rwatts28@gmail.com
07833 588 323
Rich Watts Project Manager
Rich WattsCreative & Marketing Manager
Creative & Marketing Manager
A talented, driven and flexible Creative Manager with a proven record of delivering innovative and original design projects.
An established skill set for developing projects from inception through production to final delivery, ensuring that all work is effective, fitting and delivered within agreed timescales.
Able to work as part of a team with printers, copywriters, photographers, other designers, account executives, web developers and marketing specialists.
Marketing Manager
> Developing a 360° marketing strategy and plan, instilling that ethos throughout the business.
> A comprehensive graphic design background allows for a very hands-on approach to marketing.
> Acting as the Brand Manager / Guardian to ensure a complete and cohesive corporate identity internally and externally.
> In addition to the creative process a very analytical approach to systems and UX is taken, monitoring user journey and website usage trends. Making adjustments to the functionality and technical specification of the systems based on these findings.
Graphic Designer
I was initially employed as a Graphic Designer with the brief
to complete a re-brand for the company including logo, literature,
stationary and website.
Alongside Project Management I’ve continued in my role as Graphic Designer, developing concepts and artwork, creating graphic design solutions from the brief through to completion.
> I have continued to take sole responsibility for the overall
visual identity of the company creating both digital and print design solutions, display graphics for trade shows and more
diverse items i.e. signwriting our Gallery space and
other exhibitions.
> Ability to create designs, concepts, and sample layouts
based on knowledge of principles and aesthetic concepts.
> Working with a range of media, including photography, to create final artwork.
Web Designer
> Initial design of company site using HTML and CSS.
> Preservation and development of the website (including mobile and tablet compatibility) with considerate
use of user interface conventions.
> Producing graphic content for site re-skins, page layouts, email designs & site graphics.
> Development of new media including social networking:
Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr.
> A solid and realistic understanding of SEO it’s benefits and
applications.
Gallery Manager
> During a senior management meeting in Sept 2006 I raised
concerns that our external exhibitions cost were increasing
and using our onsite but very dated gallery would be a way of
reducing these cost.
> I completed the overhaul of the gallery space on a minimal
budget including hanging of the first exhibition in under a month.
This represented a cost saving in excess of £15k per year.
> The Development of print sales both on site and online were
an additional role which complimented the gallery.
Project Manager
An ambitious, highly motivated and pro-active Project Manager from a Graphic Design background, with 10 years professional experience. Possessing vast experience of coordinating and managing entire project life cycles for small and large-scale projects concurrently, providing clear guidance and leadership to a team.
Main strengths include being flexible and able to adapt positively to challenges that arise, being highly organised and able to prioritise work schedules within both agile and waterfall frameworks.
A comprehensive Graphic Design background allows for a hands-on approach to projects. With a very analytical approach, ensuring the understanding of briefs, time scales and budgeting requirements. Projects completed with a consideration of critical path analysis, key point identification and Gantt charts.
A confident communicator at all levels, including a strong collaborative working relationship with MD, key stakeholders and board members. In addition responsible for cultivating relationships and managing third party suppliers, including tech partners, printers, galleries and sign writers.
As Project Manager, my primary target is to deliver a product inline with the specification, budget and time scale set out at the start of the assignment.
New Image System
> Prior to me taking on this project the company had spent 6 years unsuccessfully looking at alternative solutions to house Camera Press' image database at a cost in excess of 10k.
> I led a small team tasked with identifying the suitable options and the subsequent testing of two systems, and presenting the findings to the board.
> The board took my recommendation and proceeded with the selected system.
> I project managed the install, liaising with the German software developers to enable a smooth transition to the new system.
> The projected time period for the system to go live was 9 months, I completed this within 6 months, the total setup cost of 4.5k with a cost saving from our old system of over £1k per calendar month.
Move to Cloud Email
> After taking control of the management of IT systems a weakness in our email system became apparent.
> I investigated the options and decided the ideal conclusion would be moving the company from a complicated distributed setup to a cloud based system, using the Google for Business solution.
> This enabling us to have a more reliable automated backup greatly reducing the risk of losing business critical data.
> And remote access to email, calendars and documents.
New Phone System
> Changing to a cloud based email system enabled users to have complete remote access to their data - email, calendars and documents.
> I identified replacing our ageing phone system would allow for continued flexibility including the option of remote working.
> After the installation of the new system, we have managed to vastly reduce the number of unanswered calls and ensure that customers are able to contact the appropriate member of staff regardless of their location.
> UPDATE: 18 months after making the decision to stick with an ISDN 30 based system the cost of SIP licenses reduced significantly to the point that with a minor tweak to our new system a further £7k could be saved over the term of the contract.