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 delivery and transformation. I have worked as lead on a range of communications and engagement projects across the NHS at both a national and regional level including for PCT/CCG; Clinical Networks; the North of England Commissioning Support Unit (NECS) and NHS England. Recently leading comms on an MCP vanguard programme, I have also managed and delivered a range for programmes from national campaigns (Be Clear on Cancer, Online Consultation) to local public health campaigns, local engagement exercises and day to day comms.Key activities included:• 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• Planning and management of distribution network for campaign literature• Internal and external stakeholder communications and PR• Stakeholder engagement event management - both public and clinicians and partners• Overseeing the evaluation and reporting on campaigns• Website development

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 trainingCommunications around BPR on print and design rationalisation project2. Development and delivery of an accessible communications [online] toolkit including a range of specific products in line with the council’s new Accessible Information Policy. It included:Development with web team of toolkitProduction of contentTesting and developmentStaff training on and internal communication of the toolkit

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 Office Central Communications Team and led the communications activities across the 14-strong Northumbria 101 partnership. Key achievements included:• 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• campaign management• events organisation• business development support

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 throughout the Authority. My role was to develop and deliver a clear communications programme that supported the change management process.Excellent communication between all partners and stakeholders was essential to ensure success of this substantial and highly visible Public Private Partnership project.My achievements to ensure the necessary support to the success of the project include:• 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• Events organisation• Media planning and communicationIn addition to the above, I was responsible for all management matters relating to my team, including staff appraisal and development, management reporting, consultation, budget control, and inter-departmental liaison.

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 achieve an “Excellent” Comprehensive Performance Assessment rating. During my time at Blyth Valley, I achieved the following:• 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.• Implementation and development of the Northumberland Joint Communications GroupMy team was responsible for handling day-to-day press enquiries, proactive public relations, production of promotional materials, public consultation and advertising, market research and event organising. I had direct responsibility for the annual communications budget and advising other Departments on cost effective application of their own promotion budgets.

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, I was responsible for managing publicity for various clients into local, national and trade press. Clients included: • 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, researching, writing and distributing press releases, organising launches, writing newsletters, copy writing and organising photography. I was also responsible for the training and development of one member of staff who acted as my assistant.

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 marketing strategies and organising annual benchmarking research.I managed communications for our Business Sponsors Club and supported funding and awards applications.I also chaired the regional accessibility-working group who ensured all literature and venues were accessible to all citizens.

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