Below is a selection of the “greatest hits” in my career so far. The whole kit and kaboodle can be found on my LinkedIn profile and portfolio on The Dots.

As a member of the Information Services team I facilitate website updates of all kinds: proofreading, editing and writing copy in adherence with best content and SEO practice (and spelling and grammar and all that, ofc).

I also trained staff in the use of the Umbraco CMS, advised on best practice for content, accessibility and UX, and developed brand-new training materials, style guides, and a refreshed intranet used by all CII staff.

Web
Editor,
CII

2022-2023

Content Editor,
CIPFA

2021-2022

I was first point of contact for all web content requests from colleagues across the organisation and externally — everything from consultation, project management and handling editorial workflow, through to proofreading, copywriting and editing, CMS problem-solving and web publishing.

I dealt with BAU requests from stakeholders across the institute, as well as development work as part of CIPFA's transformation program: uplifting of content from a design, writing and UX perspective; auditing and mapping the existing web structure; and regular meetings with team members about forthcoming projects to improve customer experience.

Content Assistant, Sheffield Hallam

2016-2018

I worked with Sheffield Hallam University to migrate their existing website to a brand-snaking new content management system. Along with mapping and uplifting their content, I helped with bug and UX testing before the new website went live, working closely with the development and design teams.

This moved into an ongoing role actioning web updates for colleagues across the university. I provided training in the use of the CMS, updated and created original web content, and edited and rewrote much of the existing content. From there I was part of a project to rewrite the entirety of the university’s online prospectus (500+ courses) to improve style, clarity and SEO.

Editor and Writer,
WhatCulture

2014-2015

After contributing on a freelance basis I was invited to become a staff writer, and later section editor, for this popular entertainment website. My initial role involved a high turnaround of articles: I personally produced over 600 long-form features on the subjects of film, TV shows, video games and comic books, which clocked up over 70 million views. This involved researching and pitching dozens of ideas a day, sourcing information and imagery, writing the articles and then publishing them through WordPress.

From there I was promoted to to comics editor, where on top of my existing responsibilities I also recruited new writers, commissioned and edited freelance work, and successfully grew the section's audience on Twitter and Facebook.

Digital Copywriter,
Boots

2013

Initially recruited on a short-term contract, I worked as a copywriter for the Gift team, developing, editing and writing product descriptions for the Boots website using content provided by external wholesalers, physical products, and direction from our team leader. This was then entered and published through a proprietary CMS.

From there I joined the Opticians team, where I was tasked with updating the existing product descriptions as well as producing new copy, alongside boosting the section's SEO rankings through use of keywords and Google Analytics.

Alongside these — I think you’ll agree — very impressive longer-term positions, I’ve also worked on a number of short-term projects and freelance roles. These have included:

  • Staff writer for Spotlight, including researched pieces on working at a theatre as your day job when you’re a jobbing actor and dealing with career envy

  • An placement at the Birkbeck Institute for the Moving Image, where I redesigned their WordPress-based web presence, coordinated social media campaigns, produced newsletters using MailChimp and edited this trailer

  • Section editor for About.com, where I had the job title “Spider-Man Expert” and researched, wrote, published and promoted multiple articles a month on the friendly neighbourhood wall-crawler

  • Content work for mobile gaming developers Playmotion and a year-long postgraduate editorial role at the dearly-departed Quib.ly