Rachael Smith

Rachael Smith Email and Phone Number

PR & Communications Specialist @ Wellcome Sanger Institute
hinxton, cambridgeshire, united kingdom
Rachael Smith's Location
Cambridge, England, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
About Rachael Smith

Dedicated and creative external communications professional who has experience managing direct reports and delivering strategic, impactful, and integrated communication campaigns using media, social media, and digital channels. I am also currently on the Board of Trustees at CAN Norfolk. I have experience in external communications for non-profit and scientific organisations, crafting compelling narratives that drive awareness, engagement, and action. I have secured extensive media coverage including print, online, and broadcast, across local, national and international outlets. I have a keen news sense, enjoy finding and developing compelling stories, and have experience in proactive and reactive communications. In addition to this, I understand the importance of leveraging digital channels to amplify brand messaging and drive online engagement. I am proficient in developing content for social media platforms and using analytics tools, enabling me to develop and execute successful digital campaigns that align with overall communication goals. Additionally, I have assisted in website redesign and consulted on launching a research-based educational start up. Technical skills include Google Analytics, CMS, Canva, Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Studio.

Rachael Smith's Current Company Details
Wellcome Sanger Institute

Wellcome Sanger Institute

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PR & Communications Specialist
hinxton, cambridgeshire, united kingdom
Website:
sanger.ac.uk
Employees:
994
Rachael Smith Work Experience Details
  • Wellcome Sanger Institute
    Senior Media Officer And Social Media Lead
    Wellcome Sanger Institute May 2024 - Present
    Continuing all my previous responsibilities in addition to direct line management of a Communications Officer and deputising for the Head of Media.
  • Wellcome Sanger Institute
    Media Officer And Social Media Lead
    Wellcome Sanger Institute Jan 2023 - May 2024
    Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
    ·Continuing with all my Media Officer responsibilities, developing materials to secure press coverage, designing proactive communications campaigns, and handling reactive media enquiries while also acting as a point of contact for all social media enquiries, training, and content development. Top coverage includes The New York Times, The Telegraph, The Times, The Guardian, Nature, the Independent, Daily Mail, and Sky News. ·Ensuring all external content aligns with brand guidelines and tone of voice. Developing and evaluating social media campaigns, and integrating these into wider communication campaigns. Using the data analysed to create and adapt the media and social media strategy. ·Growing platforms and reaching new, targeted audiences. Including a 36% increase in engagement and nearly 20% increase in followers on Instagram over the past three months (October - December). ·Training other members of the communications team, and wider colleagues, on external communications. ·Integrating internal communications into projects, liaising with the internal communications team and adjusting external communications materials for an internal audience. For example, a recent Equality, Diversity and Inclusion campaign for LGBTQ+ in STEM day included social media, a blog, an internal article, and content for screens on campus.
  • Wellcome Sanger Institute
    Media Officer
    Wellcome Sanger Institute Jan 2021 - Jan 2023
    Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
    ·Writing and developing effective and impactful media and communications materials including articles, press releases, briefings, social media content, and internal pieces with clear and compelling messages. Ensuring all of these are tailored to the audience with excellent accuracy, consistency and attention to detail and sometimes commissioning additional materials. ·Consistently securing regional, national, and international media coverage through proactive and reactive media work. This includes targeting new audiences when appropriate and ensuring that these activities align with Sanger’s strategic goals. For example, securing reactive coverage in outlets including Nature and The Times when the UK rejoined Horizon, raising the Institutes profile as an expert in science policy. ·Conducting interviews and sourcing newsworthy stories from complex, scientific research and science policy, ensuring that all spokespeople are media trained, especially on complicated and sometimes sensitive topics. ·Anticipating, analysing, and mitigating reputational risks and issues, and resolving problems as they arise.·Organising and facilitating visits for journalists and influential figures, including international government figures such as the Health Minister from Serbia. ·Analysing media coverage, social media statistics, and other data to evaluate campaign success and inform future media and social media strategy.·Acting as a communications expert for staff at all levels, including confidently presenting advice and influencing others in their decision-making.·Promoting external campus events. For example, assisting in the organisation, and running of a public with over 3,000 attendees. Acted as the external communications lead, creating materials, developing strategy, inviting and hosting media contacts, and running a team of 8 communications volunteers. Secured multiple positive print, online and broadcast coverage.
  • Breast Cancer Now
    Press Officer
    Breast Cancer Now Jul 2019 - Jan 2021
    ·Developed clear and engaging media materials to highlight the charity’s profile, including press releases, pitches, features, infographics, and social media content about complex research stories ·Secured national and regional coverage working with online, print, and broadcast media including the Daily Mail, BBC News, Top Sante, Red online, The Sun, the Independent, the Telegraph, and The Times. ·Responsible for the communications around the Breast Cancer Now research conference, including assisting in the proactive communication strategy and reactive enquiries. ·Handled reactive media enquiries and identified reactive opportunities. ·Worked with other team members to produce content that aligns with joint strategic goals, such as fundraising, influencing, policy calls, and events. ·Developed and maintained close relationships with journalists, experts, and institutions ·Developed and briefed spokespeople for pre-recorded and live media opportunities ·Worked closely with case studies to ensure that the stories of those with lived experiences were being heard
  • Blood Cancer Uk
    Media Officer
    Blood Cancer Uk Apr 2020 - Jul 2020
    ·Managed the press office while the team was on furlough. This included handling reactive enquiries, media strategy, identifying proactive opportunities, developing upcoming media content, and acting as a communications expert for the wider team.·Highlighted and pursued media opportunities to raise the profile of the charity and blood cancer awareness, including identifying, contacting, and pitching suitable case studies. Targeted new outlets such as securing coverage in classic music FM.
  • Hamell
    Medical Writer
    Hamell Sep 2018 - Jun 2019
    Richmond
    Writing engaging, patient-centric content across a range of therapy areas.Copy checking, editing and writing regulatory documents and technical manuscripts. Creating engaging and relevant social media content across a variety of channels. Using technical skills to analyze social media channels and inform social media strategy. Using CMS to create a patient website which is focused on the patient and is based on vast background market research. Creating and implementing staff training and best practice.
  • Sport4Kids
    Lead Coach
    Sport4Kids Jan 2018 - Sep 2018
    Responsible for delivering engaging, educational sports lessons. First point of call for customers, and being the face of the company at all times during the classes. Responsible for delivering feedback and keeping track of each individual child's progression and assessing them where relevant. Auditing other venues to ensure best practice and training other coaches to a high standard.
  • Pcm Healthcare
    Assistant Medical Writer
    Pcm Healthcare Jun 2017 - Dec 2017
    St Pauls, London
    Successfully researched and contacted main key opinion leaders to work on an international digital project, creating strong professional relationships. Wrote engaging, educational content for a variety of areas and for international projects. Researched and created engaging social media posts. Worked closely with external agencies and other teams to ensure the highest quality content is produced. Experience in copy checking and submitting manuscripts as well as writing award submissions. Used CMS to create a patient website and rewrote copy for the company website.
  • Ibm
    Buisness Analyst And Sales Support Placement Student
    Ibm Jun 2015 - Jun 2016
    Southbank, London
    Developed a new content marketing analysis system, that was updated monthly and the data used to inform ongoing and future marketing strategy. Designed, built and implemented a new reporting system and was responsible for staff training when this system was rolled out across Europe. Attended sales meetings and put on events for business partners and external stakeholders. Built and maintained strong professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Designed internal communication communities and ensured these were updated with the latest relevant information.
  • Call Centre
    Student Caller
    Call Centre Nov 2014 - Mar 2015
    University Of Southampton
    Calling alumni of the University to gain information about student experience, inform them about the further benefits of the University and talking about the current fundraisers.
  • Sport4Kids
    Assistant Coach
    Sport4Kids Jul 2012 - Sep 2013
    Surrey
    Tailoring classes according to theories of child development specific for each age (motor/cognitive/social skills) Coaching by employing a variety of age appropriate strategies and demonstrating patience, authority and enthusiasm at all times to maintain a fun and engaging environment Became the face of the company while at the venues and the first point of contact when any issues arose Employed when founded so gained awareness of commercialization/development strategies + helped to build a loyal and growing customer base

Rachael Smith Education Details

Frequently Asked Questions about Rachael Smith

What company does Rachael Smith work for?

Rachael Smith works for Wellcome Sanger Institute

What is Rachael Smith's role at the current company?

Rachael Smith's current role is PR & Communications Specialist.

What schools did Rachael Smith attend?

Rachael Smith attended Imperial College London, University Of Southampton, Sixth Form College Farnborough.

Who are Rachael Smith's colleagues?

Rachael Smith's colleagues are Oliver Smith, David Tidey, Wendy Yang, Nneka Anyanwu, Dorota Jamrozy, Debbie Plowman, Michael Fitzpatrick.

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