thinkspink@verizon.net
BACKGROUND SUMMARY
Philadelphia-based Senior Editorial/Content Director with extensive experience and expertise in both web content and print publishing.
· Strategic leader in roles providing direction of content development and high quality, cost-effective editorial services
· Driven and creative professional with successful track record in aggressive deadline-driven environments, aided by a penchant for humor and grace under pressure
· Stellar presentation and facilitation skills and a ferocious attention to detail
· Poised and diplomatic with associates, clients, customers and vendors at all levels and capacities
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT/STRATEGIC AND MARKETING INITIATIVES
Defining content strategies and delivering the right content (book, newsletter, online course, SEO articles, etc.) to the right audience (student, parent, undergraduate, etc.) according to the right delivery schedule (daily, weekly, monthly, etc.)
Directing and ensuring creative, accurate, cost-effective content is acquired, written, edited and optimized in formats that fulfill defined strategies
Searching out innovative, low cost means for obtaining content to support business initiatives by strengthening market position, volume and profitability
Managing and mentoring a multi-functional team in acquiring, developing and deploying high quality content
Peterson’s (Peterson’s, a Nelnet company and Thomson Peterson’s)
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
Leading education content provider, both online and in print
Online Content Director, 2008-2009
· Led production team in meeting key dates in assigned projects’ life cycles; monitored progress through direct reports and/or direct interaction with project stakeholders
TVSM (purchased by TV Guide in 1999)
Horsham, PA 19044
Publishers of The Cable Guide, TotalTV and SEE cable listings magazines
Listings Director, 1998-1999
· Provided leadership for four functional areas of department; transitioned team during change in company ownership
Listings Supervisor, 1990-1998
· Oversaw accurate production of 305 different TV cable guides with a 4.5 million subscription base covering the entire U.S. geographic area; increased productivity by 94% and reduced man-hours by 85% with the implementation of automated data entry systems
SPECIALIZED TRAINING AND EDUCATION
· Nelnet Leadership Forum
· Performance Management Improvement Course Facilitator
· New Leaders Program Facilitator
· Influence Course Facilitator
· Employee Retention Course Facilitator
· Pathway to Prime Participant
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
COMMUNITY SERVICE AND AFFILIATIONS
Philadelphia-based Senior Editorial/Content Director with extensive experience and expertise in both web content and print publishing.
· Strategic leader in roles providing direction of content development and high quality, cost-effective editorial services
· Driven and creative professional with successful track record in aggressive deadline-driven environments, aided by a penchant for humor and grace under pressure
· Stellar presentation and facilitation skills and a ferocious attention to detail
· Poised and diplomatic with associates, clients, customers and vendors at all levels and capacities
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT/STRATEGIC AND MARKETING INITIATIVES
Defining content strategies and delivering the right content (book, newsletter, online course, SEO articles, etc.) to the right audience (student, parent, undergraduate, etc.) according to the right delivery schedule (daily, weekly, monthly, etc.)
- Conceptualize and create new print and online products, combining market research, analysis of profitability, outlining and acquiring of specific content, and scoping of format and design to meet business objectives
- Smart Choices: Honors Programs and Colleges (collaboration with National Collegiate Honors Council)
- Vocab Rock! (collaboration with Defined Mind)
- Unzipped guides (five book new series launch)
- Virtual Career Library (online tool for military personnel transitioning to civilian workforce—part of Department of Defense contract deliverable)
- SEO college descriptions (part of Recruitment Services contract deliverable)
- In-depth understanding of marketplace, with full knowledge of competition, leaders in field, trends, etc.; brainstorm and provide creative direction and solutions to meet content needs
- Collaborate on the development and execution of marketing plans and sales efforts, including marketing copy and collateral; creation of company’s visioning statements appearing on all print and web properties
Directing and ensuring creative, accurate, cost-effective content is acquired, written, edited and optimized in formats that fulfill defined strategies
- Develop publishing plans and manage tactical execution; year over year bringing frontlist of more than 100 titles to market on schedule and under budget
- Identify and recruit content sources; network and foster relationships with freelance writers, subject matter experts and third party vendors; negotiate and execute contracts
- Establish and implement publishing policies and editorial guidelines and product lines’ format, structure and voice, working with internal teams and external sources to guarantee quality; QA review of all content, either one-on-one or as department, significantly reducing errors and negative customer feedback
- Fulfill SEO requirements and tactics as part of content acquisition and/or creation, increasing client contract renewal rates as leads were delivered 50% faster
Searching out innovative, low cost means for obtaining content to support business initiatives by strengthening market position, volume and profitability
- Forecast cost estimates for content acquisition and continually manage to plan; realigning and renegotiating author contracts to double product profitability
- Oversee departmental budgets; reducing staffing costs by more than 25% while maintaining delivery timetables and quality
- Employ and communicate profit and loss metrics for both new and existing products to inform go/no-go decisions
Managing and mentoring a multi-functional team in acquiring, developing and deploying high quality content
- Establish team strategy and build team work plans and metrics for success; foster a collaborative environment where team members, key clients and stakeholders are able to continually move forward in products’ development
- Hire, develop, coach, conduct performance appraisals and set goals to empower team members, boost self-esteem and self-directed learning and facilitate free-flowing communication
- Educate team members in industry best practices, procedures, protocol and current trends through attendance at trade shows, seminars, courses and/or on-the-job training
Peterson’s (Peterson’s, a Nelnet company and Thomson Peterson’s)
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
Leading education content provider, both online and in print
Online Content Director, 2008-2009
- Evolved inventory of new and existing online content to remain fresh and up-to-date; developed editorial calendar for both in-house review and subject matter expert review
- Shaped and executed annual publishing plans for 100+ frontlist and 300+ backlist titles, ensuring their editorial integrity and timely release
· Led production team in meeting key dates in assigned projects’ life cycles; monitored progress through direct reports and/or direct interaction with project stakeholders
TVSM (purchased by TV Guide in 1999)
Horsham, PA 19044
Publishers of The Cable Guide, TotalTV and SEE cable listings magazines
Listings Director, 1998-1999
· Provided leadership for four functional areas of department; transitioned team during change in company ownership
Listings Supervisor, 1990-1998
· Oversaw accurate production of 305 different TV cable guides with a 4.5 million subscription base covering the entire U.S. geographic area; increased productivity by 94% and reduced man-hours by 85% with the implementation of automated data entry systems
SPECIALIZED TRAINING AND EDUCATION
· Nelnet Leadership Forum
· Performance Management Improvement Course Facilitator
· New Leaders Program Facilitator
· Influence Course Facilitator
· Employee Retention Course Facilitator
· Pathway to Prime Participant
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
COMMUNITY SERVICE AND AFFILIATIONS
- Quest for Tech
Board of Directors/Co-Chair Programs Committee (2010)
www.questfortech.org
- Kappa Delta Sorority
Chair, Chapter Advisory Board, Eta Theta, Villanova University (2005-present)
President, Alumni Association, Philadelphia Suburban West Alumni Association (1995-2002)
www.kappadelta.org
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