Chris Dry Email & Phone Number

Andoversford, England, Gb

I work for the Education Funding Agency's Academies Programme managing the team responsible for B2B communications with academies.

Initially seconded from QCDA in June 2011, I worked across internal communications and stakeholder management for the Department's ALB Reform Programme, which oversaw the transition and closure of nine Quangos and the setting up of four new executive agencies.

Representing the full range of marketing, communications and external relations capabilities to Curriculum Development and Assessment and Test Development programmes.Providing strategic advice and expertise to Programme Directors and Boards.Developing marketing and communications strategies to meet the needs of programmes and their audiences.Managing and orchestrating the work of communications and external relations staff to deliver strategies and plans.Developing the skills and capabilities of allocated staff against plans and budgets.Playing a full role on programme and project boards, and other forums that represent customer/stakholder perspectives.Developing effective relationships within the sector to ensure that communications are joined up across government and other partners.Key achievementsEarly adoption of a co-ordinated marketing strategy for the Curriculum Development Programme.Re-energising and re-engaging staff that had lacked leadership and direction for most of the previous operational year.Successful management of communications and stakeholder relations over the election "purdah" period and the transition to the new coalition government.Co-ordinating complex messaging and planning of communications around the policy announcement that the new government will not proceed with a new primary curriculum.Steering detailed policy advice to Department for Education officials to inform policy development against existing statutory duties.

Employed on a contract basis to review the content and presentation of the Commission's corporate governance reporting. Included:Research and analysis, strategic consulting, change management, prototyping, testing to delivery and documentation.Really interesting organisation in a period of transition bringing together three elements into one and redesigning all business processes and service delivery at the same time.

Managing a team of marketing and communications professionals covering branding, media relations, marketing, public affairs, internal communications, web services and publishing.Co-ordinating and advising on UCAS’ relationships with government, partner organisations, businesses, customers and other key stakeholders.Raising awareness of key developments in higher education through targeted communications and the media.Managing an extensive publishing programme including advisory and income-generating products both in print and online. Supporting the strategy and operation of events including large-scale higher education conventions and high-profile conferences.Drafting marketing materials, preparing policy documents and briefing notes for Chief Executive and senior management, answering parliamentary questions.

Managed a team responsible for brand management; strategic communications across internal, customer and corporate stakeholder groups; corporate marketing; communications and publishing. Key achievements:Devised, developed and implemented new corporate brand and visual identity for the university and its business schoolStrategic web development, including implementing a content management system.Established policy, processes and systems for co-ordinated publishing across fiercely independent faculties.Introduced account management process for managing marketing communications across faculties including multi-agency procurement.Implemented strategic communications across all customer and stakeholder groups.Initiated communications across a major change programme.Developed research methodologies to measure customer satisfaction and to inform service development.

Produced and marketed all publishing outputs including compiling, editing and typesetting Viewfinder magazine, editing the Film & Television in Education handbook and developing electronic publishing.

Pgdip, Photojournalism

Ba Hons; A, Combined Studies (Philosophy And Politics)

Education record