Denise Edwards

With over 15 years of experience providing high-level support to C-suite executives, combined with a Master's degree in International Relations, I am confident in my ability to bring a unique blend of organisational expertise, strategic thinking, and positive energy to any team. 

Throughout my career, I have honed my ability to thrive in fast-paced, high-pressure environments, and tech forward organisations. I am highly skilled in managing complex schedules, coordinating extensive travel, and facilitating communication across diverse teams and stakeholders. My technical proficiency with productivity tools such as Hubspot, Monday, Google Docs, and SAP, paired with a deep understanding of the Mac ecosystem, allows me to streamline operations and drive efficiency for executives and teams alike. In my previous roles, I demonstrated a keen ability to juggle multiple priorities while maintaining meticulous attention to detail. For example, in my last position, I successfully managed the daily operations of an executive’s office while coordinating urgent, last-minute travel and schedule changes for a busy CEO. 

My proactive and adaptable nature allows me to anticipate the needs of my executives, ensuring that they are always two steps ahead and fully prepared for any challenges that may arise. What excites me most about this opportunity is the chance to contribute to the organisation’s mission while being part of a dynamic, forward-thinking team. I would love to be part of supporting the growth and success of any leadership team. I am based in a European time zone and am open to occasional travel as needed to support the CEO/Founder in achieving their objectives. 

I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my experience and skills align with the needs of your team. 

Respectfully,

Denise Edwards

Private Personal Assistant to UHNWI Private Family Office (Property Development & Investment), Mayfair (UK), Nov 2023 – Nov 2024 

I worked within a prominent private family office with over three decades of property development and investment experience throughout England, Europe, and the Middle East. I maintained an extremely high level of discretion with impeccable professionalism and confidentiality. I managed personal and business calendars for the principal, organised complex global travel arrangements, coordinated meetings across different time zones, worked closely with household staff, assisted with wardrobe management and personal shopping. 

● Arranged property access, viewings, maintenance, procurement of furniture/art as requested. Oversaw maintenance and upkeep of properties, including liaising with contractors, and managing renovations and/or repairs. 

● Oversaw personal finances, including bill payments, budgeting, and liaising with accountants or financial advisors. 

● Planned and coordinated events, from intimate gatherings to large-scale parties, including venue selection, catering, and guest management. 

Senior Executive Assistant Sun Mark Limited (FMCG), London (UK), April 2022 – Aug 2023 

Delivered impeccable day-to-day administrative support to the CEO and Executive Board. Liaised directly with the CEO to ensure cover/support was provided at all times. Maintained a Procedures & Work Instructions up to date with specific details of individual tasks relating to the CEO. Managed and coordinated travel schedules, calendars, and project management. Acted as the point of contact between the CEO, Executive Board, Executive Team, and employees/clients. Facilitated meetings and/or events as required including attendance at meetings, bookings, hospitality, and accommodation. Executed meeting schedules; prepared and issued agendas and papers; and taking and issuing formal minutes and action items. 

● Maintained compliance with the company’s operational policies that apply to the role and embraced the vision and values of the organisation 

● Devised and executed robust processes and standardised all scheduling, documentation, and travel for C-Suite management. 

● Served as a key contact person between the CEO, the Board of Directors, and members of the Senior Executive Team that report directly to the CEO and other colleagues. 

● Recommended improvements to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the organisation. 

Executive Assistant | Department of Defense – US Navy Office of Naval Research Global (Research & Development), London (UK), Sep 2019 – Mar 2022 

Oversaw and efficiently managed the GPC process from initiation through supply or service acquisition and completion. Offered direct administrative support to the CEO, commanding officer, and technical director. Organised and executed all official travel arrangements, including making reservations, scheduling calls, meetings, and conferences, and managing social invitations. Acted as the Government Purchase Card (GPC) Cardholder, including ordering supplies and purchase requests. Tracked and managed inventory of Commanding Officer award coins, ORF coins, stationery, command certificates/awards, and similar items, ensuring accountability and accurate record-keeping. 

● Played an integral role in the execution of command-level administrative functions such as developing, organising, and managing command-level correspondence, social rosters, and task lists/ticklers to facilitate efficient and effective communication and task completion. 

● Delivered outstanding support to ONRG financial processes, including preparing and tracking electronic purchase requisitions and associated funding documents in the ERP or equivalent system. ● Updated and maintained purchase logs on the iConnect and submitted purchase requests to the GPC approving Official for review/approval through the Enterprise Resourcing Planning system. 

● Acted as the backup travel administrator for ONRG London, Prague, Sao Paulo, Santiago, and Arlington office travel requirements, including processing and routing of authorisations and vouchers in Defense Travel System. 

● Served as travel subject matter expert for the organisation, including Executive Team Department Head meetings and taskings. 

Health System Specialist | Department of Defense – US Army Reynolds Army Health Clinic (Healthcare), Lawton (USA), Sep 2017 – Sep 2019 

Guided and supported clinical staff on administration, business operations, and day-to-day activities. Offered exceptional administrative and management support to clinical senior leadership. Served as a key administrative point of contact for budget, civilian personnel, purchasing and contracting, resource management, logistics, equipment, travel, and information management. Developed, managed, and processed provider clinic schedules and call rosters into the patient appointing system. Monitored clinical operations through evaluation, interviews, complaints, data, and other resources to analyse clinic’s efficiency while recommending improvements to ensure optimal clinic and staff performance. 

● Facilitated in improving decision-making capabilities, boosting staff engagement, and optimising performance by utilising various databases to create Excel databases for clinical and command leadership. 

● Improved civilian personnel management, reorganisation, organisation structuring, position management, and manpower utilisation by serving as the action officer and effectively facilitating communication and coordination between clinic personnel and the parent MTF. 

● Mentored and effectively guided staff and leadership regarding various administrative functions, including approving, rejecting, or recommending actions, promotions, selections, awards, and disciplinary actions. 

● Enabled data-driven decision-making and enhanced organisational efficiency by utilising diverse statistical databases to gather, monitor, and review data, informing process improvement. 

● Recommended improvements to leadership by conducting an in-depth analysis of policy implementation, resulting in modifications to program processes and procedures. 

Executive Administrative Assistant | Department of Defense – US Army Bavaria Dental Activity (Healthcare), Vilseck (Germany), Dec 2014 – Jul 2017 

Managed the budgetary and administrative aspects of travel funds for the entire organisation. Supported Senior Leadership with administrative duties and all travel requirements. Maintained data accuracy and completeness while refining into a format for specific individual responses. Facilitated conducting analysis by utilising state-of-the-art automated information retrieval systems and internet-based sources. Developed graphical presentations of statistical data, as well as composite material involving data and other types of material for briefings, publications, and routine reports. Assisted travellers as the Defense Travel System (DTS) Administrator/Financial Administrator (DTA/DTFA) and Agency Program Coordinator (APC). Managed budgetary and administrative responsibilities of temporary duty travel. 

● Improved data quality compliance by coordinating with the regional data quality specialist to plan, schedule, and facilitate initiatives, while generating and providing routine compliance reports to the Commander/XO. 

● Maintained accurate data and compliance with Defense Medical Human Resource System internet (DMHRSi) validation and certification requirements by serving as the Medical Expense and Performance Reporting System (MEPRS) point of contact for the department, accounting for man-hour data of personnel. 

● Processed payroll for all personnel into Automated Time Attendance and Production System (ATAAPS), Defense Civilian Personnel Data System (DCPDS), and DMHRSi. 

● Maintained compliance with federal laws, regulations, and policies by managing, allocating, and monitoring financial resources. 

Master of Arts in International Relations – 3.0 GPA out of 4.0, 

2020 University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 

Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts – 2.67 GPA out of 4.0, 

2010 Excelsior College, Albany, NY