Experience

Scottish Women's Aid

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations

• External Affairs Officer

  • May 2019 - Present

  Key responsibilities: 1) To develop and manage Scottish Women's Aid's social media presence 2) To co-ordinate the planning, development and delivery of all media responses, external PR and media communications to members, non-members, partners and stakeholders. 3) To answer media calls, draft press releases and organise media interviews, and to draft briefing notes, letters and articles on behalf of Scottish Women's Aid 4) To assist with the communication and delivery of Scottish Women's Aid campaign priorities and to work with the team on local and national campaigns as required 5) To work with the staff team to identify appropriate ways to publicise the key issues for women, children and young people who experience domestic abuse, and the work Scottish Women's Aid has done to address these issues 6) To oversee the website and online presence of the organisation Key achievements Consistent high profile broadcast, print and online coverage of policy priorities. Year-on-year growth across all social media platforms. Worked directly with women, children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse to produce animated awareness raising videos - one of which was nominated for a Charity Film Award. Show less



The Scottish Government

• United Kingdom
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Media Manager

  • Nov 2018 - May 2019

  I worked in a busy team handling the Justice, Deputy First Minister and Education portfolios. Press management and media handling Worked with journalists and other key influences to inform the public of Scottish Government policies. Liaised with policy colleagues and Ministers on announcements. Secured high profile broadcast and press coverage and strong pick-up of key messages. Drafted timely media materials and worked up lines to take. Handled media at Ministerial visits. Digital communications Helped create, shape, share and exchange dynamic content through social media channels with high followings. Campaigns Worked alongside marketing and insight colleagues on Scottish Government campaigns, most notably the campaign around the change in Scotland's Domestic Abuse law (April 2019). Show less



Scottish Public Services Ombudsman

• Government Administration
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Communications Officer

  • Apr 2017 - Oct 2018

  External communications: I prepared our compendium of decisions for publication and laying before Parliament on a monthly basis. This involved editing up to 100 case summaries each month, ensuring they adhered to statutory requirements, were written in plain English and accurately summarised our investigations, with a focus on learning and improvement. I wrote and oversaw the distribution of our monthly e-newsletter. I collected content from a variety of colleagues, wrote copy that focused on key themes in SPSO casework and produced a newsletter that highlighted learning and improvement in public services. I assisted with the writing, design, publication and distribution of all of our external communications materials including public facing leaflets, Annual Reports, thematic reports, and tools and guidance for bodies under SPSO's jurisdiction. I managed and updated our three public facing websites, as well as our internal Intranet. This work involved a complete redesign of the main SPSO website, which I led on, including overseeing workgroups with service users to feedback into the new design. I grew SPSO's social media presence, creating images and crafting content for use on our social platforms. I dealt with all press enquiries and arranged media interviews. Internal Communications: I ran and assisted with workshops for staff to seek their input on SPSO communications materials. I developed print resources when requested by the various teams in the office. I communicated the publication of our Annual Reports, and other publications, to the wider office. Managing Relationships: I assisted with all engagement with internal staff and external stakeholders, including journalists, Parliamentary committees, the SPCB, pressure groups and bodies under SPSO"s jurisdiction. This involved arranging sounding boards, working collaboratively with other SPCB colleagues and responding to media. Show less



Trans World Radio UK

• Producer and Presenter

  • Sep 2014 - Apr 2017

  I worked in the production team creating features for the flagship daily news and current affairs programmes. This involved researching, sourcing guests, writing scripts, conducting interviews and editing the features together. I also produced and presented the news bulletins and lunch time news programme live on air, presenting strictly to time. Other tasks included producing a number of 13 episode series as a solo producer; pitching the projects, researching, sourcing guests, interviewing, writing copy and editing the 13 episodes. I produced a variety of series, however my most successful and personally fulfilling were 'The War on Women' - looking at the biggest challenges for girls and women around the world, and 'iGen Unpacked' - examining the concerns of young people today. I maintained relationships with charities, government departments, MPs & MSPs, local authorities and community organisations so that I could approach them for guests when needed. For the final nine months I worked at TWR-UK I was also responsible for all of the social media and communications output. This involved writing two e-bulletins a week, writing updates for the website, planning and scheduling all of the social media posts and creating all of the images for use on the social media pages in Illustrator. Show less



Build A Bear Workshop

• United States
• Retail
• 700 & Above Employee

• Sales Assistant

  • Jun 2013 - Aug 2014

  I worked with a team on the shop floor to assist customers with their purchases and ensure a fun experience for children and young people. I ensured all displays were kept tidy and fully stocked at all times, in keeping with the visual merchandising plans. I operated the cash register and assisted with cashing up. I led birthday parties of large groups of children; ensuring fun was had while maintaining authority and order. I also assisted with the annual stock take. I maintained a positive and approachable attitude in keeping with the ethos of the company. I previously worked for the company from October 2008-September 2010 and was asked back to work as a Christmas Temp from October - December 2012, and again for a permanent part time position as of June 2013. Show less



Air3 Radio

• United Kingdom
• Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Secretary

  • Jun 2013 - May 2014

  Having been elected to this position by other students, I assisted the station manager with the day to day running of our student radio station. I was responsible for organising all committee and society meetings, booking the necessary rooms and equipment. It was my responsibility to record minutes of every meeting and ensure these were shared with the membership in a timely manner. I dealt with any problems or enquiries student members had. I oversaw the development of the schedule of programmes, managing the diary requirements and time slot preferences of over 100 students. I served as the first point of contact for external sources enquiring about our station. Show less



BBC at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe

• Runner

  • Aug 2012 - Aug 2012

  In this position I worked to support the events team with the day to day running of the site which hosted outside radio broadcasts and live TV events. I assisted the site’s visitors, helped seat audiences for events and dealt with issuing and checking tickets. I assisted the production teams backstage, ensuring the green room was kept tidy and supplied with food and drinks. I helped the stage manager to set up and change the stage between shows. I worked in the information booth, assisting members of the public with any queries. Show less



H&M

• Belgium
• Construction

• Sales Advisor

  • Oct 2010 - Jul 2012

  I worked on the shop floor to assist customers with their purchases. I helped to keep the shop tidy and ensured all stock was kept presentable at all times. I worked with the deliveries; ensuring stock was hung, tagged and put out on the shop floor in the appropriate place in a timely manner. I assisted with creating displays on the tables and presenting new lines of clothing in attractive ways. I also operated the till and took on the responsibility of cashing up at the end of the night. I worked on the shop floor to assist customers with their purchases. I helped to keep the shop tidy and ensured all stock was kept presentable at all times. I worked with the deliveries; ensuring stock was hung, tagged and put out on the shop floor in the appropriate place in a timely manner. I assisted with creating displays on the tables and presenting new lines of clothing in attractive ways. I also operated the till and took on the responsibility of cashing up at the end of the night.



Insolvency Service, RPO

• A1 - Admin Assistant

  • Nov 2009 - Jul 2010

  In this position I answered calls on the switchboard and ensured that they were forwarded to the correct case officer. I calculated and processed claims for redundancy payments, outstanding holiday pay and wages on the specialised computer software. I hand calculated and processed claims for compensatory notice payment. Alongside these tasks I also assisted the team I was placed in with keeping up the filing efficiently and linking new forms that came in with existing claims in the office. I worked for a further four months in this position from June-September 2011. Show less