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An intelligent graduate of the University of Nottingham, who used his time at the University to the fullest, acquiring skills, beyond those taught on his course, through his extra-curricular activities. Proven teamwork and leadership skills, including managing and motivating other volunteers to achieve corporate objectives. Able to use own initiative and experienced at driving change.

Employment and Positions of Responsibility

June 2003 - July 2005 Whitegates Residential Lettings Manager

In this role I was responsible for the staff team that runs both the main branch of Whitegates and the satellite University Branch. As well as dealing with day to day office issues I also maintained a strategic focus, examining ways to allow us to continue to offer exceptional service with an ever-expanding portfolio of properties.

January 2003 - May 2003 Whitegates Residential Lettings University Branch Manager

When the private sector Residential Letting Agent Whitegates entered into an agreement to provide the property management services for the University of Nottingham my role as Housing Officer (see below) was retained and expanded. As well as the day to day running of the branch I also took responsibility for its strategic development.

August 2002 - December 2002 University of Nottingham Managed Properties Housing Officer

Work as a Housing Officer within the University of Nottingham Accommodation Office and Managed Properties Office. My role included liaising with landlords and student tenants, inspecting properties, and ensuring necessary works were completed in a timely manner.

August 2001 - July 2002 Students' Union General Secretary

During my final year at University I was elected by a cross-campus ballot to hold the full-time (paid) sabbatical office of General Secretary. This role includes being a Trustee of one of the largest students' unions in the country, with an annual budget of around one million pounds. My specific responsibilities included many of the Students' Union's communications channels and its democratic and representative structures. My key achievements included:

• Overhauling Grapevine, the Students' Union's newsheet. I developed this from a publication which was previously produced two or three times a year to one which comes out weekly during term time.

• Redevelopment of the Students' Union website. I led a small team that examined the needs of the Students' Union to communicate electronically with its members, produced a detailed specification for the implementation of this, examined the available solutions, and selected the most appropriate. The outcome of this research is that a system was developed 'in-house', and brought online in September.

• Running two sets of cross-campus elections. I acted as Returning Officer for the two sets of cross-campus elections. The larger of these involved twenty-six candidates running for twelve positions, with over 3,600 voters. I trained volunteers and casual staff in various aspects of the running of the elections, and held ultimate responsibility for the fairness of the elections.

Academic year 2000 - 2001 Off-Campus Students' Association (OCSA) President

Following two years on the committee of the OCSA I was elected to be President of the Association. As President I identified the development of the Association as a priority, whilst being careful to maintain the excellent 'day-to-day' support work in the process. My key achievements in this volunteer role included:

• Developing the OCSA from a body geared up solely to support the 100 or so first years living off-campus each year to all 14,000 off-campus students. I devised a new structure that ensures the particularly vulnerable first years are still looked after, whilst increasing the effective remit of the organisation to work for all off-campus students, frequently behind the scenes.

• I created links with the City Council, local residents groups, and other areas of the University, which have proven useful in realising areas where both ethos and objectives are shared.

• Reviewing the Students' Union's policy on Accommodation to better represent the needs of students at the University of Nottingham.

1998 - 2002 Various Positions of Responsibility

As well as the positions detailed above, during my time at University I held a large number of positions of responsibility across the Students' Union, University, within the local community, and within the City Council. I have enjoyed the diversity this has offered, as well as the depth in which I have been able to explore some areas.

Summers from 1993-1996 The Orchards Holiday Park
Summers from 1997-1999 St Osyth Beach Holiday Park (Haven UK)

For seven years I had regular summer work at two holiday parks. Initially I worked as a Pool Lifeguard and after receiving training in Plant Room Operation I worked as Head Lifeguard. This involved managing a team of lifeguards, deputising for the Pool Manager and responsibility for dealing with any incidents that occurred. I also worked in the site shops at both Parks and in the bar at St Osyth Beach.

Key Skills

I found my time at University both enjoyable and beneficial. Both my course and my participation in extra-curricular activities have equipped me with a variety of transferable skills, which I look forward to employing in a work environment.

Teamwork

I have gained experience of working in a wide variety of teams. These ranged from groups of two and three working on laboratory projects as part of my course to being one of over one hundred 'Week One' Reps, given the task of ensuring every first year arriving at University settled in and made friends. I particularly enjoy working in ad hoc teams set up to work on specific projects, and have found this to be a most natural way to work towards a particular goal.

Leadership

I have chaired meetings of a range of styles and sizes, from informal small groups right up to Council, the highest decision making body of the Students' Union, which has more than one hundred members. Most often I have lead medium-sized groups of around twelve, and feel that I am experienced at translating good intentions in meetings into positive actions outside.

IT Skills

I am an expert user of Microsoft Word and Excel and am quickly comfortable with any Windows based software. I have used the professional desk-top publishing package QuarkXPress for Macintosh in the production of publicity. As part of my degree course I have gained a good level of proficiency in an analytical programming language called MATLAB. I have also gained experience in programming in C++, BASIC and Visual BASIC. In addition, I am proficient in the use of the internet, both as a user and as a publisher with software such as Macromedia Dreamweaver.

Further Skills

Please select any of the skills listed below to see my experience in the area.

Administration

Education, Qualifications and Awards

Degree (University of Nottingham)

Second Class Honours (2:2), MSci Physics

Award (University of Nottingham Students' Union)

I was awarded the Ordo Caligulae, the highest award of the Students' Union, which is given out to graduating students who have given an outstanding contribution to the Students' Union. This honour has only been given to three students in the last three years.

A Levels (Royal Grammar School, Colchester)

Mathematics A
Physics A
Design & Technology A
General Studies A
Further Mathematics C

GCSEs (Royal Grammar School, Colchester)

Twelve at grades A* to C, including Mathematics and English.

Personal Details

• Date of birth -- 8th April 1979

• Marital Status -- Single

• Driving License -- Full, clean

Contact

Email

jim "AT" jimvine.co.uk

Telephone

07968 84 89 88