Tara Gittens
33 Goodland Park, Christ Church,Barbados
Summary
Dynamic and motivated professional with a proven record of generating and building relationships. Demonstrates exceptional communication skills and making critical decisions during challenges. Adaptable and transformational leader with an ability to work independently while developing opportunities that further establish organizational goals.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Team Leader
Travel Innovation Group
04.2023 - Current
- Enhanced team productivity by implementing efficient work processes and regularly reviewing performance metrics.
- Developed team members'' skills through targeted coaching sessions, resulting in improved individual performance.
- Established clear communication channels that ensured the timely exchange of information between team members and stakeholders.
- Streamlined workflows for increased efficiency, reducing turnaround times for critical tasks.
Events & Retail Coordinator
Goddard Catering Group
10.2014 - 09.2020
- Coach team and staff on the requirements, duties and expectations of events
- Assist clients with choosing best menus, venues and all required to make an event exceptional
- Experience in setting up, staffing, managing external restaurants at events
- Pricing menus and ingredients using catering software
- Encouraged and influenced clients on making the best decisions based on budget and needs
- Supervise teams from 1 to 100 staff member compromising of chefs, wait staff, bar staff, stewards and drivers
- Planning, coordinating and executing events from as small as 10 persons to Christmas parties as large as 1500 persons
- Maintain schedules, solving customer issues if necessary get involve in task to ensure a successful outcome
- Acted quickly to resolve problems and trained and supported less-experienced event personnel.
- Increased customer satisfaction by addressing and resolving their concerns promptly and effectively.
- Managed inventory levels for optimal product availability, reducing out-of-stock occurrences.
- Optimized staff scheduling to meet fluctuating demand while controlling labor costs effectively.
- Facilitated smooth daily operations through effective delegation of tasks among team members.
- Ensured compliance with company policies, safety regulations, and local laws in all aspects of store management.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations to recognize top performers, address areas for improvement, and support career growth.
- Collaborated with other departments within the organization to achieve company-wide goals.
- Developed targeted marketing initiatives that increased brand awareness within the community.
- Monitoried competitors'' activities to stay ahead of industry trends and maintain a competitive edge in the market.
Group Administrator
Sagicor Life Inc
08.2010 - 09.2014
- As a Group Administrator, in this capacity I managed all arrears and reconciliations of group accounts in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean
- Generating reports, sending arrears correspondence and terminating group accounts where necessary.
Consultant
Human Resources Management Association of Barbados
10.2009 - 07.2010
- I was responsible for the NVQ program setting HRMAB up as a centre
- I also assisted in planning all programs and the annual conference
- In this position reported to Mr. Henderson Williams at the time who was President.
- Improved client satisfaction by effectively managing multiple projects and consistently meeting deadlines.
Public Relations Officer
The Productivity Council
04.2008 - 09.2009
- In this capacity I work closely with the Technical Assistance Unit with the National Productivity Awareness Campaign
- I was responsible for creating print ads for seminars, workshops, press conferences and consultations
- I successfully executed the planning of the 15th anniversary week of activities which included a televised Panel Discussion, producing the company's first Annual Secondary Schools Productivity Debating competition and an awards ceremony and dinner
- Developing the annual public relation programs, coordinating and producing of the quarterly news magazine and planning and coordinating of seminars, press conferences and consultations.
Secretary/Accounting Assistant
Caribbean Tourism Organisation
01.2007 - 02.2008
- In the time spent at this organization I worked under the European Union's 8th EDF project
- I was primarily responsible for events planning and project coordination
- This included organizing and coordinating national and regional workshops and conferences
- I was required to liaise with participants mostly Ministers of Tourism within the region, travel agents and other stakeholders
- I was also responsible for keeping the accounting software updated
- I regularly undertook travel in connection with project execution.
Airline Agent
American Airlines
10.2002 - 08.2006
- I worked in several positions in the times spent with the airlines
- In these various roles, gained insight into the various areas of airline operations, security, cargo, operations control and finally in the capacity of passenger service agent which mainly dealt with customer service.
Education
The Garrison Secondary School
1994
Diploma - Marketing Management
Barbados Institute of Management & Productivity
University of California
09.2020
Barbados Community College
Pommarine, Barbados01.2018
University Of West Indies Open Campus
01.2000
Skills
- Cost estimating
- Catering coordination and food service knowledge
- Crisis management, contract negotiations and administration
- Special events planning, calendar, workflow, vendor management
- Team building, critical thinking, relationship building
- Working collaboratively, time and data management
- Managing and coaching of staff
- Excellent planning, organizing and coordinating skills
- Knowledge in the range of issues pertaining to customer service/relations
- Meticulous with the ability to multitask and work in fast paced environment with limited supervision
- Excellent time management skills
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Committed to team approach
- Knowledge of sales
- Experienced in office administration and procedures
- Mentoring
- Employee Evaluation
- Coaching
- Complaint resolution
- Team Supervision
Certification
- Diploma in Public Relations, Marketing and Advertising, University Of West Indies Open Campus, Barbados
- Certificate in Food and Beverage Operations Management, Barbados Community College, Pommarine, Barbados
- Certificate in Project Management, University of California, California, 09/2020
- Initiating and Planning Projects
- Managing Project Risk and Change
- Budgeting and Scheduling Projects
- High-Impact Business Writing
- Finance for Non-Financial Professionals
Activities
- Former board member of the Boxing Board of Controls
- Judge for the Barbados Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation.
References
- Mrs. Natasha Small, Chief Financial Officer, Goddard Enterprises Ltd, 233-4422
- Mr. Harcourt Husbands, Former Senator and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, 234-1952
Sports, reading and socialising
I am a passed netball player and a member of the Barbados Netball Association
I am the Executive Secretary of the Barbados Boxing Board of Controls
I am a qualified judge of the Barbados Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation
Timeline
Team Leader
Travel Innovation Group
04.2023 - Current
Events & Retail Coordinator
Goddard Catering Group
10.2014 - 09.2020
Group Administrator
Sagicor Life Inc
08.2010 - 09.2014
Consultant
Human Resources Management Association of Barbados
10.2009 - 07.2010
Public Relations Officer
The Productivity Council
04.2008 - 09.2009
Secretary/Accounting Assistant
Caribbean Tourism Organisation
01.2007 - 02.2008
Airline Agent
American Airlines
10.2002 - 08.2006
The Garrison Secondary School
Diploma - Marketing Management
Barbados Institute of Management & Productivity
University of California
Barbados Community College
University Of West Indies Open Campus
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