Digital Storytelling Content Creation Strategy Trend Forecasting Collaboration Video Editing Brand Voice AI Tools Campaign Management Static Graphics Short Form Content Long Form Content

Shania Maria Leurs

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About Me

I am a final-year student at the University of Birmingham, building my career at the intersection of creativity, strategy and storytelling. My interest in marketing began during my internship at Convex Insurance, where I learned how powerful branding can be when it is shaped by a community rather than just a product. I became fascinated by the way brands tell stories, shape culture and create impact through human connection. For me, marketing is about more than campaigns; it is about identity, creativity and purpose. What excites me most is the opportunity to create work that resonates with people. Whether through a campaign, a piece of content or a social initiative, I enjoy building connections that bring brands and audiences together in meaningful ways. I believe the best marketing is both imaginative and communal, helping people feel seen while giving brands the chance to serve the communities that support them.

Since then, I’ve explored this passion in a range of settings that have shaped both my skills and perspective. At Convex, I immersed myself in creative projects, from designing presentations to helping produce the company’s podcast. Returning to Birmingham, I stepped into the role of Student Content Creator, where I was trusted to contribute to the university’s refreshed branding and was even invited to help shape its new visual identity. Beyond university, I took on freelance social media work, building tailored strategies that enabled influencers to grow their audiences and collaborate with major brands. My year abroad at the University of North Texas gave me the chance to join Her Campus UNT, where I led a team as Social Media Director and played a role in transforming the chapter into an award‑winning, gold‑level organisation. Across all these experiences, I’ve learned to balance creativity with strategy, and innovation with execution, always aiming to create work that connects and inspires.

Work Experience

Convex Insurance

Marketing Intern

During my internship at Convex Insurance, I immersed myself in projects that blended recruitment marketing with creative storytelling. I collaborated closely with the marketing and HR teams to develop content that showcased Convex’s culture and strengthened its employer brand. One of my biggest achievements was developing and producing a flagship company culture video, I personally designed the concept, scripted the content, directed filming with my team, and led the editing process to bring everything together. The final product became a central promotional asset for Convex’s internship recruitment. I also worked on the editing of The Convex Conversation podcast, supporting the production process while individually transcribing episodes to ensure accessibility and inclusivity for listeners. In addition, I designed and delivered the internship presentation deck, combining original visuals with strategic recommendations, several of which were adopted by leadership. These experiences not only strengthened my creative and technical skills but also proved my ability to take ownership of deliverables while contributing effectively in a collaborative team environment.

Campaign Design Video Production Podcast Editing Presentation

University of Birmingham

Student Content Creator & Marketer

Within my role at the University of Birmingham, I create engaging digital campaigns that authentically represent student life and support recruitment marketing. My work spans designing static graphics, producing video content, and writing copy tailored to the university’s brand voice across multiple platforms. Beyond day‑to‑day content creation, I am one of only two students handpicked to participate in a branding workshop that directly shaped the university’s future identity. The project resulted in a bold rebrand from the traditional blue palette to a sleek black‑and‑gold aesthetic with modern typography, a transformation that elevated the university’s positioning as a prestigious global institution. My individual role in this rebrand is to provide student‑led insights, shaping creative decisions from a user perspective while ensuring the branding resonates authentically with the target audience. This position continues to allow me to sharpen my creative skills while contributing meaningfully to projects with long‑term brand impact.

Digital Campaigns Student Perspective Brand Identity Collaboration

Freelance Social Media Manager

Self‑Employed

As a Freelance Social Media Manager, I partnered with a lifestyle and fitness influencer @thefirstkayb to grow their presence on Instagram and TikTok, developing and executing content strategies that drove measurable audience growth. I designed posting schedules tailored to each platform, created engaging content in alignment with the influencer’s brand, and analysed performance data to refine approaches over time. These strategies contributed to a 25% increase in Instagram following and a 40% boost in TikTok engagement, with reels achieving viral‑level reach. My work also directly supported the influencer in securing collaborations with global brands like Under Armour, a milestone that highlighted the commercial value of my approach. While I collaborated closely with him on creative direction, I independently managed the analytics, content calendar, and production process, ensuring consistency and measurable progress. This role gave me the opportunity to act as both strategist and creator, blending creativity with data to achieve results in a competitive influencer market.

Content Strategy Creative Production Analytics Influencer Growth

Einstein 11+

Marketing & Communications Associate

At Einstein 11+, a tuition provider supporting students preparing for competitive entrance exams, I took on a multi‑faceted marketing and communications role that combined digital strategy with hands‑on execution. I worked across email marketing, social media content, graphic design and website development, gaining experience in both the creative and operational sides of marketing. My role often involved creating mock‑ups, flyers and digital assets that aligned with the company’s brand voice, while also managing campaigns designed to retain existing clients and attract new ones. A key responsibility was contributing to the redesign of the company’s website using Shopify, where I collaborated on layout decisions, created visuals and ensured that the user journey felt clear and engaging. I also monitored analytics to evaluate the performance of campaigns and identify opportunities for optimisation, from improving email open rates to refining the look and feel of promotional materials. Beyond content creation, I frequently liaised with clients and families, managing communications that required professionalism, empathy and attention to detail. Through this role, I helped shape a more modern and cohesive brand identity that resonated with both parents and students. By blending creative storytelling with data‑driven decision‑making, I contributed to a refreshed digital presence and a stronger sense of trust and recognition in the education sector.

Email Marketing Website Design Client Retention Graphic Design Analytics

Her Campus UNT

Social Media Director

As Social Media Director for the award‑winning Her Campus chapter at the University of North Texas, I led content strategy, campaign planning, and platform management for one of the most visible student media brands on campus. I managed the chapter’s Instagram presence, producing reels, graphics, and trend‑driven content that resulted in a 26% increase in follower growth and boosted reel views from under 100 to over 8,000. I collaborated with the editorial and events teams to ensure that social media campaigns amplified wider chapter initiatives, including recruitment and major student events. One of our standout achievements was running a campus‑wide event that was recognised by Her Campus HQ for its exceptional turnout and strong online promotion, a reflection of the campaign’s success both on the ground and digitally. As director, I not only set the creative vision but also mentored team members on best practices for content creation, scheduling, and analytics, ensuring consistent results across campaigns. This leadership role gave me the chance to balance creativity with management, proving my ability to guide a team while delivering measurable outcomes.

Social Media Trend Driven Team Leadership Awards

Brand Partnerships

During my time as Social Media Director at Her Campus UNT, I worked on campaigns with global and national brands including Garnier, Domino’s, Red Bull, Mugler, Lancôme, Viktor & Rolf, Sol de Janeiro, the Dallas Cowboys, and Kiehl’s. These partnerships gave me the chance to bring well‑known brands directly into the student community, making them part of campus culture through sampling initiatives, promotional activities, and social media content. I managed and guided the creation of posts, graphics, and short‑form videos that highlighted these activations in ways that felt authentic to a Gen Z audience. The focus was always on balancing the brand’s identity with the voice of our campus chapter, so that campaigns connected naturally with students while staying true to the companies’ guidelines. This experience strengthened my skills in brand adaptation, content planning, and team leadership, while showing me the impact of creative, community‑driven marketing at the campus level.

  • Domino’s
  • Red Bull
  • Mugler
  • Lancôme
  • Viktor & Rolf
  • Sol de Janeiro
  • Dallas Cowboys
  • Garnier
  • Kiehl’s
Shania standing on AT&T Stadium field

Skills & Tools

Content Creation

  • Social media content (Instagram, TikTok, reels, stories)
  • Copywriting for digital campaigns & captions
  • Video editing (CapCut, Premiere Pro)
  • Audio editing (Audacity, podcast post‑production)
  • UGC production & campaign execution
  • Photo editing (Canva, Photoshop, Lightroom)

Analytics & Strategy

  • Social performance tracking & insights
  • Reporting & KPI analysis
  • Content optimisation & A/B testing
  • Competitor research & benchmarking
  • Audience targeting & engagement strategy

Technical Tools

  • Canva, Photoshop, Lightroom
  • CapCut, Adobe Premiere Pro, Audacity
  • Sigma for design
  • AI‑assisted tools (ChatGPT, Grammarly, AI video editing apps)

Core Strengths

  • Storytelling & brand voice development
  • Creative campaign design & rollout
  • Project management & teamwork
  • Strategic communication & collaboration
  • Adapting to emerging trends & technologies (including AI in marketing workflows)

Awards & Recognition

Her Campus “Go Getter” Award

Awarded for exceptional initiative and commitment to Her Campus UNT. I received this for consistently driving digital growth through innovative social strategies, trend-based content, and creative campaigns that elevated the chapter’s online presence.

Her Campus “Best Team” Award

Presented to the social media team I directed at Her Campus UNT for our outstanding collaboration and results. As Social Media Director, I led strategy, content creation, and coordination across platforms, ensuring our digital campaigns amplified the work of the wider editorial and events teams.

Her Campus “Best Event Chapter Network” Award

Recognised by Her Campus HQ for promoting and running an exceptional event that achieved an impressive turnout. As part of the leadership team, I directed social media promotion and campaign visibility, which played a key role in driving attendance and the overall success of the event.

University of North Texas “Organisation of the Year” Award

Her Campus UNT was recognised by UNT as the top student organisation. My leadership of the social media team and contributions to campaign visibility directly supported the chapter’s success and nomination for this award.

President’s List for Academic Achievement

Achieved during my year abroad at the University of North Texas for maintaining a 4.0 GPA in Marketing and Advertising courses, reflecting academic excellence alongside extracurricular leadership.

Sir Cyril Taylor Memorial Scholarship

Awarded for academic merit and potential in international study. This recognition supported my year abroad in the United States, reflecting my academic commitment and drive for global experience.

Black History Month Project

At Haverstock School, I coordinated the Black History Month Project, organising events, developing educational content, and leading discussions to celebrate and recognise Black culture and history. The project strengthened inclusivity and awareness across the school community.

Haverstock School Subject Scholar Award

Presented for outstanding academic achievement in Politics at A‑Level.

Writer for the Haverstock Newspaper & Student Council Member

Recognised for active involvement in the school community, contributing articles and representing students through leadership roles.

Testimonials & References

Hellena Maro
Social Media Co Director at Her Campus
“She's a reliable and empathetic leader who not only elevated our team's success but also helped me grow personally and professionally. Any team would be incredibly lucky to have Shania's passion, creativity and spirit on board!”
Oluwaseun Seriki
President of Her Campus
“Shania’s strengths in graphic design, social media management and team coordination are only part of what made her remarkable. It was also her adaptability, keen intellect and strong communication skills that truly set her apart.”
Kelvin Boampong
Freelance Client
“Shania is a manager who truly cares—she brings creative insight, strategic thinking and a high level of organisation to everything she does. Any brand, business or individual would be lucky to have her in their corner.”

Reach out to me!

Like what you see? Feel free to reach out to me. I’m always open to opportunities to create, strategise and tell stories that matter.