the organisation's website and manage social media accounts. Account Executive, Orbit Communications. September 2012 â
curriculum vitae Robin Murphy
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[email protected] w | www.robin.digital
personal statement
I have a keen interest in current affairs and in 2012 I graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Politics. As an undergraduate I worked as a Parliamentary Assistant to Jenny Marra MSP, then Shadow Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs. Since 2012 I have worked in communications, initially for a PR consultancy and latterly for a leading mental health charity. Throughout my education and career I have demonstrated an ability to work as part of a team, to communicate effectively with various audiences, and to meet tight deadlines. I have experience creating successful online content, and working with print, radio and television journalists. I have produced many reports and briefings, including with infographics, and I have strong organisational skills. I have organised consultation and public events, including at the Scottish Parliament, and arranged and attended meetings with Scottish Government ministers and others.
qualifications
Politics MA (Hons.): First Class Honours Winner of the Level 4 Politics Prize, awarded to the best performing Politics Honours student. University of Dundee, June 2012
A Levels: Geology (B), History (C), Biology (C). AS Level: Critical Thinking (B) Ludlow Sixth Form College, June 2008
GCSEs: 9 A* to B grades (including A* English Literature, B Maths, B English Language) Lacon Childe School, June 2006
Full clean UK driving license 2008
employment history
Communications Officer, Penumbra December 2014 - Present Full time contract with one of Scotland’s largest mental health charities. Penumbra has services in 15 local authority areas, employs 400 staff, supports 1600 people every week, and has an annual turnover of £10m. As the staff member responsible for Communications, I manage internal and external communications and work closely with the Chief Executive, senior management, Research Officers, and services.
In this role I write and distribute press releases; work with local and national journalists; undertake public affairs work, such as writing briefings and organising meetings with MSPs and others; update the organisation’s website and manage social media accounts.
Account Executive, Orbit Communications September 2012 – December 2014 Full time contract with an Edinburgh public relations and public affairs consultancy. Orbit Communications works with many organisations across many sectors, including education, renewable energy, construction, life sciences, and the third sector. In this role I devised and contributed to communications strategies; produced daily media and political monitoring reports; wrote and distributed press releases, and fielded press enquiries; produced briefings for MSPs and others; wrote reports; organised public events; and, managed several client social media accounts.
Parliamentary Assistant to Jenny Marra MSP September 2011 – May 2012 Part time contract alongside undergraduate study. In this role I worked both at the Constituency Office and the Scottish Parliament. Duties involved monitoring local press; policy research; preparing briefing notes; office administration; and, liaising with the public, stakeholders and other MSPs’ offices.
relevant skills and experience
computer skills I am confident using Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. I also have experience using design software like Photoshop, as well as audio and video editing software.
Election Agent March 2012 – June 2012 I coordinated two Labour candidates’ local election campaigns, implementing a campaign strategy and producing election literature within a strict budget. I also directed activists and carried out extensive canvassing. The campaign I oversaw was arguably the Party’s most successful in Dundee, winning back a seat on the City Council with the highest increase in vote share.
Secretary, Dundee Labour Students June 2011– June 2012 In this role I organised meetings and took meeting minutes. I arranged and coordinate member events, including numerous Freshers’ Fayre stalls and events with MPs and MSPs.
student media contributor September 2008 - June 2012 During my time at university I wrote for Oxfam Scotland as a Citizen Journalist (published online), the Dundee University’s student magazine - The Magdalen, and co-founded Dundee University’s then student radio station - Discover Radio. For the latter, I co-wrote a strategy document which outlined costs, revenue and licensing requirements; contributed to the station Code of Conduct; produced preliminary station timetabling; and recruited and trained approximately sixty volunteers. The station broadcast across Dundee University's campus, and is now known as DUSA Radio.
references available upon request