Gina McKenzie

Gina McKenzie
Curriculum Vitae

022 355 7601

gina@realcommunications.co.nz

108 Skewbridge Road, Kaiapoi RD1, North Canterbury

Career Objective:
·         To gain a role where I can apply my knowledge, skills, and passion to create positive change within our community. I can add real value to an organisation, its shareholders, and the community by enabling the achievement of superior results.

Governance Summary and Relevant Experience:
·         Director

Real Communications, Canterbury
·         Board Member of NAWIC

National Association of Women in Construction

·         Communications Advisor – Water

Environment Canterbury, Christchurch
·         Communications Advisor
Fletcher EQR, Christchurch

·         Communications Advisor/Technical Writer

Opus International Consultants, Christchurch
·         Professional Journalist

Mainland Press newspaper, Christchurch

·         Editor/Writer

Teug Ye Won, Seoul, South Korea
·         International Trade Manager

Hi Vantix, Seoul, South Korea

·         Communications Specialist

Universal Corporate Communications, Seoul
·         Communications Specialist

Korean National Commission for UNESCO

Skills and Competencies:
Communication and Relationship Building Skills:

Media specialist, with advanced strategic communications, public relations, and stakeholder engagement skills including outstanding verbal, written and public speaking capabilities delivering clear and concise information
Accomplished networker, able to engage with people at all levels and from all backgrounds, developing and maintaining excellent working relationships with all customers/clients, staff members, decision makers and key stakeholders
Professional, with high standards of personal presentation and conduct creating a positive impression

Strategic Planning and Business Management Skills:

Experienced business strategist and operational manager, highly skilled at formulating and implementing strategic plans and goals that are instrumental in developing and sustaining a successful corporate organisation
Skills and Competencies Continued…
·         Astute commercial acumen with sound business knowledge across all functional areas including sales, marketing, service delivery, supplier management, budgetary control, human resources, quality control, regulatory compliance, contract management, sustainability, and social responsibility

·         Analytical and holistic approach combined with an innovative and creative thinking style, possessing excellent problem-solving skills

·         Focused on creating a customer centric environment and driving a philosophy of excellence across all aspects of the business, going above and beyond expectations

·         Proficient at driving and managing change, together with a culture of continuous improvement resulting in a considerable reduction in costs

·         Very capable of managing a range of complex business and commercial related projects from concept through to successful completion, keeping within allocated parameters and timeframes

Leadership and People Skills:

Skilled at engaging people as well as creating a vision, mission, and strategic direction, providing empowerment and appropriate resources for the attainment of goals and targets
Passionate and energetic, combined with excellent people skills and the ability to motivate others
Accomplished at influencing others, gaining their trust, respect, and confidence
Ability to lead from the front, both in a hands-on capacity or supporting and guiding staff members

Technology and Computer Skills:

Competent and savvy with modern technology, information systems and mobile devices
Excellent computer operating skills and knowledge across a range of programmes, including the Microsoft Office Suite and various online project management platforms
Ability to quickly learn new systems then apply the knowledge to deliver required outcomes

Language Skills:

·         Conversational speaking and comprehension skills in Korean (having worked in Seoul for several years)

·         Able to be used as an interpreter (conversational level) between the Korean and English languages and cultural relationship/etiquette skills.

Operational Competencies:

Excellent work ethic and resilience, always displaying complete loyalty, integrity, and confidentiality
Superior organisational, time management and multitasking skills, very productive and efficient
Flexible and accommodating, adapting to changing demands and workplace needs
Strong knowledge and understanding of business operational and commercial best practices, including occupational health and safety requirements

Qualifications and Education:
·         Accreditation in Public Relations – Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ) (2021)

·         Certificate in Engagement – International Association for Public Participation (2020)

·         Certificate in Applied Small Business Growth and Development – Te Wānanga o Aotearoa (2016)

·         Diploma in Journalism – Massey University (2000)

·         Bachelor of Arts Degree majoring in History – Massey University (1997 to 1999)

Licences and Professional Associations:
·         Member of the Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce

·         Member of Enterprise North Canterbury

·         Member of the Rangiora Promotions Association

·         Member of the International Association of Public Participation

·         Member of the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ)

·         Member of the Institute of Directors (IoD)

·         Board Member and Communications and Media Manager for the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) (2014 – 2019)

Employment History:
Apr 2016 to Present:

Real Communications

Director

·         Creating positive, proactive content packages involving videos, articles, and photographs for corporate and government sector clients (including construction, IT, education providers, exporters, healthcare providers, patent law firms and non-profit organisations) throughout New Zealand

·         Focusing on real stories about people, with an emphasis on those relating to people taking positive action to create behaviour change

·         Specialising in brand management, stakeholder engagement, media liaison, business launches, social media, marketing, and event management

·         Working and engaging with clients who share the values of actively supporting their local communities and taking action to create positive social change

·         Offering a series of marketing and communications workshops as a Regional Business Partners accredited supplier with NZTE. This involves working with clients to create strategic plans and content which are tailored for a business’s needs, providing an excellent return on investment

·         Maintaining excellent connections with a wide range of media, from newspapers through to television and industry publications, enabling stories to be published which reach a targeted audience

·         Connecting with people and going above and beyond expectations to ensure the delivery of outstanding communications packages

Employment History Continued…
Aug 2015 to April 2016:

Environment Canterbury

Communications Advisor

·         Managed all proactive media engagement for the Canterbury Water Management Strategy

·         Created a unique media engagement strategy which provided tangible results

·         Created and produced a series of videos and targeted stories involving farmers, scientists, environmentalists, zone committee members and local people, which show what is being done to improve water quality

·         Produced a series of five videos entitled ‘Canterbury Water Management Strategy – Telling Our Story’

·         The series was shared with other regional councils throughout New Zealand who are looking to learn more about the collaborative approach to water management

Previous Roles:

·         Communications Advisor (fixed term) for Fletcher EQR, Christchurch (Oct 2014 to May 2015)

·         Communications Advisor/Technical Writer for Opus International Consultants (Jan 2013 to Oct 2014)

·         Journalist for Mainland Press, Christchurch (Jul 2011 to Aug 2012)

·         Writer/Editor for Te Yeug Won Ltd, Seoul, South Korea (Nov 2007 to Jan 2015)

·         International Trade Manager for Hi Vantix Ltd, Seoul, South Korea (Mar 2007 to Aug 2010)

·         Communications Specialist for Universal Corporate Communications, Seoul (Nov 2007 to Nov 2008)

·         Communications Specialist for Korean National Commission for UNESCO, Seoul (Sep 2007 to Mar 2008)

Out of Work Interests:
Personal fitness and leading an active lifestyle
·         Pilates, yoga, the outdoors and tramping, movies, art and reading

·         Community involvement including running two networking groups and hosting a monthly radio show

·         Socialising and spending time with family and friends

·         Learning new languages – currently Brazilian Portuguese

Referees:
Referees are available on request