Dr Sarah O'Hara

Overview

Dr O'Hara has over 20+ years’ experience working in advertising, media and marketing both in the UK and overseas in Bermuda, the Caribbean and Cyprus. She has worked in marketing and communications for large organisations such as PO Ferries, Cable & Wireless and Brakes Foods and with full-service agencies. She recently worked in the public sector on communications and stakeholder engagement for local government reorganisation. Dr O'Hara has extensive experience in brand management, public relations including reputational managements and integrated communications campaigns. 

Dr O'Hara moved to academic to support the new generation of marketing and communications professionals, working with the CIPR and PRCA to develop courses that embed the employability skills today’s employers need. Previous positions at Canterbury Christ Church University included Senior Lecturer and Course Director for the BA Hons Media and Communications, BA Hons Public Relations and Media and for the BA Hons Public Relations, Media and Marketing and MA Media and Public Relations. SHe subsquently worked as Senior Academic Link Tutor for International Partnership - a cross-university role overseeing a range of partners. in Greece, Cyprus, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong and Dubai. Dr O'Hara has also worked as Faculty Director for Learning and Teaching overseeing learning, teaching and assessment strategy across a diverse portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Now working at City St Georges Dr O'Hara is a Lecturer in Strategic Communications teaching modules on public relations, advertising and communications on the BA Hons Communications, PR and Advertising and the MA Public Relations and Strategic Communications.

Dr O'Hara has a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing (CIM) and is a Senior Fellow of Higher Education. She has a passion for supporting equity and inclusive in all areas of society. She holds a Doctorate in Education which considers the stereotyping of dyslexia in higher education and has been a School Governor since 2015 with responsibility for Special Educational Needs

Qualifications

• PGCLT in Higher Education, Canterbury Christ Church University, United Kingdom
• SFHE, Advanced HE
• FHE, Advanced HE
• PGCert Marketing, Chartered Institute of Marketing
• Doctorate in Education, Canterbury Christ Church University, United Kingdom
• Masters by Research, Canterbury Christ Church University, United Kingdom
• BA Hons English and Social Administration, University of Roehampton, United Kingdom

Employment

• Senior Lecturer in Strategic Communications, City St George, United Kingdom, August 2026 - present
• Communications and Stakeholder Officer, Medway Council, United Kingdom, September 2025 - July 2026
• Faculty Director of Learning and Teaching, Canterbury Christ Church University, United Kingdom, August 2023 - July 2025
• Senior Academic Link Tutor, Canterbury Christ Church University, United Kingdom, September 2019 - September 2024
• Senior Lecture/Course Director, Canterbury Christ Church University, United Kingdom, September 2013 - August 2023
• Marketing Consultant, Brakes Foods, United Kingdom, January - December 2013
• Head of Marketing Communications, Kent Messenger Group, United Kingdom, September 2007 - December 2012
• Marketing Controller/Head of Onboard Services, PO Ferries, United Kingdom, December 2001 - September 2007
• Account Director, Action Communications - Cyprus, Cyprus, June 2000 - July 2001
• Head of Marketing Communications, Cable and Wireless eBusiness, Bermuda, January 2000 - December 2001
• Account Director, RB&K Advertising Bermuda, Bermuda, February 1998 - December 1999

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