Maria Winter
Newcastle upon Tyne,Tyneside
Summary
A dynamic and results-driven individual with a proven track record in crafting impactful multi-platform strategies that engage diverse audiences, including students, academics, and creative industry professionals. Passionate about the arts and culture sector, I bring exceptional skills in digital content creation, publication management, and social media strategy, with a keen eye for detail and the ability to translate complex research into compelling, accessible messaging. Experienced in leading teams, managing high-profile events, and delivering measurable outcomes, I thrive in collaborative, fast-paced environments where creativity and innovation drive success.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work history
Programme Assistant
CITY OF YORK COUNCIL
York, North Yorkshire
01.2024 - Current
- Led Marketing and Communications Initiatives to promote council-led cultural events and community programmes, including social media campaigns, press releases, email marketing, and stakeholder communications. Consecutively reaching over 30 different community groups per week.
- Managed Complex Budgets: Oversaw large financial budgets for grant allocations, ensuring accurate tracking, compliance, and effective use of resources to support diverse community projects. This can be managing anything from £1,000 to over £100,000.
- Event Coordination: Successfully planned and executed large-scale events, including high-profile initiatives, fostering community engagement and enhancing the Council's visibility.
- Community Collaboration: Built strong relationships with community organisations, minority groups, and Armed Forces Covenant stakeholders, driving inclusive programs and initiatives.
- Strategic Multitasking: Delivered results in a dynamic role by juggling administrative, financial, and strategic tasks, consistently meeting deadlines and objectives with precision.
Co-founder & Director
MARISAM EVENTS
Newcastle upon Tyne
09.2022 - Current
- Entrepreneurial Leadership: Co-founder of a female-led live events company, establishing a dynamic presence in Newcastle’s events scene and championing gender representation in the industry.
- End-to-End Event Management: Deliver successful interactive live music events monthly by overseeing every aspect, from conceptualisation and planning to execution, ensuring memorable experiences for diverse audiences.
- Strategic Business Growth: Drive business development through innovative marketing strategies and strong client relationships, building a loyal customer base and securing repeat collaborations. Increased brand engagement on social media by 60% over 1 year.
- Team Empowerment: Lead a motivated team of 5 with a focus on collaboration and inclusivity, fostering a creative environment that inspired innovative event solutions and seamless execution.
Journalist
FREELANCE JOURNALIST
01.2021 - Current
- Diverse Portfolio: Published engaging articles across local and national outlets, including Public Pressure, The Courier, Live That Glow Magazine, NARC Magazine, and High Life North, showcasing adaptability to various editorial styles and audiences.
- Creative Storytelling: Produced compelling content spanning features, reviews, and interviews, demonstrating a keen eye for detail and a talent for capturing unique narratives in the creative industries.
- Deadline-Driven Excellence: Consistently met tight deadlines while maintaining high-quality standards, balancing multiple assignments with exceptional time management skills.
- Industry Insight: Developed expertise in the creative industries by covering trends, spotlighting emerging talent, and providing thoughtful cultural commentary.
- Awareness: Implemented SEO strategies in online content creation, improving visibility and search engine rankings.
Content Strategist
LOCO: DISCOVER LOCAL
08.2023 - 01.2024
- Successful App Launch: Spearheaded the launch campaign during Newcastle University Freshers' Week, driving app downloads from 5 to over 1,000 within just two days through strategic content and engagement initiatives.
- Creative Content Development: Crafted engaging and humorous content tailored to the student audience, fostering a vibrant and interactive user community on the app.
- Data-Driven Strategy: Utilised user feedback and analytics to refine content strategies, ensuring relevance and resonance with the target demographic.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Worked closely with the developers and student ambassadors to align the app’s content and features with user needs, enhancing overall user experience.
Volunteer
LMHR & FORWARD NE
09.2022 - 12.2023
- Advocacy Through Action: Volunteered with Love Music Hate Racism, promoting inclusivity and anti-racism through music-based campaigns and events, amplifying diverse voices in Newcastle’s cultural scene.
- Championing Gender Equality: Contributed to Forward NE initiatives by organising events and campaigns that addressed gender inequality, driving meaningful conversations and community engagement.
- Event Coordination: Played a key role in planning and executing impactful events for both organisations, ensuring smooth logistics and successful outreach to diverse audiences.
- Grassroots Impact: Actively supported grassroots movements during university, combining creativity and activism to make tangible contributions to social change efforts.
Lifestyle Manager
TEN LIFESTYLE GROUP
09.2021 - 01.2022
- VIP Client Relations: Delivered exceptional concierge services to high-profile clients, securing bespoke experiences ranging from West End theatre tickets to exclusive international trips.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Coordinated with global stakeholders, including venues, travel partners, and service providers, to meet complex client requests with precision and efficiency.
- Team Leadership: Delegated tasks within a dynamic team, ensuring smooth operations and consistently exceeding client expectations under tight deadlines.
- 24/7 Service Excellence: Maintained a high standard of availability and responsiveness, providing around-the-clock support to cater to the unique and time-sensitive needs of VIP clientele. Successfully dealt with over 50 calls per day.
Education
MA - International Multimedia Journalism
Newcastle University
Newcastle Upon Tyne12.2023
BA - Contemporary and Popular Music
Newcastle University
Newcastle Upon Tyne09.2021
A Levels -
Bootham School
YorkSkills
- WordPress
- Google Analytics and Meta Business Suite
- Logic
- Google Suite
- Canva
- All Microsoft applications
- Google Ads
- Multi-platform Communication
- Media Relations
- Project management software use
- Budgeting and financial tracking
- Decision-Making aptitude
- Organisational awareness
- Multitasking proficiency
Affiliations
- I am a musician, songwriter and performer, gigging regularly around the North East as part of an acoustic duo. I am also part of a newly-formed alt-rock band called PØRTERS
Timeline
Programme Assistant
CITY OF YORK COUNCIL
01.2024 - Current
Content Strategist
LOCO: DISCOVER LOCAL
08.2023 - 01.2024
Co-founder & Director
MARISAM EVENTS
09.2022 - Current
Volunteer
LMHR & FORWARD NE
09.2022 - 12.2023
Lifestyle Manager
TEN LIFESTYLE GROUP
09.2021 - 01.2022
Journalist
FREELANCE JOURNALIST
01.2021 - Current
MA - International Multimedia Journalism
Newcastle University
BA - Contemporary and Popular Music
Newcastle University
A Levels -
Bootham School
Similar Profiles
Naomi N. HopkinsNaomi N. Hopkins
Chief of Staff at New York City Council Honorable Chi OsséChief of Staff at New York City Council Honorable Chi Ossé
DEEDRA CHEATHAMDEEDRA CHEATHAM
Director of Constituent Services at NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL - OFFICE OF STEPHEN LEVINDirector of Constituent Services at NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL - OFFICE OF STEPHEN LEVIN
Madelyn MinayaMadelyn Minaya
Finance Assistant Office Manager at The Regional Emergency Council of New York CityFinance Assistant Office Manager at The Regional Emergency Council of New York City
Taylor BrownTaylor Brown
PMO Analyst at Cumberland Building SocietyPMO Analyst at Cumberland Building Society
Craig NelsonCraig Nelson
TOOL REPAIR TECHNICIAN at VESTAS WIND INDUSTRYTOOL REPAIR TECHNICIAN at VESTAS WIND INDUSTRY