Kit Thompson
OVERVIEW
Communications professional with more than 15 years of editorial and digital experience. Strategic thinker with the ability to amplify innovative solutions and translate broad strategies into clear, specific objectives and measurable results.
SKILLS
Extensive writing and editing experience. Passionate about clear, effective communications. Digital experience includes MS SharePoint and other CMS platforms including open-source, Adobe Creative Suite, HTML, basic CSS, Google Analytics, mobile and responsive design, agile development principles. W3CC Certified in Web Accessibility (W3C).
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
WILLIS TOWERS WATSON, Boston, MA, June 2013 – Present
Director, Implementation Consulting
Client-facing consulting role in HR Technology, working in fast-paced, agile development environment to produce and implement consumer-grade portal for global Fortune 500 customers. Manage implementation process from requirements gathering through design and testing, including card-sorting exercises in pursuit of the best employee experience possible. Consult with clients on personalization strategy, governance and on-going support. Lead a QA team to fine-tune content (editorial and design) and fix any technical issues. Partner with Product team to improve UX/UI, conduct application testing and training of colleagues and clients.
KITALIA, LLC, New York, NY, January 2012 – June 2013
Founder
Digital and social strategy consulting for organizations looking to integrate emerging technologies with best practices in social media, digital communications, design, branding and content development.
Clients included: Publicis Healthcare Communications Group. Contracted to help manage successful multi-agency migration from legacy CMS platforms to SharePoint 2010. Worked directly with agency contacts at Digitas Health, Saatchi & Saatchi Healthcare Communications, Razorfish Healthware to develop site collections, test functionality, brand portal pages, establish portal governance, user experience and visual branding, and socialize the new platform. Created instructional documentation and participated in on-site training.
AMERICAN EXPRESS, New York, NY, June 2003 – December 2011
Director, Online Communications & Social Media
Digital Communications
Worked closely with public relations staff to develop rich digital content to highlight company news and successes with interactive components (video, slideshows, quick polls, etc.) for multiple uses: press conferences, social channels, global intranet, executive blogs. Led strategy and development of global intranet content, design and governance. Presented with Chairman’s Award for Innovation and 20+ monthly department-wide awards.
Enterprise Social
Designed and managed successful executive blogging program, including visual identity and governance, and developed usage analysis to highlight 10,000+ monthly page hits and hundreds of employee comments. Led development (branding, UX, promotion and monitoring) of global discussion forum. Led team of IT professionals in strategic planning, vendor relations and usability testing of numerous internal platforms including Jive, Salesforce, Yammer and others.
Promoted from manager to director in 2006.
PEARSON EDUCATION, New York, NY, October 2001 – June 2003
Communications Writer/Web Editor
Marketing and Public Relations
Wrote press releases, newsletters, media alerts, backgrounders and feature articles and successfully pitched to digital, print and television outlets. Partnered with editorial directors across 40+ imprints to source and develop stories highlighting the breadth and depth of company offerings.
Website Development
Partnered with Chief Creative Officer to relaunch company website to better reflect the rich library of content from pre-K to higher education and digital offerings. Distilled content to promote brands with the development of Flash movies from hundreds of book covers. Managed global intranet and oversaw redesign to bring Web 2.0 to a legacy system
EDUCATION
New York University - B.F.A., Film & Television Production. Philosophy minor degree
University of California, Berkeley - Communications, Cinema Studies
CERTIFICATIONS
WC3 Web Accessibility certification
The Business of Business-to-Business Publishing, New York University, School of Continuing and Professional Studies, Center for Publishing
VOLUNTEERING
University of Southern Maine Institutional Review Board (IRB) – current community board member
The Greater Portland Immigration Center – content development and marketing strategy
National School Climate Center – special program content development and design
Lighthouse International – volunteer reader to the blind
Atlas Corp – volunteer ambassador
United National Online Volunteers Program – grant development