Charlene Blake Email & Phone Number

London, England, United Kingdom

As the Philanthropy Manager at Migdal Ohr UK, my role encompasses managing and executing a dedicated Fundraising & Events annual campaign. Migdal Ohr is Israel's largest welfare charity and reaches out to over 12,000 vulnerable children across various communities, offering education, care, and support.

Manchester Area, United Kingdom

London Area, United Kingdom

Manchester, England, United Kingdom

2017 - May 2021 NW and Scotland Fundraising Manager – UJIA (United Jewish Israel Appeal)● Delivered lucrative and sustainable partnerships with major donors by building an extensive network of donors● Ongoing management of key partnership action plans while identifying new business and revenue generating opportunities● Identified and cultivated strategic partner alliances that align and support revenue growth, research and qualify new relevant partners based on revenue potential, and strategic significance● End to end management of numerous annual regional events, including Annual Sports Quiz and Fundraising Dinners, acted as first line of support for dealing with any queries and troubleshooting to ensure achievement with events● Completed a variety of key finance and administrative procedures with the aim of ensuring UJIA finance and administration processes are adhered to● Collaborated with the Director of Legacies and Planned Giving to devise and implement a legacy fundraising campaign for Scotland and Manchester● Accountable for the training and direct management of personnel, maximise productivity through ongoing performance monitoring and review● Execute HR policies including sickness/absence monitoring and reduction; conduct staff 1-2-1s and appraisals, implement performance improvement plans to enhance staff productivity● Regularly analyse workload and team productivity to plan resources to ensure efficient departmental deliveryKey Achievements:● Recognised for putting UJIA Scotland back on the fundraising map through community events, two annual fundraising dinners, and re-engaging the donors with UJIA’s work. Securing an annual income of £200,000● Directed the Manchester Annual Fundraising Dinner and fundraising campaign bringing in an annual income of £1M● Developed and maintained exceptional relationships with lay leaders in UJIA

London, United Kingdom

Provided expert support across organising all MDA fundraising campaigns and events, ensured all set objectives were met.● Served as first point of contact for all volunteers, board members, individual donors, members of the public, and MDA Israel personnel, followed up to ensure resolution● Utilised strong attention to detail skills to manage all data and entry into Raisers Edge● Supported the CEO to complete their daily activities by providing an array of Personal Assistant duties, such as diary and travel management, arranging meetings, and minimised distractions and unnecessary interruptions through thorough gatekeeping and call screening, including serving as a point of contact

London, England, United Kingdom

Served as trusted advisor to the General Manager relating to strategies to manage the office more effectively with a stronger business acumen● Continuous communication with customers to gain insights into their needs, drove customer journey by providing them with accurate information and travel options● Generated awards of the company by marketing the business, including representation at trade and consumer shows

London, United Kingdom

Full operational management for the UK office, managed all sales, and business development● Supported with high level reporting by providing reports to the Managing Director and Chairman● Developed and managed a high performing team, continuously raised the bar and managed performance using best performance tools● Identified training and development needs through job analysis, appraisal schemes and regular 1-2-1s● Applied commercial thinking to lead on the development of new business● Employed strong communication skills to establish relationships with regulatory bodies such as ABTA and CAA, company lawyers and accountants● Led on the development and implementation of the long term strategic plan and priorities, ensured plans met company objectives● Drove company profit margin by controlling company expenditure and successfully reducing overheads, whilst maintaining a high quality service to all customers● Collated, analysed and interpreted financial data to produce financial forecasts, whilst ensuring all budgets were met● Led on the upskilling of staff members by facilitating product training to travel agents and other organisations via PowerPoint presentations● Oversaw website development and in charge of content management● Utilised creative skills to design and manage the production of brochures, including content writing and picture sourcing● Hosted and accompanied familiarisation trips to Israel, sourced all flights, hotels, meals, and tours● Served as representative at trade and consumer shows, community and Middle Eastern events, showcased innovative ideas to attract clientsKey Achievements:● Facilitated and arranged for two consecutive years’ team-building weekends away for 100 staff. Co-ordinated the event for entire UK branches, sourced the venues, developed team building activities, catering and entertainment● Generated over £1.5m worth of business within Superstar Holidays on a small advertising and marketing budget

London, United Kingdom

●Arranging and hosting sales trips●Product training amongst Tour Operators. Designing relevant material and PowerPoint presentations●Directly responsible for all Contracting, Sales and Marketing promotions amongst UK and European Tour Operators and suppliers within UK and Europe●Managing multi-disciplined teams and resolving any conflicting priorities whilst building and maintaining an effective work force●Driving company revenue forward by increasing like for like sales●Responsible for planning and co-ordinating the company’s activities to achieve all targets including marketing strategies and developing the company’s reputation within the market and with customers ●Preparing business reports regarding the businesses sales and successes ●Building and maintaining strong working relationships and networks with other trade and professionals

London

Engaged on working with Gran Caribe Hotels, Cuba’s largest hotel chain, in which the following major activities were involved:●Liaising on a daily basis with all our Tour Operators, monitoring sales figures and incentives●Product training amongst the Tour Operators●Organising and leading Familiarization Trips to Cuba●Representing the company at Trade Fairs and Road shows●Monitoring all Trade Press●Media Relations●Developing new business within B&G

During my time at Brighter PR, I worked on seven accounts and my duties included the following:●Media Relations – liaison with key nationals/trade/consumer press to ensure maximum positive coverage●Events – coordinating and hosting media events including press launches, international press trips and press evenings/lunches to generate awareness and keep press regularly informed●Trade Fairs / Shows – attendance at exhibitions such as World Travel Market●Administrating, coordinating, manning the Press Office and arranging maximum media coverage at the annual Business Travel Shows●Press Releases – compilation and distribution of press releases/snippets/fact boxes to Trades, National and Regional Press●Photo shoots – planning, booking and attending photo shoots at various locations●Promotions – forward features and promotions/competition opportunities●Client liaison - Assisted development of long term PR plans, preparation of monthly activity reports, press clippings and attending monthly meetings

London, England, United Kingdom

Education record

Three Highers (English, Spanish, Secretarial Studies). SCOTVEC National Certificate in Business Studies Social & Digital Media.

Education record