Alex Morales
Blenheim,MBH
Summary
Professional individual with a comprehensive knowledge of project coordination, external stakeholders relations, client relations, financial and event management and human resources. Effective at managing operational duties and supporting the achievement of strategic goals.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Settlement Lead
New Zealand Red Cross
03.2020 - Current
- Senior position that provides management and leadership to Migration Team members to deliver settlement support for newly arrived former refugee families. Most former refugees come to New Zealand through United Nations Refugee Quota Programme
- Overseen settling 100 people per year in Marlborough, from Asia and South America
- These families require support due to their complex needs and trauma. This is achieved through developing, fostering and maintaining relationships with external key agencies from public and private sector
- Assisted business units with existing functioning projects by implementing set strategies to improve process productivity
Project Coordinator
University of Otago
01.2011 - 01.2013
- 5 Year project with budget of 25 million dollars
- Monitored project progress, identified risks and took corrective action as needed.
- Coordinated venue and catering arrangements, speaker and attendee liaison and material distribution for meetings and events.
- Responded to requests for information on materials to inquiring parties.
- Verified quality of deliverables and conformance to specifications before submitting to clients.
Translator
Canadian Council of Land Surveyors
10.2001 - 01.2013
- Translating NAFTA Committee meeting minutes from English to Spanish and vice versa
- Translating NAFTA Committee documents between Mexico’s chairman and Canada’s chairman.
- Proofread, edited and improved documents of different sizes.
- Developed a strong working knowledge of industry-specific terminology through extensive research and continuous professional development.
- Translated documents from English to Spanish.
- Interpreted conversations between foreign language-speaking clients and others.
- Translated website content from other languages to English.
- Used translation software to verify complex terms and expedite communication process.
Research Administrator
Otago Polytechnic
01.2007 - 01.2011
- Developed and implemented plans and protocols for ongoing research, and special projects
- Managed grant applications and submissions for increased funding opportunities and research growth.
- Assisted researchers in securing necessary approvals, expediting project timelines and ensuring adherence to ethical guidelines.
- Ensured accurate reporting of project outcomes by overseeing regular progress updates from researchers involved in funded studies.
- Organized conferences and workshops to enhance professional development and promote interdisciplinary collaboration within the research community.
- Developed relationships and communicated with clients to explain proposals, present research findings or discuss project status.
- Evaluated project proposals for feasibility, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities before submission for funding consideration.
Executive Assistant
Otago Polytechnic
04.2008 - 03.2009
- Coordinated projects assigned by Group Manager
- Managed policy documents, external and internal contracts, spreadsheets, reports and correspondence.
- Updated spreadsheets and created presentations to support executives and boost team productivity.
- Managed executive calendars, scheduling meetings and appointments and coordinating travel arrangements to optimize time.
- Created and managed office systems to efficiently deal with documentation.
- Ensured smooth daily operations through consistent maintenance of office equipment, troubleshooting issues when necessary.
- Worked with senior management to initiate new projects and assist in various processes.
- Maintained confidentiality with sensitive documents, ensuring proper storage and distribution as needed.
- Volunteered to help with special projects of varying degrees of complexity.
- Improved office efficiency by implementing new filing systems and document management processes.
- Wrote reports, executive summaries and newsletters.
- Coordinated events for staff members, promoting team-building activities and boosting morale within the workplace.
- Updated and maintained confidential databases and records.
Payments Officer
Ministry of Health
06.2005 - 08.2007
- Seconded to business analysis project – April to August 2007.
- Maintained accurate records of customer accounts, payments and payment plans.
- Developed and documented collection procedures and policies to comply with government regulations.
- Analyzed customer financial records to determine appropriate payment plan.
- Reconciled documentation against budget requirements and ledgers.
- Collaborated with the accounting team to resolve discrepancies and ensure accurate financial records.
Research Assistant
University of Otago
01.2006 - 01.2007
- Assisted with research design and implementation
- Literature search, retrieval and review
- Typing and editing information relating to Dr Guedea’s research.
- Attended seminars and symposiums to improve overall knowledge and understanding.
Project Coordinator
Mitre 10
07.2004 - 03.2005
- Coordinated IT and Marketing projects in preparation for the development of a new Mitre 10 Mega
- Reviewed internal reporting requirements for sales and inventory.
- Monitored project progress, identified risks and took corrective action as needed.
- Implemented change management processes that minimized disruptions while maintaining forward momentum on projects.
- Maintained accurate documentation of all projects, facilitating efficient audits and future reference.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular meetings, fostering a positive work environment for increased productivity.
- Maintained database and spreadsheets with accurate inventory and status.
Executive Assistant
Service Quality Institute
01.2003 - 06.2004
- Implemented Customer Service on-line learning programmes
- Dealt with clients in 18 countries and provided customer service to Spanish speaking clients
- Blog updates and clients follow ups
- Website updates and posting of new learning material
- Preparation of marketing material
- Translated documents and learning programmes into Spanish.
Executive Assistant
Office of the Governor of Colima
01.2000 - 12.2002
- Translated official documents
- Simultaneously translated during official meetings with diplomatic visitors
- Updating databases
- Diary and office management support.
Education
Master of Tourism -
University of Otago
Dunedin, OTAGOPost-Graduate Diploma in Tourism -
University of Otago
Dunedin, OTAGOBachelor of Arts with Honours (English) -
Department of Languages And Cultures, University of Colima
Colima, MEXICOSkills
- Change Management
- Information Technology and Computer Skills
- Excellent Communication Skills
- Project Management
- Experienced translator and interpreter with fluency in English and Spanish
- Experience in communicating with people from different cultural backgrounds
- Health and Safety Regulation
- Financial Management and fundraising skills
- Event Management
- Full drivers license
Affiliations
- Mensa NZ
- New Zealand Society of Translators and Interpreters, Affiliate
Volunteer Experience
- Student liaison for exchange students, 09/01/07, 2011, Aid exchange students coming from the University of Colima to the University of Otago
- APEC 2nd Meeting of Ministers of Tourism, 07/01/02, Dealt with the organisation of the of the meeting including reception of the delegates, Translated from English to Spanish, Involved in the closed-door meeting of Security Issues within Tourism
- Organisation Committee for the “XVI Forum of University Specialists of Foreign Languages”, 03/01/02, Involved in the planning and organisation of the forum, Coordinated a team of 60 helpers during the conference
- Language Centre of the University of Colima, 01/01/02, 12/01/02, Supervised the computer laboratory and provided assistance to students, Catalogued and classified books
- Organization Committee of the “International Education Forum”, 09/01/00, Planned and organised conferences
References
- Aklilu Habteghiorghis, National Community Engagement Lead, 0272076697, Aklilu.H@redcross.org.nz
- Laura Cole, Programme Lead (Malaysia and Singapore), Tribal Group, +60(0)1140798149, Laura.cole@tribalgroup.com
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual
French
Elementary
Timeline
Settlement Lead
New Zealand Red Cross
03.2020 - Current
Project Coordinator
University of Otago
01.2011 - 01.2013
Executive Assistant
Otago Polytechnic
04.2008 - 03.2009
Research Administrator
Otago Polytechnic
01.2007 - 01.2011
Research Assistant
University of Otago
01.2006 - 01.2007
Payments Officer
Ministry of Health
06.2005 - 08.2007
Project Coordinator
Mitre 10
07.2004 - 03.2005
Executive Assistant
Service Quality Institute
01.2003 - 06.2004
Translator
Canadian Council of Land Surveyors
10.2001 - 01.2013
Executive Assistant
Office of the Governor of Colima
01.2000 - 12.2002
Master of Tourism -
University of Otago
Post-Graduate Diploma in Tourism -
University of Otago
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (English) -
Department of Languages And Cultures, University of Colima
Similar Profiles
Bohan HeBohan He
Volunteer at New Zealand Red CrossVolunteer at New Zealand Red Cross
Humaira HakeemiHumaira Hakeemi
Community Champion at New Zealand Red Cross Pathways To EmploymentCommunity Champion at New Zealand Red Cross Pathways To Employment
Pavithra Wanniarachchi KankanamgePavithra Wanniarachchi Kankanamge
Volunteer Retail Assistant at New Zealand Red CrossVolunteer Retail Assistant at New Zealand Red Cross