Personal details
| Name | Gregory Brine |
| mail@gregory-brine.com | |
| Website | www.gregory-brine.com |
| www.linkedin.com/in/gregorybrine | |
| twitter.com/gregory_brine |
Overview
My background on the web spans almost 10 years, starting with HTML, working through senior developer to Team Leader and up to Technical Director, taking an opportunity to cross-train as a Project Manager in a leading digital agency. I have built and managed online solutions in a range of markets including online music, investor relations, non-profit, online publications, legal, social networking and FMCG.
The web changes daily which makes it such a challenging and exciting industry to work in, allowing me to develop strategies to drive new marketing campaigns and ideas based on the new innovations and opportunities. Creating cutting edge web sites that combine the latest technology and techniques with an eye for design that can push what websites can do creatively, engaging the end user, building brands and encouraging social interaction.
With experience and passion, I’ve learnt to stay very close to developments in the web industry, working on CMS solutions, SEO and SEM strategies, viral and banner advertising, e-mail, system development, web services, financial systems, accessibility, campaigns, e-commerce and Facebook applications.
I am driven by new challenges and delivering solutions that exceed technical and creative expectations. I instil in the business the ambition of creating new processes as well as using existing strategies to deliver. My motivation is to ensure I push myself and my team forward, leaning new things.
Experience
Business Analyst / Project Manager, Amnesia Razorfish, East Sydney, 2008 – current
Clients: Channel V, BT Financial, BT Financial Group, BT Advance, BT iPhone App
Responsibilities: Amensia brought me in as Project Manager to work on a complex and highly creative music project for Channel [V]. The project was a start to finish build, working closely with the client to identify their requirements and organise 3rd party suppliers, then creating a team internally responsible for building the solution. The project was run using an Agile methodology at its core, but was adapted to really bring together the creative and technology teams to better suit the agency/client relationship.
We delivered the site through a unique, dynamic Ajax interface, that brought together aggregated content from a range of 3rd party sources, including 13 million artists bios, creating the first musical community of its kind in Australia. My role on the project was primarily focused on Project Management, but I also worked on the Branding, Strategy, User Experience and IA that made the site a reality.
Technical Director, Wiliam PTY, North Sydney, 2006-2008
Clients: Audio connection, Clarence St Cyclery, Toshiba, CFO Ambition, Avery Denison, Choice Food for Kids, DLA Phillips Fox, Radio Rentals and Travelex.
Responsibilities:I joined Wiliam to establish a front end development team, later stepping up to take over the whole development team. putting together a program to update the company processes and CMS system, working closely with the other teams to identify and refine the web development lifecycle. As part of my team’s development, I took the decision to migrate to ASP.NET C#, and strategically structured them to support future growth of both the team and the company, creating a seperate applications team for larger, more complex projects. Part of my role required me to identify new technologies and redefine the company’s ideas and vision on the web.
As I evolved within the company, I moved into a more strategic project based role, allowing me to work closely with the client and across all teams within the company. Being involved at the project conception allowed me to identify brand requirements, develop ideas and think longer term, working right the way through the design and development process to delivery and beyond.
Techncial Lead, JPMH, London 2004-2005
Clients: Purina Europe, Nestle, Hasbro UK, Buena Vista, Duracell, Gilette, Oral-B Professional and Cats Protection.
Responsibilities: I joined JPMH to stop outsourcing of projects to 3rd parties and increase profitability by building an internal development team, putting processes in place and scheduling work. The initial challenge was creating a development environmnt that had to mirror some very specialised client requirements to allow a smooth process from start to finish. Working with the account managers, we prepared and pitched to clients, writing estimates and bringing in new work. As part of my role, I developed a CMS solution that was used as a base for all clients, and my team gradually upgraded it for each new client. Once the team was running autonomously, I moved into a more strategic role, becoming involved in brainstorming and developing ideas for marketing campaigns and online viral games, briefing in designers and developers.
Senior Developer, The Group (formerly IR Group), London 2000-2004
Clients: Aviva, Kingfisher, Imperial Tobacco, British Gas and Centrica.
Responsibilities: Using skills I’d learnt in my own time, I joined the company as a junior developer, quickly showing my ability to understand new technologies and develop solutions to complex problems. I quickly became a senior developer and analysed and built an intranet to meet the companies day to day needs. Later I developed a CMS and CRM software, shifting solutions from a Coldfusion base to ASP. As a senior developer, I helped develop the techniques needed to position the company at the forefront of accessibility in the UK.
CAS Advertising, London 1996-2000
My role was mixed at CAS Advertising working freelance during my University time. Work included producing artwork and layouts for brochures and advertisements using a combination of publishing tools. I redesigned and updated the company’s website and computerised a large amount of the company’s media scheduling work using Microsoft Excel.
Education and qualifications
1996 – 2000: BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering, Loughborough University, 2nd Class
School education
1989 – 1996 Forest School, Snaresbrook, London
1994 – 1996 3 A- Levels: Computers, Mathematics, English
1989 – 1994 9 GCSE’s including English, Mathematics, Physics and Computer Studies
Web skills
I believe in keeping my web skills broad and using my creativity, allowing me to understand how technologies and platforms work together and can be combined with creative to produce the best possible solution from start to finish. To build a great website, you need to be able to work with the design, work out how to slice it into standards compliant XHTML and CSS, whilst all the time, thinking about and developing the back-end solution including the SQL server database. But, at the same time ensuring that other factors such as SEO, accessibility, and website analytics are included effectively.
Developing these solutions requires the groundwork of identifying a client’s needs, talking to them and their supplies to document a solution to meet their needs, and highlight additional opportunities. Ensuring that languages, web services, server set-up, RSS feeds, search engine sitemaps, Google Webmaster set-up, analytics and accessibility. But also identifying how SEO can work through the correct strategy and site structure, boosting organic search results, and increasing the effectiveness of SEM campaigns.
Technologies I have worked with or have working knowledge of XHTML, CSS, ASP, ASP .NET C#, PHP, Coldfusion, Microsoft SQL Server, Photoshop, Illustrator, Wordpress, Mac applications, Wordpress, setting up and maintaining Windows web servers, IT infrastructure management, Google Mini Search appliance, and the use of both Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows computers. For some of the systems mentioned above, I have also written documentation explaining how they work to other staff.
Interests
I enjoy photography, traveling, music, films and reading. Keeping myself in shape by pursuing a variety of outdoor activities including mountain biking, running, scuba diving, golf, skiing, and visiting the gym several times a week to keep myself in shape. I have also just started sailing in Sydney Harbour, and am already hooked on it.
Before arriving in Sydney and making the decision to live here, I spent 6 months travelling with a friend around Asia. Being away from home inspired me to take up travel writing whenever I’m away for long periods in places I’ve never been to. I set up my own site, www.gregory-brine.com, using Wordpress and a custom plugin solution to deliver a very personal site.
Referees
Professional references can be supplied upon request
