Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Custom
Timeline
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DANNI O'CONNELL

South West London

Summary

A seasoned professional with a proven track record in developing services, projects, and organisations efficiently. Skilled in managing large teams with a warm, positive approach and adept at working with well-known clients to align projects with their KPIs and objectives. Expertise in top-quality communications and social media management, growing key audiences, and enhancing brand messaging to create strong advocacy for stakeholders. Experienced in navigating multi-level companies to achieve positive results and committed to developing programmes for equality and diversity. Proficient in training and recruiting teams, delivering personalised programmes, remaining calm under pressure, problem-solving, communication skills, public speaking, and team building. Takes on challenging new role harnessing interpersonal skills, collaboration and problem-solving. Driven to deliver high-quality service and consistent results.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
year of post-secondary education

Work history

Senior Communications Manager

Kier Group
05.2024 - 05.2025
  • Develop a better relationship between community and works.
  • To create press releases based on updates around the site works.
  • To develop an effective online tool to develop and engage with the wider public.
  • Manage a team of Community Engagement Officers, Interns and Project Managers.
  • Manage communications plan.
  • To work closely with the clients to develop a stronger online communications presence.
  • Work with local communities to smooth out issues, and run the Engagement team.

Community Engagement Specialist

HS2
08.2023 - 02.2024
  • Develop a better relationship with HS2 and local authorities, businesses, residents and the press.
  • To create press releases based on updates around the HS2 site works.
  • To develop an effective online tool to develop and engage with the wider public.
  • Manage a team of Community Engagement Officers, Interns and Project Managers.
  • To work closely with the clients to develop a stronger online communications presence.
  • Fostered a sense of belonging amongst community members by leading engagement activities.
  • Conducted surveys to understand communal needs, resulting in relevant program development.
  • Worked closely with volunteers; resulted in successful event organisation efforts.
  • Pitched sponsorship proposals, securing financial support for numerous initiatives.

Head of Advocacy Services & Healthwatch Manager

The Advocacy Project
12.2022 - 08.2023
  • Develop three new services of Healthwatch in Brent, Westminster and RBKC.
  • To recruit 15 members of staff across all services.
  • To develop social media, online presence for each service.
  • To work with other services to develop more impact within local communities.
  • To fundraise, write bids and collate contracts in order to create more revenue.
  • Train teams on effective communications.
  • Develop better online customer engagement.
  • To meet all targets, KPIs and objectives.
  • Delegated tasks efficiently to maximise productivity.
  • Streamlined communication channels, enhanced internal information flow.
  • Maintained inventory control, reduced stock shortages.
  • Enforced safety regulations to reduce workplace accidents.

Community Engagement and EDI Lead

Richmond Council
06.2022 - 12.2022
  • Developed services tailored to resident needs, fostering key stakeholder relationships.
  • Led initiatives representing residents with learning disabilities and mental health diagnoses.
  • Executed daily operations with precision and efficiency.
  • Provided respectful and friendly assistance as required.
  • Acquired and applied new skills promptly to enhance productivity.
  • Delivered tasks successfully within tight deadlines.
  • Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.

Advocacy and Communications Coordinator

RUILS
01.2021 - 05.2022
  • Executed yearlong pilot empowering individuals with learning disabilities and autism to establish businesses and activities.
  • Fostered relationships with stakeholders, community groups, and national charities, including MIND and Public Health England.
  • Facilitated creation of three enterprises, engaging approximately 80 socially isolated individuals due to COVID.
  • Collaborated with marketing department to optimise advertising strategy effectiveness.

Refugee Resettlement Coordinator/ Community Solutions Lead

Hounslow Council
01.2020 - 01.2021
  • Helped work in a crisis hub for the residents of Hounslow, with a particular focus on refugees arriving into Hounslow.
  • Worked towards building resilient, empowered lives for families.
  • Managed differing issues from residents restricted by COVID, and worked with other organizations to ensure safety and reduce poverty and risk.

Criminal Justice Coordinator

CGL, Richmond
05.2013 - 01.2016
  • Created key working relationships with stakeholders and Council commissioners.
  • Facilitated Self-Advocacy groups and taught key Borough wide Advocacy training.
  • Managed and trained 45 Volunteer Advocates throughout the borough, and 6 Self- Advocacy groups for differing groups of individuals.
  • Promoted justice by hearing and resolving legal cases.
  • Adjudicated civil and criminal cases towards maintaining law and order.

Education

BA Hons - English Literature and Professional/ Creative Writing

St Mary University London
01.2013 - 01.2014

Skills

  • Developing services, projects and organisations more efficiently
  • Managing large teams in a warm, positive way
  • Working with well-known clients and developing projects alongside their KPIs and objectives
  • Top quality communications and social media management
  • Developing key audiences and growing online followings
  • Working with brand messaging and creating strong Advocacy for stakeholders
  • Working within a multi-level company with differing stakeholders to create positive results
  • Developing programmes for equality and diversity
  • Training and recruiting teams of people in roles and delivering personalised programmes
  • Calm under pressure
  • Problem-solving
  • Communication skills
  • Public speaking
  • Team building

Custom

Available on demand

Timeline

Senior Communications Manager

Kier Group
05.2024 - 05.2025

Community Engagement Specialist

HS2
08.2023 - 02.2024

Head of Advocacy Services & Healthwatch Manager

The Advocacy Project
12.2022 - 08.2023

Community Engagement and EDI Lead

Richmond Council
06.2022 - 12.2022

Advocacy and Communications Coordinator

RUILS
01.2021 - 05.2022

Refugee Resettlement Coordinator/ Community Solutions Lead

Hounslow Council
01.2020 - 01.2021

Criminal Justice Coordinator

CGL, Richmond
05.2013 - 01.2016

BA Hons - English Literature and Professional/ Creative Writing

St Mary University London
01.2013 - 01.2014
DANNI O'CONNELL