Nicola Wharton

 A confident and committed individual, seeking a new opportunity, in which I can make valuable contributions, and also continue my personal development. I am a friendly, caring, reliable and enthusiastic person, who is pursuing the opportunity to be involved within sector that will make a difference. I am someone who is able to work cooperatively and effectively, both within a team and on an individual basis.

11/2019 – Present Technical Product Owner DNATA Travel UK, Sandycroft
 

- Investigating business IT systems to amalgamate to a single in house provider system  
 

- Identifying actions required to improve operation of business systems
 

- Using appropriate business models as part of investigation processes
 

- Writing stories and acceptance criteria for project backlogs within the JIRA platform  
 

- Prioritising project Backlogs
 

- Running refinement sessions and participating in Sprint / Retrospective meetings
 

- Assisting with the writing of test plans
 

- Ensuring effective implementation and use of information systems in line with business needs
 

- Liaising with all stakeholders
 

- Conducting interviews and workshops individually and as part of a team
 

- Working to the SAFe Agile methodology

11/2010 – 11/2019 Air Technology Project / Product Executive DNATA Travel UK, Sandycroft
 

- Extensive knowledge of scheduled air and its technology
 

2 / 4

- Flexibility to adapt to industry change
 

- SME of eTrip admin database as a flights provider, and managing its functionality
 

- Regression / sensibility testing of eTrip admin database for code releases
 

- Writing and executing test plans
 

- Reading and analysing XML logs to identify issues and providing solutions
 

- SME of GDS, particularly Galileo, with sufficient knowledge of Amadeus, Sabre and Worldspan
 

- SME of scheduled air flight processes, booking and ticketing
 

- Understanding of GDS providers and their technology
 

- Knowledge of Back Office systems (TRIP and Dolphin)
 

- Understanding of Business Analysis and Product Ownership roles  
 

- Working in Agile using the DAD methodology and scrum

02/2008 – 11/2010 Airfares Reservations Consultant DNATA Travel UK, Sandycroft  
 

- Booking published, consolidated and ITX fares for Travel Agents and public customers
 

- Booking a variation of return, open jaw, RTW and multi sector itineraries
 

- Dealing with a variety of worldwide scheduled airlines
 

- Reading and understanding rules and conditions of Airline Contracts
 

- Using GDS Reservation systems
 

04/2004 – 01/2008 Tourist Information Officer / Customer Service Advisor Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, Ellesmere Port
 

- Providing information to tourists regarding local attractions and events in the area
 

- Booking accommodation through DMS Media system
 

- Booking theatre / show / attraction tickets
 

- Handling customer complaints
 

- Responsible for the setting up and running of Cheshire Oaks job vacancies
 

- Completing presentations
 

- Updating spreadsheets
 

- Monitoring stock levels / general till work
 

- Personally 'mystery shopped' resulting in being awarded the Best Tourist Information Centre in the North West 2005

Education and Qualifications:  

2002 – 2005 University College Chester
BA (Hons) Tourism Management 2:1 qualification
Modules include: Tourism in its Context, Integrated Tourism and Heritage,                   
Introduction to Finance, Integrated Business Skills, Organisation of the Tourism Industry, Introduction to Management, Marketing, Introduction to Business Law, Tourism Development and Planning, Tourism SME Management, Human Resource Management, Marketing and Planning, Tourism Operations Management, Research Methods, Business Strategy for the Tourism Industry, Tourism Impact Management, Contemporary Issues in Tourism and Heritage, Employee Relations Strategy, Ethical Issues Within Tourism, Auditing and Regulatory Framework.

2000 – 2002 Alun High School Sixth Form, Mold
A Level:
Leisure and Recreation – A Geography - B
Theatre Studies - C

AS Levels:
English Literature - A

1995 – 2000 Argoed High School, New Brighton
GCSE:
English – B                                          Drama - B
French - C                         Geography - C
Design & Technology - C                         Science (double) - CC
Mathematics - C