About me

Content strategy and design, UX, community, editorial and project management – I enjoy it all. I’ve worked for banks and charities and publishers. I’ve even been a teacher. I’ve written websites, edited books, managed brands and communities, produced films, directed photoshoots and bought print. From strategy to apostrophes, if you need words wrangled or some fresh ideas, get in touch!

PostsProjectsExperienceTeam

Projects

• Financial Conduct AuthorityThe FCA and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) introduced a range of policy changes to increase individual accountability within the banking sector. I wrote the webpages for the SM&CR, and edited the two high-profile consultation papers and the cost-benefit analysis. • plain English and accessibility consultant and editor for the high-profile Senior Managers & Certification Regime consultation papers • content design and UX for ScamSmart tool and microsite • content design for Innovate webpages • digital and print editing – plain English, accessibility SM&CR landing pages Consultation paper for solo-regulated firms Consultation paper for insurers
• Citizens AdviceI was a Senior Content Designer in the Citizens Advice digital transformation project, including: • leading the multidiscipline agile Workplace Rights epic team • researching and creating an innovative content approach for two online audiences (‘combined content’) • using my comms experience to advise on and promote combined content, including presentations to key stakeholders • mentoring and training new Content Designers • carrying out user research and implementing UX thinking in content design • leading on the information architecture content migration project (across 2 websites) Sample webpages (public, with adviser content behind a firewall): Challenge your redundancy - https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/leaving-a-job/redundancy/challenge-your-redundancy/ After you've been dismissed - https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/leaving-a-job/dismissal/after-youve-been-dismissed/ How to get sick pay - https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/rights-at-work/sick-pay/how-to-get-sick-pay/ Sample blogs: New year, new website navigation - https://wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/new-year-new-navigation-a5430a2eca60 How to run a spike - https://wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/how-to-run-a-spike-6e73931b3436
• London DecompressionCommunications for the annual London Decompression event, including content strategy, community management, social media, emails and website, including website redesign.
• Action for ChildrenSenior Writer/Editor, including: * Writing, editing and proofreading all print and digital marketing and communications materials, including the annual report and accounts, annual review, policy and research reports, corporate messages, fundraising and campaign materials, ads, articles, film scripts, staff and supporter magazines, email newsletters, and writing on behalf of the chief executive * Writing and editing for the website, microsites and intranet, using the content management systems and ensuring SEO *Collecting and writing case studies, managing the case study library and training staff on writing and use of case studies * Project managing key publications and projects from brief and concepts through to completion, within schedule and budget * Recruiting, training and managing in-house staff and managing freelance writers, editors, proofreaders, designers and printers * Brand development, management and approval, including writing the brand manuals, developing writing and brand workshops, and advising on brand, equality and diversity, informed consent, participation and copyright to staff and external agencies * Production and print buying
• Nowhere festivalDigital and print content strategy, planning and creation for the festival (internal comms and external marketing), writing and managing the website www.goingnowhere.org, moderating the forums, co-ordinating and writing e-newsletters, emails and survival guide, creating and managing the editorial brand, community management and social media, managing a large team of international volunteers, managing budgets. Also rewriting Burning Man’s core principles in Plain English for multilingual community and producing 10 films to illustrate them: https://www.goingnowhere.org/en/whatisnowhere/principles
• ShelterSenior Web and Social Media Editor, including: • creating strategies, concepts and content for eCRM, digital campaigns and fundraising, social media strategy, content and community management • writing, managing and optimising the Shelter website (using Squiz Matrix CMS), emails (using Adestra) and social media channels • content audit, content planning and strategy, user testing, analytics, brand management • agile website redesign, prototype and testing • managing two Web and Social Media Editors and all editorial freelancers, mentoring/training Creative Copywriter, including: • writing, editing, proofreading and project managing public-facing print and digital communications, including fundraising and campaign materials, ads and banners, microsites and mobile sites, corporate messages, publicity and campaigns materials for shops, emails and social media • creating concepts and presenting to clients • brand development, management and approval, including brand repositioning, working with in-house staff and agencies • writing and project managing complex jobs such as the Architect in the House website, emails and social media • writing, editing and project managing high-profile, public-facing publications, such as the charity’s three-year strategy and the achievements report, and campaigns such as Evict Rogue Landlords and Homes for London • organising and art directing photoshoots

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Work history

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DirectorCarole Ray Communications
Jun 2010London, United KingdomFull Time
Content strategy and creation, coaching and training, writing, editing and proofreading for: Financial Conduct Authority, Citizens Advice, NHS Employers, Plan UK, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Poached Creative, Sage Publications, AMREF, ActionAid, Imperial College London, Orbis, the Open University, Taylor & Francis, MQ Mental Health Research and Bloomsbury
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Senior Content DesignerGDS
Dec 2018 - Jun 2020London, United KingdomFreelance
• GDS – Digital, Data and Technology team • BEIS – UK Emissions Trading Registry (alpha prototype) • GDS – EU Exit Readiness team • Defra – Brexit team • GDS – Content Support (Brexit and coronavirus)

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Skills

• Content Strategy
• Content Design
• Accessibility
• Community Management
• Brand Management
• UX
• Research
• Poject Management
• Social Content Strategy
• Coaching

Education

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BA in English Literature and Classical StudiesUniversity of Canterbury, NZ
Jan 1989 - Jan 1992Christchurch, New Zealand