Sara Gadzik Email & Phone Number

Nottingham, Gb

Leicester, England, United Kingdom

Nottingham, United Kingdom

After more than 20 years working in strategic management, communications, project management and marketing, and 6-plus years involved in school and MAT governance, I set up Smith Gadzik in 2016 to provide bespoke support to organisations in the not for profit and education sectors. This includes:• Communications strategy, planning and implementation• Project management• Strategic planning• Communication and brand audits• Community and stakeholder engagement• Bid writing• Governance support Clients to date include education sector organisations, environmental charities, universities, multi-academy trusts and membership organisations. Projects have involved:• Working with in house teams to research and develop communications plans that target specific audiences and issues.• Leading on elements of a digital transformation programme• Project managing a digital asset management transformation programme• Advising on organisational communications strategy, including audience prioritisation and clarity of messaging.• Project managing the application process for a new free school, including bid writing and community engagement activity.• Developing marketing materials for a new school, including website and branding.• Redeveloping website content and design to reflect the organisation's ethos.• Launching a new service to recruit school governors.• Developing MAT governance structures.

Leicester, United Kingdom

Responsible for communications, marketing, public engagement, membership recruitment and retention at ASCL, a membership association and trade union for school leaders across the UK. During that time membership grew an average of 4% year on year to more than 18,000. When the role started it involved:• Rebranding and brand identity following a name change • Launching and editing the association’s magazine, Leader• Developing member recruitment campaigns• Launching an annual membership survey• Writing press releases and developing a media strategy• Growing our profile on social media• Offering media training to members By the time I left the role, I had oversight of: • Member engagement strategy• Membership recruitment and retention• Digital communications strategy• Investment in new technology including the website and apps• Overall brand identity• Internal communications• Market researchAs a member of the senior leadership group I helped shape strategic direction of the organisation and oversaw key aspects of: • Organisational change• Strategic planning • Risk management • Monitoring and evaluation of operational planning