Rodelle Phillips-Simmons
Brand Strategist, Connector Of People, Communicator, Creative
Arima
Summary
Strategic thinker and problem solver with strong networking and team building skills. Proven track record in Marketing Communications and Branding with exceptional leadership, planning and project management strengths.
Demonstrated success in devising innovative and targeted strategies to promote messages, enhance image and improve engagement garnered over 24 years in the Communications, Marketing and Reputation Management industry in both across the public and private sector.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
23
23
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Manager, Corporate Communications
Ministry of Education
05.2021 - Current
- Developed full suite of Corporate Communications policies and operational guidelines
- Developed Crisis Communications plan and guidelines
- Secured $90 000 USD in international agency funding for Student Vaccination and Health and Wellness Campaigns
- Restructure of social media strategy to increase FB page followers and engagement by 20% in 1 yr.
- Developed strategic marketing, communications and brand architecture for Digital Transformation Project and Turn Up Student Intervention Project
- Implemented new Stakeholder Relations strategy
- Expanded cross-functional organizational capacity by collaborating across departments on priorities, functions and common goals.
- Resolved staff member conflicts, actively listening to concerns and finding appropriate middle ground.
- Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
- Reduced process bottlenecks by training and coaching employees on practices, procedures and performance strategies.
- Monitored expenditures to mitigate risk of overages.
- Evaluated employees' strengths and assigned tasks based upon experience and training.
- Onboarded new employees with training and new hire documentation.
- Performed statistical analyses to gather data for operational and forecast team needs.
- Promoted specific messages to internal and external stakeholders.
- Capitalized on carefully built media relations to enhance outreach and public image
- Managed company events, town halls and meetings
Manager, Corporate Communications
Ministry of Sport and Community Development ( formally Culture and Community Development)
05.2017 - 05.2021
- Conceptualized, developed and managed the strategic integrated corporate communizations and marketing function
- Design and coordination for major national events
- Developed and executed digital, mobile and social media strategies
- Responsible for Crisis Communications and Management
- Training of staff in corporate communications, marketing, brand and reputation management and protocol
- Capitalized on carefully built media relations to enhance outreach and public image.
- Evaluated suppliers to maintain cost controls and improve operations.
- Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
- Prepared annual budgets with controls to prevent overages.
- Restructured and developed policies and operational flows for Corporate Communications
- Development support for CARIFESTA XIV logo and brand architecture
- Authored Grand Market manual and managed daily operations for CARIFESTA XIV Grand Market
- Strategic marketing and communications support for CARIFESTA XIV
Group Brand Communications Manager
Guardian Group
03.2012 - 02.2017
- Brand Management
- Responsible for the launch and management of the Guardian Group brand across 21 territories
- Creative direction, marketing and advertising management for Guardian Life, Guardian General and Guardian Asset Management
- Media monitoring, market research and analysis
- Developed brand architecture for new products and services
- Conceptualized and executed implementation of Guardian Group new single number (226 MYGG)
- Identified, developed, executed all strategic marketing and PR campaigns as well as sponsorship activations for the Group and its business units
- Provided creative direction for all advertising campaigns
- Collaborated on the development and execution of sales promotions and campaigns
- Designed, executed and managed Corporate Social Responsibility portfolio
- Developed Guardian Group Media Relations, Advertising and CSR Policies
- Responsible for production and publication of Guardian Group's annual and quarterly financial reports
- Collaborated with team members to achieve target results.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere.
- Maintained energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment.
- Created spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel for daily, weekly and monthly reporting.
- Learned new skills and applied to daily tasks to improve efficiency and productivity.
- Used Microsoft Word and other software tools to create documents and other communications.
Manager, Marketing and Communications
Government Information Services Limited
12.2007 - 03.2012
- Co-author of National Crisis Communications Policy and Member of National Crisis Communications team
- Restructured government communications policy, marketing and communication strategy
- Media management for all national and international conferences and events
- Provided direction all major Government communications projects
- Responsible for internal and external strategic marketing and communications
- New Information Product Development (Inside Story, Matthews in the Middle and Landmarks)
- Restructured and managed the Production Department
- Provide market research services and Monitoring and Evaluation systems to all Government Ministries
- Expanded cross-functional organizational capacity by collaborating across departments on priorities, functions and common goals.
- Completed in-depth reviews of market conditions and customer preferences.
- Developed and maintained relationships with customers and suppliers through account development.
- Identified appropriate marketing channels and target customers for campaigns.
- Wrote engaging and successful marketing, advertising and website copy.
- Resolved staff member conflicts, actively listening to concerns and finding appropriate middle ground.
Manager of Corporate Communications
Ministry of Legal Affairs
08.2006 - 12.2007
- Managed customer relations
- Responsible for development and implementation of consumer education campaigns
- Launched first Computer Birth Certificate Project
- Internal Communications and Events
Communications Specialist
Ministry of Attorney General
Port of spain
02.2004 - 08.2006
- Communicated Ministry events and services to clients to increase awareness
- Managed internal communications function
- Protocol and Logistics for national and regional events
- Designed print collateral materials and coordinated branding across multiple communications channels.
- Copyedited, proofread and revised Ministry advertisements, print materials and press releases before dispersal.
- Established Homework Centre and Gym for staff
Communications Officer
Ministry of the Attorney General
02.2004 - 02.2004
- Developed and executed corporate communications campaigns for internal and external publics
- Increased internal stakeholders engagement
- Established Sport and Cultural Club for 300 staff
- Regional and International Conference logistics
- Event Management
- Speech writing and protocol
Education
Professional Certificate in Digital Strategy - Digital Marketing
Arthur Lok Jack Gradual School of Business
Mt.Hope 10.2016 - 05.2017
Train The Trainer Programme - Human Resources Training
School of Business And Computer Science
Mt. Hope 01.2009 - 02.2009
Master of Science - Marketing
Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business, UWI
Mt. Hope 09.2005 - 10.2007
Certificate of Completion in Mediation Skills -
Institute For Dispute Resolution Limited
Port Of Spain, POS 07.2006 - 07.2006
Certificate in Project Management (Distinction) -
Institute of Training And Development
Port Of Spain, POS 11.2001 - 05.2002
Diploma - Public Relations, Marketing and Selling and Sales Management
London Chamber of Commerce And Industry
Port Of Spain, POS 09.1999 - 10.2000
Bachelor of Science - Government and Human Resource Management
University of The West IndiesSt. Augustine Campus
St. Augustine 09.1994 - 10.1998
Skills
Policies and procedures
Affiliations
Vice President-Public Relations Association of Trinidad and Tobago (PRATT)
Additional Information
Key skills include Event Design and Management, Marketing Communications campaign strategy design and implementation, Government and Corporate Protocol, Social and Digital Media Strategy, Scripting, Copywriting and Speechwriting, Policy Development and Implementation as well as leadership of cross functional teams.
Timeline
Manager, Corporate Communications
Ministry of Education
05.2021 - Current
Manager, Corporate Communications
Ministry of Sport and Community Development ( formally Culture and Community Development)
05.2017 - 05.2021
Professional Certificate in Digital Strategy - Digital Marketing
Arthur Lok Jack Gradual School of Business
10.2016 - 05.2017
Group Brand Communications Manager
Guardian Group
03.2012 - 02.2017
Train The Trainer Programme - Human Resources Training
School of Business And Computer Science
01.2009 - 02.2009
Manager, Marketing and Communications
Government Information Services Limited
12.2007 - 03.2012
Manager of Corporate Communications
Ministry of Legal Affairs
08.2006 - 12.2007
Certificate of Completion in Mediation Skills -
Institute For Dispute Resolution Limited
07.2006 - 07.2006
Master of Science - Marketing
Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business, UWI
09.2005 - 10.2007
Communications Specialist
Ministry of Attorney General
02.2004 - 08.2006
Communications Officer
Ministry of the Attorney General
02.2004 - 02.2004
Certificate in Project Management (Distinction) -
Institute of Training And Development
11.2001 - 05.2002
Diploma - Public Relations, Marketing and Selling and Sales Management
London Chamber of Commerce And Industry
09.1999 - 10.2000
Bachelor of Science - Government and Human Resource Management
University of The West IndiesSt. Augustine Campus
09.1994 - 10.1998
Professional Development Skills
Completed Professional development workshops and seminars in Leadership |Crisis Communications| Public Relations |Brand Actions in Economically Changing Times |Disaster Management |Event Management |Supervisory Skills | Brand Management and Strategy |Protocol |Train the Trainer
Passions
Cake decorating
Fashion Design
Travel
Professional Development Skills
Completed Professional development workshops and seminars in Leadership |Crisis Communications| Public Relations |Brand Actions in Economically Changing Times |Disaster Management |Event Management |Supervisory Skills | Brand Management and Strategy |Protocol |Train the Trainer
Passions
Cake decorating
Fashion Design
Travel
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