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About Me

 

I am a communications leader with strategic communications planning, writing, editing, and project management expertise. Most of my background is in higher education, but I also have worked for an insurance ratings firm and an advertising agency.

 

I most enjoy developing strategic communications plans and the creative content to match, then guiding teams to execute all elements. In doing so, I rely on my analytical skills and a nuanced understanding of brand and reputation concerns to inform my decision-making.

 
Summary of Experience

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Director of Communications
Drew University
(July 2015-Present)
Office of Communications
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As a leader in the university's communications office, create and execute strategic plans to support the university's brand and reputation, improve the quality and quantity of undergraduate and graduate applicants, and increase giving. Day-to-day, supervise a staff of 8 and manage the workflow of a 10-member team—plus freelancers and vendors—producing more than 2,000 projects per year
 

Accomplishments

  • Implemented the university’s first yearlong strategic marketing communications plans for enrollment.

  • Led the day-to-day work of a team producing work that has contributed toward:

    • ○ a 44% rise in undergraduate enrollment over four years.

    • a fundraising campaign and end-of-year challenge that exceeded monetary and engagement goals.

  • Successfully served as project lead of the redesign of drew.edu, which included new research, identifying content categories for better organization, new site architecture, backend, frontend look and feel, and content creation—with a production time of just 6 months.

  • Managed the successful rollout of communications promoting a mission-critical tuition reset.

  • Created and implemented a strategic communications plan to promote a university fellow's unexpected Nobel Prize win.

  • Created and carried out a new workflow process for the department that increased productivity, accuracy, and internal client service.

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Assistant Director-Editorial
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
(July 2007-June 2015)
Office of Creative Services
Department of University Communications and Marketing

 

Working in the central communications department of a leading research university, my main work was guiding cross-functional teams including internal clients, designers, photographers, writers, and web developers to help plan communications and oversee development of supporting digital and print materials.
 

Accomplishments

  • Project managed the first set of Rutgers Day communications materials. Facilitated the development of new branding, messaging, and creation of more than 70 print and online components. Standards set and advertising copy written are still in use.

  • Was the only assistant director selected to lead communications teams related to the Rutgers-UMDNJ integration.

  • Served on the Rutgers University–New Brunswick marketing committee.

  • Facilitated communications planning workshops for university employees twice a year in the Rutgers Communicator Certificate Program, earning high assessment scores each time

Download Full Resume
 

 

 

Specialties

 

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS PLANNING

BRANDING

CONTENT DEVELOPMENT
PROJECT MANAGEMENT

DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS
SEO

WRITING AND EDITING

PRINT COMMUNICATIONS

TEAM LEADERSHIP

BUDGET MANAGEMENT

EMPLOYEE MENTORSHIP

Awards
 

 

 

 

 

CASE II GOLD AWARD (2018)

Drew’s 150-Hour Challenge

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CASE II SILVER AWARD (2018)

Institutional Home Page

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SILVER AWARD, EDUCATIONAL ADVERTISING AWARDS (2017)

Class of 2021 Admitted Student Packet

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BRONZE AWARD, EDUCATIONAL DIGITAL MARKETING AWARDS (2016)

One and All Campaign Website

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GOLD AWARD, EDUCATIONAL ADVERTISING AWARDS (2015)

Rutgers Honors College Brochure

 

CASE II GOLD MEDAL (2014)

Best Practices in Communications
Comprehensive communications supporting the integration of Rutgers University with most units of legacy UMDNJ.

CASE II SILVER AWARD (2012)
Multi-page Publication 

Rutgers University undergraduate yield brochure 

CASE II GOLD AWARD (2011)
Website
Rutgers.edu redesign 

 

ART DIRECTORS CLUB OF NJ
CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE (2010)
Rutgers University undergraduate admissions viewbook

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MASTER OF COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION STUDIES

Concentration in Digital Media

Rutgers. The State University of New Jersey

 

BACHELOR OF ARTS

English Literature and Interdisciplinary Honors Curriculum

Hunter College of the City University of New York

 

 

 

Education
 

 

 

2010 - present

2010 - present

Senior Editor and Communications Specialist
Kean University
(June 2002-July 2007)
Department of University Relations

 

I was a key member of the communications department of a mid-size public university. There, I served as Managing Editor of the semiannual Kean Magazine and weekly Administrative Report, kept website content up-to-date, pitched stories to local news media, and assisted with special event planning.
 

Accomplishments

  • Promoted to role from position of writer and communications specialist in 2004.

  • Reorganized kean.edu website. Created new site architecture, and rewrote and edited content.

  • Project managed the first Family Day event. Set standards and strategies used for subsequent years.

  • In absence of university spokesperson, maintained poise and discretion during a 2007 media inquiry regarding former Gov. McGreevey teaching at the university.

Marketing Writer
A.M. Best Company
(June 2000-June 2002)
Marketing Sales Department

 

As a copywriter supporting the marketing-sales department at a major insurance rating and information organization, I wrote, edited, and proofread copy for communications such as the company website, online and print ads, direct-mail packages, brochures, and more. 

 

Accomplishments

  • Part of a three-person team that created and implemented first web version of product catalog.

  • Initiated and conceptualized new approach for Best's Review sales kit, wrote new content, project managed new design, and earned accolades from sales staff.

Assistant Account Executive
UniWorld Group, Inc.
(June 1999-June 2000)
AT&T Account

 

In this position, I supported targeted advertising for the AT&T account at a multicultural advertising agency. Common tasks included researching and writing creative briefs and presentations as well as managing print, radio, television, and special event projects.
 

Accomplishments

  • Began working as an administrative assistant and was promoted twice in one year.

  • Planned and launched the AT&T Black History Month website in collaboration with multimedia company.

© 2015 by Faith Jackson

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