Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Accomplishments
Affiliations
Certification
Languages
Blog
Timeline
Generic

BARBARA MORRISON

Madison,NJ

Summary

Dynamic and results-driven Communications Manager with extensive experience in strategic communications, employee engagement, and brand management. Proven track record of enhancing organizational transparency and understanding of business priorities through effective communication strategies. Recognized for driving strategic initiatives, fostering leadership development, and promoting inclusivity and engagement across organizational functions.

Experienced with creating and implementing strategic communication plans. Utilizes media relations and content creation to drive brand awareness and engagement. Track record of effective crisis communication and stakeholder management.

Overview

26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Communications Manager

AbbVie
05.2022 - Current
  • Successfully planned and managed global meetings and forums to reinforce strategic business priorities, providing concrete examples of technology support for business objectives.
  • Developed and distributed newsletters focusing on cybersecurity awareness and strategic vision.
  • Coordinated professional development sessions focusing on employee growth with high satisfaction rates.
  • Led meetings for strategic initiative updates and best practices.
  • Executed leadership meetings and content creation for forums to enhance people strategy and employee engagement.
  • Partnered with HR and Learning & Development for newsletters promoting leadership development.
  • Enhanced external brand presence through strategic social media plans and recognition through industry awards.
  • Organized interactive sessions to strengthen team connections and skill enhancement.
  • Advocated for diversity and inclusivity by embedding initiatives and recognition strategies in organizational culture.

Manager, IT User Experience/Communications

Yoh Services LLC/Allergan Pharmaceutical Company
05.2017 - Current
  • Manage the internal communications for Allergan Pharmaceutical’s IT organization, Business Technology, and support global User Experience and change management communications.
  • Started as a contractor in May 2017 and was hired as a full-time employee in August 2018.
  • Develop communications for Allergan’s Chief Information Officer and leadership team, including email messages, Town Hall meetings, talking points, and intranet portal articles.
  • Developed and coordinated the Business Technology Power Hour to enhance employee engagement and build awareness across the IT organization.
  • Plan employee engagement events (e.g., “Master Chef” cooking contests) to provide networking opportunities and improve morale across the IT organization.
  • Created and maintained two SharePoint sites: The IT department’s SharePoint portal provides a single source of information and news about the IT organization. The global Technology portal for all Allergan employees to reference for technology information, such as IT training, support, information security, and tools.
  • Develop communications and materials to support significant technology roll-outs (e.g., Skype for Business, Windows 10, Multi-Factor Authentication), including emails, digital signage, and news articles.
  • Partner with Allergan’s Information Security Office to promote cybersecurity awareness events through communications, including emails, newsletters, digital signage, and news articles.
  • Work with Infrastructure and Global Support to develop and launch a new process for communicating major IT incidents.
  • Develop and distribute miscellaneous communications to promote IT training, technology updates, and other IT initiatives.
  • Utilize the Banatamap email platform to distributed global communications and measure metrics.
  • Led cross-functional teams to enhance operational efficiency and drive project completion.
  • Developed and implemented strategic plans to align departmental goals with organizational objectives.
  • Streamlined workflows, reducing redundancies and improving productivity across various departments.
  • Mentored junior managers, fostering professional development and enhancing team performance.
  • Analyzed market trends to inform decision-making and support business growth initiatives.
  • Collaborated with stakeholders to design and execute company-wide training programs.
  • Oversaw budgeting processes, ensuring resource allocation aligned with strategic priorities.
  • Established key performance indicators to monitor progress and drive continuous improvement efforts.
  • Managed and motivated employees to be productive and engaged in work.
  • Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
  • Resolved staff member conflicts, actively listening to concerns and finding appropriate middle ground.
  • Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
  • Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
  • Controlled costs to keep business operating within budget and increase profits.
  • Developed and maintained relationships with customers and suppliers through account development.
  • Developed a strong company culture focused on employee engagement, collaboration, and continuous learning opportunities.
  • Improved safety procedures to create safe working conditions for workers.
  • Achieved departmental goals by developing and executing strategic plans and performance metrics.
  • Built high-performing teams through effective recruitment, onboarding, and talent development initiatives.
  • Improved marketing to attract new customers and promote business.
  • Reduced operational costs through comprehensive process improvement initiatives and resource management.

Consultant, Internal Communications

Zero Chaos/Prudential Insurance Company of America
06.2016 - 03.2017
  • Support Prudential’s change management organization through employee engagement activities and event and communications planning.
  • Developed an engagement plan to position business leaders as change agents and increase employee engagement.
  • Developed written communications to increase employee engagement and understanding of the company’s change management initiatives.
  • Project managed executive site visits and employee forums.
  • Created communications strategies and processes to promote and get buy-in of the company’s large-scale change initiatives.

Director, Internal Communications

MetLife
08.2015 - 02.2016
  • Provided internal communications strategies for MetLife Investments, including developing communications for the Chief Investment Officer (CIO).
  • Developed executive communications for the CIO, including talking points, CIO quarterly newsletters and strategic communications, to provide strategic updates, increase employee engagement and promote CIO as a thought leader in the company.
  • Created online employee recognition program, including collaborating with outside vendor to build online nomination platform, and developed and aggregated reports.
  • Additionally, created and implemented a communications strategy to promote the platform. The initial campaign resulted in approximately 200 successful submissions.
  • Collaborated with MetLife Investments internal partners to create communications plans and messages to support initiatives and strategies to increase employee engagement, improve job satisfaction and provide information.

Manager, Internal Communications

Prudential Insurance Company of America
12.1999 - 08.2015
  • Developed and executed internal communications strategies for Prudential’s sales force and home office support group.
  • Ensured consistent delivery of timely and important messages to Prudential’s U.S. sales and distribution organization (Prudential Advisors).
  • Collaborated with Prudential Advisors business partners to determine communication needs and develop strategies based on those needs. Ensured that those communication strategies align with Prudential Advisors’ priorities.
  • Project managed the initiative to rebrand Prudential’s sales and distribution organization to Prudential Advisors to reinforce the sales professional role within the company.
  • Created the Editorial Board for the Prudential Advisors employee intranet portal; selected board members, lead Editorial Board team meetings, created and maintained editorial calendar, distributed assignments and edited/proofed content.
  • Executed tasks identified in plans, including writing and editing messages for weekly electronic communications; writing articles for internal and external communications, video scripts, executive letters, speeches, brochures, newsletters, and other communications vehicles; building internal intranet sites; managing video and photo shoots; coordinating large-scale distributions.
  • Worked with Prudential Advisors senior executives to develop presentations and talking points, review communication strategies, provide input on initiatives, and prepare written communications.
  • Liaison for the Prudential Advisors Field Advisory Council’s Communications & Recognition Subcommittee, a group comprised of home and financial professionals charged with recommending best practices for delivering important information and building solid recognition programs for the field. Activities included leading monthly teleconferences, soliciting topics, maintaining teleconference minutes, following up on issues, and reporting out at biannual meeting to Prudential Advisors leadership team.
  • Member of the Prudential Advisors Diversity and Inclusion Council. The council is charged with creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive work place. Led the council’s subcommittee that looked at ways to improve leadership advocacy through education, communication, and support.
  • Member of the Conference staff for annual recognition event honoring Prudential Financial’s top 200 sales force recognition. Responsibilities included planning meeting content, developing marketing materials, coaching executive speakers, writing continuity, developing executive talking points, and providing on-site support, including acting as a liaison for guest speakers.
  • Co-Chair of the Prudential Advisors 2011 Day of Learning.
  • Manage miscellaneous projects to help our partners in Prudential Advisors to meet their business needs, understand company objectives or receive business updates.
  • Edited and proofread all communications distributed by Prudential Advisors to ensure quality, clarity, and that they align with Prudential Advisors’ style and priorities.
  • Communicate critical messages, business updates, and new initiatives to the field.
  • Managed staff 2006-2010: Conducted regular one-on-one meetings to review projects and share feedback; delegated responsibilities and assigned tasks; provided guidance daily regarding specific tasks, style questions, developing partnership skills.

Education

Bachelor of Arts (BA) -

William Paterson College
Wayne, New Jersey

Skills

  • Proficient in Microsoft Office
  • SharePoint collaboration tools
  • Experienced with digital survey platforms
  • Staffbase implementation
  • Intranet content organization

Accomplishments

  • Spearheaded LinkedIn and external communications strategies, gaining a finalist position in the Gartner Eye on Innovation Award.
  • Boosted employee engagement with impactful communication strategies reflected in high newsletter open rates (85% average).
  • Orchestrated impactful events like the BTS Celebration and Integration Appreciation Events contributing to employee satisfaction.

Affiliations

International Association of Business Communicators

Certification

[Any relevant certifications]

Languages

[Languages spoken, if applicable]

Blog

Thebarbwire.org

Timeline

Communications Manager

AbbVie
05.2022 - Current

Manager, IT User Experience/Communications

Yoh Services LLC/Allergan Pharmaceutical Company
05.2017 - Current

Consultant, Internal Communications

Zero Chaos/Prudential Insurance Company of America
06.2016 - 03.2017

Director, Internal Communications

MetLife
08.2015 - 02.2016

Manager, Internal Communications

Prudential Insurance Company of America
12.1999 - 08.2015

Bachelor of Arts (BA) -

William Paterson College

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