This document provides a summary of Karen Foster's qualifications and experience as an administrator. She has over 20 years of experience in various office roles, including as an office manager, event coordinator, and personal assistant. She has strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Her most recent role was as an event coordinator for a holistic events company, where she coordinated all aspects of events from promotion to set-up.

1. Karen Foster
Based in Wednesbury, West Midlands. Tel: 07746 674802.
Email: karenfoster68@googlemail.com
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Summary
A highly motivated and well organised administrator with over 20 years experience in a variety
of office based roles. An enthusiastic and flexible individual with a focused approach. The
ability to digest information quickly and adapt to situations swiftly, pre-empting potential
problems and suggesting practical solutions. This combined with a high sense of loyalty,
integrity and honesty provides the basis for an effective team member.
Core Skills
 Good people skills including advising, mediating and motivating;
 Positive attitude towards learning new skills and training others;
 Participation in team discussions and team building situations;
 Good time management skills in a busy pressured environment;
 Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
 Ability to develop good working relationships at all levels;
 A good eye for detail with a methodical approach and use of own initiative;
 Impeccable loyalty ensuring a professional and confidential attitude at all times;
 Rounded experience of various IT applications.
Work History
Administrator/Event Coordinator - Love & Light Events 02/2009-11/2015
Home-based role within an events company specialising in the holistic industry. Responsible
for coordinating events including liaising with venues and exhibitors as well as the first point
of contact for visiting public on the day of each event.
 Built business relationships with venues
and exhibitors;
 Produced and maintained monthly
budgets and account summaries;
 Managed purchase and sales ledger;
 Created promotional literature including
posters and flyers and advertisements
for printed publications using Microsoft
Publisher;
 Negotiated advertising fees for printed
publications;
 Online promotion including Facebook
adverts;
 Extensive use of social media for
promotion of events incl. Facebook,
Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, LinkedIn &
more
 Produced monthly newsletter to mailing
list of 1400+ members using Mailchimp;
 Regular updates on self-built Wordpress
website;
 Produced detailed floor plans for each
event;
 Arranged catering for each event;
 Liaised with venue staff and set-up room
according to confirmed floor plan on the
day of each event;
 Coordinated and liaised with exhibitors
to ensure smooth set-up/set-down on
the day of each event;
 ‘Meet and greeter’ for visiting public on
the day of each event;
 Produced monthly printed directory
publication ‘Complementary Therapies
Directory’ as well as run a dedicated
website to run alongside it.
These duties were undertaken remotely from home and originally ran alongside the part-time
role with Athena until it commanded full-time hours in July 2010.

2. Karen Foster
Based in Wednesbury, West Midlands. Tel: 07746 674802.
Email: karenfoster68@googlemail.com
2 | P a g e
College Administrator - Athena College 02/2009-07/2010
 Responsible for providing a full and comprehensive administrative service to the Director
of Athena;
 First point of contact for enquiries, bookings and payments for all courses;
 Liaised with college tutors and the examination board (ITEC) to ensure the smooth running
of the college.
These duties were undertaken remotely from home and on a part-time basis but on occasion
were requested to attend the college to help out at their open days and examination days.
This role ran alongside the part-time role with Love & Light Events.
Assistant to Housing Manager - Birmingham City Council 09/2008-12/2008
A temporary contract undertaken after redundancy from Miller Developments. Diary
management for the Housing Manager and general administrative duties.
Office Manager & PA - Miller Developments 06/2002-08/2008
 Responsible for providing a full and comprehensive administrative service to a team of
Property Developers, Project Managers and Directors;
 Through the supervision of a team of administrative and secretarial staff ensured all aspects
of business requirements were fully and effectively provided;
 In addition, had hands-on involvement in all areas and in particular provided a direct
Personal Assistant service to the Sector Director, Associate Director and Development
Surveyor.
I was made redundant from this role after the Birmingham branch of Miller Developments
ceased trading in 2008 at the height of the recession.
PA to Partner & Senior Managers - Ernst & Young 11/2001-06/2002
Secretary to Sales Department - AGI Media Packaging 11/1997-11/2001
Exams Administrator (temporary contract) - Bournville College 07/1997-11/1997
Assistant to Accountant (temporary contract) - OCS Music 01/1997-07/1997
PA to Joint Managing Directors - Network Records 08/1992-01/1997
Sales Office Clerk - R & A Nuts & Bolts 02/1992-08/1992
Accounts Clerk - CIS Office Furniture 02/1991-02/1992
Receptionist/Administrator - Nova Recruitment 05/1990-02/1991
Receptionist/Accounts Assistant - Carmichael Industrial Products 09/1988-05/1990
Administrator - S.T.A. (Swimming Teachers’ Association) 08/1987-09/1988

3. Karen Foster
Based in Wednesbury, West Midlands. Tel: 07746 674802.
Email: karenfoster68@googlemail.com
3 | P a g e
Training
Course Title Year Trainer
Basic Accounts 2014 Online with Skillsology
Ultimate Event Management 2013 Online with Courses For Success
Web Design 2013 Online with Skillsology
Web Design 2013 Mak Training
Essential Management Skills for the
Senior Secretary & PA 2008 Hawkesmere
Team-building events 2002-2008 Miller Developments
Livelink (software) 2008 In-house (Miller Developments)
E-Filing (software) 2008 In-house (Miller Developments)
Equal Opportunities 2007 ACAS
JD Edwards Enterprise System (software) 2003 In-house (Miller Developments)
Introductions Database (software) 2003 In-house (Miller Developments)
ASTA Powerproject (software) 2002 ASTA Developments
Goldmine (software) 2001 Business Solutions
Customer Service 2001 Synergy3
Goldmine (software) 1998 Business Solutions
Receptionist/Telephonist 1990 Birmingham Chamber of Commerce
Education
Stuart Bathurst R.C. High, Wednesbury, West Midlands
Qualifications: CSE Grades: Mathematics, English Language, Typing,
Geography, Computer Studies, Biology and Chemistry.
RSA Typing: Stage 1
1980-1985
1985
West Bromwich College of Further Education
Qualifications: International Beauty Therapist Diploma
1985-1987
1987
Interests/Hobbies
In my spare time I enjoy taking courses to enhance my professional and personal
development. I visit the cinema, listen to music, socialise with friends and family and I
occasionally treat my friends to beauty therapy treatments.
Personal Information
Date of Birth: 02.10.1968 Driving Licence: Full, clean, UK Licence
Nationality: British Employment Options: Employed/Self-Employed
References
Available upon request.