Role: Regional Publicity and Events Manager
Company: House of Fraser, Belfast
Track Record: I need to text, talk, email and leave a voicemail simultaneously
Determination and a willingness to learn helped Mark Kelly secure a job he loves working as a Regional Publicity and Events manager for House of Fraser, Belfast
Give a brief outline of your career to date.
I spent a year and a half working as an apprentice mechanic, six years in administrative and retail roles and just under eight years at House of Fraser where I started as the voice on switchboard and progressed through the office to be a Visual Merchandiser and on then to Marketing, PR and Events.
What was your favourite subject at school?
By far my favourite subject was Technology. I loved the creative side of woodwork and its DIY elements mixed together with having to work out how to build circuit boards.
Did you go on to further/ higher education, if so what did you study and where?
No I left school after my fifth year at high school.
How did you get into your area of work?
The store management team within House of Fraser noticed my thirst for learning and took a chance on me, moving me from Visual Merchandising into the world of Marketing and Events which led me on to become a member of our company wide Regional Publicity and Events team.
Is this what you always wanted to do?
Not at all, I have a very strong passion for all things to do with cars. I could spend hours simply walking aimlessly among the brands on show at Boucher Road, but I am very lucky that my current role is one which I truly love and still enjoy after five years.
Were there any particular essential qualifications or experience needed?
For me it was a very steep learning curve and I thrive on a challenge so when I got the chance to prove my worth in a job I liked, I was never going to accept failure. To help build my experience in the role I became a board member of the Northern Ireland Chartered Institute of Public Relations which I held for two years.
Are there any alternative routes into the job?
I am very sure that there are many avenues which would lead you to my role. I have lots of friends who have marketing degrees and such, and my advice to them is take your qualification and go after hands-on experience. I find myself in a lot of boardroom situations and I have no doubt I am the least qualified person at the table, but I take great pride in my employer and indeed all the wealth of hands-on experience they have invested in me. I am secure in what I have achieved.
What are the main personal skills your job requires?
The ability to text, talk, email and leave a voicemail all simultaneously! The main skill that I personally think is key is a ‘can do’ attitude. It’s also essential to be gracious, personable and always remember that the person in front of you may have the answer so never be afraid to ask or acknowledge that you aren’t always right.
What does your typical day entail?
Lots of emails and phone calls, attending a daily managers’ meeting, liaising with our press office in London, forward planning from a marketing schedule, and meeting with a range of press contacts and bloggers to tell them of what is on the horizon in the store. I am usually four to six months ahead of the season, so for example when it’s Christmas for everyone else, I am planning Easter.
What are the best and most challenging aspects of the job?
The best aspects of my role are the friends which it has afforded me. I have made many great friends through my role and for that I will always be grateful. In terms of challenging aspects I love that it makes me keep my finger on the pulse; I need to be aware of the latest trends, be it Instagram or social media campaigns.
Why is what you do important?
For a huge store with over 200,000 square feet of retail space, it is very easy for our customer awareness to get lost among the wealth of brands we stock. It is my job to ensure I protect and project the brand, and ensure our customers are both educated and aware of our latest collections, new brands and events.
What advice would you give anyone looking to follow a similar career path?
Be yourself, be gracious, be kind, be willing to learn, if you want it for the invites it is probably the wrong career for you. Know that you do not know it all and gain some on-the-job experience and network at every opportunity.
If you weren’t doing this what would you like to do?
I would probably have progressed through my Visual Merchandising role at House of Fraser or failing that I would be the man to sell you a motor on Boucher.
If you could go back, what is the one piece of advice you would give to yourself on your first day?
That one is very easy — breathe and believe.
Describe your ideal day off.
A day spent with my fiancé and a beach walk. Failing that a trip to my hometown of Strabane to see my family and my amazingly fun six nephews and nieces.