Sara Elkins

Current

Director of Web Strategy and Social Media at Gateway for Cancer Research

Past

Regional Director of Interactive Solutions at Bernard Hodes Group
Strategic Account Manager at Jobster
Director of Electronic Communications at Combined Insurance

see less...

Education

North Central College
Northern Illinois University

Recommended

37 people have recommended Sara

Connections

309 connections

Industry

Internet

Websites

Sara Elkins’s Summary

Social Media Strategy, Web Site Development and Strategy, Online Reputation Management& Audits, Consulting, Custom Application Development, ERP Programs, Relationship Marketing, Onboarding, Social Networking, Widgets, SEO, Corporate Instructional Design, Technical training manuals, Adult Learning, Project Management, Interactive Recruiting , Recruiting, E-learning, ATS,

Sara Elkins’s Specialties:

Social Media, Branding, Online Communities, Web 2.0, Web Sites & strategy, SEO, Widgets, blogs & developing corporate policy &strategy, Online Reputation Management, Web Evaluations, User Experience, Vendor Relations, Instructional Design and Training

Sara Elkins’s Experience

Director of Web Strategy and Social Media

Gateway for Cancer Research

(Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

July 2009 — Present (6 months)

-Develop, execute and evolve a web strategy for our team.
-Evangelizing all types of social media for marketing purposes to lead us forward.
-Promoting the uses of social media tactics to supplement our marketing efforts.
-The externally voice regarding Gateway’s social media efforts in building our Brand.
Regional Director of Interactive Solutions

Bernard Hodes Group

(Public Company; OMC; Marketing and Advertising industry)

February 2007 — May 2009 (2 years 4 months)

Lead Region in consulting inside/outside sales to develop and deploy focused digital solutions for our clients brands focusing on social media

• Partnered with outside sales team to pitch and close business solutions as their expert lead in social media
• Platforms used: Community Server/Telligent, Drupal, DotNetNuke
• Presented Social Media Strategies as it pertains to Corporations and how they may use this technology
• Accomplished with Web Analytics/ROI – Urchin, Google Analytics, Radian6
• Sold over 250 million dollars in digital sales in a quarter
• Strategized/Consulted with clients of various sizes to determine best practice for interactive marketing & brand solutions
• Experience in online advertising & strategy, technology
• Experience in research, analyzing data and finding the next “new thing”
• Developed and Implemented web training on various topics to educate our internal team and clients
• Developed long-term business partnerships with clients and senior level executives
• Effectively created website strategies: sales, budgeting, proposals, statements of work, site schematics, wireframes, and initial design.
• Experienced web project management and guiding team of project managers
• Created and advised on Employee Referral Programs, College Recruiting and Diversity Initiatives
• Devised solutions for Job search, Job wrap and apply wrap
• Devised and implement evaluation metrics and techniques to gauge the effectiveness of product solutions
• Accomplished in defining client needs and monitoring client performance
• Skilled at cross selling to new and existing client base
Strategic Account Manager

Jobster

(Privately Held; Internet industry)

March 2006 — January 2007 (11 months)

Special areas of interest include using Jobster to power ERP's and special initiatives (diversity/college relations, etc.) and Career Websites

Facilitated successful use of Jobster with Fortune 100+
clients – finding great prospects and building a talent
network asset.

• Assisted in cross-functional collaboration between recruiters and guiding executive management through the Jobster Platform
• Consulted with internal client teams to deploy Jobster solution working effectively with Marketing, HR, Legal and IT departments
• Devised and implement evaluation metrics and techniques to gauge the effectiveness of product solutions
• Accomplished in defining client needs and monitoring client performance
• Developed long-term business partnerships with clients and senior level executives
• Extensive experience in developing instructor-led, computer-based, web-based learning solutions
• Analyze course evaluations to determine effectiveness of training programs
• Produced, implemented and created custom training solutions programs to meet clients objectives
• Skilled in E-learning and Distance Education via Live Meeting
• Instructional Design & Development per clients needs
• Experience working with Applicant Tracking Systems
• Progressive experience in the interactive arena
• Facilitate contract renewals
Director of Electronic Communications

Combined Insurance

(Public Company; Insurance industry)

January 2000 — April 2006 (6 years 4 months)

2000- present Combined Insurance

Chicago, Il
National Director of Electronic Communications·

• Developed National strategy for laptop role out Training and Support and recruiting
• Negotiated half million dollars global contracts with vendors
• Designed and Implemented National role out strategies for new technology initiatives
• Created, Developed and managed internal lead system (S.M.A.R.T.T. Strategic Marketing Advance Real Time Technology)
• Liaison group between internal business communities and the Information Technology department
• Managed, Developed and Implemented Internet Recruiting (Monster, Hotjobs, Careerbuilder, Greatinsurancejobs.com, America’s job bank)
• Facilitated cross-functional collaboration between departments guiding executive management
• Instructional Design & Development
• Designed and developed instructor led training programs
• Analyzed skill development of staff and field
• Conducted, organization, coordinated Regional and National training sessions
• Trained and developed course curriculum materials for all levels of computer skills
• Maintained relationships with Senior VPs
• Created Recruiting CD for USA and Canada

Sara Elkins’s Education

North Central College

BA , English , 1991 — 1995

Activities and Societies:

• Varsity Swimming 1991-1995 Captain of Varsity Swim Team 1992-1994
Northern Illinois University

Masters , Science in Education in Instructional Technology

Additional Information

Sara Elkins’s Websites:

Sara Elkins’s Interests:

Instructional Technology, Social Networking, Distance Learning, Adult Learning Theories, Consulting,Triathlete swimming, reading, outdoor events, music,