Lorraine A. Holland
Elgin,SC
Summary
Vision-driven change agent with a proven track record of success in business management, operations, and analytics across both public and private sectors. Skilled at aligning business strategy and objectives with established managerial paradigms to achieve maximum operational impacts while minimizing resource expenditures. Growth-focused and analytical team leader with expertise in strategic planning, training and development programs, policy and procedure development, productivity initiatives, customer service and satisfaction, as well as various aspects of financial management including budget administration and expenditure control. Known for exceptional dedication, strong interpersonal skills, effective communication, and excellent organizational abilities suited for the diverse modern workplace.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
CEO/Lead Planner
Sophisticated Affairs Weddings and Events
01.2017 - Current
- Achieved company growth by implementing strategic p.
- Managed partnerships and strategic business relationships by negotiating contract terms and handling conflicts.
- Developed key operational initiatives to drive and maintain substantial business growth.
- Enhanced brand reputation with effective marketing campaigns and public relations efforts.
- Built productive relationships with industry partners and competitors to support strategic business objectives.
- Manage budgets, negotiate contracts
- Provide excellent customer service with a focus on professionalism, quality and integrity.
FINANCIAL AID OFFICER
South University
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Collaborate cohesively with ADAs or Admissions Coordinators to facilitate outstanding service to prospective students and their parents
- Excel in maintaining a 100% planning load
- Conceive plans, and explain the plan and student/parent rights and responsibilities for each aid source
- Engage in payment plan negotiations
- Exhibit an ability to develop student financial plans in concert with institute procedures and knowledge of Federal regulations
- Facilitate students and parents in completing the FAFSA
- Also, enter the FAFSA electronically and review the resulting ISIR
- Assign appropriate budget and package to students, in addition to ascertaining aid is paid to student accounts in a timely manner
- Ensure complete and accurate files and paperwork, certification of loan applications, and completion of basic verification/QA and C Code Requirements
- Display a proficiency in timely collections; for summer term: 80% aid paid consistently by end of 5th week of term, and 90% by end of 8th week of term; for all other terms: 90% aid paid consistently by end of 5th week of term and 98% by end of 8th week of term
- Accountable for maintaining consistently clean files via training assessments for compliance with Federal/State regulations, school policies, and procedures
- This has resulted in a less than a 10% comment rate per term, and less than a 5% potential liability rate for the year
- Finalize appropriate training modules within 30 days of the new or revised module becoming available
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS
South University
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Spearhead scheduling and hosting of interviews, pursue qualified candidates for enrollment, and determine appropriateness of candidates for admission based upon career goal compatibility
- Surpass enrollment and start rate goals, and conduct all activities in accordance with the highest ethical standards, which includes adhering to all state, federal accreditation, and institute rules and regulations regarding student recruitment
- Champion complete and accurate portrayal of university educational programs, expected outcomes, student services, and financial consideration to students, parents, and educators
- Also, accurately forecast projected new students on a periodic basis for Campus Admissions Head
- Administer inquiries to achieve prompt contact and performance activity to achieve weekly goals; this also entails using approved recruitment policies and formats, making prompt and effective contact with inquiries, and redirecting unqualified candidates based upon incompatible career goals
- Responsible for enrolling 75 students with an 85% start rate overall since taking over as Assistant Director of Admissions
SALES ASSOCIATE/DEPARTMENT MANAGER
Jared the Galleria of Jewelry
01.2011 - 01.2015
- Pioneered teamwork initiatives within the department, uniting employees to reach sales goals exceeding $5 million during first year of opening, and providing excellent customer service
- Also assisted in developing sales goals for team, and consistently achieved individual and team goals for sales and profit targets that helped to grow the location by 25%
- Onboarded and maintained staffing for department of ten employees
- This also included training associates on standard policies and procedures, customer service skills, and how to productively reach their sales goals, as well as educating and mentoring associates to improve product knowledge
- Furthermore, evaluated employee performance to determine coaching opportunities, training needs, and salary increases
- Prospected customers to answer product questions, enhance the customer experience, and capture sales opportunities
- Leveraged these product knowledge and communication skills to increase sales, develop customer loyalty, and respond accurately to customer inquiries, as well as promote and market products and store through effective communication planning
FINANCIAL ADVISOR
New York Life
01.2008 - 01.2010
- Conceptualized new ways to maintain and increase client base
- These included fostering and maintain relationships with current clients, seeking out new products to offer, and working to increase profit margins
- Originated contact with potential clients, researched products, and suggested plans that enticed new customer sign up
- Also, assisted clients with personal planning for their insurance needs, offering asset and income protection, disability income insurance, annuities, long-term care, education planning and home, auto, and life insurance products
- Tasked with recruiting new agents in an effort to increase staffing
- Assumed responsibility for ensuring training of new employees was effective, and monitored new hires to assist in agent development
- Coached individuals on products and selling skills to boost productivity and assist agents with meeting projected goals
- Compiled data from confidential client questionnaires, and analyzed and summarized information to create predictive models establishing client financial needs and potential areas for growth
- Earned license to practice insurance within South Carolina
ASSOCIATE MANAGER
Ruby Tuesday
01.2005 - 01.2008
- Constructed and effectively developed a team of 25 employees via recruitment, training and evaluating personnel
- Conducted interviews following set company guidelines, while judging for talent, work ethic, and teamwork potential
- This also required monitoring of training processes to ensure employees learned policies and procedures effectively, and verifying compliance with all laws, health, and safety regulations
- Enacted supply control through regular inventories and the processing of vendor orders
- Documented incoming and outgoing inventory, and kept detailed records in association with regular restaurant reviews
- Also, contacted vendors for quality issues, and ascertained supply orders were received accurately
- Played pivotal role in reducing bar costs by 20%
- Resolved all escalated customer issues, and contacted customers to discuss options that restored customer confidence
- Exhibited superior customer service skills, and monitored employees to ensure they demonstrated excellent customer service skills in all of their interactions
- Governed store budget and controlled expenditures such as inventory loss and staffing hours
- This also entailed balancing of cash drawers to create accurate daily bank deposits
UNIT MANAGER
Waffle House
01.2003 - 01.2005
- Headed staff performance and controlled the operations of a small-budget business
- Provided excellent customer service, while working to reduce costs and control payroll hours
- Acquired statistical and financial records to organize into company reports
- Accomplished profitability on schedule and under budget, receiving the honor of top sales and profitability for the fourth quarter of 2006
ASSOCIATE MANAGER
Longhorn Steakhouse
01.2000 - 01.2003
- Aided successfully daily operation, and forecasted operational requirements to ensure sufficient supplies and staffing
- Oversaw weekly scheduling for more than 40 employees, and coordinated time off requests, rotated schedule concerns, and predicted illnesses to ensure adequate staffing
- Led a productive team of employees to create close bonds and teamwork within the establishment, inspiring productivity, and counseling staff where necessary
- This resulted in a 15% reduction in labor costs
ASSOCIATE MANAGER
Applebee’s
01.1991 - 01.2000
- Arranged training opportunities for all employees, conducting seminars on policy, procedures, and customer service
- Evaluated staff members to ensure training was successful, and mentored employees to assist in their individual development
- Promoted awareness of company guidelines and expectations
- Directed restaurant operations, monitored supplies, authorized schedules, and made certain that all employees displayed excellent customer service skills
- Designated to audit training process for the entire Midlands District
- Recommended ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness while conducting seminars and developing training materials
- Elevated standards for restaurant and staff, successfully increasing customer base and obtaining a sales check increase of 28% within 90 days
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration - Concentration in Management
Walden University
Minneapolis, MinnesotaSkills
- Effective Decision Making
- Operational Excellence
- Customer Focus
- Strategic Visioning
Timeline
FINANCIAL AID OFFICER
South University
01.2018 - 01.2020
CEO/Lead Planner
Sophisticated Affairs Weddings and Events
01.2017 - Current
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS
South University
01.2016 - 01.2018
SALES ASSOCIATE/DEPARTMENT MANAGER
Jared the Galleria of Jewelry
01.2011 - 01.2015
FINANCIAL ADVISOR
New York Life
01.2008 - 01.2010
ASSOCIATE MANAGER
Ruby Tuesday
01.2005 - 01.2008
UNIT MANAGER
Waffle House
01.2003 - 01.2005
ASSOCIATE MANAGER
Longhorn Steakhouse
01.2000 - 01.2003
ASSOCIATE MANAGER
Applebee’s
01.1991 - 01.2000
Bachelor of Business Administration - Concentration in Management
Walden University
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