Organisation: Department of Business Northern Territory Government
Job Title: Senior Project Officer Business Programs
Location: Northern Territory
Experience with project and client management systems, and client focussed
product/program delivery.
I have both strong theoretical knowledge and extensive practical experience with project
management. I have completed a Diploma in Project Management based on PMBOK (the Project
Management Body of Knowledge system). PMBOK is process-based, where the processes are
described in terms of inputs, tools, techniques and outputs and where the five process groups are
Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring/ Controlling and Closing.
As the National Consolidation Partnership Manager with OnePath, I successfully managed two
national marketing projects to market. I developed the projects from the ground up, following
many of the processes outlined in PMBOK. These included the creation of intellectual property,
stakeholder management, project implementation and delivery.
These projects involved working with the Business Development Managers (BDMs) to create
innovative, low cost marketing tools. One of these was a computer based “business in a box” tool
that BDMs could provide to our clients (Financial Planners) which helped them to seamlessly sell
the benefits of our product and services. This resulted in an increase of revenue for my employer
and created efficiencies for the BDM’s in their role. To manage these projects I had to harness the
knowledge of our BDMs, as well as a number of other subject matter experts. I also had to gain an
excellent understanding of the needs and priorities of our clients.
I also have 6 years of experience dealing with Client Management Systems (CMS’s). Within this
time I developed further search functions to enable the business to refine searches and enable
streamlining. In previous positions I have utilised Salesforce Customer Relationship Management
technology, a program which streamlines and automates business processes, and the Client Focus
module of XPLAN, which is a comprehensive data collection system that allows the capture and
storage of all client information and flexible client relationship management.
I am passionate about providing excellent client service. I have assisted all types of customers in all
types of settings and believe that acquiring and maintaining loyal repeat business, as well as
spreading the word of your business through client loyalty, is the foundation of good business
practice. Positioning a company for better exposure and greater marketability is a task that I have
performed with success many times throughout my career.
An example of my client focus occurred when I was employed at Oasis and the company
underwent underwent a merger. Staff were required to gain familiarity with new products and
services in order to provide the best possible service to our clients. I realised that it was in the best
interests of both the company and our customer base for staff to quickly pick up this knowledge so
I built the learning required for this into staff meetings. This enabled the new knowledge be
quickly integrated into the day to day business.
2. Demonstrated high level written and oral communication skills with experience in writing
Ministerial level correspondence.
I have excellent written and oral communication skills. I have delivered training in all possible
settings, to a vast variety of groups via an extensive number of delivery modes. My audience has
included Senior Executives, other Trainers, Financial Planners, administration staff, finance
employees and warehouse staff. I target my message to the audience and the context.
I also have extensive expertise in utilising an extensive range of wides and modes to deliver
training to ensure effective communication. For example, while working with OnePath I
successfully used WebEx (an interactive, online training tool) to deliver learning to my clients.
WebEx includes online sessions, integrated voice conferencing, and the ability to record classes for
later playback. I also have experience delivering formal training via videoconferencing, face to face
sessions, phone based and other web based delivery modes.
Another relevant example that demonstrates my communication skills and my ability to develop
and deliver clear messages, was the project I undertook with Alphapharm. I was required to
source and apply an extensive range of technical data to develop the competency-based training
materials needed to transition staff successfully from Glovia to SAP. The materials I developed to
ensure the message was communicated effectively included exercise guides, presentations, work
instructions and tools in line with organisational procedures. These materials were used by Mylan
Global at 3 more SAP implementation sites. I delivered the training sessions within a classroom
environment and received consistently positive participant feedback.
A key element of my role at OnePath was establishing and maintaining excellent
communication channels. A key achievement during this time was leveraging these channels
to deliver education and training opportunities regarding system upgrade projects which
created efficiencies for my clients and increased productivity and offered cost initiatives for
my employer.
The intellectual property I developed for two market based projects demonstrate my ability
to develop formal, high level written materials. Both items were written for the public market
and were very successful. In addition to this I have written training materials for OnePath
and Aphapharm which was used in 3 global locations.
3. Ability to liaise at all levels of the public and private sectors and proven ability to work
with minimal supervision.
Another position I held within OnePath was as an eBusiness Training Consultant and Adviser.
Throughout my 4 years with OnePath (formally ING investments & Oasis), the company
underwent a merger which resulted in significant organisational change impacting on the
business, the people, and a vast array of operational policies and procedures. During this
significant change process it was my responsibility, via the delivery of extensive training, to
transition staff to new customer management systems and business platforms.
This required that I both utilised and nurtured my existing networks and built new and productive
relationships through extensive liaison with incoming staff. Staff respected my technical expertise
and grew to see me as part of the team, as someone simply dedicated to providing them with the
tools they needed to do their business better. I educated over 568 individual clients within the last
8 months of employment with OnePath, utilising one-on-one training, group meetings, webLink,
video conferencing and seminars on topics including creating efficiencies. This resulted in an
increased use of applications and production, and I consistently received positive participant
feedback during this process. Almost all of this work was undertaken with only minimal
supervision.
It is also relevant that process needed to be communicated on an ongoing basis to senior
management and co-ordinated with other training staff across several states. This group met on a
fortnightly basis to ensure training delivery continued to support business imperatives. I liaised
extensively with all training staff to ensure that we worked collaboratively on a nationwide basis,
sharing knowledge, information and expertise to meet client needs.
A further example of my ability to liaise with all levels of the public and private sector relates to a
project I undertook for Australian Safety Learning Systems (ASLS), a Registered Training
Organisation and a provider of Workplace Health and Safety consulting. I was tasked with helping
the company to diversify and expand its business within the mining sector. I initially liaised with
ASLS management to understand the required scope and deliverables of this diversification. I then
networked and consulted with community, government and commercial stakeholders to
determine relevant opportunities.
4. Awareness and understanding of the needs of business, a sound knowledge of business/
commercial practices, and a sound understanding of contemporary business issues
affecting the Northern Territory business environment.
I have a strong understanding of the contemporary business issues within the Northern Territory.
The initial research that I have undertaken has highlighted that the biggest business sectors are
mining (accounting for a quarter of the gross state product), agriculture, tourism, construction and
public administration. Clearly the Northern Territory has a unique commercial profile.
I also understand that a strong business environment is important for the Territory’s sustainable
economic growth and development and that a wide range of factors drive this environment. Just a
few of these factors include national and global economics, the labour force, its complicated
infrastructural/ societal support and the political environment.
I also understand that the Northern Territory is rapidly developing as an oil and gas industry hub
and is a gateway to the nearby South East Asian markets. I developed insight into the Coal Seam
Gas (CSG) and the Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) Industries during my recent placement ASLS. As
mentioned, I undertook an extensive research project aimed at helping the company to diversify
and expand its business within the mining sector, specifically into the CSG and LNG industries. I
networked and consulted with community, government and commercial stakeholders relevant to
these industries and have gained a much stronger understanding of its scope and impacts.
I have worked within the private sector throughout my career and have developed exceptional
knowledge of business and commercial practices and realities. My role in Business Support at
OnePath clearly demonstrates this. Two relevant examples are:
I reduced client turnover and improved clients’ experience of the investment platform by
implementing training, targeting operational performance, new business generation and
business efficiency which resulted in increased market share.
I prioritised spending, sponsorship and focus for the team by managing budgets of up to
$60,000 pa, forecasting, expenses and travel for multiple states and consistently maintaining
expenditure below budget.
5. Research, conceptual and problem solving ability, with high level presentation skills, and a
proven commitment to confidentiality.
Throughout my career I have demonstrated the ability to undertake comprehensive research,
conceptualise information and problem solve to achieve results. The ASLS example I have outlined
previously involved extensive, diverse research and high level analysis and conceptual skills.
My experience while contracted to Mathisi shows that I can undertake high level research and
conceptual thinking. This project involved ensuring that all administration and operational policies,
procedures and processes were in compliance with Australian Quality Training Framework
requirements. This was a complex task that required a great deal of conceptual skills.
As demonstrated previously, I have broad knowledge and expertise in all facets of training
development, delivery and presentation. I have delivered training and presented information in all
possible settings, to a vast variety of groups via an extensive number of delivery modes. My
audience has included Senior Executives, other Trainers, Financial Planners, administration staff,
finance employees and warehouse staff. I target my message to the audience and the context.
Throughout my professional career I have honoured my commitment to confidentially not only to
my employer but to the customers I have dealt with. While employed as a Financial Planner I was
subject to the Financial Planning Association Code of Professional Practice, which is issued under
the auspices of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. The Code includes general
standards of conduct to be observed by Financial Planners and has three components – Code of
Ethics, Practice Standards and Rules of Professional Conduct. As you would assume, the Code is
extremely stringent and demands the highest level of ethical and professional conduct of Planners
in relation to confidentiality.
6. The ability to work outside normal working hours and to undertake travel when required.
I am prepared to work outside normal business hours and have done so extensively in past
positions. I am also prepared to undertake travel when required. While employed at OnePath I
provide training across several states.
7. Current NT drivers licence.
I have a current QLD drivers licence and there are no impediments to my obtaining a NT licence if
successful for this position.
8. Experience in event management and dealing with consultants.
I have excellent event management skills as demonstrated by my volunteer work as an events co-
ordinator for charity functions run by the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA). I helped organise
AFA events, such as movie nights, balls and Christmas parties. Charities supported by the AFA
foundation include Make-A-Wish, Save the Children, Beyond Blue, Australian Red Cross, the
Prostate Cancer Foundation and the Kokoda Challenge. My duties included:
Supporting the events team members in assessing, securing, developing and creating events
that delivered significant impact or the charities arm of AFA;
Analysis of event costing & submission to AFA head office;
Arranging event options to enable donations for the Charities;
Working with key stakeholders and dealing with external suppliers;
Liaising with venues and onsite management;
Coordinating volunteers; and
Meeting and greeting guest upon arrival to events.
I also have experience dealing with consultants and have had the responsibility of briefing them in
relation to required outcomes and monitoring their input into projects that I have managed.
9. Desirable – Ability to interact effectively with people of different cultures.
I have always treated people fairly and equitably. I have delivered training and other
services to people of every cultural, economic and societal background. As a trainer, I am
only interested in ensuring that I impart the skills and knowledge in a way that is most
useful to my audience. I have proven throughout my training career that I can interact
effectively with people from all backgrounds.
I communicate with all people respectfully. My foundation is one of understanding differences
based on age, gender, historical experiences, cultural backgrounds and geographic background. I
am interested in the person and I have a deep respect for their history, their family, their culture,
their needs and their story. I try to respect and value the culture and history of people that I deal
with as well as their individuality.
I have some knowledge and understanding of both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
including the history and impact of colonisation and the government policies that have occurred in
contact history, including the current focus in government policy on reconciliation. I understand
the impact that events such as dispossession from land, denial of citizenship and the removal of
children have had on the historical Indigenous experience. I also have some understanding of
contemporary issues that impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, such as:
The impact High Court Mabo decision and reality of Native Title in Australia;
The impact and responses to the Aboriginal Deaths in Custody Report; and
Saying Sorry and closing the gap.
