Claire Colburn

Experience

• 

  Modern Media Communications

  Jan 2001 - Jan 2003

  Editor

  I wrote and commissioned articles for two international engineering trade magazines. I initiated and improved several new features for the titles, including replacing an outdated 'Literature Review' with a 'Web review', pulling together and exploring useful and relevant sites on the internet.I developed and wrote content, and undertook the picture editing and proofreading. I developed good working relationships with international firms and undertook press trips to trade shows and companies in the Czech Republic, Germany and Italy.I also contributed to the development of a new trade show in London, run by the publishing company. Show less

• 

  Worthing Borough Council

  Jan 2003 - Jan 2006

  Councillor

  I stood for election in 2007 and retained my seat in 2009.For this post I needed to actively campaign at a local level. This included developing and distributing marketing material adhering to the strict election rules; managing a team of volunteers to campaign on my behalf; having a good knowledge of the issues affecting the residents of the area.During my time as Councillor I developed a Youth engagement programme; was a member of several statutory committees, and was Vice-Chair of the Licencing and Control committee. I was the youngest ever female councillor in Worthing and quickly learned public speaking skills, constructing complex political arguments and how to deal with casework. Show less

• 

  University of Sussex

  Jan 2005 - Jan 2006

  Communications Officer

  Sourced and wrote stories for the University's fortnightly newsletter, the Bulletin. Responsibilities included:-Writing and editing articles-Quality control of audience-appropriate news-Web content management-Design and layout of the printed newsletter -Adapting the content for the web-Mass emails

• 

  Environment Agency

  Jan 2008 - Mar 2010

  Principal Officer, Campaigns and Internal Communications

  Working in the regional Corporate Relations team, I had a wide range of responsibilities. These included:-Initiating and developing the regional staff email newsletter-Internal and external stakeholder management-Developing crisis communications (for example during flood warnings)-Sourcing and procuring promotional materials-Managing the regional flood awareness programme-Negotiating procurement of advertising space-Reporting statistics and media analysis to the Head Office team-Ensuring staff had a forum to contribute to Environment-Agency wide initiatives, for example launching the consultation for the new Corporate Strategy (for which I received an Outstanding Achievement Award from the Regional Director). Show less

• 

  University of Sussex

  Mar 2010 - Feb 2022

  I am responsible managing all Placements, Internships and work experience programmes at the University of Sussex. The Placements function at Sussex was entirely new and I and my team developed systems and processes to ensure the smooth running of this new option for students. I also have responsibility for facilitating (paid) internships and work experience for students. I manage a team of three staff and enjoy my role as it is a great mix of internal communications with faculty and professional staff within the University, employer engagement, and student relations.My main duties are:-Sourcing and generating placements and work experience with local, national and international companies-Facilitating and organising the Placements Preparation Programme-Managing the first cohort of students at Sussex who could undertake a Placement as an accredited part of their degree-Working closely with colleagues in the Careers and Employabilty Centre and having a good knowledge of their work to ensure that all activities are joined up (for example information on the web, employer events, careers advice)-Having a broad knowledge of the departments in the University and their organisation and needs of their students-Having a good knowledge of the local economy and labour market, and how the University contributes to it-Managing and planning structured internships and work experience-Quality assurance-Monitoring students while on placement and ensuring accurate reporting on Health and Safety and to the UK Border Agency-A good knowledge of employment law-Recruiting and managing a team, and encouraging an open and positive working environment. Show less I set up and expanded a programme of internships for undergraduate Physics students at seven Universities in the South-East. Responsibilities included-Developing and maintaining good working relationships with a diverse team of staff in widespread locations-Employer engagement-Reporting and evaluating the project for HEFCE-Managing an annual budget of £100,000-Contributing to the expansion of the network to include three new Universities and nine new members of staff-Developing and managing the regional employer communications strategy-Setting up and managing effective IT systems and record-keeping-Initiating, developing and writing internships promotional material-Contributing to and consulting on a new employability programme for Postgraduate students-Writing the Employer Engagement section of a bid for funds to HEFCE which resulted in a grant of £13 million to the network-Organising and developing the annual Students Exhibition event, which brought students, academics and employers together to celebrate the achievements of the interns-Liaising with external organisations such as the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, the Institute of Physics, the Royal Society. Show less

  • Placements Manager, Employer Engagement

    Sept 2012 - Feb 2022

  • Director of Employer Engagement

    Mar 2010 - Aug 2012
• 

  Southern Railway Limited (Southern)

  Jan 2012 - Jan 2015

  Stakeholder Advisory Board Passenger Member

  I was a member of the Southern Railways Stakeholder Advisory Board. At the bimonthly meetings chaired by the Managing Director, I contribute to critiquing the service and helping to developing ideas about improvement. Topics are as diverse as franchising, marketing, equality of access, managing refurbishment, app development and crisis plans during major disruptions. I have gained a good knowledge of how a company operates in a regulated industry.

• 

  Southern Water

  Feb 2022 - Jan 2024

  Stakeholder Engagement Manager
• 

  JBA Consulting

  Jan 2024 - now

  Principal Stakeholder Engagement Consultant