Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Mara Sandler

Toronto,ON

Summary

I am an accomplished Executive Professional with over a decade of experience, bringing a strong foundation in executive business operations combined with a commitment to organization, transparency, and meticulous attention to detail. My expertise spans a broad spectrum of office, professional, administrative, and executive functions, allowing me to consistently deliver exceptional results. I am driven by a deep-seated motivation to enhance efficiency, eliminate redundancies, and reduce costs, often going beyond the scope of my job description. My role frequently involves strategic planning, documentation, and active participation in negotiations with team members, clients, vendors, and contractors. My success in collaborative efforts and my ability to navigate various corporate environments and social settings make my contributions at the executive level both seamless and impactful. With a strong blend of interpersonal skills and technical proficiency, I am adept at swiftly implementing measurable improvements in business processes, data management, and overall productivity. I bring a flexible approach to managing after-hours commitments and adapting plans, schedules, and demands with tact and finesse, fostering cooperation and delivering effective outcomes. I am seeking a challenging role within a forward-thinking organization where my executive skill set can be utilized independently to support senior management or within a dynamic team environment that demands exceptional execution and resourcefulness.

Overview

18
18
years of professional experience

Work History

Executive Assistant

Holt Renfrew
11.2017 - Current
  • Scheduled all meetings and managed/maintained dynamic calendars of multiple SVP’s/DVP/GM and teams
  • Reviewed sensitive correspondence including drafting, and producing official correspondence as required with confidentiality at top of mind
  • Managed incoming/outgoing emails, phone calls, and letter mail, prioritizing items as necessary
  • Book and manage travel schedule including all arrangements; car service, hotel, flights, restaurants and entertainment
  • Tracked, recorded and prioritized all items requiring action and ensure follow-up in a professional and timely manner
  • Maintained/Managed digital filing system
  • Administered expense system, tracked and ensured accuracy and timeliness of invoices, expense reports and budgets OPEX/CAPEX
  • Assisted with HR (on/off boarding, interview scheduling, trainings etc.) for associates/managers including roll-out of SAP and new POS systems
  • Assisted special events both during and after hours when required (including Personal Appearances)
  • Organized off-site team building activities
  • Prepared and coordinated logistics for materials and catering for key meetings, including creation and enhancement of presentation and supporting documentation
  • Fulfilled personal requests as required
  • Other duties as assigned including errands as deemed necessary to maximize efficiency of Executives and team
  • Member of the Health & Safety Team ensuring policies and requirements were adhered to.

Executive Assistant

Sears Canada
11.2016 - 04.2017
  • Managed the Senior Vice President’s and Senior Director’s calendars, ensuring confidentiality and efficiency
  • Coordinated travel arrangements and organized board meetings, ensuring all logistical details were handled seamlessly
  • Assisted with seasonal line reviews, media events, and HR tasks related to onboarding and offboarding employees
  • Prepared and distributed meeting materials, maintaining strict confidentiality and prioritizing multiple tasks
  • Assisted with various media related events including the recent opening of the Sears Pop-up Shop on Queen St in downtown Toronto
  • Maintained strict confidentiality and effectively prioritized a multitude of tasks at once while working independently and keeping a professional presence as a representative of the Senior Vice President and other Senior Executives at all times.

Executive Assistant

Acklands Grainger Inc.
01.2015 - 09.2016
  • Managed calendars, travel arrangements, and confidential correspondence for the Vice President and Senior Director including National Market Visits weekly
  • Assisted with national training programs and SAP implementation, providing support during the launch phase
  • Joined the Move Committee to assist with the relocation of the National Office, managing communication and logistics
  • Prepared expense reports using IBM Travel & Entertainment and SAP Travel & Entertainment systems
  • Arranged special meeting facilities (e.g
  • Food, PC projector, large conference lines etc.); sent meeting confirmation emails; prepared and distributed meeting materials both locally and abroad
  • Prepared various materials when requested, using PowerPoint, Word, and Excel
  • Controlled special projects as requested by leaders
  • Completed regular updates/maintenance for various team’s SharePoint sites
  • Liaised HR tasks related to onboarding/off boarding employees for various departments
  • Implemented/tested new HR programs (CareerBuilder)
  • Updated departmental organization charts as changes occurred (monthly)
  • Maintained strict confidentiality and effectively prioritized a multitude of tasks at once while working independently and keeping a professional presence as a representative of the Vice President at all times
  • Project Management: of each Services initiative (manage process/tasks/owners/status)
  • Joined/managed various sponsorship initiatives i.e
  • Pan AM Games (AGI Sponsor) & ACC Box (Entertainment & Sporting events for Customer/Team Member events).

Executive Assistant

Comwave
11.2011 - 12.2014
  • Supported the GM and CTO, handling confidential projects, presentations, and vendor relationships
  • Managed HR initiatives and processed IT-related expenses, ensuring budget accuracy and timely reporting
  • Organized corporate events and employee recognition programs, enhancing team morale and engagement.

Executive Assistant

YYZed Project Management
05.2008 - 11.2011
  • Provided administrative support to senior partners, managing travel, presentations, and contract negotiations
  • Led event planning efforts, organizing special events, and securing venues and catering services
  • Managed general office duties, including supply orders, record-keeping, and equipment coordination
  • Minutes taking, distribution and associated follow-up on action items
  • Led entire Event Planning process for organization developing special events as required including; invitations, venue, catering arrangements and facility contracts (where required)
  • Hosted and secured additional hostess services for special events for exclusive Projects including Sales Office Openings, Media Events and Owner specific events.

Administrative Assistant

YYZed Project Management
01.2008 - 05.2008
  • Provided administrative support to the three senior executives and overall admin responsibilities for company
  • Assisted Management with presentations and other such activities as requested
  • Assisted with processing invoices, production reports, and contracts, maintaining records
  • Quick Books data entry (posting)
  • Payroll Processing (Ceridian) including expenses/mileage and Job Cost Tracking
  • Perform general office management duties
  • Receptionist duties including; answering phones, receiving and/or sending couriers and faxes
  • Greeting and assisting all visitors and clients
  • Ensuring cleanliness of reception area and kitchen.

Reception/Administrative Assistant

Miller Bernstein Greenwood LLP
02.2007 - 04.2008
  • Receptionist activities included receiving or greeting client(s)
  • Hostess duties including serving coffee and similar sundries to client(s) and/or meetings
  • Managed and implemented Norstar Phone System (incl
  • Call screening)
  • Responsible for answering visitors’/clients’ inquiries about the Accounting Firm and associated services
  • Sorted and distributed mail, sent faxes, email correspondence and coordinated high-volume couriers
  • Filing, record keeping, general office organization
  • Exposed to highly sensitive/confidential client information.

Administrative Assistant

Coutts Crane Ingram Law Firm
01.2007
  • Reported directly to Alan Savage (partner)
  • Responsible for executing all client letters, court filings, distribution of legal documents, dictating, telephone services, coordination of scheduling, court appearances
  • Admin duties included financial reporting, cash receipts, banking, courier services.

Education

Skills

  • Microsoft Office proficient including; Excel, Word, Power Point, Outlook and SharePoint
  • Office Administration
  • Data Entry
  • CRM Systems
  • SharePoint
  • Social Media
  • Google Suite
  • CMTS Travel and Travel and Entertainment
  • Customer Service

Languages

English
Native or Bilingual

Timeline

Executive Assistant

Holt Renfrew
11.2017 - Current

Executive Assistant

Sears Canada
11.2016 - 04.2017

Executive Assistant

Acklands Grainger Inc.
01.2015 - 09.2016

Executive Assistant

Comwave
11.2011 - 12.2014

Executive Assistant

YYZed Project Management
05.2008 - 11.2011

Administrative Assistant

YYZed Project Management
01.2008 - 05.2008

Reception/Administrative Assistant

Miller Bernstein Greenwood LLP
02.2007 - 04.2008

Administrative Assistant

Coutts Crane Ingram Law Firm
01.2007
Mara Sandler