Maria O'Brien Email & Phone Number

Leicester, Gb

Gaydon, England, United Kingdom

Leicester, England, United Kingdom

Responsible for the public engagement , creative and communication teams of a £1.3bn organisation who care for a community of one million people. Directly lead and delivered press, social and internal communications programmes with supporting channel and content development. For 12 months, was the most senior communications and engagement person in the organisation reporting directly to the chief executive.Notable achievements:• Delivery of new partnership with YouTube (YouTube… Show more Responsible for the public engagement , creative and communication teams of a £1.3bn organisation who care for a community of one million people. Directly lead and delivered press, social and internal communications programmes with supporting channel and content development. For 12 months, was the most senior communications and engagement person in the organisation reporting directly to the chief executive.Notable achievements:• Delivery of new partnership with YouTube (YouTube Health)• Improved sentiment across audience groups - internally and externally• Improved diversity across the department through appraisal and refresh of recruitment processes and implemented first org-wide EDI comms plan.• Doubled the non-pay budget in less than a year and secured a commitment to significantly increasing pay-budget level also within 12 months enabling departmental restructuring to aid better focus on strategic and operational communications. Show less

Leicester, United Kingdom

Day to day responsibilities include media relations, senior stakeholder and partner management, crisis management, content strategy and delivery, communication channel development and organisational engagement.Notable achievements:• Led external and internal communications and delivery team throughout the COVID-19 pandemic inclusive of ‘Leicester Lockdown’; First ‘guard of honour Coronavirus survivor' and NHS staff diary national press moments • Implemented the first weekly… Show more Day to day responsibilities include media relations, senior stakeholder and partner management, crisis management, content strategy and delivery, communication channel development and organisational engagement.Notable achievements:• Led external and internal communications and delivery team throughout the COVID-19 pandemic inclusive of ‘Leicester Lockdown’; First ‘guard of honour Coronavirus survivor' and NHS staff diary national press moments • Implemented the first weekly video driven CEO communication channel rated one of the most useful and engaging communications formats of the the pandemic for staff, increasing engagement.• Uplift in reach, engagement and conversation across key social media channels, growth trending above other regional partners over the period.• Implemented a ‘social-first’ approach to press relations which has driven a positive perception increase in key media targets, reduced time and cost to press coverage and furthered social engagement.• Implemented the first communications development programme for team to enhance baseline skill standards and improve opportunities for further growth and innovation Show less

Northampton, United Kingdom

Worked to cement Carlsberg UK’s reputation as the most successful, professional and attractive brewer in the UK, by working with external stakeholders and digital audiences to deliver an understanding of what we were doing, why we were doing it and how well we were executing it. • Led trade-media communications team for largest group wide investment of 2019 which delivered over £1 million in PR value and supported increased distribution• Rolled out the first employee-advocacy social… Show more Worked to cement Carlsberg UK’s reputation as the most successful, professional and attractive brewer in the UK, by working with external stakeholders and digital audiences to deliver an understanding of what we were doing, why we were doing it and how well we were executing it. • Led trade-media communications team for largest group wide investment of 2019 which delivered over £1 million in PR value and supported increased distribution• Rolled out the first employee-advocacy social media campaign with high levels of engagement internally and externally• Supported Carlsberg brand “Mean Tweets” campaign which generated significant public interest and key top tier story placement Show less

Northampton, United Kingdom

Reporting to the Head of Corporate Affairs, I delivered a corporate communications plan, both externally and internally, that worked in support of our company's strategic priorities and strengthened our reputation as a brewer, and an employer. Notable achievements:• Developed first annual media briefing event landing coverage that delivered over £130,000 in PR value within targeted publications.• Lead UK communications team for the global Carlsberg “snap pack” sustainable… Show more Reporting to the Head of Corporate Affairs, I delivered a corporate communications plan, both externally and internally, that worked in support of our company's strategic priorities and strengthened our reputation as a brewer, and an employer. Notable achievements:• Developed first annual media briefing event landing coverage that delivered over £130,000 in PR value within targeted publications.• Lead UK communications team for the global Carlsberg “snap pack” sustainable innovation launch.I am also responsible for the strategic development of our social and digital content, assist in the evolution of our digital workplace, and work as part of our cultural team that ensures that we keep the fire burning at Carlsberg UK. In this same spirit, I work to continually improve my own skill base as a corporate affairs professional. Show less

Northampton, United Kingdom

Supporting the Head of Leadership Communications, I supported the delivery of Group and UK strategy through the activation and editorial control of our internal communications channels. I ensure that our communications have clear strategic purpose, and create engagement across our workforce; in turn, we empower employees to act as brand ambassadors in their communities, and keep Carlsberg burning, always.Notable achievements:• In five months, developed and launched internal… Show more Supporting the Head of Leadership Communications, I supported the delivery of Group and UK strategy through the activation and editorial control of our internal communications channels. I ensure that our communications have clear strategic purpose, and create engagement across our workforce; in turn, we empower employees to act as brand ambassadors in their communities, and keep Carlsberg burning, always.Notable achievements:• In five months, developed and launched internal social-app that engaged over 70% of the workforce and re-launched the company intranet with improved experience.• Finalist in peer-nominated employee awards Show less

In this role I led a full time team of 8 people comprising a Digital Media Manager, Graphic Designer, Customer Insight Manager, Digital Assistant, Marketing Executive, Marketing Interns, and an Experiential Marketer who manages our casual workforce of a further 10 people. Together we managed all marketing activity for the clubs headline revenue areas: Season Tickets, Match Tickets, Corporate Hospitality, C&E, Community and Foundation. These areas brought in a combined turnover of £8… Show more In this role I led a full time team of 8 people comprising a Digital Media Manager, Graphic Designer, Customer Insight Manager, Digital Assistant, Marketing Executive, Marketing Interns, and an Experiential Marketer who manages our casual workforce of a further 10 people. Together we managed all marketing activity for the clubs headline revenue areas: Season Tickets, Match Tickets, Corporate Hospitality, C&E, Community and Foundation. These areas brought in a combined turnover of £8 million. In our marketing toolkit, we covered e-commerce and m-commerce strategy and delivery, website management, CRM management and influencer marketing, all print and graphic work from signage to marketing materials, all e-marketing campaigns and communication, PR, events marketing, sponsorship activation, sales support, and a host of other club responsibilities as required.Notable Achievements:- Most engaging social campaign across clubs platforms in 2016.- Biggest opening matchday attendance in club history - up 133% on 5 year previous attendance. Show less

Leicester, United Kingdom

In 2015 we established our new ICO, the Leicester Tigers Foundation and this role was concerned with its operation and growth. As well as assisting in operational management of the Foundation I was also responsible for sourcing PR and sponsorship opportunities, managing our stakeholder/partner relationships and bid writing for the Foundation's programmes.For the plc, I assisted in the development and liaison of Global Partner Clubs, Schools and Universities. And helped to kick off the… Show more In 2015 we established our new ICO, the Leicester Tigers Foundation and this role was concerned with its operation and growth. As well as assisting in operational management of the Foundation I was also responsible for sourcing PR and sponsorship opportunities, managing our stakeholder/partner relationships and bid writing for the Foundation's programmes.For the plc, I assisted in the development and liaison of Global Partner Clubs, Schools and Universities. And helped to kick off the conversation about our Global potential.Notable Achievement:- Proposal and introduction of two trusts to the Foundation resulted in two new programmes being launched and a funded income from one trust that continues to grow and will help us establish a stadium wide heritage programme, the first of its kind at the stadium. Show less

Leicester, United Kingdom

Building on the Group Days Coordinator role, I took on further responsibility as Customer Sales Manager at Leicester Tigers. In this role I coordinated and developed the club’s Group Sales, Premium Season Ticket and telesales teams, marketing and sales plans to achieve KPI’s for each of the areas. Notable Achievements:- Highest Group Days tickets, Rugby Tour and Rugby Camp turnover to date - Season 2014/15.- Sold out Premium Lounge in its first season - Season 2014/15

Leicester, United Kingdom

As part of the Group Days team, my main function was to drive sales across the Group Days matchday and non-matchday products through CRM and sales reporting. I managed the executives diaries, coordinated with marketing and delivery departments, undertook data mining for improved sales streaming, improved use of sales systems and developed reporting systems for the department.Notable Achievements- Developing a new product that generated over £30,000 turnover in 5 bookings-… Show more As part of the Group Days team, my main function was to drive sales across the Group Days matchday and non-matchday products through CRM and sales reporting. I managed the executives diaries, coordinated with marketing and delivery departments, undertook data mining for improved sales streaming, improved use of sales systems and developed reporting systems for the department.Notable Achievements- Developing a new product that generated over £30,000 turnover in 5 bookings- Exceeded the financial targets placed for our department in Season 2013/14. Show less

Leicester, United Kingdom

My responsibilities in this position included: Rebranding and developing junior membership and activating the associated sponsorship. Planning, producing and managing the first external brand roadshow as well as match and non match events and the visuals and marketing material relating to these. Recruiting and managing the first marketing events team. Updating and developing new web content, copy writing with multi-media content creation, developing and managing e-shot campaigns, as well as… Show more My responsibilities in this position included: Rebranding and developing junior membership and activating the associated sponsorship. Planning, producing and managing the first external brand roadshow as well as match and non match events and the visuals and marketing material relating to these. Recruiting and managing the first marketing events team. Updating and developing new web content, copy writing with multi-media content creation, developing and managing e-shot campaigns, as well as reporting on success.Notable Achievements:- Largest End of Season Awards held at Leicester Tigers.- Added 7000 people to Junior Membership in first year, an 800% increase on year previous.- Increased attendance to junior match day activities three fold.- The Maul – our first roadshow activated a ticket revenue worth over £100K through new external events- Largest matchday event attendance for Tigers in the Park, 5,000 people for the season opening. Show less

Leicester, United Kingdom

Nottingham, United Kingdom

Leicester, United Kingdom

Leicester, United Kingdom

Ba English And Sports Science, 2.1

Modules Taken Include: The Psychology of Sporting Excellence, The Writing Portfolio, Sport and Exercise Pedagogy, Teaching and Coaching

Education record

A Levels - AAC AS Level - C IFS Financial Certificate - A 9 GCSEs - A* - B