George Makris

Victorian industry development

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

About

As a child I grew up wanting to be an AFL football player. Other than being short, slow and not being able to kick straight I looked a chance. My childhood modelling career also did not take off after posing for a Royal Australian Mint promotional article. These days I support the growth and resilience of Victorian industry through policy development and implementation, industry analysis, stakeholder engagement and delivery of initiatives. When I am not working, I enjoy travelling. Trekking to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu and seeing the unique flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands are some of my most memorable adventures.

Experience

  • Manager, Industry Development at Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions
    Jul 2023 - Present · 3 yrs

  • Senior Policy Adviser at Department of Premier and Cabinet (Vic)
    Feb 2021 - Jul 2023 · 2 yrs 6 mos

    Provide advice and analysis on investment opportunities that support growth industries and create new jobs, including the $2 billion Breakthrough Victoria Fund (BVF) administered by Breakthrough Victoria (BV). • Support whole of Victorian government investment attraction policy and strategic coordination. • Coordinate DPC assessments and analyse proposals under several investment streams of the Victorian Jobs and Investment Fund. • Providing briefings and advice to the Premier as the responsible minister of the Fund. • Working with BV on matters that require liaison with the government, including the yearly Investment Plan. • Supported the establishment of BV, a state-owned company, including assisting the interim Board and CEO in the company’s start-up phase. • Received a Group Excellence Award for outstanding efforts in establishing BV, and associated policies to underpin the implementation of the BVF.

  • Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources (Full-time · 5 yrs 1 mo)
    • APS6 Senior Policy Officer & a/g Assistant Manager - Commercialisation & Entrepreneurship
      Dec 2017 - Feb 2021 · 3 yrs 3 mos

      Developing innovation, entrepreneurship & startup policies, including policy lead for the Business Research & Innovation Initiative (BRII). • Ran the Challenge-based Innovation Forum 2019. The forum brought together over 130 local and global practitioners to hear insights from experts working in challenge-based innovation programs. • Represented the Australian Government at the Startup Nations Summit 2018 in Surabaya, Indonesia. • Developed New Policy Proposals (NPPs) on demand-side innovation, business research collaboration and entrepreneurship, including for consideration in whole-of-government packages. The Boosting Female Founders Initiative was announced under the Women's Economic Security Statement 2018. APS5 POLICY OFFICER - COMMERCIALISATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP (December 2017 - April 2018)

    • APS5 Project and Policy Officer
      Feb 2016 - Dec 2017 · 1 yr 11 mos

      APS5 PROJECT OFFICER - BIZLAB (June 2017 - December 2017) • The department’s internal innovation lab. Applying user-centred design principles to address policy and delivery problems. APS5 POLICY OFFICER - COMMERCIALISATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP (January 2017 - June 2017) APS3 POLICY OFFICER - INDUSTRY (July 2016 - January 2017) APS3 PROGRAM OFFICER - COMMUNITY, SMALL BUSINESS & INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE (February 2016 - July 2016) Other information: • These four roles are a part of the department’s two-year graduate programme. • Co-hosted the department’s Leukaemia Foundation World’s Greatest Shave event where over $4,500 was raised.

  • Accountant at EY
    May 2014 - Jan 2016 · 1 yr 9 mos

    Delivered high-quality assurance services to the firm's clients in Construction/Engineering, Technology, Healthcare/Medical & Retail sectors.

  • Night Duty Manager at Woolworths Limited
    May 2010 - May 2014 · 4 yrs 1 mo

    Night Duty Manager (March 2012 - May 2014) Customer Service Supervisor (June 2011 - May 2014) Customer Service Team Member (May 2010 - June 2011)