CURRICULUM VITAE
PROFILE
With over 15 years of experience in graphic design, I am a commercially focused, highly creative, enthusiastic manager with experience across a wide range of media and a recent specialism in digital and web design. For the past 12 years I have worked in the fast-paced world of TV shopping, supporting the e-commerce and marketing department in all aspects of design, including brand, on-site content / blogs / social, SEO, A:B testing and on-site optimisation. I am proficient in a number of technology platforms and design tools, including HTML/CSS, content management systems (CMS) and the Adobe Creative Suite inc. Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator & Dreamweaver.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Web Design Manager Ideal Shopping Direct Ltd - May 2017 – present
Senior Web & Graphic Designer Ideal Shopping Direct Ltd – October 2013 – May 2017
Ideal Shopping Direct is a TV shopping business owned by Aurelius private equity with two brands broadcasting live 24/7 on Freeview/Sky/Virgin plus a daily overnight simulcast on ITV. This role was to lead a team of E-Commerce web designers and delivery of content for the Ideal World website, including CRM & Social Media content.
Key Responsibilities:
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Promoted – in-role twice, from Web Designer to Senior Web Designer – and then to Web Design Manager
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Ensuring the delivery of web content and design to meet tight daily commercial deadlines for the TV shopping business
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Managing and execution of design projects such as key events, UX/UI upgrades, CRM/email/blog content
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Developing designs into working HTML/CSS for publish to CMS templates / the live site
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Implementing SEO best practices in content and technical page architecture
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Managing a team of designers including monitoring workload, personal development, coaching and KPIs
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Planning and strategy of promotional activity content online, and management of design tasks on Task Management System
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Introducing new templates, concepts and development for banner and page design for Idealworld.TV and Createandcraft.com
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Leveraging data from Google Analytics and other platforms (A:B testing/search data/customer insight) for design optimisation
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Developing user guides for online content and briefing documents for design process
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Working alongside Television, Retail & Commercial teams to deliver all online communications and event strategies
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Headed up key design processes, and creating synergy between Marketing, eCommerce and CRM design
Key Achievements:
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Undertook a full redesign of the Ideal World website from homepage through search and category to product pages
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Introduced and owned web brand guidelines for the Ideal World rebrand and continued to ensure consistency
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Collaborated with team to deliver upgraded web technology to HTML 5 and Bootstrap 4 standards
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Implemented, applied, and managed a work-flow task management system for the design team to improve process efficiency
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Migrated full site content across to the CMS platform.
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Web & Graphic Designer Ideal Shopping Direct, Ltd - Mar 2009 - Oct 2013
Responsible for creative content of web banners, craft magazine (print and online), marketing flyers, landing page builds and email communications.
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Delivering external communications to customers both online and through other media including website and print media
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Enhancing and modernising the design creative for both online and email solutions
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Developing a new e-magazine platform for the business
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Designing social media artwork to support the marketing strategy
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Creative Marketing Manager Celebrations Group Ltd - Dec 2007 - Feb 2009
Celebrations Group was a card and gift retail business with 290 stores across the UK. This role was to manage all print marketing and communication across the business, from in-store customer facing to internal head office comms.
Key Responsibilities:
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Design, production and delivery of marketing materials to 288 retail outlets in the UK mainland and Northern Island
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Delivering internal communications projects to head office, field teams and retail stores
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Introducing new supply chains for greater quality, speed and cost benefits
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Working to set budget parameters, controlling periodic spend
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Working alongside retail & commercial teams to deliver all marketing strategies
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Supervising external resources and people to achieve objectives
Key Achievements:
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Designed and implemented a creative rebrand of store point of sale across all stores including brand guide communications
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Produced regular and clear merchandising communications for store use
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Created promotional POS campaigns complement permanent directional signage to reduce overall costs of promotions
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Marketing Point of Sale Manager Choices UK PLC, May 2004 - Dec 2007
Choices UK was an entertainment retailer with 300 UK stores and 7000 in-store branded concessions. Promoted to Marketing POS Manager following the period from Nov 2000 - May 2004 as Visual Merchandising Coordinator.
Key Responsibilities:
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Creating promotional communications documents and weekly communications updates
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Managing briefing documents and presentations for the marketing team
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Developing exhibition stands and graphical display concepts to completion
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Production distribution and warehouse management of POS materials
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Working to and managing budget parameters; monitoring and logging periodic spend
Key Achievements:
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Developed and implemented efficient electronic price tagging solutions for in-store products, reducing waste and costs
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Created effective work stream planning of production time lines for marketing strategies
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Designed and implemented new fascia solutions for rebranding strategy
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Devised successful POS storage and ordering processes for the company
EDUCATION
BA (Hons) Degree – Design Management 2:1 | De Montfort University, Leicester
4 x A Levels, 1 x AS Level, 10 x GSCEs | The Deepings School, Deeping St James, Peterborough
INTERESTS & ACTIVITIES
Photography « Painting « Automotive Enthusiast « Music « Movies « Motorsports « Cycling « History & Research