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Sara Davis
Lake In The Hills,IL
Summary
Versatile Operations Director with proven abilities across all levels of organizational management. Highly communicative with a talent for developing partnerships, overseeing personnel and developing tactical plans to meet strategic goals. Analytical problem solver with remarkable multi-tasking abilities and a demonstrated history of working with non-profit organizations.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
4
4
Certifications
Work History
Director of Community Operations
Habitat for Humanity of McHenry County
McHenry , IL
06.2020 - Current
- Ensured the HFHMC organization in achieving its mission by overseeing office operations, accounting, human resources, ReStore facilities and Sales, Family Selection and Family Support under the directives of the President & CEO and within established policies and guidelines
- Spoke at public events, evangelizing for organizational goals and interests.
- Wrote e-mails, promoted events via social media and drafted phone scripts to recruit volunteers.
- Identified community organizations and leaders to establish and nurture relationships to help build awareness and win reforms in favor of the overall Habitat mission.
- Discovered opportunities to gain deeper insight into creating efficient and streamlined processes.
- Participated in strategy development and planning to grow organizing program and advance campaigns.
- Trained team leaders to oversee volunteers and organization members during special events.
- Engaged with larger movement to build transformational and deeply collaborative partnerships.
- Generated reports to evaluate program success and make modifications.
- Canvassed areas to increase support and raise funds.
- Consistently working to benefit underserved cultures and groups.
- Created strong and sustainable nonprofit organization by fundraising, forming relationships with key players and building brands.
- Fostered collaborative efforts to schedule, host and facilitate events and identify further opportunities to reach members of community.
- Interviewed members of specific populations to understand and document issues.
- Coordinated and implemented numerous meetings, forums and community events.
Community Outreach Coordinator
Habitat for Humanity of McHenry County
McHenry, Illinoi
10.2018 - Current
- Responsible for administering the volunteer program for Habitat for Humanity of McHenry County including recruitment, scheduling and coordination of workgroups and individual volunteers.
- Conducted community workshops to promote different programs and educate public on available services.
- Surveyed local program participants to ascertain problematic areas requiring improvement.
- Developed long-lasting partnerships with local leaders, management team and peers with active engagement, exemplary communication and consistent issue resolution.
- Wrote content for newsletters, social media pages and informational packets.
- Documented and analyzed performance of different programs in order to make proactive decisions about services.
- Created and implemented community-based programs to improve education or fill specific needs.
- Acted as main point of contact between management, clinical staffs and external community.
- Developed presentations for public events, community groups and school assemblies.
- Networked with local organizations, leaders and consumers, resulting in establishment of new and lasting partnerships and relationships.
- Fielded phone calls and pleasantly greeted office visitors, answering questions and inquiries regarding community resources and services.
- Assisted with researching grants and grant writing tasks.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired staff members offering exceptional talent and brought great skills to team.
- Oversaw staff development through in-depth trainings, workshops, seminars and other learning opportunities.
- Helped develop monthly schedules and assignments.
Board Member - Director of Marketing
The BREAK Crystal Lake Teen Center
Crystal Lake, Illinoi
06.2021 - Current
- Spearheaded market research to identify branding opportunities, cement strategies and sustain loyal customer base.
- Initiated sessions with Board and Executive Director to brainstorm new ideas and promotional strategies.
- Developed and implemented marketing and communications plans for The BREAK Crystal Lake Teen Center
Chicago Market FUNDrive Coordinator
Savers | Value Village
Lake in The Hills, Illinois
01.2016 - 10.2018
- Creative problem solver, Self starter with a “run-thru-walls” mentality and results oriented disposition. Responsible for product procurement through FUNDrive fundraiser program, recruiting community nonprofits to hold fundraisers to collect clothing in exchange for raising funds.
- Developed and delivered engaging sales presentations to convey program benefits to potential clients and the community.
- Met with existing customers and prospects to discuss business needs and recommend optimal solutions.
- Boosted brand awareness, implemented promotional campaigns and employed sales tactics as part of territory development.
- Increased territory to Texas, Utah, Illinois and Wisconsin markets by leveraging effective communications and outreach strategies.
- Researched and shopped competitors to maintain accurate and up-to-date knowledge of market conditions.
- Reviewed weekly sales reports and worked with vendors to improve product performance.
- Identified, researched and pursued product opportunities.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Drove operational improvements which resulted in savings and improved profit margins.
- Interacted with vendors to purchase and set up equipment and services.
- Managed relational database to store information for reference, reporting and analysis.
Retail Sales Manager
Savers Value Village
Crystal Lake, Illinois
06.2012 - 01.2016
- Resolved product or service problems by clarifying the customer's complaint; determining the cause of the problem; selecting and explaining the best solution to solve the problem; expediting correction or adjustment; following up to ensure resolution
- Identified current and future customer requirements by establishing rapport with potential and actual customers and other persons in a position to understand service requirements
- Understand P & L responsibility and maximize revenue opportunites
- Determined marketing strategy changes by reviewing operating and financial statements and departmental sales records
- Track and report promotion results
- Create, Implement and support timely grass-roots market level promotional sales and traffic
- Created donation building programs which focus on acquisition and retention
- Coached sales associates in product specifications, sales incentives and selling techniques, significantly increasing customer satisfaction ratings.
- Recommends potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired talented individuals bringing dynamic sales expertise to organization.
- Maintained company's visual merchandise standards through general housekeeping and planograms.
- Offered hands-on assistance to customers, assessing needs and maintaining current knowledge of consumer preferences.
- Managed day-to-day staffing and handled scheduling for all store employees.
- Monitored adherence to cost control measures, effectively reducing waste 12%.
- Kept orderly and accurate accounting records by monitoring sales documentation.
- Oversaw employee performance, corrected problems and increased efficiency to maintain productivity targets.
- Mentored and trained sales associates and managers for multiple store locations.
- Multiplied earnings through sales goal achievement, customer service improvements and commitment to team objectives.
- Analyzed data and profit and loss statements to compose store budget.
- Mentored team members to enhance professional development and accountability in workplace.
- Exceeded targets by building, directing and motivating high-performing sales team.
Public Relations
ForkworthyEats
Lake in The Hills, Illinois
12.2014 - 01.2021
- Coordinate Personal and Pop-Up dinners, Schedule catering events, Culinary classes and meal-prep parties
- Build brand awareness by directing social media team to engage audiences across traditional and new media
- Develop a marketing communications plan including strategy, goals, budget and tactics
- Helped plan and execute private, company and client events.
- Coordinate all public relations activities.
- Wrote and distributed press releases and social media content for clients and company.
- Developed original content for blog posts and website articles.
- Proofread and edited materials prepared by all staff to check and correct spelling, grammar and style.
- Prepared social media posts and videos with eye for viral content strategies.
Follett Library Resources, Inc
01.2008 - 06.2009
- Provided inbound Customer Service for national customer base via Call Center and through online support
- Set up, support and web assistance for school libraries nationwide
- Ensured order accuracy by anticipating customer needs and requests
- Effectively resolved customer complaints utilizing first contact resolution
- Maintained detailed account information for over 200 schools within mid Atlantic region, primarily
- Pennsylvania and New Jersey, using proprietary database
- Tracked all trouble and ticket orders through proprietary database
- Assist in the training of new Customer Service Representatives
Customer Service Manager
Meijer, Inc
05.2006 - 01.2008
- Oversaw daily operations of Customer Service Department and team members with average daily sales in excess of $100,000
- Responsible for recruitment, training and discipline procedures for prospective and current employees
- Ensured accuracy of in-store pricing and promotions
- Coordinated Illinois BASSET training/certification for all store employees
- Managed daily work and training schedules for Customer Service department
- Consistently provide exceptional customer service to patrons from entry to exit
- Participated in managerial decisions that affected staff and clientele for better service and brand loyalty
3rd Class Petty Officer
United States Navy
San Diego, California
05.1993 - 05.1997
- Regular mechanical upkeep and maintenance of 671 inline diesel engine for the Afloat Training Group, San Diego Captains Gig.
- Ordered, unloaded, sorted and tracked supplies and equipment needed for unit activities.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere.
- Used coordination and planning skills to achieve results according to schedule.
Education
Bachelor’s Degree - Human Services
University of Phoenix
Associate’s Degree - Psychology
University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZ 03.2016 - 03.2016
High School Diploma -
Crystal Lake Central
Crystal Lake, IL 06.1992 - 06.1992
Skills
Excellent Interpersonal Intelligence
NonprofitsCommunity OutreachVolunteer ManagementCustomer SatisfactionSocial Media MarketingDigital marketing
Fact checking
Campaign development
Marketing and advertising
Branding
Media relations
Communications management
QuickBooks and Raiser's Edge
Grant writing
Oral and written communications
Membership oversight
Gift strategies
Public speaking
Deadline oriented
Fundraising outcomes and assessments
Analytical problem solver
Affordable housing
Family applications
Referrals and networking
Social services
Group Dynamics
Activity Planning
Research management
Accomplishments
- Enhanced organization visibility 40% through social media promotion, as well as through staff and volunteer-led initiatives
- Managed a network of 500+ volunteers and coordinated placement based on organizational needs and volunteers skills.
- Increased incoming monetary donations through effective capital campaigning, event coordination and personal relationship building.
Affiliations
- Lions Club 2016-2018
- 2021 Graduate - Leadership Greater McHenry County Program https://leadershipgmc.org/
- American Legion Post 1231
- BNI Member 2022
Certification
Certified Volunteer Manager
Interests
True Crime Podcasts
German Shorthair Pointers
Hiking
Volunteering
Timeline
Association of Fundraising Professionals
07-2022
QLO Certification
06-2022
Non Profit Digital Marketing Certificate
04-2022
Board Member - Director of Marketing
The BREAK Crystal Lake Teen Center
06.2021 - Current
Director of Community Operations
Habitat for Humanity of McHenry County
06.2020 - Current
Certified Volunteer Manager
02-2019
Community Outreach Coordinator
Habitat for Humanity of McHenry County
10.2018 - Current
Associate’s Degree - Psychology
University of Phoenix
03.2016 - 03.2016
Chicago Market FUNDrive Coordinator
Savers | Value Village
01.2016 - 10.2018
Public Relations
ForkworthyEats
12.2014 - 01.2021
Retail Sales Manager
Savers Value Village
06.2012 - 01.2016
Follett Library Resources, Inc
01.2008 - 06.2009
Customer Service Manager
Meijer, Inc
05.2006 - 01.2008
3rd Class Petty Officer
United States Navy
05.1993 - 05.1997
High School Diploma -
Crystal Lake Central
06.1992 - 06.1992
Bachelor’s Degree - Human Services
University of Phoenix