Skills Overview
• Create, coordinate and execute online marketing and communications plans and strategies.
• Manage content for large websites and implement procedures for keeping sites dynamic, current, engaging and in line with branding initiatives.
• Work effectively with all levels across the organization and with external vendors and clients to turn business objectives into successful online tactics.
• Evaluate, write and edit all types of marketing and technical documents for printed and online use.
• Mentor, train and supervise colleagues in a professional and enthusiastic manner.
• Manage and complete projects within required deadlines and budgets.
• Champion the use of web-based technologies across the business and show how web-based applications and features can support communications and outreach strategies and enhance procedures.
• Maintain an upbeat and professional attitude, a proactive and solutions-focused mindset and a flexible outlook towards change.
Current Position
Global Website Strategy Director
Monsanto Company
St. Louis, Missouri
March 2009 to present
I lead the global online strategy effort for Monsanto’s corporate websites, improve the online experience of our global user base, coordinate worldwide site content and professionalize global website management and operations. Specific duties include:
• Developing online standards, policies and procedures for global site governance that will help solidify and reinforce Monsanto’s global brand across our web properties, optimize cost and time efficiencies and ensure consistency.
• Planning and deploying a global web content management system on a single SharePoint platform, giving site managers the ability to self publish web content.
• Creating and enforcing a consistent Monsanto-branded “look and feel” across all global corporate sites.
• Working closely with global site managers to improve their websites, enhance the visitor experience and increase visibility in search engines.
• Improving and automating web content management procedures for more efficient publishing and faster time to market.
• Measuring site metrics and developing key performance indicators to baseline and track goals and objectives.
• Championing best practices for modern website management and building a global community of web expertise.
• Working with IT to align global online business needs, goals and trends with IT planning.
Previous Experience
Corporate Websites Team Lead
Monsanto Company
St. Louis, Missouri
December 2006 - March 2009
I was responsible for leading the strategy, content, design and daily maintenance for Monsanto’s corporate website (http://www.monsanto.com/) as an integral part of the company’s external communications strategy. This large, highly dynamic site was updated daily, with multiple projects managed simultaneously. One key to success was developing and maintaining strong working relationships with Monsanto IT and various external agencies. Specific duties included:
• Planning and developing online content and features to help meet the organization’s public relations, corporate marketing, issues management, media relations, investor relations and career recruitment objectives.
• Creating multimedia elements, micro sites, press kits and other site elements for specific events and occurrences throughout the year, under very tight deadlines.
• Coordinating daily maintenance of design and content to keep the site dynamic and up to date. Worked closely with content owners across the company including media and investor relations, human resources, technology, marketing, legal and international corporate site owners.
• Hiring and managing a team of multimedia and search engine optimization specialists.
• Analyzing site statistics, analytics and search optimization data to create key performance indicators and metrics on which to chart success and base design decisions.
• Creating and maintaining site management process, editorial planning calendar and style guide.
• Managing internal and external resources including advertising agencies, design firms, IT teams, video hosting and production, content developers and others as needed.
Independent Communications Consultant
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
July 2005 - December 2006
I provided marketing communications and website content consulting for various international organizations. Projects included:
• Managing website and writing online content, Webster University, Leiden. (http://www.webster.nl/)
• Writing online content and creating site architecture for a new web content management system, American Chamber of Commerce, Amsterdam. (http://www.amcham.nl/)
• Creating website and marketing content for a monthly print and email newsletter, Reed-Elsevier, Amsterdam. (http://www.scopus.com/)
• Writing marketing communications and website content for an NGO, IDA Solutions, Maarsen. (http://www.idasolutions.org/)
Communications Coordinator and Adjunct Instructor
Webster University
Leiden, The Netherlands
July 2002 - July 2005
• Reporting to the university director, I wrote and managed website content (http://www.webster.nl/), keeping it current, engaging and aligned with university marketing objectives.
• Worked closely with a local agency to implement and continually improve a new web content management system.
• Managed and implemented two major website redesigns.
• Wrote and edited brochures, press releases and other communication materials for internal and external use.
• As part of a team, planned, promoted and coordinated recruitment events and seminars.
• Liaised with marketing team to ensure that online messages and designs were consistent with print publications.
• As adjunct instructor, taught journalism, freshman seminar and a variety of writing classes. Was faculty mentor for student newspaper.
• Formally advised students on course selection, graduation requirements and career counseling and mentored foreign students navigating Webster’s American-style educational requirements.
Internet Communications Manager
AT&T-Unisource (now BT-Infonet) Hoofddorp, The Netherlands
December 1998 - March 2002
· Reporting to the director of marketing communications, performed site management for http://www.infonet.com/, the corporate website for Infonet Services Corporation.
· Project-managed site relaunches in line with new corporate look and feel and oversaw several corporate rebranding exercises.
· Delivered a dynamic Website that was continuously up-to-date, technically accurate, and in line with corporate branding guidelines.
· Coordinated content from nearly 50 content owners worldwide and proactively generated new content as needed. Created procedures and editorial board to create, implement, and maintain content.
· Wrote new content as needed and edited all new content prior to publication. Gained approvals from upper management and legal department as needed.
· Managed in-house team of developers and designers to ensure that site maintenance and development achieved top-quality results. Worked with outsourced developers as needed.
· Worked closely with Web-design and advertising agencies, securing proposals and managing their work.
· Performed well in a fast-paced, high-stress environment that required a great deal of diplomacy, professionalism and interaction among various teams/business areas.
Copywriter/Technical Author
Omron Europe B.V., Hoofddorp, The Netherlands, June -November 1998
AT&T-Unisource, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands, April 1997 - May 1998
Using It, Brussels, Belgium and Atek, Ghent, Belgium, October 1995 - January 1997
• As part of a team of consultants, developed website concepts for high-tech start-up firms.
• Consulted on web design, web marketing strategy and user-interface design.
• Project-managed website projects, wrote successful proposals and budget plans, and delivered within strict schedules and fixed budgets.
• Produced technical and marketing documentation for telecom services, ERP systems and various software programs and products for a variety of industries.
• Rewrote and edited existing documentation to conform to higher standards of readability.
• Worked closely with product managers and engineers to ensure that documents were factually correct, consistent and user friendly.
• Built documentation sets and consulted on role of documentation in service development process.
Assistant Editor
Journal of Agricultural History
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
June 1994 - September 1995
· Edited articles for publication and managed production of academic journal and supervised graduate-student staff. Assisted in development of a new style guide.
· Maintained communication with authors, reviewers, typographers, printers, and the public.
· Edited books for Iowa State University Press, veterinary history division.
Adjunct English Instructor and Program Administrator
Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio
Owens Community College, Findlay, Ohio
Grand View College, Des Moines, Iowa
August 1989 – August 1995
For several years, I taught university-level English courses and held various administrative positions within academic support programs. Duties included:
• English instructor: I developed and taught courses in creative writing, English composition and grammar, remedial writing, advanced composition, Western literature, women’s studies, study skills, freshman seminar and reading improvement.
• University administrator: At Bowling Green State University, I created and conducted specialized writing workshops, tutored students, wrote federal grant proposals, reported on federal grant guidelines, hired and trained writing tutors, advised students on academic progress and served on various committees.
Formal Education
Master of Fine Arts, Creative Writing, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio.
Bachelor of Arts, English and Writing, Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University), Springfield, Missouri.
connievivrett@yahoo.com
