Helen Gray Email & Phone Number

Leeds, England, United Kingdom

Leeds, North East And South East

• Currently available after completing my last contract providing communications support to NHS Digital's Data Security Centre refining product and service messaging for both customers and internal teams around programme.
• Development of local campaign and social marketing plans in response to research and national initiatives
• Deliver of major engagement exercises including a range of consultation channels and analysis
• Planning and procurement of print, design and media in a range of channels including online, press, radio, cinema and outdoor, relevant to the target audience
• Production of a range of publications including annual report
• Management of campaign budgets, agencies and suppliers

Brought back into the council to manage two major projects for the authority:1, Full rebrand of the council and print and design rationalisation as a cost-saving exercise. It involved:development, production and implementation of a brand identity and accompanying corporate identity protocolLobbying key decision makersStaff, member and supplier.

• Responsible for formulating and delivering the communications strategy for the Northumbria 101 Project – a Pilot Home Office pilot project [now live] delivering a single non-emergency number. I worked with the Home.
• production and delivery of major strategic documents and action plans
• development and lead of the project communication team
• delivery of key communication tools and techniques to ensure all partners are on message
• management of media relations locally
• 101 Brand management across the partnership

• Communications Manager, Newcastle City Council, City Service DirectorateI led the Communications team of the City Services division of Newcastle City Council, a flagship division for transformation of service delivery.
• Development of the communications strategy
• Development of the internal and external communications programmes
• Branding for the Directorate
• Production and delivery of the new intranet, web site and content
• Production of marketing and publicity materials

• I joined as head of the communications department to take responsibility for developing and delivering communications protocols and processes for an organisation where none had existed previously and which went on to.
• Introduction of systems to enable effective communications to all stakeholders
• Creation and delivery of the full corporate communications strategy
• Re-branding of the Council including production and implementation the Council’s Corporate Identity Policy
• Management and delivery of the media and marketing function
• Training of staff and members in communications.

Working with a variety of organisations, including NHS Trusts, local councils and third sector the role included brand management, communications of a funding programme and I developed and implemented a broad range of successful campaigns tackling such issues as smoking cessation; healthy eating and sexual health.

• I was recruited to Newcastle-based advertising agency to head-up their new Public Relations Department. Along with setting up the new division (MTR PR) and publicising the activity of Martin Tait Redheads as an agency.
• City of Sunderland's leisure and catering division
• Northumberland Training and Enterprise Council
• Furnitureland - national chain of furniture retailers
• Ad hoc work for the many and varied clients who used other service offered by the agency. Work covered all aspects of Public Relations consultancy including preparing press strategies, organising press calls.

As head of the marketing department, I had full responsibility for both media relations and marketing for Tyne & Wear Museums. I managed the department’s budget and a team of four staff. I worked on or oversaw all projects to promote the service using printed materials, advertising and promotional events and openings. I was also responsible for planning.

I joined Gateshead College just as it became a tertiary college, supporting the Marketing Manager in the creation and delivery of the new marketing and press strategy. I also lectured part time on the City & Guilds Radio Journalism course at the college.

Specialist Certificate, Internal Communications

studied through PR Academy

Digital Communication And Media/Multimedia, Pass

Diploma In Public Relations, Merit

Activities and Societies:

Chartered Institute Of Public Relations, Specialist Diploma

Video And Film Production/Communication

Specialised in Production Managment.

Gce

GCE: English language, English literature, maths, biology, human biology, chemistry, art, geography