Curriculum Vitae

KEY SKILLS

Skill type	Specifics	Level / experience
Technical	HTML, SEO, Google Analytics	Basic
Design	Incl. InDesign, Photoshop	Basic
CMS	Incl. Umbraco, Drupal, WMS, MODx, Contribute and dotEditor	Competent
Social media	Incl. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, TweetDeck, HooteSuite, WordPress, Blogger	Competent
Copywriting & content	Online & print; editorial & advertorial; blogs & social; organic content, online campaigns and adverts	Strong / competent
Project management	Internal & external stakeholders	Strong
Strategic	Marketing & online; strategies & plans; B2B & B2C	Competent
Microsoft Office	Incl. Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook	Strong

CAREER / WORK

Yard Digital: Edinburgh – Agency / B2B (Scotland / UK)
Campaign Manager: February 2015 – present

Yard is a digital agency that provides strategic SEO consultancy, analytics solutions and top quality content production for a range of market leading clients. 

As the Campaign Manager, my role is key to the management of the content production, from concept to approval, with responsibility for scheduling content and ensuring deadlines are planned and content is delivered on time to highest possible standard. I am also responsible for planning, scheduling, managing and reporting of content led outreach campaigns, including day-to-day supervision of the outreach team. 

Diet Chef: Edinburgh – B2C (Scotland / UK)
Content Manager: September 2013 – February 2015

Diet Chef is an e-commerce company providing a weight loss solution by online subscription.

I was based within the marketing team, and my remit included developing and implementing a social media and content strategy for the company; content production; day-to-day management of the blog and social media pages (including drafting and sourcing suitable content); and providing customer support through online community engagement.

Invocas Group Plc: Edinburgh – B2B and B2C (Scotland / UK)
Marketing, Communications & Website Manager: July 2012 – September 2013

Invocas is an insolvency company, providing a range of debt solutions to individuals (B2C), as well as insolvency support services to companies that deal with indebted clients (B2B).

I was responsible for the day-to-day management of all marketing channels and output, print and online, focusing specifically on strategy development, search engine optimisation, social media, online ads, broadcast promotion, web content and email communications.

TUI Travel Plc, TUI Language Division: Edinburgh – B2C (UK / international)
Online Content Coordinator: March 2011 – July 2012

TUI is a global travel and education company. I worked closely with the Language Division Ecommerce Manager to maintain and develop the online channels and networks for several language and activity camp brands with locations across the UK.

This included assisting in search engine optimisation (SEO) work and the management of online ad campaigns; creating and sourcing interesting, optimised content for websites / social media; managing the social networks; assisting with the development of management processes for content and online channels; drafting online strategy documents; pulling together guidelines for content contributors; formulating and delivering basic social media training. 

Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce (ECC): Edinburgh – B2B (Local)
Marketing & Communications Executive: May 2008 – March 2011

The ECC is a membership organisation supporting business in the Edinburgh area, through a range of membership benefits and events.

I managed all marketing output, overseeing the marketing budget and liaising closely with internal and external stakeholders to plan and deliver a range of ongoing work and projects, including internal communications, website & social media content, the membership magazine (Business Comment), and any other print collateral. During my time at the ECC, I project managed a complete content, design and supplier overhaul of Business Comment. I also initiated and coordinated a major re-development of the ECC website.

Stonewall Scotland: Edinburgh – B2C and B2B (Scotland / UK)
Communications Manager: October 2006 – June 2007   

Stonewall Scotland is a charity, promoting equality and justice for gay men, lesbians and bisexuals in Scotland.

Tasks included building up strong media relations, pitching news stories and giving quotes / interviews; writing articles, features, news releases, and newsletter stories; updating the website and developing new copy; proofreading and copy editing; and project managing the production of hardcopy and online campaigning materials.

Seafood Scotland (SFS): Edinburgh – B2B and B2C (UK / International)
Project & Communications Executive: January 2004 – October 2006

Seafood Scotland is non-political trade organisation, promoting the whole supply chain of Scottish seafood, from net to plate.

Tasks included writing and sourcing editorial and promotional copy; planning media events; coordinating projects and publicity materials (print & online); developing and maintaining the SFS website and representing SFS at high profile events.

Sea Fish Industry Authority (Seafish): Edinburgh – B2C (UK)
Consumer Communications Assistant: October 2001 – January 2004

Seafish is a pan-industry organisation funded by levy, supporting all sectors of the seafood industry across the UK.

Tasks included writing articles, news releases and other copy; planning and executing smaller PR events; organising and managing media evaluation; and assisting on major UK consumer campaigns, such as Seafood Week and the Fish & Chip Shop of the Year Competition, from the creative brief through to delivery and evaluation.

KEY PROJECTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS 

• Coordinating the build of the Scottish Low Carbon Investment Conference website and social networking channels on Linked, Twitter and Facebook, while at the ECC. I worked with four contracted agencies to create a strong online presence for the conference, including pay-per-click campaigns and search engine optimisation.

• Planning and delivering the ECC’s One Step Ahead campaign; a package of free / discounted products and services to support members through the recession. This included the set-up and management of a bespoke micro-site and e-newsletter, as well presenting the project to members at large-scale events. The campaign helped ECC win the prestigious UK Chamber of the Year accolade at the 2009 Chamber Awards.

• Project managing an annual £400,000 ‘Seafood Bar’ event at the European Seafood Exposition in Brussels, whilst with Seafood Scotland. This involved liaising extensively with a range of key stakeholders, such as Scottish Government representatives, industry partners and trade media.

FREELANCE PR & JOURNALISM WORK

I have written a host of articles, features and columns for online and offline media, both in my permanent positions and as a freelance writer. Examples of publications my work has appeared in include Edinburgh Evening News, The Observer Food Magazine, Firm Magazine, Positive Nation, Base Magazine and the LGBT icons blog.

In July 2007 I was contracted as freelance press manager by theatre company Siege Perilous, for their production of Pericles at the 2007 Edinburgh Fringe, achieving coverage in The Scotsman and various trade publications.

Later in 2007 I wrote two substantial features for Scottish voluntary sector newspaper Third Force News. I also helped theatre company Civil Disobedience with press management for their World AIDS Day production of Larry Kramer’s play ‘The Normal Heart’, achieving coverage in The Sunday Herald, The Herald, The Scotsman, Positive Nation, Skinny Magazine and on BBC Radio.

EDUCATION / QUALIFICATIONS

Napier University: Edinburgh                                                                          2000-2001
PgDip Periodical Journalism: Pass

University of Westminster: London                                                                1997-2000
BA Hons Sociology & Psychology: 2.1

Southwark College: London                                                                           1997
CPE (Cambridge Proficiency Exam) in English: ‘A’

University of Gothenburg: Gothenburg, Sweden                                           1996-1997
English & US cultural studies & language (one-semester course)

Alstromer Gymnasiet: Alingsas, Sweden                                                       1992-1995
A-level/Highers equivalent

TRAINING / COURSES / SYSTEMS

Search Engine Optimisation                                                               18/07/2011
Organisational Development and the Psychology of Change           14/03/2008
Presentation Skills                                                                              12/04/2006
Planning & Managing PR Campaigns                                                10/04/2006
Media Training (Media Mentors)                                                        6-7/07/2005
Assertiveness Course                                                                         28/10/2003
Fundamentals for PR Professionals                                                   05/12/2002

VOLUNTEER WORK

LGBT icons: 2012-present

The LGBT icons blog was set up in 2012 to profile and celebrate LGBT people of significant achievement, those who have championed equality for all, and individuals (straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or queer) who have impacted positively on the lives of LGBT people. I guest write for the blog regularly.

Big Comedy Gala, Big C: 2011-present

Since 2011, I have been volunteering for The Big C’s Big Comedy Gala, an annual, large-scale Edinburgh Fringe event, raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support. The first two events in 2011 and 2012 were hosted by Ed Byrne and Roy Walker respectively, with all-star line-ups, and raised over £35,000 for Macmillan. I help manage the Big Comedy Gala blog and social media communities, as well as news releases and ad hoc PR work.

London Lesbian and Gay Switchbaord: 1997-2000

The London Lesbian and Gay Switchboardis a voluntary organisation, providing an information, support and referral service for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people, as well as anyone who needs to consider issues around their sexuality. As a volunteer I manned the switchboard and carried out fundraising work.