Experience

• 

  Quality health ltd

  Oct 2010 - May 2011

  Data entry clerk/helpline operator

  I worked with Quality Health Ltd on a temporary contract when I had completed my degree course. Duties included:- Dealing with telephone calls and answering enquiries in a professional, courteous & confidential manner with regard to national patient surveys distributed on behalf of the NHS.- Communicating effectively to meet the needs of those individuals accessing the helpline and using my own initiative to help resolve problems and enable individuals to complete the patient survey.- Maintaining accurate and up to date records with regard to all telephone enquiries.- Processing completed patient surveys efficiently, methodically and accurately. This involved using a database to continually update responses received Show less

• 

  Macmillan cancer support

  Jan 2012 - Apr 2014

  - Handling press office calls and emails from internal and external stakeholders- Assisting with and responding to media enquiries. Drafting media releases, statements, diary notes and media materials as required- Supporting the Media & PR team in delivering PR events, launches, journalist ring rounds and other aspects of media campaigns- Assisting the Media & PR team with on-going projects, researching, collating information, analysing information and producing presentations and reports as required.- Monitoring the team’s budget, submitting invoices for payment and maintaining files for accounting purposes- Working alongside the Head of Media on the monitoring and evaluation of media team performance, providing monthly reports and feedback- Building and maintaining relationships with key Macmillan staff and journalists- Uploading press releases and images to the Macmillan website for key journalists to access- Co-running @MacmillanPress team twitter account. Also tweeting from @Fashion_Kicks account. - Volunteer PR assistant for Good Together campaign and Fashion Kicks. Show less Processing private individual donations and thanking our amazing supporters. Duties included:- Data entry of income that has been generated by fundraising teams- Responding to supporter donation related enquiries (including complaints). Writingand sending personalised correspondence and supplying relevant information tosupporters- Preparation of Gift Aid tax claims for donors, event participants and theirsponsors via on-, off- and cross-system method• Ensured accurate records were maintained on supporter database, and updatethese wherever possible, in line with relevant data quality guidelines• Establish and maintain good professional working practices across FR teamsand finance in order to deliver required standards of supporter care- General office duties: photocopying, filing, scanning etc- Assisting with training of new starters in Supporter Donations team- Acting as Case Study link up. Working with the Case Study team to increase numbers of Case Studies from our supporter interaction. Show less Duties included:- Assisting with updating, editing and adding to the Macmillan Library with a variety of resources- Interviewing case studies to obtain stories for the library- Researching and collating case studies for various campaigns including Age Old Excuse, Miles for Macmillan, Skin Cancer Awareness, Carers week, Give Hospital Car Parking Fees the Boot etc. - Monitoring national and regional Macmillan press coverage as part of Media/PR team- Intern social rep- organising lunches and social events for other interns at Macmillan Show less

  • Communications Coordinator (Media & PR)

    Jan 2013 - Apr 2014

  • Supporter Donations Assistant

    May 2012 - Jan 2013

  • Case Studies Assistant Intern

    Jan 2012 - Apr 2012
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  Anthony nolan

  Apr 2014 - Jul 2016

  Communications officer

  Working under the management of the Communications Manager carrying out Anthony Nolan’s press, PR and communications functions. Duties include:- Writing and distributing high quality media materials including press releases, briefings and statements - Undertaking general media relations work, including pitching stories to the media, responding promptly and accurately to internal and external media queries and arranging interviews- Acting as a first contact with the media including acting as spokesperson and briefing journalists and editors as appropriate- Liaising with case studies, including writing up their stories, arranging interviews and maintaining appropriate records- Supporting the PR efforts of other departments in line with the communications strategy, including events, corporate fundraising, policy and public affairs and others- Providing professional PR and communications advice and support to colleagues, ensuring consistent messaging and standards in interviews and media materials- Working closely with the digital team to share content and incorporate online media into PR planning- Contributing to the development and implementation of an organisation-wide communications strategy- Assisting in the planning and delivery of external events, providing specific communications support- Maintaining Anthony Nolan’s press office systems including case study database, media database, media monitoring system and similar resources- Participating in the out-of-hours press rota- Championing the charity’s corporate brand, values and vision- Attending and contributing constructively to team meetings- Undertaking, when needed, other reasonable tasks required by the charity’s management Show less

• 

  Clic sargent

  Jul 2016 - Jan 2020

  I was promoted internally when a role was created to reward my work in my previous comms role. I take responsibility for communicating about a portfolio of key areas of CLIC Sargent’s policy and influencing work, fundraising activities and services, to a wide range of audiences. Duties include:- Line management of Communications Assistant- Leading and implementing media training for CLIC Sargent Fundraising and Engagement Managers across the UK- Leading on developing ways of working in communications across the charity, creating best practice documents with advise, how-to guides and PR template documents for our fundraisers around the UK- Developing a strategic approach of the Media and Communications team, creating guidelines and documents around ways of working. This includes formalising how the team plan and evaluate campaigns and improving our out of hours service and processes- Proofreading press releases for Media and Communications Officers, providing sign off and advising them on approaches- Managing and monitoring CLIC Sargent social media pages, creating and posting content, responding to enquiries- Developing and implementing creative, effective and integrated communications plans for campaigns and projects, in-line with the charity’s overall strategic objectives- Initiating and maintaining good working relationships with a network of editors, journalists and broadcasters, especially within the health, education and social care media, and ensure they are briefed appropriately on CLIC Sargent activities and issues- Writing materials for a range of on and offline channels and platforms for internal nd external audiences. These include press releases, features, articles, opinion pieces blogs and statements; ensuring these reflect CLIC Sargent’s values and key messages Show less As Media and PR Officer, I take responsibility for communicating about a portfolio of key areas of CLIC Sargent’s policy and influencing work, fundraising activities and services, to a wide range of audiences. Duties include:- Developing and implementing creative, effective PR and communications plans for campaigns and projects, in-line with the charity’s overall strategic objectives- Gathering stories and taking a proactive role in identifying opportunities in online and offline media to place news and feature stories on CLIC Sargent activities, campaigns, and services- Initiating and maintaining good working relationships with a network of editors, journalists and broadcasters, especially within the health, education and social care media, and ensure they are briefed appropriately on CLIC Sargent activities and issues- Writing materials for a range of on and offline channels and platforms including press releases, features, articles, opinion pieces and statements; ensuring these reflect CLIC Sargent’s values and key messages- Working closely with our Digital/Social Media team providing content, writing copy for posts and working together on coordinated plans and content for campaigns- Working with senior internal stakeholders to develop and get sign-off for press releases, positions statements and opinion pieces- Working collaboratively across the charity to develop and deliver integrated campaigns to raise awareness and funds for the charity- Organising and attending PR events, photo calls and opportunities- Developing and maintain knowledge of online and traditional media, and use this knowledge to identify and maximise opportunities to raise awareness of the charity- Develop real life stories/case studies based on the experience of children and young people, and their families, including interviewing, writing up and arranging photography and film material for use across the charity Show less

  • Senior Media & Communications Officer

    Sept 2018 - Jan 2020

  • Media and PR Officer

    Jul 2016 - Sept 2018
• 

  Whizz-kidz

  Jan 2020 - Aug 2022

  I was promoted internally in a newly created role to recognise my previous work. Duties include: - Leading a team of five Communications, PR, Marketing and Digital professionals, overseeing day-to-day Communications function- Responsible for the Whizz-Kidz brand, developing brand guidelines, brand voice and maintain brand integrity across all platforms - Managing relationship with external design agency preparing and managing all communications materials created - Assisting with development of organisational strategy and communications strategy including three-year plan for the team - Introducing best practices, prioritisation and refine existing processes and procedures that expand the capacity of the Communications department to proactively meet demands and deadlines - Supporting digital manager on organisational digital transformation, improving SEO, email marketing and processes- Managing the team's budgets and expenditure. Proactively identifying cost savings and secure pro bono support to meet the organisation's aim- Developing and implementing creative, effective communications plans for campaigns and projects, in-line with the charity’s overall strategic objectives- Leading on Internal Communications for the team and the organisation - developing new ways to engage with colleagues from across the organisation - Case study lead for the organisation, leading a working group in capturing engaging stories for great impact and leading on best practice and safeguarding- Responsible for creating a variety of digital, video, audio and print content with a focus on accessibility Show less Interesting and varied role building communication processes and background work for a new teamDuties include:- Creating and implementing new ways of working for the team including communications scheduling calendars for organisation and improving processes - Building relationships with teams across the organisation and improving the team’s reputation to deliver - Developing and implementing creative, effective PR and communications plans for campaigns and projects, in-line with the charity’s overall strategic objectives- Leading on promoting, managing and developing the Whizz-Kidz brand- Creating content and managing all Whizz-Kidz social media channels - Supporting Digital Manager with creating new website and development of content across the website- Proactively cultivate new, and nurture existing contacts across national/regional media, specialist sector press and broadcast and online media- Working with teams across Whizz-Kidz to develop, plan and implement the charity’s media and PR strategies- Identifying, securing and managing strategic celebrity/VIP engagement and coordinate approaches to agents and publicists Show less

  • Head of Communications

    Feb 2021 - Aug 2022

  • Communications Lead

    Jan 2020 - Feb 2021
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  Rays of sunshine children's charity

  Aug 2022 - now

  Senior communications manager

  Duties include:● Led on creation and delivery of the Rays of Sunshine communications strategy with resulting KPIs and reporting ● Overseeing the organisation’s child-centered approach to communication● Refining and stewarding the charity’s brand identity ● Building and managing a high-performing comms team – including line management of Comms Offer and Digital Engagement Officer ● Overseeing the development of our PR & media, digital marketing and celebrity engagement functions● Develop and support compelling campaigns and engagement activities ● Cultivating the charity’s external profile to build awareness of our work with key audiences ● Build and maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders including media outlets, campaign partners, supporters and corporate partners, and suppliers ● Horizon scanning, identifying and seizing opportunities to profile Rays of Sunshine’s work and fundraising portfolio. ● Represent the organisation and support spokespeople to represent the organisation● Work alongside teams in planning and delivering their engagement or information activities. ● Work collaboratively across the charity to retain enthusiasm and engagement in our communications activities. Show less