Whether writing copy or manuals, editing or reviewing, I keep the reader in mind to ensure that information is delivered as effectively as possible.
Experience
- Technical communication: developing manuals and online help, cheat sheets, quick start guides, administrators’ guides, release notes, internal and external wiki pages, functional specifications and standards documents. Single sourcing for print and web. Creating diagrams and illustrations. Mapping processes and developing disaster recovery documentation.
- Editing: editing, reviewing and proofing technical and marketing content for print and web. Updating documents to conform to a specific style and structuring for different audiences. Maintaining style sheets.
- Copywriting: writing copy for websites, brochures, fliers and postcards; articles for brochures and trade journals; newsletters, press releases and release notes; social media.
Tools
- Technical communication: Adobe FrameMaker, RoboHelp and Acrobat; Microsoft Word, Publisher, SharePoint and Visio; TeX and LaTeX; oXygen XML Editor and DITA, various wikis.
- General: Microsoft Access, Excel, PowerPoint and Word; Notepad, TextPad and Notepad++; Dropbox, Google Docs and Microsoft OneDrive; CVS, TortoiseSVN.
- Design/web: Adobe InDesign, Acrobat, Captivate, Dreamweaver, Illustrator and PhotoShop; Joomla!, Sitefinity, TypePad and WordPress; Wufoo.
- Markup/development languages: DITA, CSS, HTML, also some familiarity with Java, Java Card, JavaScript, SQL, XML and UML.
Employment (permanent and contract)
Technical writer, NXP Semiconductors
Contract, March 2016 to May 2017; permanent June 2017 to present.
Coordinating the generation and publication of various types of technical documents for internal and external audiences. Working closely with developers and product managers to proof, write and structure information. Ensuring conformance with the corporate style guide. Supporting colleagues with conversion between Microsoft Word, LaTeX and DITA.
Technical writer, Aberdeen Asset Management
Contract, September to December 2015.
Captured processes and wrote procedure documents for over 80 funds. Overhauled and re-structured software manual to work in conjunction with Desk-specific procedures. Created style guide for future development.
Consultant, DSA Enablement, Edinburgh
Permanent, January 2015 to June 2015.
Created external presentations and edited marketing documents. Provided web design and copy. Proofread the scripts for video-on-demand education modules. Created modules from Microsoft PowerPoint presentations, integrated voice-overs and tested the final output.
Technical communicator, Aspose Ltd., Edinburgh
Contract, August 2010 to January 2015.
Provided technical writing and marketing services including copywriting, technical editing and managing newsletters for several ventures. Reviewed and cleaned up the documentation wiki, corporate website, product blog posts and marketing materials. Scheduled social posts, advised on marketing, managing projects and campaigns.
Copywriter, Aridhia, Edinburgh
Contract, April 2010 to November 2010.
Wrote website copy, articles and manuals, and advised on marketing strategy and brand personality.
Technical writer, doc-department, Edinburgh
Contract, April 2010 to November 2010.
Updated online tutorials and advised on/developed branding guidelines.
Copywriter and technical editor, FAST Modelling Alliance, London
Contract, February 2010 to November 2010.
Compiled, edited and wrote content for the FAST Modelling Standard.
Marketing professional and ghost writer, Financial Mechanics, London
Contract, September 2009 to June 2010.
Designed and implemented online marketing campaign to improve uptake and reach of online training courses. Performed interviews and wrote article published in the Infrastructure Journal on a modelling project undertaken by City of Edinburgh Council with Ernst & Young.
Technical author, Cascade Technologies, Stirling
Contract, October 2009 and March 2010.
Updated user manuals to be shipped with Cascade’s gas sensor equipment.
Technical and marketing communicator, Aspects Tools (now UL), Edinburgh
Permanent, August 2006 to October 2009.
Wrote manuals, marketing materials, website copy, newsletters. Developed and maintained templates and style guide. Organised events, managed print and advertising.
Technical author, Sun Microsystems, Linlithgow
Contract, September 2005 to July 2006.
Compiled data books to accompany mobile telecommunication server racks.
Technical author, Barrie & Hibbert, Edinburgh
Contract, August 2005
Updated online help system used in finance software.
Technical author, IntroNet Applications Limited, Edinburgh
Permanent, February 2002 to August 2005.
Wrote online help and business continuity documentation; edited and reviewed HR documents, marketing collaterals, training materials, newsletters and RFIs; structured and wrote business analysis documents for company with IBM and LogicaCMG as clients.
Technical author, Quadstone Limited (now Portrait Software), Edinburgh
Permanent, August 2000 to September 2000.
Wrote and delivered training materials, wrote and maintained administrator guides, manuals and intranet.
Customer services, Quadstone Limited, Edinburgh
Permanent, March 1998 to August 2000.
Delivered customer support through phone and email for data analysis software.
Team leader, Sykes Limited, Edinburgh
Permanent, October 1995 to February 1998.
Documented and translated problems, supported team and delivered support by phone.
Support agent, McQueen Limited, Edinburgh
Permanent, July 1995 to August 1995.
Delivered support by phone for Adobe and Macromedia desktop publishing products in Swedish and English.
Professional memberships
MISTC: Member of the Institute for Scientific and Technical Communicators.
Training
- Professional Diploma in Marketing, Cambridge Marketing College, Edinburgh, 2008 to 2009.
- PgDip in Software Technology, Napier University, Edinburgh, 2001 to 2002.
- BA (Hons) Communication Studies, Queen Margaret Collage, Edinburgh, 1991 to 1995.
Interests
Reading and writing fiction.
Sewing and fibre crafts.