Organisation: The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia
Job Title: SHPA Chief Executive Officer
Word Limit: 4 Pages
Location: Melbourne
Proven leadership capability, including ability to effectively influence high level stakeholders
As validated through my career history, I have extensive experience in leading teams and company objectives in often resistant markets. Possessing strong performance and characteristics of a driven executive, I am acknowledged for my demonstrated expertise and capability of building in the areas of operational management, organisational change, program and policy management, implementation of actions required and service delivery. With diverse experience as a senior executive, I have cemented my strengths in defining stakeholder needs and tailoring solutions that meet the needs of the greater community.
Participating and leading multiple governance hierarchies such as, not-for-profit, boards, committees, sub-committees, steering and advisory groups across local and state government, university and TAFE and corporate sectors. Demonstrated in my position with Great South Coast Medicare Local (GCCM), I was instrumental in the success of influencing company change. By identifying that the current financial systems were not delivering according to expectations or board confidence, I immediately commenced a review of all documents, policies and procedures relating to finance division. This proved my ability to drive changes of policy advice, financial reporting and budgetary procedures to more effectively document the systems in place regarding expenditure, payroll, funding and program tracking. This resulted in the implementation of a financial system that auditors and the board acknowledged provided clearer processes, procedures and protocols for financial reporting and budgeting to all stakeholders.
Postgraduate qualifications in management or business, or equivalent experience
Holding a Master of Business Administration in Marketing and Finance facilitated by the University of Southern Queensland, I possess the required qualifications to support the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia’s pursuit of leading strategy and operation management to drive organisation transformation. With a demonstrated commitment to continued professional development, I have completed many certifications such as, Certificate of Governance, Community Health Sector Workforce Capability Framework, Certificate in Advanced Facilitation Skills, Certificate in Health and Environmental Science along with the near completion of my Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate and Non-Profit Governance through Chartered Secretaries Australia.
Successful track record in implementing and managing business processes and strategic planning at a senior level
With proven experience in the implementation of evidence-based strategic thinking within my position at GSCML, I was instrumental in identifying current and future issues and providing well-researched solutions within complex service delivery environments to senior management and boards. It was during my tenure at GSCML that I created a new review mechanism for monitoring performance and governance of current health program priorities, across multiple services. My success in the development of these reviews was underpinned by collaboration, clarity and thorough execution, with measured evidence-based outcomes based on priorities.
Through a completion of a needs assessment based on locally identified service gaps that had not been previously managed, I instigated the reforms that would deliver on business objectives. An example of my strategic planning abilities at GSCML was a workforce project that encompassed continuing professional development (CPD), after-hours resources, clinical placement and a locum support stream. In providing support to all primary healthcare providers through reorganisation and streamlining of CPD meetings, working in partnership with universities in relation to supporting clinical placements and working with relevant agencies such to support the temporary workforce, I was able to upskill the primary healthcare providers to provide better specialised services. A highlight of my success at GSCML was the implementation a Medicare Local after-hours program to answer the needs of the community and to support business objectives. The outcome of this strategic business process increased the profile of GSCML and encouraged higher funding availability.
Sound understanding of and experience with Not-for-Profit governance and management processes
The Deed for Funding between the Department of Health and Medicare Local required the organisation to comply with accreditation requirements. Upon my commencement with GSCML, I identified that these were addressed incorrectly and were without sufficient evidence-based results, causing the board to be concerned at the prospect of reduced funding. Initiating my focus on current political and governmental ‘hot areas’ such as e-health, after-hours care, mental health programs, immunisation and Indigenous health initiatives, my objective with accreditation was to embrace and implement best practice organisational management and service delivery processes while driving strategic objectives. By promoting transparency, information sharing and a culture of continuous quality improvement, I was not only able to meet the departmental requirement but also was instrumental in obtaining full funding approval.
In order to ensure quality frameworks at GSCML and subsequent approval, I drove the business in adhering to 12 Medicare Local Accreditation Standards:
- Knowledge and Information Management
- Health Promotion and Illness Prevention
- Service Coordination and Integration
- Contracting and Sub-contracting
- Human Resource Management
- Direct Health Service Delivery
- Service and Provider Support
- Governance and Leadership
- Stakeholder Relationships
- Analysis and Planning
- Environmental Safety
- Asset Management
Through the introduction of new corporate governance standards and compliance practices, I was pivotal in the improved satisfaction rates that increased up to 96%.
Demonstrated ability to lead change and build capacity within an organisation
Influential in driving the repositioning of GSCML to address its core activities of government policy reform, and service system support and delivery to regional Victoria, I was successful in driving more effective local service delivery to professional practice leaders, hospitals and workforces in local areas. In order to deliver on business objectives, I promoted a culture of open communication and encouraged all staff to adopt strategic thinking. This involved ensuring staff members were committed to goals and objectives, by identifying and understanding the current key issues and taking the lead in relation to analysis. Additionally, I was responsible for the management of performance reporting frameworks, where I proved my ability to evaluate issues, whilst nurturing and developing staff members to keep abreast with issues relating to local service delivery. Through the application of a shift in culture and promotion of development, I was successful in addressing issues from the perspective of what the government required significantly raising the awareness of the design and service delivery across the region. As a result of my actions and delivered changes, I was able to input the required data into superior methods of analysis in order to track trends across multiple stakeholders that allowed company transparency of how these all potentially affected the organisation and staff members.
Proven track record in effective advocacy, government liaison and networking, ideally within the health sector
With a record of accomplishment of active research and analysis on qualitative, quantitative and anecdotal information, I have provided meaningful insights into current and future political agendas. With these at the cornerstone of my communications, I have driven my development of sophisticated and responsive politically attuned business objectives to deliver results. At both The CEO Institute and Medicare Local, I have produced evidence-based research to influence government departments, businesses, the community and the policies and strategic directions of various learning organisations.
During my tenure at GSCML, I identified a need to reposition existing health service provisions to include a broader spectrum of healthcare providers, consumers, carers and the community. By promoting a closer liaison with a newly built local hospital and our community health providers, I was influential in providing a cohesive healthcare network to a diverse multicultural and Indigenous community that was in direct response to the National Health Reform Agenda and the National Health Performance Authority. In driving the acceptance of these reforms, I developed strategies to acquisition existing health contracts, integrate services, communicate and manage clinicians, as well as highlight current service gaps. Focusing on key government challenges, I also addressed areas of disease prevention, ageing and healthcare costs and promotion of health and e-health programs. This was validated by board acknowledgement for my establishment of guidelines for consultative, positioning, and discussion papers for members of government agencies. The outcomes of my strengths in healthcare advocacy and liaison was the acclamation of the ‘excellent new robust framework’ that focused on foundations of the government’s objectives. My ability to facilitate easier navigation for the patient’s journey, provide support to clinicians and health providers, identify and respond to local needs and strong governance to comply with the Corporations Act 2001, resulted in effective management under a new model.
Demonstrated understanding of key medicines and health issues in Australia, including in the hospital, community and aged care settings
My commitment to ongoing professional development has been an integral part of my personal job satisfaction and workplace productivity. It is through the acquisition of new skills, that I have been instrumental in the understanding of health issues and organisations in Australia. Manifest in my success with GSCML, I have delivered on change management strategies and system implementations and improvements that highlighted by understanding of multidisciplinary healthcare teams, as well as the health issues this sector faces such as, mental-health reforms. Through these changes, the integrated model presentations increased stakeholder engagement around mental-health networks and consultations resulting in 452 new referrals for the government initiative ‘Headspace’. Throughout my career history, it has been vital that I achieve organisational missions and influence continuous improvements in the quality of programs and services. Keeping ahead of sector trends, current and future political, economic, social and environmental changes, I have ensured that my research, relationship building and networking has heightened my understanding of emerging issues and provided strong outcomes in the development and implementation of organisational driven benefits.
Ability to prioritise many competing needs and deadlines; effectively responding to pressure and change
Throughout my career, I have shown efficiency in responding to pressure and change within my various positions. In my support of embracing the philosophy of comprehensive Primary Health Care and driving service delivery improvements that meet the varied needs of the diverse communities that make up the organisations catchment area, I have delivered successful business models that improved resource ability to manage competing requirements in high-pressure environments.
After working collaboratively with various stakeholders, I led the opportunity to build a new sustainable model around Primary Health Care that resulted in more integrated and coordinated services. The collaborative approach I took towards all activities was to achieve system-wide equitable resource allocation, reductions in duplications, a higher level of program integration and increased consistency in program development and delivery. Politically attuned to new government requirements, I also established three new committees, the Commissioning and Procurement Committee, the Policy Development and Performance Monitoring Committee and the Consumer Reference Group. Coordinating these projects around numerous conflicting deadlines and responsibilities, I validated my ability to excel in change management especially during numerous high-pressure seasons.
Ability to lead, coach and mentor staff to develop high performing teams
Exampled in my position with the CEO Institute, I was instrumental in human resource improvements that were supportive and developed workforces. Upon commencement in my position as Chief Executive Officer, I identified critical gaps in performance delivery across the entirety of the organisation. I set about to design and deliver highly ambitious human resources, a cultural change plan and creation of operational key performance indicators. I was successful in delivering 92% improvement within my first 12 months of employment. Through providing influential mentoring and coaching to staff, I was active in the improved performance of service staff, promoting cross-functional teams, including the introduction of a multi-skilling training program. Validated in the implementation of key organisational changes and enhanced administrative processes, protocols and legislative procedures, I delivered results of a 25% increase in staff morale and service satisfaction with all external stakeholders.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
Through my proven success in driving change within my career, I demonstrate my exceptional verbal and written skills in all settings. Whilst at GCSML, I showcased my written communication abilities through the creation of policies, procedures and frameworks that were acknowledged by the President, Council and regulatory authorities as cohesive and effective. With stakeholder acceptance of these continuous improvement measures, I have validated my influential ability to verbally educate and inspire through open and concise communication methods with my career.
