Nicole Ellis Email & Phone Number

Fargo, Nd, Us

Fargo, Nd

Program Manager and Communications Specialist at the Agriculture Policy and Trade Research Institute at North Dakota State University

Moorhead, Minnesota, United States

• Person in Charge for weddings, corporate meetings, and private events.

• Breakfast host at Element by Westin (March 2022-present)• Bartender at Courtyard by Marriott (February 2024-present)

Moorhead, Mn

• Direct and oversee marketing at Concordia Language Villages, the premier language and cultural immersion program in the U.S., attracting over 10,000 villagers annually. • Formulate marketing strategy to support public awareness, media relations, and year-round enrollment goals for all programs, coordinating priorities of all stakeholders; devise and implement large-scale, niche marketing efforts.• Develop, oversee, and implement dynamic content and strategic outreach to all audiences through website, social media, digital advertising, email, conferences and events, photo/video, promotional materials, and internal communications; create and provide guidance to staff on key messages; create customer profiles; ensure application of brand standards. • Manage and maintain key internal communications channels, communicating marketing initiatives and strategic direction; initiate new methods of internal communication; champion change management and culture; support communication across a global organization.• Serve as integral member of Executive Director’s senior leadership team, providing communications and public relations expertise and participating in organizational decision-making; member of crisis management and thought leadership teams; lead of marketing and enrollment team.• Build and lead a results-driven marketing team, including hiring, training, and assigning workload; provide team with clear goals and impact measurements.• Find creative solution-based, data-driven strategies to meet marketing and communication needs, including systems implementation, to position organization for long-term growth.• Develop and manage marketing budget; manage suppliers and freelancers. • Work collaboratively with Concordia College to maintain relationship, share best practices, and coordinate communication.• Provide leadership, oversight and management of enrollment team.

Fargo, North Dakota, United States

• Provide outstanding guest service in accordance with Marriott's high standards of excellence.• Additional role as Host for The Mix evening social and breakfast host.

Fargo, North Dakota Area

• Provided a quality learning experience to NDSU students through the courses "Sport Promotions & Public Relations" (2014-2018), and “Socio-Cultural Dimensions in Sport” (2011-2013).• Independently developed class curriculum, including syllabus and acquisition of course materials.• Employed a range of suitable strategies to foster student learning, stimulate class discussions, and encourage active learning in all students; maintained proper class-related records; assessed student coursework and appraised students of progress.• Remained abreast of ongoing developments and practices in related fields.

Fargo, North Dakota Area

• Developed and implemented innovative, effective communications strategies in a dynamic, high-growth environment at a nationwide developer and management company of select-service and extended-stay hotels with nearly 200 properties across 26 states and 5,000 employees.• Led company communications strategies to drive key initiatives and priorities; implemented processes and programs that fostered greater communication across a geographically diverse employee population, while enhancing corporate culture and inspiring employee engagement; master of content creation and story-teller, including extensive writing and editing.• Worked closely with executive leadership in order to align and synthesize corporate strategy and goals into clear, concise, and strategic corporate messages; served as trusted counsel.• Served as system owner and key decision maker of $750k SharePoint intranet build project; developed content strategy for communicating corporate news through intranet blog and other channels.• Led and managed communications planning for numerous company programs; member and lead of multiple internal committees, including culture, wellness, corporate social responsibility, and employee recognition.• Effectively collaborated with internal stakeholders and created a culture of creativity; networked across organization and industry to build a broad perspective and a range of resources.• Expertly managed sensitive situations and crisis communications, including managing through change and transition; acted as a culture carrier for company.• Developed media relations strategy.• Coordinated corporate messaging with sales, marketing, and digital marketing teams.• Developed and led corporate communications team; responsible for departmental budget.• Represented company on national lodging association communications committee and local organizations.• Created processes, procedures, and best practices within department and company-wide to maximize efficiency.

Fargo, North Dakota Area

• Planned and directed Swanson Health Products (SHP) public relations and community engagement programs designed to create and maintain a favorable public image and raise SHP’s external profile; promoted products and services through PR initiatives.• Directed, planned, and executed all aspects of SHP’s headline sponsorship of Fargo Marathon Health & Fitness Expo including vendor relationships, budget management, layout design, and marketing materials; assisted with planning other events.• Liaised with national PR firm, serving as key point of contact.• Wrote effective press releases, press kits, and external announcements in compliance with professional ethics guidelines; distributed press releases and conduct targeted follow-up with reporters.• Developed relationships and worked closely with reporters in national, local, and trade media; served as direct contact and vetted inquiries for potential interviews; conducted outreach and developed story ideas. • Developed strategies to leverage social media in PR efforts.• Effectively communicated ideas with company leaders and peers; managed internal communications; initiated "Culture Builders" company-wide committee; coordinated executive-level leadership opportunities.• Provided PR counsel and recommendations to leadership; developed crisis communication strategies.• Managed employment branding with HR department; coordinated employment video production.• Vetted advertising, sponsorship, and donation requests for merit, making recommendations on participation; managed company and employee United Way campaigns.• Strategically communicated with others outside the organization, representing SHP to external sources; promoted SHP through community programs, speaking engagements, and corporate sponsorships; managed and coordinated media at SHP-sponsored events.• Creatively obtained data from relevant sources; analyzed data for trends and determined appropriate methods of incorporating into PR plans.

Fargo, North Dakota Area

• Led and directed marketing department, including responsibility for communications leadership, development, and implementation of all marketing, advertising, audience development, and public information plans to promote Museum’s programs and services.• Conceived and implemented overall communications strategy for Museum, including branding and positioning strategies to strengthen and enhance brand, deepen audience, and ensure consistent messaging across organization; collaborated with community partners to initiate cultivation events and cross-promotions.• Liaised with all Museum departments to provide marketing expertise, event planning, and garner full understanding of all facets of Museum activities in order to capture target audiences.• Wrote annual marketing plan, quarterly newsletter, media releases, and grant reports; adept at copywriting, proofreading, and editing.• Managed social media, e-blasts, blogs, website content, and other public information tools, including internal Museum event management; compiled, analyzed, and evaluated market data.• Maintained and developed relationships with local and national media, community collaborators, and vendors in order to maximize marketing dollars and enhance relationships.• Continuously sought media coverage for Museum events including print, radio, and television; produce copy for print and radio advertisements; responsible for media purchases.• Supervised Graphics Director and Communications interns; oversaw production of and approved all marketing and communications materials.• Developed and managed annual departmental budget; continuously monitored financial goals.

Fargo, North Dakota Area

• Managed all aspects of communications, public relations, and marketing for non-profit agency operating an emergency shelter for women and children, housing programs, racial justice, and a public childcare facility.• Devised and implemented yearly public relations and marketing plan for agency, including crisis communications.• Wrote and designed agency newsletter using Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator; wrote internal staff newsletter.• Designed all public relations materials and informational literature, maintaining professional working relationship with multiple local print shops; managed print budget.• Planned all agency events, including the two largest agency fundraisers; secured event location, coordinated event committee, and managed all other event details.• Developed, managed, and maintained relationships with local media; wrote and distributed media releases.• Managed and developed YWCA Cass Clay brand, image, and market position; ordered YWCA logo gear.• Updated and maintained social media, keeping abreast of community and regional happenings.• Researched current and potential donors in order to increase depth and breadth of development potential.• Researched and wrote grant proposals to meet goals of agency budget.• Represented agency at public functions, including public speaking/education.• Updated and maintained agency website using Dreamweaver.• Coordinated TechGYRLS program, focused on girls grades 4-7 in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM); recruit all participants; develop curriculum; develop and maintain relationship with female college student mentors.

• Handled all aspects of ticketing for minor league baseball team at Newman Outdoor Field, a multi-purpose facility seating over 4,500.• Managed ticket office with the ability to open, close, and process daily reports; managed all mail order, telephone, and single game sales for sporting and internal events.• Sold season tickets to individuals and businesses, as well as group ticket packages and picnics.• Supervised and scheduled ticket office and game-day staff; developed and administered departmental budget.• Produced brochures, handbooks, and flyers using Quark XPress publishing program.• Worked with printing companies on design, layout, and ordering of ticket stock.• Coordinated ticket requests for front office staff, home and visiting teams, and umpires.• Served as project manager for all events; coordinate with other departments in order to achieve desired results.• Thorough knowledge of eTix online ticketing system; manage Minnesota Twins in-house ticketing system.

• Assisted with editing and writing of regular-season and post-season media guides; wrote feature articles for game program and team magazine.• Media liaison for team practices and post-game interviews; escorted players to public appearances.• Developed weekly update emails for local and national media.• Supervised stats crew, including creating schedule and payroll.• Point of contact for local and national media, including game night hospitality and media room supervision.• Assisted other staff members with various daily responsibilities, including press conferences and news releases.• Searched all media for Timberwolves & Lynx content, distributed to staff, and updated player/personnel files.• Provided media and teams with statistical and press content, as well as credentials.

Master Of Science, Sport Management

Bachelor Of Science, Sports Management