Samuel Burke
Communications & Marketing Specialist
about
Hello! I'm an enthusiastic communications specialist with experience working in Government and with small businesses. I'm currently seeking a challenging position in communications and marketing that will allow me to pursue intrapreneurship, implement innovative ideas, and work on a variety of different projects.
Areas of expertise
Community Building
I've helped foster multiple communities in my career through strategic planning and implementation of initiatives, such as online discussion forums, unique and interactive events, needs assessments/focus groups, and persona development.Most recently, I have been focused on building the Government of Canada (GC) security community.
Content Creation
I'm a full-stack writer with experience creating a variety of paper and digital products ranging from briefing notes and communications plans to infographics and content for various social media platforms.Most recently, I developed an entire website on GCpedia using skills in web writing, content creation, HTML, and CSS.
Engagement Analytics
I use Microsoft Excel, GIMP, and other standard tools to gather data and present it in a visually appealing and information-rich way that tells a story. Measuring success is easy when the right processes are in place.Most recently, I built an Excel dashboard to visualize data sets sourced from incoming email requests for advice and guidance.
Social
My experience with social media stems from managing a local food truck, Ad Mare Mobile Seafood, as well as a professional job board. In this context, social refers to more than just media. I'm also an expert collaborator with vast experience in marketing and outreach.Recently, I have been promoting the GC Security Summit through an email and GCTools promotional campaign.
Resume
Education
Carleton University
Ottawa, ON
September 2012 - April 2016
Bachelor of Arts, Honours in Communication Studies
Minor in English Language and Literature
Algonquin College
Ottawa, ON
September 2016 - April 2017
Graduate Certificate - Entrepreneurship Acceleration
Work experience
Canada's Free Agents - Government of Canada
Free Agent
April 2020 - Present
My primary role is as a Free Agent with Canada's Free Agents (Government of Canada). The Free Agent Program allows public servants the autonomy to select work that matches their skills and interests, and allows them to make a contribution that they find meaningful. Free Agents are a burgeoning group who have been screened for innovation attributes, such as strategic thinking, leadership, empathy, resilience, and teamwork.If you have a short-term (4-8 months) or medium-term (9-18 months) project that could use my unique skills and expertise, please contact me.
National Research Council of Canada
Communications Officer - Strategic communications
April 2019 - April 2020
• Provided strategic communications advice and support to NRC’s research centres; primarily focused on aerospace and construction.• Planned, developed, and implemented a variety of communications projects, products, services, and activities, including web text, social media content, internal communications materials, and promotional materials for outreach and stakeholder relations.• Coordinated and managed approval processes for creative requests, such as photo and video shoots, design work, and printing and distribution.
Statistics Canada
Communications Officer - Social media and events
September 2018 - April 2019
• Provided guidance to subject matter divisions and management regarding social media initiatives to ensure that they are consistent with guidelines, policies and best practices.• Led the research, content and promotional strategy, and launch of StatCan’s Instagram page.• Planned and coordinated all logistics for multiple “Talking Stats” events in different locations across Canada (presentation by the Chief Statistician and panel discussion with local subject matter experts).• Created custom social media campaigns for StatCan’s official social media accounts to disseminate statistical information using Hootsuite Enterprise.• Coordinated the creation of custom images/info bytes with the graphic design team and created custom images using Photoshop.
Privy Council Office,
DSO Centre for Development
Communications Officer
October 2016 - September 2018
• Increase security readiness level across the Government of Canada (GC) by utilizing outreach and marketing strategies to promote diverse and relevant learning opportunities to Departmental Security Officers (DSOs) and security practitioners.• Plan, promote, and facilitate the Centre for Development's (CfD) learning and information-sharing events, such as quarterly Speakers Series, and the annual GC Security Summit (almost 700 attendees in 2018).• Maintain and increase CfD's online presence as required, and propose innovative ideas and strategies to strengthen CfD's brand.• Lead the planning, promotion, recruitment, and launch of a GC Young Security Professionals (YSP) network to help guide the succession of the security workforce and prepare the next generation for a career protecting Canadian people, assets, and information.• Plan unique security-related events and opportunities for YSP, including networking, presentations, tours, departmental activities, mentoring, volunteering, information-sharing sessions, and more.
Shared Services Canada
Marketing and Communications Advisor
July 2017 - August 2017
• Attended a two-day Marketing and Communications Development Session on SSC's Recruitment Strategy led by the Centre of Excellence for Public Sector Marketing.• Supported the Marketing and Advertising team on the development of a departmental branding and marketing plan to help maximize recruitment efforts.• Conducted market research to inform marketing strategies, plans, and tactics.• Provided strategic advice on the development, implementation, and evaluation of marketing tactics, strategies, and activities, such as SSC's recruitment video, external career webpage, advertising opportunities, employee testimonials, and career fair engagement.
Parole Board of Canada
Communications Officer
April 2016 - August 2016
• Provided support on various corporate initiatives, notably the Parole Board's Record Suspension User Fee Public Consultation.• Coordinated outreach to stakeholders, published web text, followed accessibility regulations, and monitored and supported the analysis of over 1,000 survey submissions.
Parole Board of Canada
Junior Communications Officer (FSWEP)
May 2015 - April 2016
• Supported the creation and implementation of various communications projects, including internal contests and website usability testing.• Collected and analyzed internal metrics to influence corporate changes, provided strategic advice to senior management, and facilitated several promotional item contracts.• Created and updated web content on PBC’s internal and external websites and monitored and reported on web analytics.
Volunteer experience
Co-Chair
Privy Council Office's Young Professionals Network
June 2017 - September 2018
As the Co-Chair of PCO's YPN, my main objectives are to foster a vibrant workplace community for young professionals and address issues of common concern, particularly professional development.My roles and responsibilities include calling meetings of the Executive Committee, structuring the agenda, and presiding over meetings, providing support and guidance to the Executive Committee in the coordination of all YPN events, and identifying opportunities for collaboration, events, areas for growth, and increased awareness of the YPN.Recently, I spearheaded the creation and implementation of the YPN's 2018 Strategic Framework, which focuses on growth, visibility, and sustainability.
GCTools 2.0 Ambassador
Government of Canada
October 2016 - Present
The GCTools Ambassadors Network is made up of volunteers from various GC departments and agencies. As an Ambassador, I promote the GCTools Suite (GCconnex, GCpedia, GCintranet, GCdirectory, and GCollab) within my department, help onboard new employees and colleagues, and provide support to others in understanding how the GCTools can enhance their work.
Director of Jobline
International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) - Ottawa
May 2016 - March 2017
I was promoted to Director of Jobline after having effectively managed Jobline's social media presence for a year. In my role as Director, I continually looked for opportunities to implement Jobline improvement initiatives and service enhancements.I also managed the new Social Media and Content Officer and delegated action plan roles and responsibilities when necessary.My primary responsibility was to communicate with clients to ensure job posts were managed responsibly and were posted within 48 hours.
Social Media and Content Officer
International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) - Ottawa
April 2015 - May 2016
As Jobline's Social Media and Content Officer, I gained professional experience using social media to market IABC's #Jobline portfolio.In this role I drafted and scheduled approximately 10 tweets per week for IABC Ottawa's Twitter account (3,500+ followers), amounting to well over 200 unique tweets.
Certifications
• HTML & CSS Fundamentals courses - SoloLearn• Security Awareness Test A230 - Canada School of Public Service• Smart Serve - The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario• Secret Security Clearance - Government of Canada• Standard First Aid CPR C + AED - St. John Ambulance Canada• Google AdWords Certified - Google Social Marketing Tools• Social Media in Emergency Management, Certificate of Achievement - Federal Emergency Management Agency
Awards
• Appreciation Certificate - Executive Director, Security Operations, Privy Council Office• Ambassador Recognition Award - Chief Information Officer for the Government of Canada• Canadian En{TOUR}preneur Experience - Minister of Small Business and Tourism (details)• Certificate of Recognition - Manager, Communications, Parole Board of Canada• Volunteer of the Month - Director, Social Media, IABC Ottawa
Skills
Expert
• Microsoft Office• Social media• GCTools• Content creation
Intermediate
• HTML & CSS• Twitter Bootstrap Framework• Image manipulation & editing
programs (e.g. GIMP)• Adobe Acrobat Pro• Data analytics and visualization
General Experience
• Editing Government of Canada intranet sites• Hosting Cisco WebEx conferences• Plain language writing• Developing websites with Wordpress, Wix, PageCloud, etc.• Quick to learn online software (SurveyMonkey, Optimal Workshop, Hosted in Canada Surveys, Mailchimp, etc.)
Policy Knowledge
• Knowledge of the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada• Knowledge of the Canada.ca Style Guide, Content & IA Specifications, and Federal Identity Program• Knowledge of the current media environment in Canada
Personal Projects
Founder and CEO
Build Your Event - Ottawa
September 2016 – December 2018
Exited this project to join forces with upSpace.Build Your Event (BYE) is a free, online service that helps simplify the tedious process and extensive research that goes into planning a successful event. BYE takes care of all the hard parts of event planning so that you can build your event, your way, with confidence.I managed a team of 6 Computer Engineering students for over a year through Algonquin College's Applied Research & Innovation program as they developed Build Your Event's software. The team developed a functional prototype of Build Your Event at the end of their semester.
The @Ottawaevents Instagram account is a small business I created when I saw a gap in local promotional services on Instagram in Ottawa. Within a few months of creating the account, I had gained over 3,000 organic followers.Recently, I have been generating moderate income from paid advertisements via a simple website I created.
The Instagram account, @Ad_Mare, was created to promote my family's business, Ad Mare Mobile Seafood Truck. Since taking over the account, I have accelerated growth from approximately 200 organic followers to over 900.Through managing this Instagram account, I have been able to hone my social media skills, such as monitoring analytics, and experiment with new content development and marketing strategies.
French Language Profile
• Comprehension: C• Writing: B• Oral: B
C = advanced, B = intermediate, A = beginner (source)
References
References available upon request.
