Noreen Power
Ballyvolane,County Cork
Summary
Accomplished professional with extensive expertise in executive support, project leadership, and stakeholder relationship management. Demonstrates proficiency in advanced scheduling, event and conference organisation, and complex problem resolution. Adept at maintaining confidentiality, managing recruitment processes, and implementing policies with tactful diplomacy. Skilled in advanced MS Office, data management, IT troubleshooting, and KPI tracking. Committed to fostering strong relationships through clear communication and empathy while excelling in high-pressure environments. Career goal: To leverage comprehensive skills in a dynamic role that drives organisational success.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Senior Executive Assistant
Centre for Adult Continuing Education
University College Cork
10.2016 - Current
- Curriculum Operations: Manage set-up of 230+ programme deliveries annually; established and chair the ACE Curriculum Working Group to improve communication, reduce errors, and enhance efficiency.
- Marks & Standards: Maintain and archive ACE Marks and Standards; currently leading a review to consolidate documents in line with UCC guidelines.
- Data Analysis: Analyse curriculum and student data to produce accurate programme lists and identification codes for examination boards and graduation ceremonies.
- Eligibility Checks: Cross-analyse curriculum and registration reports to identify students eligible for examination boards and graduates for conferring.
- System Transition: Co-managed transfer of 443 ACE modules from DMIS to CIM; created tracking spreadsheets, reports, and act as Stage 1 Approver in CIM.
- Database Development: Designed searchable database for unclaimed parchments; currently building GDPR-compliant graduate database and programme index for conferring records.
- Staff Training: Streamlined onboarding by creating self-directed learning resources and initiating weekly Teams sessions, strengthening teamwork and reducing workloads.
- Programme Support: Provide operational support for programme coordinators, including student registration, mark inputting, broadsheet production, and reporting.
- Operational Transparency: Create and maintain Teams folders, SOPs, forms, and databases to standardise processes and maximise transparency.
Executive Assistant
Centre for Adult Continuing Education
University College Cork
09.2005 - 10.2016
- Staff Training: Delivered DMIS/ITS training, created guides and SOPs to support onboarding, prevent errors, and standardise ACE administration.
- Examination Boards: Assisted in coordination of University Examination Boards, preparing data, broadsheets, and SOPs to ensure compliance and accuracy.
- Semesterisation Project: Represented ACE in curriculum repackaging for 100+ programmes/500 modules, organised briefings, ensured policy compliance, and gained Superuser access to DMIS with sole responsibility for ACE modules.
- Institutional Knowledge: Built broad expertise in UCC policies and ACE operations over 20 years, recognised as a reliable ‘go-to’ colleague with strong IT and communication skills.
- Curriculum Oversight: Chief curriculum reference, managing the online Book of Modules and curriculum database, liaising with Systems Administration, and ensuring accurate configurations for student success.
- Conferring Committee: Key member managing schedules, analysing curriculum data to identify graduates, and supporting colleagues to deliver smooth, inclusive award ceremonies.
Programme Coordinator
Centre for Adult Continuing Education
University College Cork
09.1998 - 09.2005
- Programme Coordination: Designed and coordinated the Diploma in Disability Studies, overseeing curriculum delivery, recruitment of teaching staff, and timetable creation to ensure smooth programme operations.
- Student & Staff Support: Provided pastoral care to students and ongoing guidance to teaching staff, fostering a supportive learning environment and addressing challenges proactively.
- Team Development: Facilitated team-building activities and implemented improved communication strategies, enhancing collaboration, cohesion, and overall productivity within the programme team.
- Operational Oversight: Managed programme administration including student registration, assessment processes, and compliance with University policies, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
- Continuous Improvement: Developed structured processes, templates, and documentation to streamline workflows, reduce errors, and strengthen transparency across programme delivery.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Acted as the key liaison between teaching staff, students, and University administration, promoting clear communication and alignment with institutional standards.
- Teaching: I taught some of the modules and filled in for other teaching staff when they weren't able to make it.
Programme Coordinator
Disability Equality Training Unit
Cork
06.1997 - 08.1998
- Programme Design & Delivery: Designed and delivered a specialised programme to enhance work-seeking skills for people with disabilities, teaching practical job application and workplace readiness skills to support employability.
- Student Support: Worked closely with students, providing tailored guidance and mentoring to build confidence, independence, and career preparedness.
- Team Collaboration: Partnered with the programme management team and office manager to coordinate delivery, align operations, and ensure smooth administration.
- Operational Oversight: Assisted with programme scheduling, resource development, and monitoring progress to maintain efficiency and compliance with institutional standards.
- Inclusive Practice: Promoted equity and accessibility by adapting training methods to diverse learner needs, reinforcing UCC’s commitment to inclusion and lifelong learning.
Tutor
Department of Psychology
University College Cork
09.1995 - 05.1996
- Tutorial Delivery: Conducted face-to-face tutorials for first-year Psychology students, reinforcing core class topics and clarifying complex concepts to support understanding.
- Academic Guidance: Provided structured advice on assignment preparation, offering strategies for research, writing, and presentation to strengthen academic performance.
- Proofreading Support: Assisted students by reviewing and proofreading assignments, helping them refine clarity, accuracy, and adherence to academic standards.
- Student Engagement: Built positive relationships with learners, encouraging participation, addressing individual challenges, and fostering confidence in their studies.
- Skill Development: Supported students in developing critical thinking, study skills, and independent learning habits to enhance long-term academic success.
Education
Bachelor of Social Science - Sociology, Social Policy, Psychology, Economics, Philosophy
University College Cork
09.1990 - 06.1993
Master of Social Science - Hearing Impairment: Education, Employment and Leisure
University College Cork
09.1993 - 06.1995
Higher Diploma in Relationship Mentoring - Relationships with self and others.
University College Cork
09.2009 - 06.2012
Skills
- Tactful diplomacy
- Recruitment process knowledge
- Relationship building techniques
- Calendar and email management
- Advanced scheduling
- Event and conference organisation
- Advanced ms office
- Report production
- Complex problem resolution
- People Management
- Word processing [Number] wpm
- Project leadership
- Event planning
- Executive support
- Stakeholder relationship management
- Empathy and compassion
- KPI tracking
- Document proofreading
- Confidentiality maintenance
- Employee training
- Data management and filing
- Document preparation
- IT troubleshooting
- Policy implementation
- Clear communication
- Event coordination
- Stress resilience
- Report drafting
- Initiative taking
- Policy adherence
- Schedule management
- Data Entry
Timeline
Senior Executive Assistant
Centre for Adult Continuing Education
10.2016 - Current
Higher Diploma in Relationship Mentoring - Relationships with self and others.
University College Cork
09.2009 - 06.2012
Executive Assistant
Centre for Adult Continuing Education
09.2005 - 10.2016
Programme Coordinator
Centre for Adult Continuing Education
09.1998 - 09.2005
Programme Coordinator
Disability Equality Training Unit
06.1997 - 08.1998
Tutor
Department of Psychology
09.1995 - 05.1996
Master of Social Science - Hearing Impairment: Education, Employment and Leisure
University College Cork
09.1993 - 06.1995
Bachelor of Social Science - Sociology, Social Policy, Psychology, Economics, Philosophy
University College Cork
09.1990 - 06.1993