JAMES SPENCER
Dover,Kent
Summary
Dynamic and results-driven professional with extensive leadership experience and a passion for continuous self-development. Demonstrated exceptional skills in thriving under pressure, multi-tasking, and ensuring the smooth running of business operations. Committed to delivering outstanding customer service and maintaining professional standards, with excellent communication abilities across all levels of staff and customers.
Enthusiastic about sales, consistently meeting and exceeding targets while fulfilling customer needs.
Proven track record in team-leading and management and development, maintaining high morale and training standards.
Excellent lateral thinking skills for methodical planning and problem-solving. Adept at supporting senior staff in day-to-day business operations, maintaining a calm demeanour in conflict situations. Innovator who has organised company-wide initiatives that saved hundreds of man-hours.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work history
Deputy Manager
The Parrot - Shepherd Neame
Canterbury, Kent
2023.07 - 2025.10
- Provided guidance to junior staff, fostering professional growth and development.
- Achieved higher productivity with rigorous time management strategies.
- Contributed innovative ideas during strategy meetings that led to business expansion.
- Boosted team morale through effective communication and feedback systems.
- Collaborated with the manager to achieve organisational goals.
- Addressed customer complaints promptly, improving customer satisfaction levels.
- Supervised team members for optimal task completion.
Duty Manager
Premier Inn, Canterbury
Canterbury
2020.12 - 2023.07
- Continued to show my passion for exceptional customer service and management, while expanding my skills to include needs of the Hotel industry.
- Worked as part of a close-knit management team, developing my leadership and management skills further.
- Responsibility for ensuring compliance with all company policies and procedures, including the training and performance management of Front of House and Kitchen staff.
- Implemented a local business engagement scheme, fostering close ties with the community and generating an 11% rise in Breakfast sales over two quarters.
Management Consultant
Vine Farm/Dauphin Consultancy, Ashford
Ashford
2020.12 - 2021.06
- Used process improvement as part of a systemic overhaul to discover hidden opportunities to increase market penetration and reduce costs.
- Automated >80% of accounts receivable entry and billing processes, increasing efficiencies by 300%
- Created procedural and instructional manuals to address ongoing maintenance and adjustment of the new system
- Compiled next steps and outlines for future opportunities to continue market growth and expansion.
Bar Manager
The Royal Oak, Ashford
Ashford
2018.08 - 2019.02
- Worked in partnership with the owner to set up and maintain all front of house operations for a grand re-opening of a thriving village pub and restaurant.
- Recruited a team of full and part-time workers and led their scheduling, training, and daily operations
- Assisted in additional back of house roles including: maintenance and repair, marketing and promotion, and event management
Revenue Protection Officer
Southeastern Railways, Ashford
Ashford
2013.09 - 2018.04
- Worked closely with British Transport Police to monitor, prevent, and combat criminal and anti-social activity, with extensive training in PACE and SPOE
- Acted with a great deal of self-management, almost entirely without direct supervision on a day-to-day basis
- Regularly worked to resolve intense conflict and difficult situations with customers with tact, diplomacy and a calm and professional manner
- Developed further on my customer service background, continued to develop and build on years of experience to provide high levels of customer care, even during confrontation and conflict
Direct Sales Assistant Manager
R1 Solutions, Maidstone
Maidstone
2012.07 - 2012.11
- Developed a very strong base for work in sales and marketing through commission based door-to-door charity work, building outstanding interpersonal and sales skills along the way
- Worked entirely independently generating direct sales and potential leads for clients
- Managed a small team of sales representatives and provided the administration and training aspects of their development
- Worked closely with the manager in maintaining the highest levels of training with continuous development and improvement of staff
- Strategically planning objectives and targets for the store to create a challenging, constructive, and very rewarding environment for all.
- Involved in recruiting, promoting and developing staff including all training, goal-setting and disciplinary procedures.
Education
A-Levels -
Dover Grammar School for Boys
Dover, KentAS-Levels -
Dover Grammar School For Boys
DoverGCSEs -
Dover Grammar School For Boys
DoverSkills
- Extensive leadership experience with a passion for continuous self-development
- Skill in thriving under pressure and multi-tasking to ensure the smooth running of a business
- Exceptional customer service and professional standards
- Excellent oral and written communication skills across all levels of staff and with customers
- Enthusiasm for sales and an ability to meet and exceed customer needs, whilst also meeting and exceeding any sales targets
- Superb team-leading and management skills, applying extensive knowledge of psychology and interpersonal skills to produce a high level of productivity and service
- Outstanding team development skills, using techniques developed throughout my career to ensure both morale and training are maintained at a high standard
- A natural ability to lead and motivate others to get the best out of staff at all levels
- Highly developed lateral thinking skills, methodical planning and execution of business plans, and a proven problem solver
- An ability to work as part of a team and support senior staff in the day-to-day running of the business
- A calm and professional demeanour, with a proven talent for dealing with conflict and stressful situations
- Organised and spearheaded new ideas and methodology that were implemented company wide, saving hundreds of man-hours
References
Excellent professional and personal references are available upon request
Timeline
Deputy Manager
The Parrot - Shepherd Neame
2023.07 - 2025.10
Duty Manager
Premier Inn, Canterbury
2020.12 - 2023.07
Management Consultant
Vine Farm/Dauphin Consultancy, Ashford
2020.12 - 2021.06
Bar Manager
The Royal Oak, Ashford
2018.08 - 2019.02
Revenue Protection Officer
Southeastern Railways, Ashford
2013.09 - 2018.04
Direct Sales Assistant Manager
R1 Solutions, Maidstone
2012.07 - 2012.11
A-Levels -
Dover Grammar School for Boys
AS-Levels -
Dover Grammar School For Boys
GCSEs -
Dover Grammar School For Boys