Manager Staff

LEE SHANKS

Kelowna, BC

H: 250-***-**** C: 250-***-****

OBJECTIVE

To secure a position offering opportunity for professional challenge and personal growth.

EXPERIENCE

**** – Current City of Kelowna Kelowna, BC

Communications Department – Term position

Researching and drafting several procedural policies for the City.

Researching and vetting all City Departmental administrative policies for implicit/explicit Communications involvement.

Researching and drafting several procedural guidance documents.

2006 – 2011 BC Oil and Gas Commission Fort St John, BC

Manager, Communications Dept

Established a five-member communications team in two separate locations (Victoria and Fort St John); accomplished annual performance reviews.

Established internal communication processes and timelines for all divisions, including reviews, approvals and distribution.

Established internal communications for staff including CEO blog, newsletter, all-staff updates from executive, and contract oversight for comprehensive and interactive Intranet.

Identified annual department goals and key measures; in conjunction with the Communications Director, drafted department’s annual business plan.

Monitored and tracked corporate-level issues; provided strategic advice and response to executive as appropriate.

Established issues tracking procedures/reporting.

Remained on call for emergencies 24/7 for duration of employment.

Established key corporate messaging for senior staff; drafted or reviewed/approval of all external communications including speech writing, magazine articles, letters to the editor, PowerPoint presentations and more.

Drafted and/or provided final review/edit of collateral material including but not limited to communications plans, briefing notes, letters, web postings, news releases, backgrounders and policy drafts.

Established and maintained important relations with various stakeholders including local, regional and provincial governments and agencies, public, First Nations, industry and media.

Managed contracts for department initiatives including timeline, content and budget.

2001–2006 BC Provincial Government (Transportation, Health and Energy Ministries) Victoria, BC

Sr Communications Officer

Responsible communications initiatives including strategic advice and issues management, speech writing, event coordination, news releases, communications plans and related collateral.

Member of the coalbed gas team; provided strategic advice to ministry.

Lead ministry participation in cross-government initiatives.

Acted as team manager in absence of communications manager.

1997–2001 Black Press Victoria, BC

Sr Reporter, various publications

Responsible for research and photography for all assignments.

Regular beats included: police, local/provincial governments, school boards, William Head Penitentiary, community news.

Responsible for personal weekly column.

Responsible for regular reporting out on municipal and regional government meetings and initiatives.

Edited work of junior staff and co-op students.

Acted as editor in absence of staff editor.

EDUCATION

1989 Northwest Community College Terrace, BC

Received G.E.D diploma following full-time studies.

INTERESTS

Member, Board of Directors, Canadian Public Relations Society – Northern Lights chapter;

writing, photography, painting, hiking, gardening, fishing.

CERTIFICATES AND AWARDS

Government Accounting and Financial Control – BC Provincial government (2008)

Crisis Communications – Jim Stanton (2001)

Emergency Communications Levels I, II and III – Justice Institute, BC (2001)

Several writing and photography awards – BCYNA and Black Press

References provided upon request.

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