Sophie Truter
Head of Integrated, alt/shift/
A strategic client partner, Sophie has a background in creative communications and marketing. Like many 20-somethings, she explored a few different paths early on — including journalism, art curatorship and hospitality before landing at a public relations agency, where she was able to combine her creativity with a genuine love of working with people.
Much of her recent work has focused on the government sector, where she has delivered integrated public awareness and behaviour change campaigns for the TAC, the Victorian Department of Health, the Victorian Department of Education, and the Federal Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, amongst others.
An experienced agency leader, Sophie thrives at the intersection of strategy, creative, client and audience - acting as the connector for the many moving parts of a campaign and bringing out the best in the teams around her.
Career & Background
What inspired you to do what you are doing now?
For me, this is simple: the people. I am constantly in pursuit of connection because it’s the relationships and shared moments that matter the most.
Could you tell us a bit about your professional background?
I’ve had a couple of different careers over the years – tried my hand at journalism, then thought I wanted to be an art curator, but one key constant throughout my early career, which I think has deeply shaped my work today, was working in hospitality.
For years, I juggled study or working at agencies with café jobs and night shifts in restaurants. Why is this relevant? Because it taught me the ins and outs of good hospitality, which is the foundation of client service, team management, and stakeholder relations – all three being a HUGE part of my job today, and the part that lights me up the most!
Over the past 11 years, I have grown through the ranks of agency. Starting out in a small PR agency, I moved to Clemenger BBDO, where I was exposed to the inner workings of a full-service creative agency and drawn to mobilising campaigns across various departments: strategy, creative, social – you name it. I loved integrating project teams to collaborate and deliver results. Again, something I was very used to from my hospitality days.
I later come to alt/shift/, where I am today. Here, I’ve been able to carve a real patch for myself as our Head of Integrated, working with some of Australia’s biggest brands: AFL Play, Origin Energy, MYOB, and leading our Government portfolio to deliver behaviour change campaigns addressing everything from road safety to anti-vaping.
My career has taken me to unexpected places and introduced me to so many wonderful characters. It’s an enjoyable adventure!
Your favourite food for thought
Books
- Julia Fox, Down the Drain – It shows that a life path, and therefore a career path, doesn’t have to be linear. It’s all about messy growth which is unavoidable!
- Ben Shewry, Uses for Obsession: A Chef’s Memoir – Admittedly, this is on the nightstand as my next read, so cautious to recommend this just yet, but I’ve heard it’s a great example of values-driven leadership, which we love!
- Florence Given, Women Living Deliciously – Because we all need to learn that joy in everyday life is much more important than productivity and external validation.
Podcasts / Thought Leaders
- Eugene Healey (thought-leader) is a go to for all things strategy, culture, and communication!
- The Minefield (podcast) explores moral dilemmas, ethics, and competing values in public and professional life.
- This Working Life (podcast) focuses on the psychological and social aspects of work, which is helpful both at an individual level and when leading dynamic teams.
What drives and inspires you
What are your core values?
- Authenticity
- Humour
- Loyalty
Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
I’m lucky to have a few very close people in my orbit who run their own businesses – I won’t embarrass them by naming names, but the relevant part is that they lead with heart and creativity. Their ability to show up with humour and perspective, no matter what life throws at them, keeps me grounded and inspired in pursuing my own goals and ambitions.
You as a Mentor
Why have you decided to become a mentor?
Because life is messy and confusing and we all need someone to listen and offer perspective from time to time. I’ve been fortunate to have many incredible mentors over the years. Without them, I would have been lost. It’s my time to pay it forward.
What are the top 3-5 skills or qualities you bring to mentoring?
- Empathic
- Sees potential in others
- Non-judgemental
- Open-minded
- Supportive
Ready to apply?
The best time is right now. Take a chance – you never know where an Assisterhood mentor can take you.