Sara Kennedy

Experience

• 

  American Red Cross Central Texas Region

  Mar 2008 - Mar 2013

  Deployed communications strategy doubling social media reach within a year. Oversaw communications across 48 counties including for disaster response efforts. Recruited and managed volunteer public affairs team. Facilitated the delivery of American Red Cross health and safety training programs to organizations and communities across Central Texas. Managed relationships with authorized providers and instructors to ensure consistent, high-quality training experiences. Developed new partnerships to expand the reach of lifesaving skills instruction throughout the region. Assisted customers in implementing training solutions to meet their educational needs. Trained in emergency public affairs and served as media spokesperson for programs like drowning prevention. Deployed to support local and national disaster relief through media relations. Served as primary contact for Health and Safety customers. Managed customer class enrollment, retail sales, and cash register reconciliation. Also provided friendly and professional customer service to customers across nine counties.

  • Regional Director of Communications

    Jul 2011 - Mar 2013

  • Authorized Provider Coordinator

    Feb 2009 - Jul 2011

  • Public Information Officer

    Mar 2008 - Jul 2011

  • Customer Service Coordinator

    Mar 2008 - Feb 2009
• 

  Central Texas Food Bank

  Jul 2013 - Jan 2014

  Communications Director

  Headed a communications team overseeing marketing, public relations, social media, and email campaigns. Managed six-figure budget and metrics. Acted as media spokesperson while cultivating media relationships.

• 

  The University of Texas at Austin

  Feb 2014 - Jun 2024

  Led strategic communications for a large university department serving over 50,000 students. Oversaw all department marketing, branding, web content, social media, and creative projects from concept to execution. Conducted audience research to refine messaging and increase engagement.Major accomplishments:● Respected campus-wide resource for crisis communications.● Oversaw complete website restructuring project, leading vendor management and contract negotiation.● Created and managed the official online student engagement platform during the COVID-19 pandemic. Show less Supervised graphic designer and web developer, providing creative direction to align with department and university brand standards. Crafted executive communications including speeches, letters, and messaging for senior leadership. Prepared staff at all levels for media interactions through group training sessions as well as personalized coaching and interview preparation.Collaborated closely with university communications teams to ensure messaging consistency and coordination across channels and platforms. Leveraged communications expertise to enhance the department's reputation and advance its mission and priorities through strategic messaging and content. Show less Pioneered the communications function for a large university department comprising 10 distinct teams. Partnered with leadership and the central marketing team to develop, launch, and uphold a cohesive brand identity across all channels and communications.Conducted a full audit of the department's online presence to streamline and optimize social media marketing initiatives. Consolidated redundant accounts to establish a focused, strategic approach to social media that better served target audiences.Managed all aspects of media relations including drafting statements, facilitating interviews, and coaching spokespersons. Acted as department spokesperson to safeguard reputation.Led website overhaul efforts by auditing existing content and developing a plan to update information architecture and enhance user experience.Served as the central communications advisor and strategic counsel for a department lacking prior dedicated resources. Instrumental in aligning teams under a unified voice and brand to effectively promote the department's mission. Show less

  • Director of Strategic and Executive Communications for the Office of the Dean of Students

    Jan 2018 - Jun 2024

  • Manager of Strategic and Executive Communications for the Office of the Dean of Students

    Sept 2016 - Jan 2018

  • Manager of Communications in the Office of the Dean of Students

    Feb 2014 - Sept 2016