Sara Tobin
Bath,Wiltshire
Summary
Driven Project Manager with strong leadership and problem-solving skills. Proven track record in successfully delivering complex projects on time and within budget. Skilled in stakeholder management and resource allocation, ensuring seamless project execution and client satisfaction. Brings creativity and strategic thinking to optimise project outcomes and drive organisational growth
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Graphics Project Manager
Design and Production Incorporated
Lorton, VA
01.2024 - 07.2026
- Lead the end-to-end delivery of environmental graphics and exhibition design packages, ensuring storytelling, branding, and visitor experience aligned with institutional goals.
- Delivered large-scale graphics package for Milken Institute, enhancing visitor engagement across 10,000+ sq. ft. with large-format graphics, interpretive signage, donor recognition installations, and digital displays.
- Delivered medium-scale graphics package for National Archives Museum America 250 exhibit, contributing to visitor experience with 300+ large-format graphics, framed images, hanging scrim structure, and mural installation.
- Managed installation timeline through effective coordination between design teams, curators, fabricators, content developers, and external vendors to ensure seamless project delivery.
- Served as first point of contact for queries on deliverables and problem-solving, facilitating smooth operations and timely project execution.
Senior Designer - Marketing and Brand
Custom Ink
Fairfax, VA
04.2021 - 12.2023
- Served as Creative Director for the Stanley drinkware product launch, producing campaign assets that achieved the highest click-through rate in October 2023 and an average order value of $845.
- Reimagined the Win-Back and Sunset Email programmes, reactivating 11% of dormant contacts and generating $3.4M in revenue.
- Delivered strategic creative across marketing, retail, and digital platforms to support brand growth, strengthen customer engagement, and drive revenue.
- Produced creative assets across digital, social media, email, direct mail, sales collateral, and retail environments, enhancing overall campaign effectiveness.
- Led the Evergreen Sales Collateral Education Project, creating a flexible suite of assets that contributed to a 10% increase in the sales close rate.
- Redesigned retail showrooms to strengthen brand storytelling and optimise product placement, boosting in-store customer engagement.
- Increased organic social engagement by 5.55% year-on-year through targeted, data-informed creative strategies.
- Designed creative for Company-Wide Meetings (2022-2023) in collaboration with senior leadership to communicate organisational strategy and inspire employee engagement.
Lead Creative
Freeman
Washington DC
07.2014 - 05.2020
- Directed the creative strategy and design delivery for large-scale exhibitions, conferences, and experiential environments across corporate and association clients.
- Led the creative direction for the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting, contributing to a three-year contract renewal and $7M in event revenue.
- Delivered integrated brand experiences for Access Intelligence's Satellite Conference, improving attendee satisfaction and securing a three-year renewal plus two additional meetings valued at $10M+.
- Created an award-winning attendance promotion campaign for the American Optometric Association, winning the IAEE Art of the Show Award (2019) and supporting an event generating $5M in revenue.
- Managed creative production timelines and client communication, ensuring stakeholder alignment across branding and promotional campaigns for event experiences.
- Presented design strategies and proposals to clients and senior stakeholders, effectively conveying creative vision and project objectives.
- Facilitated collaborative design sessions to enhance project momentum and address creative or logistical challenges.
Exhibit Designer
So Group
Manchester
01.2012 - 06.2014
- Developed exhibition stand concepts and experiential marketing environments for international trade shows and corporate clients.
- Secured Bianchi Bikes exhibition account for Eurobike 2013 in Germany, enhancing firm's portfolio and competitiveness against larger agencies.
- Acquired key client accounts, including Bianchi Bikes, John Lewis, DePuy, and Eurocell, contributing to firm's growth and market presence.
- Collaborated with sales teams to pitch concepts and deliver persuasive design proposals.
- Created standardised RFP pitch template, streamlining proposal process and enhancing visual clarity for client presentations.
Environmental Designer
Freeman
Alexandria, VA
01.2006 - 12.2011
- Delivered innovative design solutions that enhanced visual engagement, creating immersive experiences across physical spaces.
- Designed integrated 2D and 3D brand environments for trade shows, exhibitions, and experiential marketing installations.
- Developed environmental graphics, spatial branding systems, and structural elements for multiple client accounts.
- Collaborated with print production and fabrication teams, ensuring quality standards met in all deliverables.
Education
BA - Architectural Studies
UCL Bartlett School of Architecture
London, EnglandSkills
- Project management
- Client management
- Team leadership
- Environmental design
- Creative Strategy
- Museum graphics
- Campaign development
- Creative delivery
- Proposal writing
Custom
- linkedin.com/in/saratobindesign/
- ob1ktobin.myportfolio.com
Timeline
Graphics Project Manager
Design and Production Incorporated
01.2024 - 07.2026
Senior Designer - Marketing and Brand
Custom Ink
04.2021 - 12.2023
Lead Creative
Freeman
07.2014 - 05.2020
Exhibit Designer
So Group
01.2012 - 06.2014
Environmental Designer
Freeman
01.2006 - 12.2011
BA - Architectural Studies
UCL Bartlett School of Architecture