Paul O'brien

PAUL O’BRIEN BA, LL.B, MA PhD Piazza Cairoli 8, Codogno (LO), 26845-IT; | Calle 510 Nro. 2722, La Plata, 1900 (BA) - Argentina | (- - | (- (WhatsApp only) | email:-– Teams: obrpauloutlook.com8 – Skype ID: 0e0d968a55e3b2b PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY Corporate Communications & Language Specialist | Expert in Translation, Editing, and Executive Ghostwriting | Proven Excellence in Press, Copywriting & Multilingual Content Management Accomplished communications professional with extensive experience across translation, editing, press relations, and corporate copywriting within multinational settings. Skilled in delivering high-quality content across legal, financial, technical, sustainability and HR domains, with a strong track record of managing multilingual editorial projects in fast-paced, deadline-sensitive environments. Known for transforming complex information into clear, strategic messaging that aligns with brand voice and organizational goals. Demonstrates exceptional academic writing ability applied to business-focused outputs including executive ghostwriting, press releases, and detailed analytical reports. Recognized for precision, linguistic sensitivity, and the ability to coordinate with internal and external stakeholders across functions. Delivers consistent value through structured communication, content clarity, and cross-cultural fluency. Strategic Leadership & Transformation Impact:  Spearheaded multilingual translation and editorial operations in the oil & gas sector, streamlining delivery through CAT tools and supplier coordination, reducing turnaround times by 25% and external costs by 18%.  Led media relations strategy by crafting 300+ press releases and managing global press engagement, elevating brand visibility and ensuring consistent, compliant public disclosures.  Applied academic research expertise to corporate communication, delivering precise, structured content across legal, financial, and compliance domains, with 98%+ client satisfaction in PEMT work. CORE COMPETENCIES  Expert in managing complex translation and localization projects across English, Italian, and Spanish, ensuring linguistic accuracy, brand consistency, and compliance with industry terminology standards. Skilled in crafting press releases, executive messaging, and public disclosure documents, with a proven ability to manage media relationships and enhance corporate reputation across international markets. Proficient in collaborating with legal, HR, financial, and technical departments to deliver aligned messaging and documentation that supports business goals and compliance standards. Adept at handling large-scale editorial assignments under pressure, coordinating with internal teams and external vendors to deliver publication-ready content on time and within budget.    KEY SKILLS       Proofreading & Quality Assurance Terminology Management Writing & Communication Executive Ghostwriting Press Release Writing Speech & Report Drafting       Stakeholder Messaging Media & Public Relations Press Monitoring & Analysis Copywriting External Communications Content Quality Control       Editorial Project Coordination Deadline & Workflow Management Supplier Negotiation Cost & Time Optimization Internal Communications Alignment Digital & Technical Tools PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IT-EN and SP-EN Freelance Translator, Proofreader, and Editor (Specializing in PEMT) Self-Employed / Freelance Feb 2020 – Present Provide high-quality translation, proofreading, and post-editing services from Italian and Spanish into English for diverse industries. Specialize in translating complex content across finance, law, technical documentation, hydrogeology, environmental science, human resources, and pharmaceuticals. Maintaining linguistic accuracy, cultural relevance, and technical precision in each project. Work extensively with CAT tools, ensuring terminology consistency and leveraging translation memories to optimize efficiency and costeffectiveness. Key Achievements:       Translated over 3 million words since 2020 with a 98%+ client satisfaction rate, ensuring consistent quality and timely delivery. Completed 25+ annual report projects for public and private sector clients, contributing to their investor relations and compliance efforts. Reduced revision time by 30% through consistent use of CAT tools (MemoQ, SDL Trados, and Smartcat) and custom glossaries. Achieved 100% compliance with ISO 17100 standards in certified translation projects for legal and pharmaceutical sectors. Delivered multilingual marketing and academic content across 15+ international campaigns, increasing client engagement and reach. Edited and post-edited over 500,000 words of machine-translated content, improving linguistic fluency by 40–60% per project. Media Relations Officer Saipem SpA | San Donato Milanese, Italy Jan 2017 – Feb 2020 Managed and strengthened relationships with both traditional and digital media outlets, aligning communication activities with Saipem's broader corporate strategy. As the focal point for Public Disclosure of Technical Information, developed internal procedures and served as the lead liaison with foreign press and financial communication consultants. Key Achievements:      Drafted and distributed over 300 press releases, maintaining consistent messaging across 25+ global markets. Produced daily press reviews viewed by an average of 150+ internal stakeholders, improving situational awareness across departments. Developed and formalized the company’s Public Disclosure of Technical Information Procedure, ensuring compliance with corporate governance standards. Collaborated with external consultants on 5 major crisis communication campaigns, preserving corporate reputation and mitigating PR risk. Managed media relations during the launch of 3 large-scale energy projects, leading to coverage in Tier 1 financial and industry publications. Translator, Proofreader & Project Manager – Oil & Gas Industry Saipem SpA | San Donato Milanese, Italy June 2010 – Jan 2017 As a Translator, Proofreader, and Project Manager within Saipem's Translation and Interpreting Department (TRAD), managed multilingual translation projects supporting key departments across the oil and gas sector. Served as the main liaison between internal business units and external vendors, ensuring cost-effective and timely delivery of complex technical, legal, and operational documents. Key Achievements:      Successfully managed 500+ translation projects across 3 languages, achieving 99% on-time delivery and meeting stringent quality standards. Reduced translation turnaround time by 25% by implementing CAT tools (Trados, MemoQ) and automating vendor assignment processes. Translated and proofread over 1.2 million words of technical and corporate documentation, including HSE manuals and internal procedures. Developed standardized terminology databases for 6 operational departments, enhancing linguistic consistency and internal communication. Coordinated cross-functional translation needs during 4 major offshore project launches, supporting multilingual documentation delivery. English Language Teacher Various State and Private Schools, Corporate Clients (Full list available on request) | Italy 1994 – 2010 As an English Teacher, delivered dynamic and outcome-driven language instruction to teenagers and adults in both academic and professional settings. I designed customized curricula aligned with the CEFR framework, focusing on grammar, vocabulary development, and oral and written communication skills. Prepared students for internationally recognized Cambridge English exams (B1 to C1 levels), consistently achieving high success rates. EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS Introductory Lectures in Psychoanalysis (14) (with certificate) The British Psychoanalytical Society (incorporating the Institute of Psychoanalysis) 2025 LL.B (Degree in Law) University of London, United Kingdom EQF level 6 2020 MA Trinity College Dublin, Ireland EQF level 7  Proceeded to the rank of Master of Arts 2011 PhD Trinity College Dublin, Ireland EQF level 8  Thesis titled “Inventing Fascism: Mussolini and the Great War”. Supervisor: Prof. John Horne 2003 BA (Mod.) Trinity College Dublin, Ireland EQF level 6  Two Subject Moderatorship Degree in Italian (language and literature) and History of the Biblical World 1994 IT SKILLS  Microsoft 365 | SDL Trados Studio 2021 | SDL MultiTerm 2021 | MemoQ | Adobe InDesign LANGUAGE SKILLS Native Language: English Italian – C2 (Certificato d’Italiano come Lingua Straniera, Università di Siena – Recognised by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Spanish – B1 (Self-evaluated) ACADEMIC PRIZES & SCHOLARSHIPS        Prize for Best Research Essay published in the Journal of Postgraduate Studies Dean of Postgraduate Studies, Trinity College Dublin (2003) One-Year Scholarship for PhD Research Italian Government -) “Radice” Prize for highest grade in final-year exams Department of Italian, Trinity College Dublin (1994) Scholarship to the University of Pavia (One year) Department of Italian, Trinity College Dublin -) Erasmus Scholarship – University of Bologna Department of Italian, Trinity College Dublin (Jan–Mar 1991) “Newmark” Prize – Most noteworthy improvement in first year of study Department of Italian, Trinity College Dublin (1990) “Carson” Prize (2nd Place) – Exam results, first year Department of Biblical Studies, Trinity College Dublin (1990) PUBLICATIONS Books  Mussolini in the First World War, Berg Publishers, 2005 E-Books  ¿Un héroe herido?: Una nueva evaluación de las heridas de guerra de Mussolini en 1917, Amazon, 2017  Wounded Hero? Reappraising Mussolini’s War Injuries of 1917, Amazon, 2013 Articles  ‘Mussolini in the Period of Italian Neutrality, August 1914–May 1915’, in V. Wilcox (ed.), Italy in the Era of the Great War, Brill Publishers, pp. 164–185  ‘L’Audacia della “grande voltata”. Benito Mussolini’, in M. Isnenghi & D. Ceschin (eds.), Gli Italiani in Guerra, UTET, 2008, Vol. III–Tomo 1, pp. 384–392  ‘Summary Executions in Italy During the First World War: Findings and Implications’, Modern Italy, Vol. 11, No. 3, 2006, pp. 353–359  ‘La Roma di Mussolini’, Italia Contemporanea, No. 243, 2006, pp. 336–341  ‘Alle origini del totalitarismo italiano’, Italia Contemporanea, No. 241, 2005, pp. 565–569  ‘Resto della mia idea: il Duce era sifilitico’, Diario, Anno X, No. 11, 2005, p. 4  ‘Guerra di illusioni? Fantasmi e atrocità tedesche nell’agosto 1914’, Italia Contemporanea, No. 233, 2004, pp. 734–739  ‘Fascismi, conservatorismi e analisi di genere’, Italia Contemporanea, No. 236, 2003, pp. 499–504  ‘Un commento’, Italia Contemporanea, No. 230, 2003, pp. 121–123  ‘Mussolini dittatore senza programma?’, Italia Contemporanea, No. 229, 2002, pp. 733–736  ‘Al capezzale di Mussolini. Ferite e malattie-’, Italia Contemporanea, No. 226, 2002, pp. 6–29  (Reviewed in “La Repubblica”, 1 May 2002; “Il Corriere della Sera”, 22 March 2003; and “The Guardian”, 2 May 2002)  Book reviews for Italia Contemporanea and Modern Italy on modern Italian history PUBLISHED TRANSLATIONS   G. Rochat, ‘The Italian Front, 1915–18’, in J. Horne (ed.), A Companion to the First World War, Wiley-Blackwell, 2010, pp. 82–96 A. Gibelli, ‘Italy’, in J. Horne (ed.), A Companion to the First World War, Wiley-Blackwell, 2010, pp. 464–478