Communication Coordinator
Resume:
SUSAN SORRELLS
Dallas, Texas 75206
*****.********@***.***
QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY
Communication professional with significant project management experience in employee communication, employee engagement, leadership communication and community relations in corporate and not-for-profit environments that include healthcare, utilities and government.
Specific skills and knowledge areas include:
•Write/edit for print and electronic channels to ensure strategic alignment and focus
•Human Resources communication
•Special event planning and implementation
•Internal/external campaigns to engage stakeholders and influence opinions
•Crisis communication
•Social media
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Children’s Medical Center, Dallas, TX 2005 – Present
Employee Communication Coordinator
•Project lead for a grassroots campaign, Why Children’s?, to increase employee engagement, support employee retention and avoid unionization among key groups including nursing, housekeeping and food services.
-Results show 96% of employees are aware of the campaign and 70% want to learn more about benefits and opportunities unique to Children’s.
•Partnered with the Nursing Division to provide communication necessary to achieve Magnet status. Developed and coached a team of nurses for a presentation to Magnet reviewers to illustrate the division’s community-based activities.
•Plan and manage key employee health and benefits communication initiatives including:
-Comprehensive wellness program, including weight management, smoking cessation, chronic illness management and fitness coaching.
-Annual Benefits Enrollment and benefit changes.
-Employee Opinion Survey with first-year participation more than 80%.
-Introduction of new programs including a new savings plan, employee discount program and alternative daycare options.
•Write and edit news stories for online channels on primary topics such as employee survey results, the introduction of new leadership and organizational changes.
•Collaborate with team members to produce Vital Signs, an annual series of town hall meetings with the CEO and 22 senior leaders to engage employees with the year’s strategic goals and acknowledge accomplishments of the previous year. Coordinate participation of over 5,000 employees in 10 meetings. Since 2005, approximately 90% of employees consistently rated the meetings as informative and offering beneficial interaction with senior leaders.
-Produce collateral materials.
-Train volunteers.
-Plan and implement communication to promote the event.
•Coordinate a twice monthly roundtable discussion with a senior leader and 10-12 frontline employees to give them a voice with leadership and make leadership aware of key issues of interest to employees.
•Key contributor to the Children’s 2008 annual report, “One Day. Typical. Amazing.”
•Provide media relations support for special events and on an on-call basis.
•Use social media to promote the Children’s brand including advertising campaigns, special events and patient testimonials.
TXU, Dallas, TX 1997-2004
Senior Employee Communication Representative
•Launched the company’s first electronic magazine targeted to 4,500 employees, resulting in a 50% cost savings. Improved employees’ understanding of critical issues, key strategies and future direction of the company. As editor, produced six editions in 2003.
-Planned all stories and photos.
-Directed team of three contractors.
-Responsible for final editorial review and approvals.
•Improved communication between senior leadership and employees by coordinating a biweekly online chat forum. Surveys showed an average of 85% of participants rated the sessions as informative.
•Ensured employees worldwide had access to the latest company news and corporate resources by providing regular updates to TXU’s intranet. Average number of monthly users in 2003-2004 was 6,000.
•Managed a support team and coordinated logistics with hotel staff to ensure the success of 2-3 leadership meetings per year with the company’s top 600 officers and managers. More than 70% of attendees consistently rated the events as excellent or good.
•Mentored less experienced associates and served as a writing coach.
ENSERCH Corporation, Dallas, TX (Prior to merger with TXU) 1992-1997
Employee Communication Representative
•Wrote news and feature stories for print and electronic publications.
•Introduced major benefits changes to employees including new healthcare and 401(k) plans resulting in strong participation in these options. Presented weekly benefits orientations.
•Served as primary contact for the Gas Transmission Division of the company. Reported on the division’s key projects and strategies. Worked with leadership to develop a monthly “scorecard” to track and report on performance.
Greater Dallas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Dallas, TX 1988-1992
Public Relations Coordinator
City of Arlington, Arlington, TX 1983-1988
Public Information Specialist
Education
B.A., Journalism/Sociology, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX
Professional Affiliations
International Association of Business Communicators
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