Sales Management

Darren S. Szrom

**** **** **** ******, *******, Illinois 60660

Phone: 773-***-****

Email: abn2cp@r.postjobfree.com

OBJECTIVE: A position leading marketing and communications functions and operations.

EXPERIENCE

Marketing Communications Consultant, Chicago, Illinois 2012 to Present

• Acted as change management lead for software and process program upgrade for insurance and benefit company, Aon Hewitt.

• Revised educational presentations for certification program and provided technical communications and proposal services for

engineering and contracting firm, Mechanical Consultants, Inc.

Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute, Schaumburg, Illinois 2006 to 2011

Vice President of Marketing and Communications

• Provided executive leadership, strategic planning and change management for national trade association by conducting a

current state analysis, providing recommendations, establishing new policies, and measuring effectiveness. Change management

process engaged all stakeholders from staff and customers to members and board of directors, transforming the association into a

more functionally efficient and recognizable organization with a 20% increase in industry awareness.

• Responsible for managing areas of market development, communication strategy, corporate communications, public relations,

technical publications, legislative affairs, information technology and regional promotion support. Communicated market

intelligence through presentations and industry reports to senior management of member companies.

• Communication tactics included brochures, PBS television program, media interviews and article placement, awards program,

email and e-commerce campaigns, social media (Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn), website redesign, technical book publishing.

• Developed and implemented a strategic marketing plan to increase concrete construction in by using quantitative analysis of

market data and qualitative customer and member surveys resulting in increased market share in target segments.

• Led successful implementation of new enterprise-wide, association management software system allowing integration of

customer relationship management (CRM), regional contacts, accounting and e-commerce functionality into a single system.

• Created legislative affairs function for lobbying efforts on transportation funding to legislators in Washington D. C. Tactics

included positioning statements, lobbying, member fly-in and grassroots letter writing efforts.

Allstate Insurance Company, Northbrook, Illinois 2005 to 2006

Communications Manager

• Directed communications for information technology division responsible for change management through implementing new

enterprise-wide business systems. Worked with executive leadership and directors on internal and external communications.

• Established division communications department, hired staff, and created standards and templates for all communications.

• Created communication strategy and tactics including written announcements, web-based articles, intranet content publishing,

newsletters, corporate meetings and streaming media video productions.

American Hospital Association, Chicago, Illinois 2003 to 2005

Account Executive

• Worked for Financial Solutions, Inc. division promoting information technology products to chief information officers and

directors in the hospital and healthcare markets using tactics of public relations, sales calls, tradeshows and webinars.

• Planned and managed marketing communications strategies for business partners including SBC Communications/AT &T,

Ernst & Young, Cardinal Health, Computer Associates and Siemens Medical.

TuckerKnapp Integrated Marketing, Inc., Schaumburg, Illinois 2002 to 2003

Account Supervisor

• Worked for advertising and public relations agency managing Dairy Management Inc. - American Dairy Association account.

• Responsible for strategic planning and message development for identified target audiences in the dairy, food and consumer

packaged goods industries. Supervised execution of website, e-strategy, public relations and marketing strategies.

WPP Group USA, Inc., The Food Group, Inc., Chicago, Illinois 2000 to 2002

Account Supervisor

• Performed change management for advertising and public relations agency managing national advertising and fundraising

campaigns for the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and Sara Lee Coffee and Tea accounts.

• Created communication strategy and directed industry communications through space advertising, marketing, public relations,

corporate identity, fundraising, new product launch and branding programs for the restaurant and food service industries.

• Worked with senior leadership to reorganize account teams, restore account to profitability, and retain account during review.

American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc., Chicago, Illinois 1993 to 2000

Director of Publications

• Responsible for publications, corporate communications, strategic planning and program development for trade association.

Involved with senior staff and association members in publications, presentations and speech writing.

• Performed product management and production of books, software, videos and interactive CDs. Supervised installation and

promotion of on-line Internet bookstore resulting in a 10% increase in sales and new markets.

• Created industry-wide integrated marketing communications program including public relations, space advertising, direct mail

brochures, video production and tradeshow exhibits.

• Directed, developed, marketed and sold an interactive steel detailing design training program. Program included audio, video

and interactive media contained on a 40-hour, thirteen CD set.

• Supervised staff as well as contractors, advertising, printing and multimedia vendors and agencies.

Promotional Services Specialist

• Established and maintained media relations with various trade publications.

• Created contact and project tracking databases for national sales force.

• Performed competitive analysis and market research through surveys, research reports and focus groups.

CRS Sirrine, Inc., Chicago, Illinois 1989 to 1993

Marketing Manager

• Prepared proposals and presentations for architectural/engineering/construction firm for government projects.

• Produced graphics, technical writing and editing for accurate submittals.

• Developed leads, forecasted sales, and maintained company-wide sales and project database.

Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois 1988 to 1989

Editorial/Production Assistant

• Worked with Test Kitchen Director to produce recipe book from Food Guide Section of The Chicago Tribune.

• Involved in all stages of publishing including researching, writing and editing chapters for consistent style.

INTERNSHIPS

AIESEC Venture Management Exchange, West Berlin, West Germany, Marketing Director 1987

• Member of a government economic development program designed to improve German venture capital markets.

Indiana Design Consortium, Lafayette, Indiana, Marketing Assistant 1986 to 1988

• Prepared market research and direct mail programs for advertising agency on business-to-business accounts.

EDUCATION

Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, Master of Business Administration 1997

Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, Bachelor of Arts, Communications 1988

College of St. Mark and St. John, Plymouth, England, Humanities Exchange Program 1985

PUBLISHED

Co-author, Designing with Structural Steel. A Guide for Architects, American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc., 1998.

Executive Producer, Spotlight On. Building and Construction, Public Broadcasting System, January 2008

COMPUTER SKILLS

Microsoft Office, MS Project, SharePoint, TeamSite, Avecta netFORUM, Photoshop, Illustrator and Quark Express.

MEMBERSHIPS

Association Forum of Chicagoland, Content Committee; Business Marketing Association; Construction Writers Association;

Formerly: Brookfield Investments Partners, Advisory Board; Young Executives Club of Chicago, Board Member.

ACTIVITIES

Labrador retriever training, charcuterie cooking, golf, camping, outdoor sports and exploring England.

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