Sharan Sihra Bray Email & Phone Number

London, United Kingdom

Handpicked to develop a fully optimised, multi-channel marketing and communications (internal and external) strategy, conveying key messages for the Group, internally and externally. Responsible for Group-wide event schedule, spanning conferences, speaking engagements, fundraisers and open events. Primary focus was on leveraging awareness, increasing student recruitment and improving fundraising results. Remit included PR activities, student recruitment strategy and social impact plan for the Group. Increased enquiries by 46% and conversion by 31%, having delivered a new website, re-designed sales funnel and enhanced communication process.Optimised strategic change outcomes by providing thought leadership to CEO and Exec team on communications tactics. Transformed the way the organisation targeted key audiences, prospective students, donors, staff and current students., primarily through market research. Spearheaded the Group’s first multi-organisation conference, with the development of the conference brand and multi-platform marketing campaign.

London

Owned strategic and operational direction of all course marketing and recruitment processes, with an emphasis on attracting students globally. Accountable for conceiving and implementing highly effective integrated marketing, communication, and recruitment strategies. The role demanded strong senior stakeholder management and consensus-building skills.Maintained brand consistency, maximised effectiveness, met measurable objectives and improved prospect engagement.Increased engagement by 42% by redefining and delivering a robust external communications strategy. Achieved a 36% increase in leads from development and implementation of media and content; also resulting in improved efficiency. Won positive publicity by planning and delivering multiple sold-out conferences, workshops, open events and influencer speaking engagements.Boosted sales promotion outcomes, site traffic, and engagement by capitalising on results of consumer and competitor research. Grew sales conversion rates by 36%, whilst re-defining brand perception and building a new audience; leading re-brand and content strategy development.Positioned the organisation as a leading professional institution; developing and leveraging professional networks via events.

London

Accountable for marketing and event results within the Faculty of Architecture, Computing and Humanities. Role scope included strategic and operational planning. Realising and evidencing strong ROI was critical. Scope included the Faculty’s calendar of events (conferences, open days, tasterdays, applicant days, festivals and networking banquets). Owner and champion of the university brand voice across print, media, digital and social channels; authoring all copy and controlling creative team contributions.Increased applications by 34% increase and catalysed the highest engagement numbers across the University having radically re-imagined the annual marketing strategy. Transformed and modernised the marketing approach; using newly developed audience profiles and brand identification strategies. Grew staff engagement/connectivity levels by 56% as a result of building internal change-management communication strategies. Achieved a 47% increase in prospect and student social media engagement by re-defining the faculty’s content strategy.Built a strong team culture of high-performance; sustaining it and continuing to develop the team even during a challenging time of change.Key driving force behind the student journey, applicant communications, and brand unification content as a consultant to various university-wide committees. Recognised for the successful delivery of 10 academic conferences to capacity, for all subject areas of the faculty.

London

Joined the Freshfields Social Network, utilising alumni experiences to create exclusive content and events with the goal of increasing the brand’s value proposition, growing engagement and generating new business. Accountabilities included 3rd party relationship management, leadership of a team of 4 direct reports, brand guardianship and KPI attainment. Identified and pursued business development opportunities, working collaboratively with colleagues to capitalise on key market gaps. Increased social media engagement by 62% through redesign of communication and content strategies.Delivered, on target, multiple employee and alumni events; including the Freshfields 50, the annual event for elite alumni.

London, United Kingdom

Partnered with finance teams, I provided the hard analytics and data reports that sustainedcommercial activities. With clarity and vision, I led the reform of existing systems to improve accuracy, efficiency and the agility of cost forecasts.⦁ Developed and implemented new data feeds to capture client numbers, predict billable hours and improve the cost-effectiveness of team operations.⦁ Centralised partner and billing operations to ensure strict control of invoicing, credit, debt andpayment processes.⦁ Secured the trust and confidence of client teams resolving key issues, enquiries and legal blocks to ensure solvency in their account.

Centralising client and account services, I developed and maintained professional relationships with customers to ensure optimal satisfaction. Defining the customer journey model ensured that Idelivered value in the customer platform and efficiency in handling questions, complaints andenquiries.⦁ Demonstrated the ability to effectively handle high-end client needs.⦁ Delivered advice and guidance on products, services and account processes.⦁ Achieved FCA compliance in procedures and processes.⦁ Administered customer accounts and monitored sales to achieve growth.⦁ Analysed customer requirements to recommend solutions to meet sales targets and sustain thecommerciality of the bank’s operation.