Hande Unsal

Experienced administrative professional with a solid background in executive assistance, office management, and cross-cultural team coordination. Extensive experience in fast-paced international environments with demonstrated expertise in event organization, stakeholder communication, and operational efficiency. Proven ability to manage multiple priorities independently and collaboratively.

Administrative Assistant at Istanbul International School (2021-09 – 2025-09)

• Managed incoming calls, emails, and internal communications among teachers, parents, and students.
• Organized the "Youth Leadership Encounter" event for the International Guest Student Invitation Program, welcoming 150 students from 15 countries, and coordinated a Bosphorus cruise with dinner.
• Arranged high-quality seating cushions for a 200-person amphitheater-style auditorium to ensure comfort during performances and presentations.
• Facilitated a special dinner arrangement for LÖSEV at a world-renowned hotel, completing the process promptly.
• Maintained accurate student and parent records in the Alma system, recorded grades and fees in the MOBIS system, and managed new student enrollments.
• Scheduled and coordinated meetings efficiently, including parent-teacher meetings in-person and via Google Meet, acting as a liaison to ensure clear communication.
• Managed online and phone applications, supported families during the registration process, and administered assessment tests for prospective students.
• Distributed announcements and important updates to parents and students.
• Assisted with medication administration and first aid when the nurse was unavailable, communicating health updates to parents.
• Coordinated daily cafeteria counts to optimize food quantities.
• Prepared and distributed end-of-year report cards and graduation packages.
• Prepared letters for students for visas, residence permits, driving licenses, university applications, transfer certificates, equivalency documents, and transcripts.
• Updated transportation bus numbers and sent timely announcements to parents and students.
• Ensured accurate record-keeping throughout the admissions process.
• Supervised and maintained order in the lobby area.
• Demonstrated strong organizational and time-management skills while working independently in a structured, solution-oriented manner.
• Maintained advanced proficiency in MS Office applications.
• Identified missing inquiry emails from the school website (dating back to October 2021), coordinated with IT to investigate, and ensured follow-up for all applications.
• Clarified campus addresses (Campus A & Campus B) and corrected school name display on the website to guide parents accurately.

Retail Sales Manager Eastern Europe & Dept. Secretary at SFT Giyim ve Tic. A.Ş. (STEFANEL S.p.A) (2018-08 – 2019-05)

• Prepared detailed sales reports, including turnover comparison with the previous year and KPI targets.
• Answered and directed phone calls while welcoming visitors to ensure smooth office operations.
• Scheduled and coordinated meetings and appointments.
• Handled passport and visa applications, ensuring all required documents were arranged and submitted on time.
• Arranged business travel logistics, including flights, hotel bookings, and transportation.
• Maintained office cleanliness and organization, including tidying and arranging the showroom for client visits.
• Performed administrative tasks, including filing, photocopying, scanning, and faxing.
• Updated employee communication lists, contacts, and client information.
• Ensured shops submitted shifts and timesheets at the end of each month.
• Ordered and managed monthly stationery supplies for the Head Office.
• Managed shipments and tracked missing items, ensuring financial compensation for lost goods through coordination with cargo companies.
• Provided support to the visual department at shops when needed.
• Informed the shops about the organizational changes (new joiners or departures).
• Followed up on the contracts of the films and magazines that we sponsor.

Retail Sales Manager Eastern Europe & Dept. Secretary at SFT Giyim Ve Tic. A.Ş. (STEFANEL S.P.A) (2015-05 – 2018-08)

Additionally, during the periods when the Shop Coordinator and Visual Specialist positions were vacant at Stefanel, I temporarily assumed their responsibilities to ensure the continuity of operations without disruption.

• Prepared detailed sales reports, including turnover comparison with the previous year and KPI targets.
• Answered and directed phone calls while welcoming visitors to ensure smooth office operations.
• Scheduled and coordinated meetings and appointments for management and staff.
• Handled passport and visa applications, ensuring all required documents were prepared and submitted on time.
• Maintained office cleanliness and organized the showroom.
• Handled filing, photocopying, scanning, and other administrative tasks.
• Updated employee communication lists, contacts, and client information.
• Ensured shops submitted shifts and timesheets at the end of each month.
• Ordered and managed monthly stationery supplies for the Head Office.
• Attended biannual meetings with shop managers every six months, took notes on action items, and followed up on next steps.
• Sent documents to the translation company and followed up on their progress.
• Supported Accounting by collecting cash machines, liaising with banks, and managing cancellations.
• Ordered invoices, delivery notes, and expense notes, and distributed them to shops as required.
• Communicated organizational updates to shops regarding new hires, departures, and SGK changes.
• Arranged travel logistics, including flights, hotels, and transportation.
• Handled facility and equipment issues (AC, alarm systems, irons, furniture covers, automatic sliding doors, and spots), sourcing alternatives for cost control.
• Managed shipments and tracked missing items, ensuring financial compensation for losses from cargo companies.
• Handled customer complaints and coordinated with the Italian company to improve the online shopping experience.
• Identified and reported online shopping issues, including language barriers and customs fee misunderstandings, to the Italian headquarters, ensuring timely resolution and improved shopping experience for Turkish customers.
• Prepared SS2018 and FW2017 collection samples, including ironing, classifying, and labeling items for shipment to Italy.
• Assisted the visual department by preparing images for shop displays, window panels, mall panels, and wooden frames.
• Processed monthly supply orders from shops, including craft bags, shopping bags, duct tape, tissue paper, and gift packaging.
• Co-ordinated job interviews with shop managers.
• Oversaw regular AC maintenance (3 times a year) and fire extinguisher inspections (annually and every 4 years).
• Coordinated shop closure procedures with financial advisors, managing all necessary documentation including tax cancellations, policy terminations, POS returns, scent device removals, and alarm system dismantling.
• Ordered invoices, delivery notes, and expense notes, and followed up by sending them to shops.
• Informed shops about organizational updates, including new hires, departures, and SGK notifications.
• Followed up on sponsorship contracts with films and magazines to ensure compliance and visibility.

Executive Assistant to the Project Manager at Yüksel Proje A.Ş. (2006-09 – 2006-11)

• Supported the joint venture of AVRASYA-Yüksel Proje, PCI, Oriental Consult, and Japan Railway Technical Service within the Marmaray Project.
• Worked directly with the Project Manager, providing full administrative support.
• Organized travel and accommodation arrangements for the Project Manager and Division Manager.
• Scheduled meetings, prepared agendas, took minutes, and ensured follow-up on action items.

Exec.&Dept.Asst.-IT Demirbank (1998–2002)/GM Asst.& Dept.Asst.-Credit&Risk HSBC (2002) at HSBC Bank A.Ş. (1998-02 – 2002-10)

• Organized meetings, prepared documentation, and delivered professional presentations.
• Coordinated directors' personal processes, and passport management.
• In Commercial Banking, handled credit and risk documentation, liaised with clients, and supported the General Manager with departmental reporting.
• Organized visas, travel bookings, and accommodations for international guests.
• Proficient in MS Office, with strong multitasking, planning, and organizational skills.

Purchasing Department Secretary at TUYAP Fairs & Exhibitions Organisation Inc. (1996-10 – 1998-02)

Coordinated telephone traffic and managed general office tasks.

Department Secretary (Internship) at American Hospital (1996-01 – 1996-02)

• Completed a one-month internship arranged by Academy Istanbul.
• Gained experience working at the reception, X-ray, and other departments.

Diploma in Bureau Management and Secretarial Studies – Akademi İstanbul (Vocational School) (1995 – 1996)

Degree in Economics – Anadolu University, Distance Education System (Open university) (2008 – 2014)

High School Diploma – Özel Boğaziçi High School (1987 – 1993)