Sharon Morrissey
Tinley Park,IL
Summary
Experienced with crafting strategic communications and plans, project management, event planning and management, creative development. Utilizes leadership skills to drive team alignment and operational excellence. Track record of delivering effective results through creativity, innovative problem-solving, community engagement, and targeted communications.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Strategic Initiatives
Ball State University Lifetime Learning
03.2024 - Current
- Secures and cultivates key partnerships that contribute to the division's overall growth strategy and market reach.
- Enhances team collaboration through regular communication, action planning, and alignment with strategic plan goals.
- Builds brand reputation by defining strategy, overseeing agency and leading brand and top-of-funnel digital marketing campaigns.
- Manages start-up marketing budget effectively to ensure optimal use of resources and driving over 2 million impressions and 7000 clicks.
- Proactively identifies potential risks and implemented solutions to minimize negative impacts on projected revenue.
Higher Education Strategy Consultant
Ball State University
06.2022 - 03.2024
- Co-launched non-credit division in 90 days; crafted unit strategic plan, including monitoring ongoing progress and overseeing staff in execution of plans in alignment with the university strategic plan.
- Engaged in brand-building to tell the story of the value of continuing education for adult learners including web site, digital and social media presence, and all division communications.
- Oversaw digital marketing agency, digital strategy and creative.
- Developed community and corporate partnerships to accelerate and activate the unit's mission and vision.
- Secured alternative funding streams to broaden access to higher education and minimize barriers for non-traditional learners including federal, state, and foundation grants.
- Accomplishments included securing, renewing, and expanding the Amazon Career Choice partnership, co-managing all launch operations for the division including staffing/ systems, and developing brand communications.
- Software and Systems used: Canva, Constant Contact, Instapage, Google Suite, ServiceNow, and Credly Acclaim
Program Director, Strategic Initiatives
Governors State University
03.2019 - 08.2022
- Developed strategic plans, including identifying revenue growth opportunities through market, competitive, program, technology, and trends research, for non-credit division and collaborated closely with executive leadership to monitor progress and revise strategies; resulted in increase of over $310,000 in revenue.
- Managed brand, web presence, digital and social marketing and web presence; growing social engagement by 2000% in one year.
- Advanced community outreach efforts by forging strong relationships with local partners.
- Wrote and art directed two digital publications sharing success stories; writes for B2C and B2B audiences.
- Developed grant project proposals; secured/co-authored $456,000 in state grant funds to provide intensive English and computer instruction for ESOL/ELL community, secured DCEO grant and community foundation workforce grants.
- Provided ongoing direction and leadership for program operations.
- Software used: Content Management System- Ektron, Constant Contact, Unbounce, and Credly Acclaim.
Cultural Marketing Director
Governors State University
01.2013 - 03.2022
- Earned $400,000+ in annual revenue through integrated marketing and fundraising efforts across cultural properties on campus.
- Supervised staff in box office and patron services to achieve revenue and attendance projections.
- Secured contributed revenue through fundraising, grant writing and sponsor proposal development.
- Served as event planner for customer engagement events, including organizing catering, outreach, and organization.
- Developed market positioning for Graduate degree programs through analysis and communications development.
- Key accomplishments: Increased first-time customers by 30% in a one-year period. Increased Facebook following from 1700 to over 6000 in 18-months. Increased student, senior and minority participation.
- Awarded tourism marketing grant through CSCVB for a regional jazz festival (program drew over 4000 customers); Authored IL Arts Council Tour Fund Grant resulting in $7200 award; Authored prestigious NEA Big Read grant (75 awarded nationwide) and multiple community foundation grants totaling $50,000 annually.
- Transformed opera series sales with the addition of themed food and wine experience.
- Software used: Ektron Content Management System, Constant Contact, Vendini ticketing system and Power Post.
Marketing Consultant
Self Employed
06.2009 - 12.2012
- Managed event sales, tour marketing and press operations through the implementation of innovative promotional strategies and outreach.
- Transformed public relations efforts for 25-city music and dance touring production, securing print editorial, broadcast media, and PBS pledge drives.
- Performed grant writing and research.
- Key accomplishment: Managed multi-market tour for artist, planning PBS pledge drive partnerships and exceeding sales objectives.
- Completed my master's degree during this time.
Marketing Manager, Interim Director
Broward Center
07.2005 - 06.2009
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Marketed 80-100 entertainment events annually including customer research, media buying, budgeting, creative and PR agency management, grassroots and community partnerships, sponsor activation support, web development: responsible for sales and customer acquisition.
- Key accomplishment: Earned $6 million annual revenue, netting over $1 million in profit.
Marketing Manager
Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, A Division of Carlson Companies
11.2002 - 07.2005
- Marketed luxury cruise line including direct mail production, web site content management and management of inventory & fulfillment staff.
- Kept web site updated with cruise offers and served as liaison with revenue management team.
- Key accomplishments: Successfully utilized direct mail to maintain and increase customer loyalty with frequent cruiser society club.
Marketing Account Leader and Project Manager
Carlson Marketing Group, A Division of Carlson Companies
05.2000 - 11.2002
- Provided strategic guidance to clients, enhancing their financial performance and achieving business goals.
- Provided project management services for multiple high-profile projects at Ford Motor Company; managed cross-functional creative teams and earned account sales of $1 Million.
- Conducted regular account reviews to assess progress toward goals and identify areas for improvement or growth potential.
- Key accomplishment: Managed and helped sell $1 million in account business to multiple FMC clients.
- ISO 9000 Quality Auditor.
- Software used: BUILD budgeting software.
Merchandising Manager/Territory Field Representative
Michelin North America Small Tires
07.1998 - 01.1999
- Oversaw National Retail Group customer accounts in statewide territory of over 160 locations, including Sears and Wal-Mart; delivered sales training, merchandising, customer service and inventory support.
- Supervised merchandising team members in best practices, improving overall sales performance.
- Executed Uniroyal sponsorship of Walmart's FLW Fishing Tour, and managed Wal-Mart/Sam's Club store grand openings.
- Key accomplishment: Hosted Michelin Brand team for a statewide tour of all seven national retail accounts.
- Software used: Salesforce.com; completed prestigious Michelin sales training and Michelin Sales Training Center in South Carolina.
Education
Master of Arts - Public Administration
INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY
Terre Haute, IN12.2010
Bachelor of Science - Marketing and Business Administration
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
Champaign, IL05.1998
Skills
- Strategic Planning
- Marketing Strategy
- Management Experience
- Copywriting/Editing
- Grant Writing
- Budget management
- Sales
- Content Management
- Email marketing
- Market Research
- Project Management
- Event planning expertise
- Digital content management
- Experience with content management systems
Chic Evans Scholar
Caddie Scholarship for full tuition, room and board through the Western Golf Association where applicants must have a strong caddie record, excellent grades, demonstrated financial need and outstanding character.
Timeline
Director, Strategic Initiatives
Ball State University Lifetime Learning
03.2024 - Current
Higher Education Strategy Consultant
Ball State University
06.2022 - 03.2024
Program Director, Strategic Initiatives
Governors State University
03.2019 - 08.2022
Cultural Marketing Director
Governors State University
01.2013 - 03.2022
Marketing Consultant
Self Employed
06.2009 - 12.2012
Marketing Manager, Interim Director
Broward Center
07.2005 - 06.2009
Marketing Manager
Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, A Division of Carlson Companies
11.2002 - 07.2005
Marketing Account Leader and Project Manager
Carlson Marketing Group, A Division of Carlson Companies
05.2000 - 11.2002
Merchandising Manager/Territory Field Representative
Michelin North America Small Tires
07.1998 - 01.1999
Bachelor of Science - Marketing and Business Administration
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
Master of Arts - Public Administration
INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY
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