Jaelithe Leigh-Brown

Highly experienced, results-driven Head of Communications with over 20 years’ experience leading press, media, marketing, PR and digital strategic campaigns. Proven success in spearheading national media campaigns and producing intelligent multi-channel communication strategies. Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, designing branded material, filming and editing videos and podcasts for charities and government organisations. Managed, lead and coordinated various teams, winning awards for the results. Talented writer, editor and speaker with exceptional interpersonal abilities with both internal and external stakeholders. Determined and enterprising in stressful, fast-paced settings.

04/2020 - Present    Senior Communications Manager, Ryedale District Council

• Part of the Strategic Management Board overseeing performance data, Council agendas and Council Plan to inform strategic data-driven decisions.
• Managed communication department's £113k budget. Optimised and reduced contracts and subscriptions. 
• Developed communications strategies to drive forward progress in public relations, with a 10% increase in positive sentiment. 
• Built and maintained relationships with Elected Members, spokespeople, advocates and opinion leaders – the only Communications professional chosen to write their keynote speeches.
• Promoted within a short space of time to produce internal communications for wellbeing, strategic projects and change management during the Council's biggest restructure in its history.
• Took the reins on brand management, external communications, internal communications, website management, marketing, media relations and social media presence. Successes include 500% increase in content output and 154% boost in website visitors.
• Improved all external and internal processes, which increased staff engagement with the Communications team and saved three days of resources per week.
• Spearheaded new accessible and branded website saving the organisation from a hefty fine and over £300 a month in unnecessary subscriptions. Awarded a bonus for the project.
• Coached and managed team of three, external contractors, internal secondments and weekly Communications schedule.
• Led on full communication planning, strategy and execution on proactive campaigns (tourism, climate change and recycling) as well as crisis management (flooding, COVID and reputation issues).
• Developed strong press relationships and tripled the coverage from previous years.
• Implemented social media strategies and digital campaigns to improve reputation and engagement numbers - boosted engagement figures by 500%.
• Introduced and maintained new internal communications systems to improve employee engagement.
• Cultivated strong corporate image and identity with clear branding.
• Designed, implemented and maintained 100+ posters, banners, leaflets and social media creatives using Adobe Creative Suite

2022 Women in Leadership course

2020 - 2022    The Role of Psychology in Campaign Design, Strategic Internal Communications and Stakeholder Engagement. CIPR

2000    Bi-media Journalism, Postgraduate Diploma. Pass

1999    English Literature and Film Studies. 2:1