Robert P. Downard
Newtown Square, PA 19073
610-***-**** (home)
610-***-**** (mobile)
******.*******@*******.***
Profile
Accomplished corporate communications manager with expertise in creating and delivering innovative electronic, print, and web material, for employee and customer focused projects designed to generate interest, educate and inform, build brand identity, and influence action. Superior self-management skills include organization, attention to detail, reliability, and resourcefulness. Extensive portfolio of professional work available for immediate review.
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Corporate Communications Experience and Proficiencies
Project Management - Developed thorough strategies and plans; established tactical calendars; collaborated with contributors and stakeholders; utilized multi-media channels; monitored outcomes for impact, issues, and opportunities for improvement.
Leadership - Spearheaded company-wide and customer focused campaigns; managed departments with direct reports; performed trainings and debriefings; delivered customer-facing presentations; conducted WebEx meetings and demonstrations.
Collateral - Created brochures, posters, presentations, proposals, advertisements, forms, guides, and manuals; drafted letters, articles, newsletters, white papers, case studies, testimonials, press releases, and policies and procedures.
Web and e-Media - Designed web pages; developed content, visuals, and layout; coordinated third parties for ongoing maintenance and enhancements; drafted e-mail blasts and e-newsletters; developed e-surveys; performed web trending analysis.
Positioning - Delivered communications aligned with corporate mission statements and guiding principles; created value propositions and competitive differentiators; utilized consistent branding guidelines to convey consistent and unified messages.
Writing - Composed content targeting employees and customers; conveyed company initiatives and events internally; marketed company services and products externally; produced instructional technical copy; used AP and Chicago Manual styles.
Technology - Advanced skills in Microsoft Access, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Project, Publisher, Word, and Visio; intermediate to basic skills in Acrobat, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Fireworks, Dreamweaver, and HTML codes.
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Accomplishments
Developed multi-channel communication materials for corporate headquarters project, impacting nine sites and over 5,600 employees; generated awareness and educated employees on new on-site capabilities and everyday benefits.
Created PowerPoint-based CD-ROM communication tool with point-and-click navigation and intranet links; produced greater consistency in marketing and pre-sales processes, and increased sales self sufficiency and productivity.
Designed communications template for Fortune 500 organization now used nationwide for publicity; incorporated business culture and core values, brand essence, logotype and tag line, and corporate look, feel, and tone.
Conceptualized and implemented 7-C’s communication guidelines for content writing; emphasized importance of consistent messaging and commanding the reader’s attention using competitive differentiators and value propositions.
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Professional History
Employment in Corporate and Marketing Communications
US Communications Lead
AstraZeneca: 2007-2008
(contract expired 6/2008)
Independent Consultant
Insight Communications: 2005-2007
(in conjunction with continuing skills training)
Proposals and Corporate Communications Director
NCO Group: 2004-2005
Pre-sales and Marketing Communications Manager
Intracorp and Aetna: 2001-2004
Employment in Contracts and Communications
Provider Relations Director
Integra: 1996-2000
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Education
Bachelor of Science, Communications
Millersville University, Millersville, PA: 1992
Focus in Media, Art and English
Master of Science, Psychology
Chestnut Hill College, Chestnut Hill, PA: 1996
Focus in Group and Organizational Dynamics