Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Katrina Bray

Deanshanger,Northamptonshire

Summary

I am a highly-motivated Communications and Engagement Manager raising brand awareness and reputation through expert content strategy. Maintaining productive professional stakeholder relations for the most effective and influential campaigns.

I have worked for The Open University since October of 2014, in a few roles which has given me a wide-breadth of knowledge of both the Higher Education sector and the Public Relations and Communications industries.

I have worked in a communications role for nearly ten years and am currently backing that experience up with a qualification from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (which I am also a member of) via Oxford College of Marketing.

I have mastered all phases of campaign management, from the first brief and stakeholder mapping, to the content strategy and following up with a strong evaluation. I can creatively write for a variety of media channels from social media to news articles, which have garnered high engagement rates.

I am now looking to take the next step in my career and expand my experience by starting a new journey in the communications industry.

Overview

11
11
years of professional experience

Work history

Manager: Communications & Engagement

The Open University
Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
01.2016 - Current
  • Started two social media accounts from scratch. To date, Facebook has nearly 10k followers (organically grown) and Twitter has over 7.5K (organically grown)
  • Developed and implemented complex communications projects across a wide media mix.
  • Developed and delivered integrated dozens of social media campaigns to capture new student registrations while promoting qualifications.
  • Devised and executed STEM's student communication strategy across multiple social media platforms, internal and external-facing websites, and newsletters.
  • Demonstrated excellent writing skills with a proven ability to write clear, engaging copy for different audiences and channels.
  • Monitored faculty social media coverage, managing student enquiries and responses on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter via social media management platform.
  • Demonstrated ability to increase engagement, number of followers, and number of people reached. For w/c 26/05/2022: Facebook reach is up by 111%, engagement by 124% and 32 new page likes. On Twitter: Impressions were up by 16.3%, mentions by 12.7% and additional 86 followers.
  • Demonstrated ability to explore, identify and understand client needs, persuade them of the benefits of certain approaches and manage expectations. Making recommendations on the best media channels, creative solutions or production techniques to meet the project's objectives
  • Shown ability to build and maintain relationships with team members, other Faculty Communications teams, central Marketing-Communications department and other key stakeholders across the university at all levels.
  • Ensured exceptional quality standards across outward-facing content in line with OU's brand values including having a high level of discretion over sensitive and confidential issues.
  • Planed and delivered ‘live’ events to students, from inception through to completion, alongside the development of diverse mechanisms for building dynamic and sustainable online academic communities and enhancing retention and progression.
  • Acted as a source of support for all areas of STEM in regards to events, social media, content creation, branding, outreach engagement activities and providing analytics for research purposes.
  • Demonstrated passion for people and delivering impactful work.

Manager: Production and Presentation

The Open University
Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
05.2015 - 12.2015
  • Supported modules teams and Learning Development Services (LDS) in the development of module materials, specifications, and resolution of possible conflicts internal and external to module teams in terms of resource planning and allocation. MCT had 17 post-graduate modules and 35 undergraduate modules.
  • Was responsible for the provision of accurate and timely management information to Faculty senior management and to carry out risk assessments on Faculty factors in the production of specific modules as required.
  • Supported multiple module teams at various stages of production.
  • Worked collaboratively with module teams to ensure that students and tutors receive module materials that are fit for purpose in time for the scheduled use date.
  • Acted as production accessibility specialist for the Faculty, guiding module teams on accessibility from initial design, into development and throughout the production process.
  • Attended module team meetings and LDS progress meetings and escalate issues where appropriate.
  • Worked closely with departments around The OU with regards to accessibility, including the SiSE Team, Disability Support Team and the Library
  • Participated in monthly MCT (Maths, Computing & Technology Faculty as it was known before it became STEM) LDS liaison meetings following up actions as appropriate.
  • Liaised with LDS and Warehouse colleagues, ensuring timely mailings are achieved.

Deanery Assistant

The Open University
Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
10.2014 - 04.2015
  • Managed 2-4 diaries at any one time.
  • Took on additional tasks at manager's request.
  • Managed day-to-day admin, including file organisation, spreadsheet development and report writing.
  • Created professional meeting agendas, took minutes and followed up on action items.
  • Improved productivity by coordinating itineraries and scheduling appointments.
  • Understood and adhered to company's health and safety policies.
  • Optimised organisational workflow by flexibly catering to current business needs.
  • Demonstrated open communication and collaborated with various teams.
  • Liaised with staff and external representatives at multiple levels.
  • Worked on multiple administrative tasks concurrently.

Education

Content Editing - Digital Content Production

Media Training Ltd.
London

Continuing Professional Development Courses - Several

The Open University
Milton Keynes

CPD - Copywriting

Chartered Institute of Public Relations
London

Bachelor of Arts - Political Science & Sociology

St Norbert College
De Pere, Wisconsin, USA
05.2010

Skills

  • Marketing
  • Editing proficiency
  • Strategic planning
  • Budgeting
  • Staff Management
  • Social analytics and reporting
  • Content creation
  • Social strategy development
  • Content publishing tools
  • Crisis communications management
  • Paid advertising campaigns
  • Community engagement management
  • Digital advertising management
  • Creative problem solving
  • Campaign support
  • Campaign development experience
  • Content management expertise

Timeline

Manager: Communications & Engagement

The Open University
01.2016 - Current

Manager: Production and Presentation

The Open University
05.2015 - 12.2015

Deanery Assistant

The Open University
10.2014 - 04.2015

Content Editing - Digital Content Production

Media Training Ltd.

Continuing Professional Development Courses - Several

The Open University

CPD - Copywriting

Chartered Institute of Public Relations

Bachelor of Arts - Political Science & Sociology

St Norbert College

Similar Profiles

Create profile
Katrina Bray