ZOE THORNTON

In this role I have been dedicated to the ongoing post-award management of research projects, overseeing the project lifecycle from the time of award to its conclusion. Within this role, I have demonstrated efficiency in managing various office support activities, particularly emphasizing adherence to established financial protocols. My responsibilities include ensuring the precise and punctual generation of invoices for research projects, aligning seamlessly with project funding prerequisites and contractual commitments. Additionally, I proficiently handle milestone entry, tracking project progress and ensuring that key deliverables are met in accordance with established timelines.

• Post-Award Management: Diligently managed administration of post-award tasks within the Project Fulfilment team, overseeing the lifecycle of research projects from time of award to project conclusion. Ensured seamless coordination of activities to meet project milestones and deliverables.
• Stakeholder Support: Provided factual advice to stakeholders involved in post-award processes, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of university policies and external requirements. Maintained proactive communication to address inquiries and foster positive relationships with internal and external project collaborators.
• Records Management: Ensured accurate and updated records and information systems specific to the ongoing post-award management of research projects. Demonstrated meticulous attention to detail to enhance effectiveness of Project Fulfilment processes.
• Collaboration and Engagement: Actively engaged and liaised with key university service providers relevant to post-award processes, fostering collaborative relationships with Financial Services, Legal Services, People & Culture and Faculty Leadership. Ensured integrated services to support the successful administration of research projects.
• Change Management: Supported the implementation of changes in post-award service delivery to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Exhibited flexibility and adaptability to respond to evolving project management requirements and contribute to continuous improvement.
• Professional Conduct: Maintained highest standards of professional and personal conduct within the Project Fulfilment team. Modeled the University’s Values and Signature Behaviours to contribute to a positive work culture.

As the Executive Assistant to the Director of Research Services and Systems and the Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research Excellence at Curtin University, I played a pivotal role in enhancing operational effectiveness and facilitating seamless administrative processes within the Research Office. Key highlights of my role include:

• Facilitating Contract Signing: Played a key role in streamlining the contract signing process, ensuring efficient and timely execution of research agreements.
• Event Coordination: Coordinated meetings, local area events, and managed the commitments and diaries of senior staff. Additionally, provided event coordination and operational support for internal events, ensuring successful sourcing of venues, catering, suppliers, and promotional activities.
• Communication and Collaboration: Administered communications within and external to the research office, ensuring professional and timely distribution of information. Liaised with relevant stakeholders and University functional areas to facilitate effective collaboration.
• Intranet Research Pages Maintenance: Maintained and updated information on the Research pages on the intranet, ensuring accuracy and relevance for internal stakeholders.

As a proactive Sales and Marketing Assistant for a leading homewares wholesaler, I was instrumental in driving the company's success through a multifaceted approach encompassing digital marketing, sales, and data analysis. Key responsibilities and achievements include:

• Strategic Digital Marketing: Spearheaded the development of comprehensive digital marketing plans and initiatives tailored to the Australian retail market. Strategically aligned campaigns and advertisements to enhance brand visibility and drive sales.
• Sales and Data Analysis: Conducted rigorous sales and data analysis, consistently evaluating and reporting on the success of online campaigns, advertisements, and website performance to senior management. Contributed to data-driven decision-making processes to optimize marketing strategies.
• International Team Coordination: Effectively coordinated duties among international staff to ensure seamless collaboration and adherence to team deadlines.
• Professional Photography: Utilized professional-grade camera and lighting equipment in a well-equipped studio to capture high-quality visuals for marketing materials.
• Digital Content Creation: Played a pivotal role in digital content creation, leveraging Adobe Photoshop to contribute to the development of visually appealing marketing collateral. Assisted in the creation of engaging catalogues, enhancing the overall brand image.

In my role as a Purchasing Assistant, I was responsible for driving the strategic procurement processes, contributing significantly to the enhancement of the company's product portfolio and overall operational efficiency. My key responsibilities included:

• Product Sourcing Expertise: Demonstrated a keen understanding of market trends in the Australian homewares sector, consistently incorporating market insights into the company's product sourcing strategies. Proactively identified and capitalized on emerging trends to enhance the product portfolio.
• International Supplier Communication: Directly engaged with international suppliers to facilitate seamless collaboration, addressing inquiries, negotiating proforma invoices, and overseeing logistical matters. Ensured clear and effective communication channels, fostering strong relationships with key suppliers.
• Efficient Data Management: Conducted daily data entry of new and existing products, as well as supplier profiles, into the internal database. Maintained meticulous records to streamline procurement processes and enhance data accuracy.
• Data Analysis for Performance Improvement: Utilized data analysis techniques to identify slow-selling products, conducting in-depth analysis to understand market dynamics. Proactively brainstormed and implemented strategies to enhance the performance of underperforming products, contributing to overall sales improvement.