Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
Dynamic leader with 20+ years in HR, financial management, and strategic operations, culture building, and operational efficiency. My expertise spans people & capability leadership, stakeholder engagement, and medium-scale change management, ensuring high-performing teams and impactful outcomes. Key Strengths & Expertise ✅ People & Culture Leadership – Led end-to-end HR, workforce planning, employee relations, leadership development, and strategic hiring. ✅ Financial & Operational Management – Managed $40M+ budgets, optimizing resources and achieving a $300K reduction in annual leave liability. ✅ Change Management & Continuous Improvement – Spearheaded restructuring, system redesigns, and process optimizations to improve efficiency and engagement. ✅ Stakeholder Engagement – Built strong partnerships with government, industry, and academic institutions, securing funding and aligning strategies. ✅ Cultural Inclusivity & Equity – Embedded Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles into HR frameworks, improving diversity and student retention. ✅ Technology & Systems Management – Led digital transformation, integrating HR analytics, automation, and streamlined workflows. Career Achievements 🏆 Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Excellence Award (2024) – My team was recognized for advancing cultural competency and student success. 📈 Implemented a faculty-wide PhD tracking system, improving compliance and research progress. 💡 Designed a hybrid recruitment model, increasing hiring efficiency by 18% and reducing bottlenecks. 🔹 Developed a timesheet monitoring system, improving payroll accuracy . Now based in Christchurch, I am open to roles in People & Capability, Strategic Operations, Organisational Transformation, Business Services, Customer Impact Delivery.
As School Manager, I oversee all administrative, operational, financial, and HR functions, ensuring alignment with the university’s strategic goals while driving efficiency, innovation, and inclusivity. I lead initiatives that support staff and student success, enhance operational processes, and optimize financial resources. Key Responsibilities & Achievements: 🔹 Strategic & Operational Leadership – Led admin / business integration change and process improvements, aligning school operations with university-wide strategies to enhance efficiency and service delivery. 🔹 Human Resources & Workforce Development – Managed end-to-end recruitment, performance management, and employment relations, implementing inclusive development frameworks to support Māori and Pasifika staff. 🔹 Financial & Budget Oversight – Managed a $40M annual budget, ensuring financial sustainability through strategic forecasting, expense tracking, and resource optimization, including a $300K reduction in annual leave liabilities. 🔹 Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships – Strengthened relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including industry and government partners, securing collaboration opportunities and enhancing strategic alignment. 🔹 Project & Process Innovation – Spearheaded system improvements, such as an automated timesheet system and a hybrid recruitment approach, leading to increased efficiency, cost savings, and improved compliance. 🔹 Crisis & Change Management – Ensured business continuity during COVID-19, adapting operational workflows, maintaining staff support, and implementing emergency response measures to sustain service standards. I am committed to fostering an adaptable, high-performance culture that drives sustainable growth, inclusivity, and operational excellence.
As Director of JAKS Consultancy, I established and led a property investment and management business, overseeing financial operations, project management, and workforce coordination to ensure successful property acquisitions and renovations. Key Responsibilities & Achievements: 🔹 Business Leadership & Operations – Founded and managed a start-up specializing in property investment and renovation, ensuring operational efficiency and sustainable growth. 🔹 Financial & Compliance Management – Oversaw budgeting, payroll, and financial reporting, ensuring compliance with IRD regulations (GST, PAYE, and income tax obligations). 🔹 Procurement & Vendor Negotiation – Managed end-to-end procurement, securing favorable supplier contracts and establishing a trusted network of contractors and tradespeople. 🔹 Health & Safety Oversight – Ensured worksite compliance with New Zealand health and safety regulations, minimizing risks for contractors and staff. 🔹 Marketing & Property Sales Strategy – Conducted market analysis to determine pricing strategies and implemented targeted marketing campaigns, maximizing property visibility and ROI. 🔹 Staff Recruitment & Management – Led the hiring, contract administration, and oversight of temporary staff, aligning workforce capabilities with project demands. This role allowed me to blend strategic leadership with hands-on project execution, ensuring operational efficiency, cost-effective decision-making, and compliance in a dynamic business environment.