From project and team management to presenter, salesperson to marketing and PR, community engagement to educator, curator to producer, my position is multifaceted. My adaptability and flexibility has been key to the success and growth of the charity.I support the team, plan activity and help steer the focus of the organisation. I am an excellent communicator and team leader, a doer, a listener, a coach, I empower and inspire colleagues to reach their potential. I have a proven track record of project management, successfully delivering large scale public engagement projects. I actively contribute to funding bids, reporting, evaluation and independently submit funding/award applications.‘It’s not a vault full of films, it’s a vault full of stories‘ - I understand the power of the collections, how they can be repurposed and repackaged to connect with audiences, from broadcast and documentary to virtual reality and outdoor installations. I have the vision to see a narrative/story that can be shaped into unique, compelling and award-winning productions, including ‘Cost of Living’ and ‘Lost Connections‘. I devise/deliver interpretation, engagement and partnership strategies, including our popular location-based ‘On Film’ events, subject-centred programmes like ‘Seen to be Believed’ (about the Queen’s reign) or issues-based activity such as ‘Social Cinema’. I have significant experience of curating and presenting entertaining and informative film shows. I have increased commercial sales, driven fundraising initiatives, grown awareness of the Archive, delivered mentoring and training, represented the Archive at professional forums and in the media, and championed the growth of the collections. It’s been a personal and professional journey, complete with regular self reflection, a dynamic and evolving process. I’ve loved the challenge, as a team we’ve made a positive impact, delivered some amazing and successful projects and importantly had some fun along the way.

As Renaissance Partnerships Officer I was responsible for the successful running of 8 community history projects across the whole of Yorkshire. The need for excellent communication, organisational, planning, time and budget management skills were essential. The role gave me a valuable experience and insight into the benefits and challenges of working with different community groups and individuals. I was the first point of call for guidance and support; building positive networks between the partners, ensuring projects kept to schedule, time and budget. Working under pressure I was accountable for regular reporting to funders and stakeholders. I was heavily involved in the Leeds Museums ‘Steps in Time’ dance project where I am in regular contact with community dance groups in the Leeds area and worked closely with the museums community liaison officer to develop the project that formed the opening exhibition in the auditorium of the new Leeds Museum. I also lead the Bradford ‘My World My Things’ project that focused on contemporary fashion in the 16 – 24 age range, using the then popular My Space platform and archive footage that was shown on the Bradford Big Screen. The project recruited 10 young adults in X-factor style auditions to film their shopping and fashion experiences culminating in an exhibition at the new Impressions Gallery off Centenary Square in Bradford city centre. I was responsible for the management of a filmmaker, agreeing schedules and the artistic focus of the projects.

From Mexico City to a Trans-Siberian Express across China and Mongolia to Russia, 16 countries, 4 continents, 345 days travelling, a career break and a life experience that continues to be an asset in my work and personal life. I even wrote a poetry book about my travels, 'Around the World in 80 Poems: Rhyming Reasons to Travel the Globe...Or Not!'.

I built and led a creative and productive education team through a period of change at the National Railway Museum (NRM). Recognising learning styles and strengths I empowered the team by setting clear, achievable but challenging objectives. I created a positive team spirit and element of fun that resulted in many successful and popular outcomes such as re-launching sleepovers and schools theatre at the museum and new initiatives like key partnerships with SureStart, a leisure and tourism website and secondary school programme. In the 2004-05 financial year my team welcomed over 70,000 under 16 learners, 20,000 more than the target set by DCMS. This invaluable experience highlighted my strong organisational, leadership, resource, time and project management, communication and personal skills that are essential to being a good manager. I have written a number of policies, strategies and reports for the NRM education department incorporating Life-Long learning and the ‘Inspiring Learning for All’ framework, worked closely with volunteers and freelance staff and managed a budget of 20k. I also worked closely with the Marketing, Press and PR and Corporate Events teams to promote education events as well as acting as Events Manager for over 20 evening functions.Whilst at the NRM I successfully completed a number of courses including managing health and safety, managing a pressurised environment and a 5 day Core Management training programme (2004).

As Education Officer at the NRM I increased my skills base and had many notable achievements. I devised, developed, launched and delivered an early years formal programme in 2003, which has progressively attracted approximately 5,000 children each year and became a key part of the education offer. I introduced and produced twice yearly eight-page newsletters on different themes (Victorians, Science, WWII etc.). I pioneered large-scale art events, establishing annual creative Children’s Art Day and Big Draw events working closely with freelance and casual staff, three received awards or sponsorship. I also introduced an annual Family Learning Week event, which incorporated various activities and developed a successful partnership with York Libraries resulting in the museums yearly involvement and hosting of the Books for babies initiative. I devised and delivered outreach activities to both formal and informal audiences. I also organised science week activities where I developed good working relationships with NYBEP (North Yorkshire Business and Education Partnership). ‘Track Wise’ school days were launched where we brought disadvantaged children to the museum to learn about railway safety. Here I identified and developed long lasting partnerships with local and regional schools and outside partners such as the British Transport Police, Northern Rail and Network Rail, highlighting my project management, networking and partnership strengths. I developed a good understanding of Health and Safety; I produced numerous risk assessment forms to guide projects and developed a ‘Risk assessment guidance document for teachers and group leaders’ that visited the museum. I was also an active member of the NRM Access Advisory Group and the Museum Green Team.

I planned and delivered curriculum-linked workshops, guided tours and devised activities and events for school groups and Museum visitors. The role included the development and display of exhibitions, management of museum resources, care of collections, safety and security, maintenance, bookings and marketing.Whilst at the Colour Museum I successfully completed an NVQ Level 3 Cultural Heritage Operations qualification (2002).