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Susie Middleton
Project Officer at Oxfordshire County Council
Professional Background
Susie Middleton is a highly accomplished professional with over a decade of comprehensive experience in project management, resource organization, and engaging with diverse teams. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated her deep understanding of project work and has consistently excelled in identifying best practices while pinpointing areas requiring development. Susie embodies the essence of a completer finisher—always ensuring that improvement programs are initiated and completed to enhance operational efficacy.
Susie has had a notable tenure at Audley Travel, where she shifted from roles such as Elite Country Specialist for Latin America to Regional Sales Manager. In her capacity as Sales and Service Manager, she joined the organization’s Project Management Office (PMO), where she significantly contributed to the successful rollout of a new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and reservations system. This role involved engaging key stakeholders, attending project pitches, and partnering with project teams to determine suitable vendors—showcasing her expertise in stakeholder management and her ability to work effectively under pressure.
With her profound interest in project management, Susie is eager to shift her career trajectory further into this arena. Her extensive experience in building and leading high-performing teams, coupled with her excellent communication skills and adaptability, positions her as an ideal candidate for project management roles where hitting deadlines and achieving shared goals are crucial.
Education and Achievements
Susie Middleton earned her Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Nottingham University, where she laid the foundational knowledge and skills that have supported her illustrious career trajectory. Over the years, she has held various positions that have honed her project management expertise and enhanced her capability to lead and inspire teams.
Among her key achievements, Susie became the Regional Sales Manager's 'Complaints Handling Champion'. In this role, she effectively built relationships with clients and demonstrated her diplomacy and creative problem-solving skills, successfully navigating complex situations and improving customer satisfaction levels. She also created and implemented best practice policies across the organization, resulting in increased efficiency and positive impacts on sales performance.
Susie's pioneering spirit is evident in her initiative to trailblaze Audley Travel’s first job share model, which was later adopted company-wide, demonstrating her commitment to innovative workplace practices. Her calm demeanor and decision-making capabilities under pressure made her a go-to resource for crisis management scenarios, enhancing client advocacy and minimizing compensation payments through effective itinerary coordination and client repatriation. Additionally, she played a vital role in collaborating with both business analysts and development teams to successfully launch new enquiry management software, leading to increased conversion rates and bookings.
Susie’s leadership capabilities extend to her ability to create and motivate successful sales teams, with team members consistently achieving spots in annual top performers’ incentives—a testament to her skill in coaching and mentoring talent to excel in a competitive market.
Key Achievements
- Complaints Handling Champion: Developed relationships with clients as the Regional Sales Manager, showcasing innovation and creativity while enhancing company reputation through effective complaint resolution.
- Best Practice Policies Creation: Spearheaded the introduction and company-wide rollout of best practice policies aimed at optimizing operational efficiency and positively impacting sales.
- Introduced Job Share Initiative: Initiated Audley’s first job share model, which later received company-wide adoption, reflecting dedication to flexible working solutions.
- Crisis Management Expertise: Recognized as a reliable resource for crisis situations, guiding client repatriation and team coordination effectively to maintain high customer advocacy levels with reduced compensation requirements.
- Collaboration on Software Launch: Worked together with business analysts and development teams to launch new enquiry management software, resulting in significant enhancements in booking conversion rates.
- Sales Team Development: Successfully built, motivated, and coached a highly productive sales team, leading to numerous individuals receiving accolades as top performers in the organization.
Conclusion
With a rich background in sales, project management, and stakeholder engagement, Susie Middleton is poised to further her career in project management and continues to drive for excellence in every endeavor. Her rich experience ensures that she not only meets the established milestones and deadlines but does so while fostering a collaborative and productive team environment. Susie’s commitment to professional growth and her passion for implementing effective processes make her a valuable asset to any organization where she continues to execute projects that align with strategic goals.
