Communications Manager

DAWN MARIE BAILEY

**** ******* ***., **********, ** 21784, 301-***-****; *****************@*****.***

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-bailey-35a14312/

Dynamic communications strategist and editor with over 20 years of experience driving high-impact initiatives and managing cross-functional teams. Proven track record in enhancing brand visibility and stakeholder engagement, coupled with expertise in technical writing, content strategy, and media relations. Committed to delivering compelling communications and fostering collaborative environments that lead to measurable results.

CORE SKILLS

Internal & External Communication

Writing & Editing

Program & Project Management

Media Relations

Social Media and Generative AI

Brand Strategy

Cross-Functional Team Leadership

Technical Content Development

Marketing & Public Relations

Grant & Proposal Writing

Change Management &

Process Improvement

PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

Communications Manager, 09/02–04/25

Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), U.S. Department of Commerce, Gaithersburg, MD

Led internal/external communications that resulted in a 40% increase in Baldrige Award participation, and supported the “reimagining” of the process that cut effort by 50–75%.

Implemented brand and marketing strategy, expanding reach and visibility nationally.

Analyzed audience insights and wrote/edited program content (e.g., blogs, articles, press releases, and thought leadership pieces), driving 40% subscription growth.

Wrote proposals and managed request for proposal process from planning to final submission, ensuring adherence to requirements and deadlines.

Managed and scaled social media presence using SEO strategies, increasing engagement on X by 60%.

Developed and maintained strong relationships with key media outlets and coordinated press inquiries, resulting in positive media coverage and enhancing the organization's public profile.

Developed and managed publication process—from writing, design, publishing, to marketing—for core books and other materials—including the Baldrige Excellence Framework across multiple sectors and derivative training materials.

Wrote and edited technical and feedback reports across industries, demonstrating comfort with business, medical, manufacturing, education, and cybersecurity content.

Edited Baldrige Cybersecurity Excellence Builder, in alignment and collaboration with the NIST Cyber Framework.

Presented to diverse audiences including federal agencies and industry groups, representing the program.

Served as program manager for the Baldrige Executive Fellows, guiding executives through best practices in multisite learning experiences (e.g., visionary leadership, customer focus, measurement, operational intelligence, workforce engagement, and innovation) and helping the team achieve a Net Promoter Score of 99 for likelihood to recommend.

Coordinated multistakeholder projects under tight deadlines using well-developed organizational skills and project management tools, fostering a high-performance culture that improved team collaboration and project outcomes.

Managed volunteers and mentored team members in best practices for communications, cultivating a supportive environment that encouraged professional growth and creativity.

Editor, 02/96–09/02

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC

Managed editorial and production operations for internal and external communications, including journals and books.

Developed initiatives for global campaigns and media outreach.

Collaborated with leadership to maintain brand integrity and enhance communication effectiveness.

Editorial Assistant, 10/94–02/96

American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, Washington, DC

•Supported brand management, publication design, and newsletter and book development.

• Edited and managed international education series, and oversaw marketing content for major events.

Proofreader/Quality Control, 08/94–11/94

Editorial Experts, Inc., Alexandria, VA/Washington, DC

Ensured editorial quality and brand compliance in temporary assignments, including at the Internal Revenue Service.

VOLUNTEER HISTORY

Dog Adoption Coordinator, 07/01–11/06

Montgomery County Society to Prevent Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), Gaithersburg, MD

Food Pantry Volunteer, 06/24–present

Fresh Mart Food Pantry, YMCA, Westminster, MD

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, 05/06

University of Maryland, College Park, MD; paused

Master of Arts in English with concentration in professional writing and editing, 05/97–05/99

George Mason University, Fairfax, VA: dean's list all semesters

Bachelor of Arts in English and journalism, 09/90–05/94

University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT: dean's list all semesters

Served as managing editor at The Daily Campus 1993–1994, as well as news editor and reporter (1990–1993);

interned at The New London Day (1994).

Michael Whalen Award for Excellence in Journalism, Donald/Jewell Friedman Award for Excellence in Journalism

CERTIFICATIONS/TRAINING

Project Management - Generative AI - Toastmasters - Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence (trainer) - Lean - Hootsuite

A3 Problem Solving - Trello - Sharepoint - Jira - Microsoft Teams - Drupal - Various Styles (AP, Chicago) - Google Analytics

AWARDS

Outstanding leadership in developing case studies (2009: NIST George Uriano Award)

Author and editor of Baldrige 20/20 (2012: U.S. Department of Commerce Bronze Medal Award)

Outreach Impact Award, Integrator Category (2014: Federal Communications Summit)

Third-Place Award, “The Metrology of Organizational Performance: How Baldrige Standards Have Become the Common Language for Organizational Excellence Around the World” (2015: Society for Standards Professionals)

Redesign and implementation of Baldrige-based assessments (2017: NIST George Uriano Award)

Design, implementation, and expansion of Baldrige Executive Fellows Program (2017: U.S. Department of Commerce Bronze Medal Award)

Author of program blogs (2018: U.S. Department of Commerce Bronze Medal Award)

Implementation of a new business model (2013: NIST George Uriano Award)

Transformation of the Baldrige Award (2024: U.S. Department of Commerce Bronze Medal Award)

REFERENCES AND SAMPLES (Available upon request)

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