Sue Dobson

Experience

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  Rover Cars

  Sept 1990 - Mar 1994

  Area Fleet Sales Manager

  Following graduate training in management accountancy and marketing I was appointed as Regional Manager within a team of five tasked with developing a new national market sector. I cultivated a loyal small-business customer base through marketing and corporate hospitality, building direct customer relationships. I achieved sales to targets through direct business sales as well as remotely managing a sales team based within the region's 26 dealerships.

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  Various paid and voluntary

  Jun 1994 - Sept 1996

  Independent Overseas Travel and Work

  A self-funded trip with a diverse range of work and voluntary work experience, including hospitality, tourism, conservation, market research, teaching, coaching disabled skiers, farming and deep sea fishing.

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  Freelance

  Jan 1997 - Mar 2001

  Tour Lighting Technician, Event Stage & Set Building

  Qualified event lighting technician specialising in the full range of moving light brands, working with event specialists to set up and produce shows to tight deadlines, including stage and set work and managing local show crews.Events included concerts, music and dance festivals, motor and fashion shows and corporate events in the UK and overseas. Venues ranged from stadiums to theatres, and conference halls to marquees.

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  Tall Stories

  Apr 2001 - Sept 2003

  Overseas Sports Tour Leader and Resort Manager

  Resort manager and leader of group sports tours in Spain, remote liaison with the London-based office, managing all aspects of delivery in resort with a small team and local delivery partners, including hotels, restaurants and sports suppliers. Managed logistics including airport transfers, daily bookings, equipment maintenance, selling additional services, managing local accounts and handling emergencies.Led a wide range of activities, providing support and coaching.

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  RSPCA

  Mar 2004 - Dec 2012

  Inspector / Deputy Chief Inspector

  Managed a caseload of complaints and rescues to promote animal welfare, including investigation of allegations and providing advice and support to owners. Worked closely with local animal charities, vets, social services, housing associations, police and fire service to achieve successful outcomes.Progressed the most serious incidents through to prosecution, compiling and presenting the case in court and working with the legal team.Coached trainees new to the role, and deputised for the Chief Inspector to manage area case load and emergencies through the team.Carried out complex and diverse rescues as key member of rope and flood teams. Show less

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  Places for People

  Jan 2013 - Apr 2017

  Project Manager

  Created and managed Big Lottery-funded project Pennywise Bristol, a project delivering financial confidence and inclusion for social housing tenants, increasing confidence and wellbeing through budgeting to sustain tenancies, build resilience and increase life chances.Recruited and led a skilled coaching team including project volunteers. Developed and delivered the service to challenging targets, building the brand and marketing effectively in collaboration with project partners. Ensured robust monitoring and evaluation for reporting to funders. Achieving high project targets, supporting over 4,000 project beneficiaries to achieve brighter futures, many with complex needs. Attracting additional funding to extend the service and implement legacy benefits. Show less

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  West of England Combined Authority

  Oct 2017 - Jan 2020

  Project Manager

  Led DWP funded Employment Support Innovation Project, delivering the programme across the West of England devolved area in partnership with the Local Authorities. Supported those in work on low incomes to overcome barriers and increase their skills and confidence to achieve more stable and better paid work, as well as increasing job satisfaction and wellbeing, and resolving a range of life challenges. Worked with businesses in tandem to increase good and flexible employment opportunities in the region.Won four years additional funding to secure the future of the project and the delivery teams across the three areas. Show less

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  Self-employed

  Feb 2020 - now

  Freelance Project, Programme and Partnership Manager

  Offering a range of services in support of non-profit and health sectors, start-ups and small businesses, including:strategic and operational leadership, project and partnership management, business development, fundraising and grant management, recruitment and team building, equality and diversity champion, proposal writing and reporting, communication and presentation, charity trustee.

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  Healthwatch Cornwall

  Apr 2021 - Apr 2022

  Project Manager

  Valued contributor to senior leadership team, ensuring the organisation operated effectively in representing the community, challenging and supporting NHS and community health and care providers. Partnership management for effective stakeholder engagement and business development. Recruiting and building a skilled project team and working with colleagues across the organisation to deliver a range of projects to effect positive change in health and social care services across Cornwall.

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  The Donkey Sanctuary

  Apr 2022 - Oct 2023

  Project Manager

  Supported the Senior Executive to develop and implement strategy and programmes for continuous improvement of the charity in support of transforming the lives of donkeys worldwide.Matrix-managed project teams and worked closely with subject matter experts to deliver priority global projects including Corporate Governance, Policy & Compliance and Risk Management.