Megan Haf Powell-Williams
Chief Communications & Planning Officer at Independent Monitoring Authority- Claim this Profile
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Welsh Native or bilingual proficiency
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Spanish Professional working proficiency
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Portuguese Limited working proficiency
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English Native or bilingual proficiency
Topline Score
Bio
Credentials
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PRINCE2® Foundation and Practitioner Certification Training
AXELOS Global Best PracticeMar, 2022- Oct, 2024 -
Chartered PR Practitioner
CIPR – Chartered Institute of Public RelationsJul, 2020- Oct, 2024 -
CIPR Professional PR Certificate
CIPR – Chartered Institute of Public RelationsOct, 2018- Oct, 2024
Experience
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Independent Monitoring Authority
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United Kingdom
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Government Administration
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1 - 100 Employee
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Chief Communications & Planning Officer
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Nov 2020 - Present
- Leading a team to establish the IMA’s new integrated communications function, ensuring the required resources, services and skills are in place. - Implementing knowledge of media handling, campaigns, digital, external affairs, internal and corporate corporate communications to achieve strategic objectives, embedding insight and evaluation into business and communication plans. - Advising on press actions at a senior level, supporting the team to develop campaigns and influencing the media agenda through proactive forward planning. - Developing strategies to protect and improve corporate and government reputation. Reacting quickly and collaboratively with policy colleagues and partners, leading press planning and advice in crisis scenarios to manage and mitigate communication risks and issues to the IMA. - Building influential networks and relationships to ensure the communications function is efficient and unified to provide a seamless service, delivering quality solutions to achieve IMA’s strategic objectives. - Inspiring others by devising creative training and upskilling programmes to support the delivery of work and develop understanding in the latest trends and issues facing the communications industry. - Fostering a culture of insight, performance and ongoing evaluation, creating data-led strategies which take account of the latest methodologies and best practice. Providing professional assurance for communications activities and acting on opportunities for continuous improvement. Show less
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Department of Health and Social Care
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United Kingdom
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Government Relations Services
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700 & Above Employee
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Newsdesk Secondment
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Feb 2022 - Feb 2022
- A two-week secondment supporting the newsdesk team to manage reactive queries during a busy winter period. - A two-week secondment supporting the newsdesk team to manage reactive queries during a busy winter period.
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UK Government Wales/Llywodraeth DU Cymru
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United Kingdom
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Government Administration
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1 - 100 Employee
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Senior Communications Officer
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Dec 2018 - Oct 2020
- Providing a fast, expert and trustworthy media and communications service, dealing quickly and authoritatively with breaking news stories that impact the work of the department and wider UK Government.- Having a strong sense of what makes a story and excellent written communication skills to draft proactive press notices, social media copy, website and other communications items which promote understanding and extend the reach of the organisation.- Leading on the development of innovative, integrated campaigns and digital content, working with colleagues across all disciplines to produce and deliver tailored messages.- Devising and delivering impactful handling strategies including communications advice and briefings to ministers, identifying communications opportunities to maximise impact.- Working at pace to identify strategies to overcome issues as they emerge, using judgement to make decisions under pressure. - Developing strong working relationships with media organisations, includingWelsh broadcast, print and online as well as key national commentators.- Managing the workload and developing the skills of the CommunicationsOfficers, deputising where necessary.- Leading on the implementation of the department’s Welsh language communications strategy.- Being an active member of the communications profession in Wales and across the UK, demonstrating a strong commitment to professional development promoting the work of the UK Government to others.- Taking part in an on-call rota, working flexibly to provide an effective out of hours media handling service. Show less
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Communications Officer
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Sep 2017 - Dec 2018
- Providing a comprehensive media handling service, dealing quickly and authoritatively with breaking news stories.- Leading on the department’s extensive range of social media activity and the production of a monthly e-newsletter.- Identifying, researching and planning proactive newsworthy stories, press notices, website items that promote the UK Government and its ministers.- Leading on developing and populating the departmental and cross-government planning grids.- Having a strong sense of what makes a story and a keen political awareness.- Developing communication handling plans and assisting in the planning and management of key ministerial engagements.- Developing strong working relationships with media organisations, including broadcast, print and online as well as key national commentators. Show less
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Wales Audit Office
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Australia
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Accounting
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200 - 300 Employee
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Communications Officer
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Apr 2016 - Sep 2017
- Supporting Auditor General for Wales and Wales Audit Office corporate objectives and messages through the organisation of events as well as PR, digital media and marketing activities.- Creating engaging content (in Welsh and English) such as blog posts, press releases, web copy, microsites and newsletters, tailoring them according to the target audience and channel. - Coordinating the communication of national reports and publishing and managing content for the corporate website and Intranet.- Ensuring the smooth running of press office activities; building effective relationships with journalists and handling enquiries, monitoring media coverage and evaluating and analysing the impact of our communications. - Providing a video and editing service for internal and external communications.- Supporting staff in their use of new media for business, and advising them on best practice in social media to drive traffic to the website to increase the impact of our work. Show less
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Bilingual Publisher
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Oct 2015 - Apr 2016
- Providing a bilingual translation and publishing service as part of a multi-disciplinary team.- Supporting the Publications Co-ordinator in producing AGW and Wales Audit Office published materials, on time and to the highest quality, in accordance with brand guidelines and house style. Materials include national and local reports, letters and promotional literature.- Formatting and proof reading Wales Audit Office publications to ensure that they are delivered to a high standard, flagging any queries and amendments to report authors.- Typesetting copy into designed templates, using Microsoft Word and Adobe Indesign packages and liaising closely with WAO Designers.- Translating ad-hoc documents including social media content, emails and other brief text.- Supporting the Publications Co-ordinator in developing and issuing new report templates where required.- Liaising with external translators under the WAO’s framework contract to secure quotes, commission translation work and monitor progress of these projects, advising colleagues when issues should be escalated.- Advising and assisting staff on queries around WAO publication policies and procedures, in particular the application of WAO House style. - Working flexibly as part of a multi-disciplinary team which encourages a culture of innovation.- Supporting the wider communications function when necessary. Show less
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England 2015
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United Kingdom
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Spectator Sports
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1 - 100 Employee
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Spectator Services Area Leader
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Sep 2015 - Oct 2015
- Acting as the 'face of the tournament' to coordinate, motivate and manage a large team of volunteers and Team Leaders to deliver a valued spectator experience at all Rugby World Cup 2015 matches held at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. - Recognising and dealing with operational challenges on match days, adapting strategies if necessary. - Providing volunteers with constant direction and leadership throughout the tournament whilst working effectively alongside 10 other Area Leaders. - Liaising with colleagues and other functional areas (security, medical teams, stewards etc.) via radio and verbal communication. - Demonstrating a passionate understanding for rugby and the England 2015 event whilst speaking to spectators and answering their questions. - Organising and updating all strategy paperwork throughout the event to ensure its smooth operation. Show less
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Transcribe This
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United Kingdom
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Consumer Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Welsh transcriber / translator
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Nov 2012 - Sep 2015
This role involved the transcription and translation of Welsh audio and text files. It also required me to work to deadlines, submit work electronically via Dropbox, submit invoices and use specialist audio software. This role involved the transcription and translation of Welsh audio and text files. It also required me to work to deadlines, submit work electronically via Dropbox, submit invoices and use specialist audio software.
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Golley Slater
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United Kingdom
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Advertising Services
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100 - 200 Employee
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PR Intern
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Jul 2014 - Aug 2014
During this 4 week paid internship I was responsible for writing press releases, articles and blog posts, creating databases, media lists and social media "horizon scanning" reports, telephone interviews, pitch research and taking part in board meetings with agency and clients as well as brainstorming sessions. During this 4 week paid internship I was responsible for writing press releases, articles and blog posts, creating databases, media lists and social media "horizon scanning" reports, telephone interviews, pitch research and taking part in board meetings with agency and clients as well as brainstorming sessions.
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Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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University of Birmingham Representative
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Aug 2013 - Apr 2014
During my year abroad in Chile I have been responsible for promoting the University of Birmingham at Study Abroad fairs, speaking directly with Chilean students in Spanish marketing the courses and the city itself. During my year abroad in Chile I have been responsible for promoting the University of Birmingham at Study Abroad fairs, speaking directly with Chilean students in Spanish marketing the courses and the city itself.
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BBC Brasil
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Brazil
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Information Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Work Experience
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Jan 2014 - Jan 2014
I undertook work experience at the BBC Brasil headquarters in São Paulo, looking specifically at how social media is monitored on social media such as Twitter and Google+ via platforms such as trendsmap.com I undertook work experience at the BBC Brasil headquarters in São Paulo, looking specifically at how social media is monitored on social media such as Twitter and Google+ via platforms such as trendsmap.com
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Aegon UK
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United Kingdom
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Financial Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Retail Assistant / Volunteer
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Jun 2013 - Jun 2013
Worked at the retail outlet during the Aegon Classic professional tennis tournament at the Priory Club, Birmingham. I also volunteered at the Play Tennis zone during this tournament, where I worked with a group of coaches to teach tennis to local school children and promote tennis in the area. Worked at the retail outlet during the Aegon Classic professional tennis tournament at the Priory Club, Birmingham. I also volunteered at the Play Tennis zone during this tournament, where I worked with a group of coaches to teach tennis to local school children and promote tennis in the area.
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University of Birmingham
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United Kingdom
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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Student Caller - Marketing Department
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Oct 2012 - Apr 2013
As a Student Caller for the Marketing department at the University of Birmingham, I was responsible for calling potential undergraduates and inviting them to visit the university, receive feedback and offer advice. I needed to use and manage databases and specialist software as well as work to targets as a team to promote the University and its courses. As a Student Caller for the Marketing department at the University of Birmingham, I was responsible for calling potential undergraduates and inviting them to visit the university, receive feedback and offer advice. I needed to use and manage databases and specialist software as well as work to targets as a team to promote the University and its courses.
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Education
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2011 - 2015
The University of Birmingham
History and Hispanic Studies, Spanish, Portuguese -
2013 - 2014
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Year abroad, History, Spanish linguistics, Portuguese -
2004 - 2011
Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr
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