EXPERIENCE

Sales and marketing manager, VSR, Slovenia/China. 2009 - present

VSR is a new generation RIB that is becoming the choice for many sailing federations and sailing coaches. I am involved in sales and marketing and travel between Europe and China. We are trying to better position ourselves on the very competitive Asian market.

My responsibilities include the creation and production of all marketing related materials, brochures, presentations, newsletters, co-ordination of boat shows and events. I am also working closely with dealers and sales agents to help them promote our boats in the respective countries. Raising awareness and promoting the brand go hand in hand with increased sales.

Marketing coordinator, china yachting business partnership (cybp), Qingdao, China. 2005 - 2008

CYBP has several different investments in the marine industry in China. I have been with the company since its founding in 2005 and have been involved in the following projects:

• Zou Inter Marine, a boat builder, situated in the Olympic city of Qingdao. My main objectives were to develop brand awareness of ZIM, a Sino-European manufacturer of small-medium boats for the domestic and export market. I worked closely with the Chinese factory to develop their marketing strategy and tools. I was responsible for creating and maintaining their dual language website; coordinating the design, production and distribution of brochures; advertising campaigns, including setting up agreements with other publications; managing e-mail/online campaigns; writing press releases; organising exhibitions and events as well as maintaining contact with a number of local and overseas clients and dealers.

• NOCSP, a non-profit sailing school, organized in several cities in China. My responsibilities included marketing & fund raising. This year through NOCSP we managed to give hope to 9 children from the Sichuan province where recently an earthquake left so many children without parents and without a home by involving them in our summer programs.

• REDSAIL Magazine, a bilingual English-Chinese, grass-roots sailing

magazine. I was a project manager, responsible for editorial, translation and design.

Entry Clearance Assistant, British Embassy, Sofia, Bulgaria. November 2004 - April 2005

After a 3 month part time position as a receptionist for the British Embassy I was accepted as an Entry Clearance Assistant for several more months until finishing my degree. My responsibilities included:

1. •Interpreting and translation.
   

2. •Providing entry clearance information and advice by telephone / email.
   

3. •Acting as visa section receptionist - being first point of contact for new applicants, receiving and assessing applications initially, offering advice; inputting visa application data onto the PROVISO computer database; miscellaneous other support task: follow up enquiries.
   

Receptionist, British Embassy, Sofia, Bulgaria. 

August 2004 - November 2004 (part time)

While finishing my Master’s Degree I took a temporary position at the British Embassy as a receptionist. My responsibilities included:

1. •Switchboard operations: answering and transferring incoming calls; arranging bookings for cars, hotels, restaurants, concerts, conference rooms etc.
   

2. •Arranging meetings for HMA and Chancery staff.
   

3. •Creating and maintaining contact database.
   

Listings and events manager, Redstar, Qingdao, China. 2003 - 2004

REDSTAR created a city guide / magazine for English-speaking visitors and residents of Qingdao. Before leaving to complete my Master’s degree in Sofia, I was responsible for:

1. •Compiling and editing the entertainment & services listings section.
   

2. •Some graphic design and layout.
   

3. •Events management.
   

Sales Support, Brown & Sharpe Qianshao Ltd, Qingdao, China. 2002 - 2003

A manufacturer of high technology coordinate measuring machines (CMM), used from design to manufacturing and quality control. Principle industries served are automotive, aerospace and defense. My role involved:

1. •Supporting the sales department.
   

2. •Assisting overseas training visits for customers.
   

3. •Translation and interpreting for overseas visitors and clients.
   

Property Consultant, FPD Savills, Beijing. 2001 - 2002

While living in Beijing I worked for FPD Savills the well known international property company. My role included:

1. •Rentals.
   

2. •Orientation services for expatriates.
   

3. •Customer support.
   

EDUCATION

1. •Bulgarian Academy of Science, Sofia - Master’s degree in Business Administration, 2002-2005
   

2. •Anhui University, Hefei - Scholarship Program in Chinese Studies, 2000-2001
   

3. •“St. Kliment Ohridski” University, Sofia - Bachelor’s Degree in Chinese Studies, 1997-2002
   

4. •Foreign Languages School, Vidin, English and French, 1992-1997
   

Workshops & training programs

1. •3 week sailing training with Clipper -  RYA Competent crew certificate
   

2. •Project Management, British Council, Sofia
   

3. •Presentation Skills, British Council, Sofia
   

4. •Business Communication, British Council, Sofia
   

SKILLS

1. •Fluent Mandarin Chinese and English, Native Bulgarian. Basic Russian and Spanish.
   

2. •Highly motivated, creative and versatile, with a positive attitude to problem solving.
   

3. •Excellent negotiation and public relations skills.
   

4. •Computer skills (Windows & Mac operating systems and a variety of applications including Word, Excel, Powerpoint/Keynote, Photoshop, Illustrator, Freehand).
   

5. •Ability to work both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
   

6. •Flexible during times of change.
   

7. •Strong written and oral communication skills.
   

8. •Strong interpersonal skills.
   

HOBBIES & INTERESTS

Dancing; Snowboarding; Traveling - from 24th of February 2008 to 28th of April 2008 I sailed one leg of the ten month Clipper Round The World Yacht Race on a 68’ yacht with a crew of 10-12 people. I sailed as a media representative from Qingdao to Hawaii and from Hawaii to Santa Cruz, documenting the experience for REDSAIL as well as a Bulgarian magazine MORSKI SVIAT.  It was an amazing experience to spend almost 3 months (including training course) on a yacht, with people from all walks of life. The lessons learned in team-work, perseverance and achievement will stay with me always and carry over into my personal and working life.

Referrals

Available upon request.