LAUREN RATCLIFFE Download Version Here
A client-focused, results-driven and strategic content marketing and communications leader with 10+ years of experience in journalism, PR, branding, social media and content marketing harnessing the power of storytelling to help brands grow. An empathetic and decisive leader who quickly analyzes situations and effectively communicates strategic plans and solutions. Thrives in growth-focused environments.
EXPERIENCE
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Vallen Distribution / Belmont, NC / May 2024 – Nov. 2025
- Led the strategic planning and execution of the migration of content to a new web content management system including the creation of more than 30 marketing pages.
- Oversaw internal and external communications during an unexpected and extended business disruption in which we took our systems offline.
- Managed internal and external communications around global acquisitions, senior leadership changes, and change management for key processes.
- Developed and maintained comprehensive communication plan for executive leadership in the United States and Canada.
- Created proactive PR strategy earning media in targeted trade publications.
- Supervised and coached junior associates in the creation and execution of wide variety of communications initiatives including videos, newsletters, emails and social media.
- Designed and authored enterprise-wide ESG annual report.
MANAGER, MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS
Husqvarna Group / Dec. 2022 – Feb. 2024
- Leveraged cross-functional relationships to plan and execute integrated marketing strategy with trade and end-user audiences, increasing brand engagement and reputation.
- Managed content marketing team including a graphic designer, copywriter, and tradeshow coordinator to build materials to support omnichannel content marketing strategies.
- Analyzed SEO and content gaps and created strategic plans to increase thought leadership, brand awareness and trust.
- Developed brand journalism strategy and authored content leveraging internal interviews and thought leadership to connect with customers.
- Increased brand awareness by creating 800+ pieces of marketing content including literature, ads, articles and social media and video while coming in under budget by $8K.
- Oversaw PR agency securing 4,300 articles reaching 87M in impressions in 2023, increasing brand visibility.
- Prepared global executives for media engagements, wrote media materials and executed earned media strategy alongside agency partners.
- Established KPIs and analyzed metrics for content marketing strategies including SEO, web analytics, email marketing and earned media.
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING STRATEGY
Enventys Partners / Mar. 2019 - Dec. 2022
- Created strategic brand marketing campaign including the re-launch of the YouTube Channel which grew in subscribers by 25% in one year.
- Built and managed a PR team of two specialists and directed strategy that resulted in 300+ media hits and $13.9M in funds for startup clients.
- Wrote compelling media materials to secure earned media for crowdfunding startups.
- Developed and wrote monthly internal and external newsletters, case studies, blogs and social media content to improve employee engagement and strengthen client relationships.
- Secured key media placements for the most-funded fitness product in Kickstarter history, generating $50K in attributable funds.
LEAD ASSIGNMENT EDITOR
WSOC-TV / June 2015 – Mar. 2019
- Identified stories and breaking news across the 22nd-largest media market in the U.S.
- Implemented efficient newsgathering processes with tight deadlines and directed a team of 12+ journalists to deliver top-rated newscasts.
- Orchestrated complete coverage of the breaking news of the death of Rev. Billy Graham.
ASSIGNMENT EDITOR AND DIGITAL JOURNALIST
FOX 46 Charlotte / Dec. 2013 – June 2015
- Built newsroom contact list from scratch leading to rapid response times on breaking news.
- Managed news desk operations and oversaw station’s web and social media presences.
OVERNIGHT PRODUCER
NBC News Channel / June 2013 – Dec. 2013
STAFF WRITER
S.C. Business Publications, LLC / Oct. 2011 – May 2013
SKILLS
Omnichannel Marketing | Empathetic | Problem Solver | Resourceful | Agile | Team Leader | Corporate Communications | Public Relations | Marketing Strategy | Copywriting | Branding | Video | Photography | Social Media | Project Management
TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY
Microsoft Office | Canva | Google Suite | Slack | Teams | Adobe Indesign | Premiere Pro | Kontent AI | Wordpress | Poppulo | Mailchimp
EDUCATION
BACHELOR OF ARTS, JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION
The University of North Carolina | Chapel Hill, N.C.
TRAINING AND CERTIFICATIONS
CERTIFIED DIGITAL MARKETING PROFESSIONAL
Digital Marketing Institute, 2022
EXPERIENCE
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Vallen Distribution / Belmont, NC / May 2024 – Nov. 2025
- Led the strategic planning and execution of the migration of content to a new web content management system including the creation of more than 30 marketing pages.
- Oversaw internal and external communications during an unexpected and extended business disruption in which we took our systems offline.
- Managed internal and external communications around global acquisitions, senior leadership changes, and change management for key processes.
- Developed and maintained comprehensive communication plan for executive leadership in the United States and Canada.
- Created proactive PR strategy earning media in targeted trade publications.
- Supervised and coached junior associates in the creation and execution of wide variety of communications initiatives including videos, newsletters, emails and social media.
- Designed and authored enterprise-wide ESG annual report.
MANAGER, MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS
Husqvarna Group / Dec. 2022 – Feb. 2024
- Leveraged cross-functional relationships to plan and execute integrated marketing strategy with trade and end-user audiences, increasing brand engagement and reputation.
- Managed content marketing team including a graphic designer, copywriter, and tradeshow coordinator to build materials to support omnichannel content marketing strategies.
- Analyzed SEO and content gaps and created strategic plans to increase thought leadership, brand awareness and trust.
- Developed brand journalism strategy and authored content leveraging internal interviews and thought leadership to connect with customers.
- Increased brand awareness by creating 800+ pieces of marketing content including literature, ads, articles and social media and video while coming in under budget by $8K.
- Oversaw PR agency securing 4,300 articles reaching 87M in impressions in 2023, increasing brand visibility.
- Prepared global executives for media engagements, wrote media materials and executed earned media strategy alongside agency partners.
- Established KPIs and analyzed metrics for content marketing strategies including SEO, web analytics, email marketing and earned media.
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING STRATEGY
Enventys Partners / Mar. 2019 - Dec. 2022
- Created strategic brand marketing campaign including the re-launch of the YouTube Channel which grew in subscribers by 25% in one year.
- Built and managed a PR team of two specialists and directed strategy that resulted in 300+ media hits and $13.9M in funds for startup clients.
- Wrote compelling media materials to secure earned media for crowdfunding startups.
- Developed and wrote monthly internal and external newsletters, case studies, blogs and social media content to improve employee engagement and strengthen client relationships.
- Secured key media placements for the most-funded fitness product in Kickstarter history, generating $50K in attributable funds.
LEAD ASSIGNMENT EDITOR
WSOC-TV / June 2015 – Mar. 2019
- Identified stories and breaking news across the 22nd-largest media market in the U.S.
- Implemented efficient newsgathering processes with tight deadlines and directed a team of 12+ journalists to deliver top-rated newscasts.
- Orchestrated complete coverage of the breaking news of the death of Rev. Billy Graham.
ASSIGNMENT EDITOR AND DIGITAL JOURNALIST
FOX 46 Charlotte / Dec. 2013 – June 2015
- Built newsroom contact list from scratch leading to rapid response times on breaking news.
- Managed news desk operations and oversaw station’s web and social media presences.
OVERNIGHT PRODUCER
NBC News Channel / June 2013 – Dec. 2013
STAFF WRITER
S.C. Business Publications, LLC / Oct. 2011 – May 2013
SKILLS
Omnichannel Marketing | Empathetic | Problem Solver | Resourceful | Agile | Team Leader | Corporate Communications | Public Relations | Marketing Strategy | Copywriting | Branding | Video | Photography | Social Media | Project Management
TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY
Microsoft Office | Canva | Google Suite | Slack | Teams | Adobe Indesign | Premiere Pro | Kontent AI | Wordpress | Poppulo | Mailchimp
EDUCATION
BACHELOR OF ARTS, JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION
The University of North Carolina | Chapel Hill, N.C.
TRAINING AND CERTIFICATIONS
CERTIFIED DIGITAL MARKETING PROFESSIONAL
Digital Marketing Institute, 2022