recruitment and 'one best way processes'.Having assessed the challenges of the brand, I devised a strategy alongside the managerial team which needed to be executed with minimum resources in order for the site to succeed. As a result, my time in this role was complete. Show less

  • General Manager

    Nov 2012 - Jun 2013

  • Head of Commercial Sales & Marketing

    Jul 2012 - Oct 2012
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  Corporate Traveller UK

  Jul 2013 - Apr 2014

  Business Development Manager

  Responsible for identifying and securing new business opportunities across various industries that require corporate travel. My role included assisting SME businesses (with a £25K - £2M annual travel budget) in reducing their travel related expenditure, improve and streamline their booking procedures and increase their overall service level. Achieved through a combination of implementing and managing a coherent travel policy, supplier deals and traveller-tracking systems I was able to offer a blended online/offline solution. Show less

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  Ve Interactive

  May 2014 - Oct 2014

  Senior Digital Consultant - Travel

  Responsible for sourcing new business within the travel sector, building partnerships and offering digital consultancy to OTA's, airlines and travel suppliers of all sizes.Specialties include: E Commerce/Online EfficiencyRe-Marketing/Re-TargetingIncreasing Conversion Rates Reducing Bounce RateRecovering Lost Revenue

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  ArrangeMY

  Oct 2014 - Jun 2016

  Operations Manager

  As Operations Manager my responsibilities included recruitment, mentoring and training of 30+ business travel consultants covering Hotel Reservations, Corporate Travel, Venue Finding and Events. In addition to this, I was appointed by the Board of Directors to give direction and change to the business as a whole. During my time here I succesfully:- Restructured and merged the existing operational teams to offer a more fluid booking process for both client and consultant- Carried out an IT Audit, eradicating duplication and ensuring more effective systems, hardware and software were implemented- Oversaw marketing and branding projects (offline and digital) alongside the Managing Director- Implemented all Social Media channels- Assisted the Sales and Account Management team in leadsourcing, presentation tactics and attended new and existing client meetings- Attended networking events- Made decisions as part of the Board of Directors offering input on future projections and projects Show less

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  Jayne Peirce Travel Recruitment

  Jun 2016 - Feb 2018

  Senior Recruitment Consultant

  My role at Jayne Peirce Travel Recruitment was to provide a bespoke recruitment service to an expanding portfolio of clients, these ranged from Airlines, Online Travel Agents, Tour Operators and Travel Management Companies. In addition to this I offered a consultative approach to candidates so they were in the best place to secure their dream job, whether that was CV feedback or interview preparation.

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  GL

  Feb 2018 - now

  Responsible for GL's Sales teams, I oversee all incoming tenders and sales proposals.External relationships include new-build developers, wholesalers, contractors, M&E, architects, consultants and councils. My role is to support these clients from cradle to grave, with their lighting and electrical specification (including EV chargers, Solar Inverters, Battery Storage systems, Fire Safety alarms and Wiring accessories). This includes support with site design, staff training and customer aftercare. Show less

  • Specification Sales & Key Account Manger

    Mar 2022 - now

  • Specification Sales and Marketing Manager

    Feb 2018 - Mar 2022