Claudia Thomas is a Communications Director with a demonstrated history of working in the marketing and advertising industry. Skilled in Brand Design, Brand Management, Project Management, Fundraising, Graphic Design, and Marketing. Strong arts and management professional with a Bachelor of Science focused in Integrated Marketing Communications from the University of Mississippi.

My Background

Claudia is an optimistic leader with extensive experience working with ad agencies, Fortune 500 companies and large faith-based organizations. Claudia has helped design and manage each of these entities’ brands, as well as, developed communication strategies in order to expand each brand’s name recognition. Throughout Claudia’s career she has found that a company’s brand is one of its’ most valuable assets and can be leveraged to help meet and exceed a company’s goals.

B.S., Integrated Marketing Communications with design emphasis

University of Mississippi, 2010 - 2014

Work Experience

Communications Director 

Catalyst Church  |  Jacksonville, North Carolina  |  August 2021 - Present

Catalyst Church is a 3,000+ Christ-centered church with multiple locations in the Jacksonville, NC area. 

  • Manages Catalyst’s brand throughout entire organization

  • Drives proactive development, execution, and management of strategic communications for Catalyst Church

  • Collaborates with pastoral leadership to obtain and help define communication goals

  • Develops recommendations for communications strategy and positioning for community events and outreach efforts

  • Devises and implements communication plans and campaigns

  • Executes ad campaigns via social media, church presentation content, eblasts, direct mail, etc.

  • Interfaces with third-party vendors in order to orchestrate effective advertising campaigns

  • Monitors impact, retention, and sentiments, using data to optimize future plans and messaging

  • Oversees public relations strategy, press releases, and media submissions

  • Provides ongoing PR counsel and messaging guidance to internal staff

  • Oversees brand stewardship, adherence, updates, and tools

  • Ensures that all media, fundraising and marketing communications meet brand standards and messaging framework

  • Supports Catalyst and each ministry with brand training and the importance of brand strength.

Project Manager

Catalyst Church  |  Jacksonville, North Carolina  |  March 2019 - August 2021

Catalyst Church is a 3,000+ Christ-centered church with multiple locations in the Jacksonville, NC area. 

  • Developed project strategy and deliverables for multiple departments and church leadership

  • Created project plans, tactical action strategies and implemented solutions in order to achieve measurable project goals

  • Developed schedules, project estimates, resource plans, and budgets for Creative Department

  • Set and monitored internal deadlines, to ensure timely completion of deliverables

  • Scheduled and lead regular Creative Department meetings and provided status reports to ministries

  • Utilized project management technologies and tools to ensure timely completion of assigned projects (Basecamp, Adobe Creative Suite, TAG Tools, etc)

  • Collaborated with Catalyst staff and ministries to develop and implement solutions that support the needs of the Catalyst brand

  • Performed a broad range of administrative activities including scheduling, meeting planning, document creation, communications, presentations, and other logistical functions

Graphic Designer | Project and Office Manager

Thomas Arts  |  Washington, D.C.  |  March 2017 - March 2019

Independent Ad Agency

  • Designed and created presentations and graphics for Fortune 500 and international companies (including, AARP, Marriott, Gannet, etc.)

  • Researched and developed effective strategies for multi-national advertising campaigns

  • Oversaw and managed multiple in-house and client driven communications to educate and promote departmental operations

  • Ensured the design elements produced by Adobe Creative Suite and PowerPoint were on brand and compatible for the client’s daily operations

  • Produced branded print materials for various operational needs

  • Articulated and presented creative concepts

  • Pitched ideas and designed concepts in a group environment and synthesized/interpreted feedback from multiple stakeholders

  • Coordinated and organized account outreach fundraisers and social events

  • Managed the day to day operations between the Account Section and Creative Department

  • Responsible for logistical and administrative needs of a national advertising agency

Graphic Designer (worked remotely)

Medical Marketing Economics, LLC  |  Oxford, Mississippi  |  May 2014 - March 2017

A pharmaceutical consulting firm focused on pricing, reimbursement, and market access

  • Worked with partners, analyzing, organizing, and reformatting complex research data

  • Designed visually compelling sales presentations to clearly communicate statistical analyses to clients

  • Developed and designed high level presentations from inception to evaluation

Heroic Search, LLC  |  Dallas, Texas  |  November 2015 - March 2017

Link Building and Content Marketing Agency

  • Collaborated, brainstormed, and strategized with multiple team members on a wide range of materials that included presentations, internal communications, newsletters, and marketing materials

  • Translated strategic direction into high-quality design within an established brand identity

  • Developed original design concepts and created content by determining the ideal usage of color, text, font style, imagery, and layout

  • Designed high-quality and innovative creative, including, but not limited to PowerPoint presentations, and various other marketing materials

  • Provided creative support and solutions to design briefs such as layouts, templates, graphics, concepts, and animations

  • Worked closely with internal team and clients to create strong and dynamic content from conception to production

Graphic Designer

Pi Beta Phi Fraternity  |  Oxford, Mississippi  |  September 2012 - May 2014

Non-profit Organization for Women

  • Worked closely with upper management to design materials to be used for social media, email campaigns, website and ballpark signage

  • Maintained a cohesive brand aesthetic to ensure that the brand was represented consistently

  • Collaborated with the marketing team to create new and exciting concepts and ideas to promote the brand