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Saskia Jackson
40, Maynard Terrace, Clutton BS39 5PW
Telephone: 07866 735 145 (Mobile); Email: Saskia.jackson@yahoo.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/saskia-holtkott/30/338/658
Professional Profile
An expert practitioner in a combination of disciplines, including communications, employee engagement, management and
stakeholder networking. In depth knowledge and experience of internal communications, behaviour change, HR and public
green space management. A track record in strategy formulation action planning, content development,
implementation and evaluation – always with a focus on end users and audiences and with thorough engagement
of stakeholders throughout.
Emotionally intelligent (Myers Briggs INFJ), an influencer and change champion.
Regarded as a strategic thinker with a sharp eye for fresh approaches while understanding critical business needs, drivers and
trends for employee engagement. High performing, articulate and assertive, output and outcome focussed, customer
centred, flexible and committed. A quick learner, analytical, evidence based.
Personal Profile
Creative, dedicated, gentle, caring, complex, hard-working, passionate. Cook, baker, florist and gardener. Generous,
supportive and loyal. Motivated by making a difference.
Objective
To delight and exceed expectations. To do things better and to do better things. To support individuals, teams and
organisations to be the best they can be. To leave a positive legacy with everything I do. Excited by the prospect of so much
still to learn and achieve.
Major Accomplishments
Distinction of being a published author, skilled writer, presenter and trainer with expertise in information collection,
analysis and interpretation
Adaptable and flexible in response to culture change, management styles and approaches learnt in different
directorates, organisational models, with different senior leadership teams and political priorities and governance
Demonstrable success in designing effective communication mechanisms including surveys, focus groups and turning
data into action plans for improvement
Leading and managing staff teams and resources, both directly and in matrix management situations.
Communications lead for planning, delivery and evaluation of numerous successful large scale change management and
service redesign assignments
Maintaining strong working relationships with key stakeholders in specialist, complex, sensitive, political and trade
unionised environments
Adept at mining information and turning complex subjects into clear and engaging prose for readers including writing
reports, presentation material, creative online content, video scripts, voiceovers and internal news releases
Career Summary
2002 – Date BRISTOL CITY COUNCIL
2011 – Date Programme Communication Manager / Senior Communications Officer
Playing a key role as subject matter expert for leading internal communication strategies on challenging organisation
change projects
Developing communication specification for consultants, informing selection and working with design consortium to
create and deliver change communication approach, products and techniques
Developing creative and pragmatic strategy for employee groups who are difficult to communicate with
Delivering comprehensive communication support to projects through co-ordination of different communication
functions including PR, marketing and design
Writing, reviewing and delivering innovative content using various media and channels for communication to diverse
audiences including use of intranet, face-to-face, video and printed material

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Key Highlights
Leading the delivery of diverse communication for the council’s Workplace Project affecting 5000+ employees for staff
relocation, technology changes and introduction of new ways of working
Instrumental in the recent organisational restructure impacting 6297 staff, supporting voluntary severance of over 600
employees
2005 – 2011 HR Advisor
Developing, implementing and managing a range of activities and plans for improving internal communication within
and between teams
Continually evaluating the success of internal communications, working with a broad range of stakeholders and
developing follow on strategies
Promoting positive employee relations while minimising risk of conflict and litigation to the organisation arising from HR
disputes
Maintaining and promoting open channels of communication and engagement with managers, employees and trade
unions
Effectively promoting the delivery of service to internal and external customers
Key Highlights
Establishing and leading a staff communication group in response to employee feedback to resolve internal issues and
enable smooth flow of information
Successfully driving through controversial contract changes
Consistently evaluating communication as the only ‘green’ element within the traffic light risk assessment in the change
readiness surveys of a service redesign project
2002 – 2005 Service Development Manager
Effectively coordinating the service development within the service including leading and managing the training, ICT,
business support and quality assurance functions
Working closely with voluntary sector and youth organisations for funding and partnership delivery
Developing competence based induction programmes and training for administrative staff
1998 – 2002 Estates Manager
Managing the recreational aspects of parks and open spaces including coordinating events and the parks ranger service
while spearheading a team of 26 staff and overseeing the budget
Compiling and submitting the City Council's memoranda to the Environment Sub-committee as part of the Town and
Country Parks Inquiry
Voluntary Roles
Urban Parks Forum (1999 – 2000)
One of the 10 founding Directors of the Urban Parks Forum.
Distinction of being the member of the Urban Green Space Task Force "Green Spaces, Better Places" which looked at
resourcing issues in relation to urban parks and green spaces in England
Education and Qualifications
CIPD qualified and a member of CIPR. Regular attendee at CPD events in the region
NVQ level 4 in management (2001)
Masters in landscape management (1996), Diploma in landscape architecture (1994), Bachelor of Science in landscape
design and plant science (1991)
Key Skills
I.T.: Microsoft Office, Intranet (APLAWS), Alfresco, SurveyMonkey, Eventbrite, MailChimp
Social Media: LinkedIn, Yammer, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest
Languages: German (fluent) and French (basic)
References are available on request