Isobel Smith Email & Phone Number

Leeds, England, United Kingdom

The growth of modern technology, the challenge of increasing competition combined with ever increasing budget pressures means that we need to embrace a smarter and more disciplined approach to developing our parks and visitor attractions. Parks play a key role in the future of our city but there’s no place for complacency, I thrive on the challenge of creating self sustaining parks through adopting a commercial approach to public sector working. Creating a diverse workforce, a culture… Show more The growth of modern technology, the challenge of increasing competition combined with ever increasing budget pressures means that we need to embrace a smarter and more disciplined approach to developing our parks and visitor attractions. Parks play a key role in the future of our city but there’s no place for complacency, I thrive on the challenge of creating self sustaining parks through adopting a commercial approach to public sector working. Creating a diverse workforce, a culture of inclusion coupled with a business mind-set has enabled me to rise to this challenge.Managing a budget of over £2m ensuring regular financial performance is reported and SMART targets are realised. I lead strategies to maximise opportunities and increase revenue streams. I encourage creative working by leading, managing, coaching and developing my teams to deliver the highest standards of visitor care and inspirational visitor experiences. I manage high quality, economic and efficient horticultural maintenance and management operations across 3 park estates. Leading effective consultation ,engagement and honest communication with key stakeholders in order to gain trust, support and develop the work of the Parks and Countryside service Roundhay park attracts major events, such as Ed Sheeran, Leeds West Indian Carnival, On Roundhay and Triathlon, I support the infrastructure, delivery and event management plans to deliver in accordance with financial regulations, corporate policy and legal requirements.My motivational attitude has the ability to get the best from my teams and colleagues. My strength lies in my ability to build and maintain strong relationships even when times are strained or pressured. I apply a professional image and represent my employer through well executed programmes of work. Show less

Taking the Communications and Marketing strategic lead for Environments, Communities and Sustainability services, providing a strategic steer, prioritisation and business planning Interpreting briefs, discussing strategy and identifying opportunities and risks to successfully execute marketing strategies using sound, informed recommendations to meet either financial or social targets. Making use of data intelligence and insight. Evidencing impact and the effectiveness of the… Show more Taking the Communications and Marketing strategic lead for Environments, Communities and Sustainability services, providing a strategic steer, prioritisation and business planning Interpreting briefs, discussing strategy and identifying opportunities and risks to successfully execute marketing strategies using sound, informed recommendations to meet either financial or social targets. Making use of data intelligence and insight. Evidencing impact and the effectiveness of the marketing techniques through RoI or invest to save strategiesPlacing recommendations and delivering several improvements including visitor attraction rebrands, digital improvements, transactional websites, launch of children’s parties, customer engagement tools and deployed numerous campaigns. Tropical Worlds first winter campaign saw an investment of less than £9k with a result of over £200k increase in income for Jan and Feb from that recorded in the previous year. The campaign reached over 5 million people and our online audience increased by nearly 20%.I played a key role in the ambitious plans to increase income to over £1m in the first year for our new parks nursery development. Leading a multi-skilled project team to deliver the marketing strategy I developed, conducting market research, relocation comms to retain existing customers, an entire brand application including naming the facility, PR management, signage, building a website and creating social media accounts, delivered a high impact teaser campaign and executed an opening weekend event with over 5000 visitors in 2 days alone.Managing multiple marketing budgets, some large (in excess of £150k), some small (£5 - 20k) and often deliver remarkable results without any budget, this includes my work with Parking Services. I applied a search engine optimisation (SEO) and online & digital advertising campaign mixed with below the line promotions to target new customers and regain loyalty from lapsed customers. Show less

Ability to develop positive, influential and mutually beneficial relationships with a variety of key stakeholders Responsible for providing a clear sense of direction, purpose and leadership for team members, engaging and motivating staff and creating a culture of teamwork, innovation and creativity to ensure we deliver on our priority areas, often in very challenging circumstances. I strived to raise the standards of the team profile to ensure marketing played an intrinsic part to… Show more Ability to develop positive, influential and mutually beneficial relationships with a variety of key stakeholders Responsible for providing a clear sense of direction, purpose and leadership for team members, engaging and motivating staff and creating a culture of teamwork, innovation and creativity to ensure we deliver on our priority areas, often in very challenging circumstances. I strived to raise the standards of the team profile to ensure marketing played an intrinsic part to business planningI managed and controlled large project/campaign budgets and resources to ensure money is spent wisely and secures best value, creating challenge where necessary to ensure efficiencies are realised I developed and led effective strategies that delivered measurable outcomes including innovative and compelling communications and marketing solutions; i.e. invest to save strategies, lead generation, behavioural change, income generation and reputational managementI managed stakeholder expectations and resolved issues with service delivery, by understanding and anticipating current and future communication and marketing needs and applying a clear methodology that demonstrates actual outputs/impactI offered press and media management and advice, in particular, crisis and reputation management Show less

Management of a front line helpdesk; taking up to 500 000 incoming calls per annum. I was responsible for ensuring there were adequately trained and experienced staff during high call volumes and when business need permitted. My duties included the preparation of monthly reports on performance, and weekly statistical reports for my clients and account managers.In addition to these responsibilities I had direct client liaison to monitor, create and deliver performance statistics and… Show more Management of a front line helpdesk; taking up to 500 000 incoming calls per annum. I was responsible for ensuring there were adequately trained and experienced staff during high call volumes and when business need permitted. My duties included the preparation of monthly reports on performance, and weekly statistical reports for my clients and account managers.In addition to these responsibilities I had direct client liaison to monitor, create and deliver performance statistics and present any plans for future improvements. I played an integral part of supporting some of these improvements, particularly when taking on new contracts, ensuring staffing levels, equipment and training were all delivered on time and in align with our service level agreements. My role allowed me to develop, lead and motivate the team to manage and coordinate high priority work requested from our clients. I coached, coordinated and assessed all team members through agreed realistic targets. To ensure best practice I assisted operational management teams with the production of training plans and made helpdesk staff completely familiar with the financial and security controls of their role. Show less

Marketing, Cim Professional Diploma

Gnvq Advanced Leisure And Tourism & Hnc In Travel And Tourism Management