Country Fire Authority (CFA) is one of the world's largest, and most highly regarded, community-based emergency services organisations responsible for fire suppression, rescues, and response to other accidents and hazards across the state Victoria. CFA comprises over 1,200 brigades organised in 21 districts, over 52,000 volunteers, supported by around 900 permanent professional administrative and operational staff members.Reporting to the General Manager, People & Culture, as a senior leader within the People & Culture directorate, I manage a small team of experienced professionals across the full workplace relations platform whilst working with and supporting other members of the People & Culture directorate. I am responsible for strategic and operational oversight of employee and industrial relations matters, the planning and execution of labour relations strategy, as well as advising on transformational organisational change, while fostering effective and constructive relations with key stakeholders including Unions, Government agencies, regulatory bodies and Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV).

The National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) is the only nation-wide industry association representing road transport operators.Senior business partner and adviser:• Advised members on their legal responsibilities under relevant legislation and applicable industrial instruments in relation to Human Resources, Workplace Relations, Workers Compensation, and Work, Health and Safety matters.• Drafted and reviewed employment related documents for members, including but not limited to, employment contracts, IFAs, policies, and employment correspondence. • Represented and advocated on behalf of individual members on matters involving the Fair Work Ombudsman and in relevant Tribunals such as the Fair Work Commission, and to represent and advocate on behalf of the road transport industry.• Provided strategic industrial relations advice to members on complicated workplace relations matters which may also involve undertaking research. • Conducted and presented at webinars, forums, meetings and workshops (training) to develop and maintain strong relationships with members and industry stakeholders. • Developed internal and external submissions, papers and other presentations. • Developed, reviewed, updated and produced marketing materials to highlight workplace relations internal and external presence. Managed NatRoad internal human resource matters and recruiting.Representative roles:• Represented NatRoad in litigated matters in 4 yearly review of modern awards proceedings.• Led successful advocacy to Transport and Logistics Industry Reference Committee establishing a formal apprenticeship for heavy vehicle drivers professionalising the industry and creating career pathways.• Member of Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for development and review of Transport and Logistics (TLI) Training Package by Australian Industry Standards (Industry Reference Committee).

John Holland, in a joint venture with CPB Contractors (JHCPB JV), delivered the design and construction of the $675M first stage of the Canberra Light Rail Network. Peak workforce 900+ and >3.38M hrs worked.Canberra Metro Light Rail Stage 1 has been awarded a ‘Leading’ IS As Built Rating.Member of Senior Leadership Team (SLT) responsible for human resource operations, recruitment, training, and industrial relations; and business partner to Project Director and members of SLT. Managed 6 staff.Prepared and managed budget(s); developed and implemented policies, procedures, management plans and systems; controlled and coordinated personnel administration, remuneration advice and review, payroll and wage/salary administration.Provided support and coaching to senior managers including resource planning, labour cost management, organisational design and performance management.

Hansen Yuncken - Leighton Contractors joint venture (HYLC JV), managed the design and build of the $2.3B new Royal Adelaide Hospital (nRAH). The nRAH was the single largest infrastructure project in SA’s history and the largest hospital project undertaken in Australia. Peak workforce 2300+ and >10M hrs worked.Senior manager with lead responsibility for industrial relations, employee relations and WH&S legislation matters. Managed a team of 3. Led site induction approval process, and provided coaching and support to senior managers.Led performance management and discipline proceedings, complaint/grievance investigations (includes subcontractors), reviews of safety incident investigations and the ‘Just Culture’ process.Managed relationships with contractors, unions, MBA, FWBC and SafeWork SA. Evaluated contractors/subcontractors during procurement process against project guidelines. Represented the JV at the Fair Work Commission.

Transfield Services operated globally in the Resources, Energy, Industrial, Infrastructure, Property and Defence Sectors with more than 28,000 employees and a Group Revenue of $4.0B FY2011.Senior manager with responsibility for driving the labour relations strategy and direction in western half of country, including JV’s and alliances.Provided advisory services to business units and contract managers, including advice on application of awards, agreements, legislation, policies and practices. Acted as Industrial Advocate before Industrial Tribunals and Courts.Led people strategy and response for EOIs, RFIs, Tenders/Bids, and contract/business transition due diligence. Developed IR/HR management plans in accordance with tender/project requirements. Negotiated all enterprise agreements ensuring full engagement of BU Executive and Managers.Example of portfolio responsibilities:• The Water Corporation - operations, maintenance and asset management for water production and waste water treatment• Western Power - engineering, field resources, supervision and project management services across the transmission and distribution network• Defence Support Group (DSG) - garrison support services (security, grounds, stores and inventory, accommodation and catering, aviation and structural fire and rescue, transport, and firing/training range management)• Woodside Energy - brownfield project and maintenance services to onshore (Karratha Gas Plant, King Bay Supply Base) and offshore (North Rankin A, North Rankin B, Goodwyn A, and the Angel platform); HUC services for North Rankin B • Transfield Worley Power Services (TWPS) - operate and maintain Collie Power Station (340MW), Bluewaters Power Station (416MW), Yarnima Power Station (190MW); and maintenance services at Muja Power Station (854MW)• Alcoa Australia - Pinjarra maintenance, upgrade, and associated works; including shutdowns at the Pinjarra Alumina Refineries

AdelaideAqua was a consortium which designed and built the $1.8B Adelaide Desalination Plant, with a peak workforce of 1400+. Managed all IR and sensitive HR matters and led major projects within the HR team. Led consultations/negotiations with unions and represented JV at Industrial Tribunal and Court hearings.The 100GL per year plant was handed over for operation on time and within the approved budget of $1.824 billion.

Elders was Australia’s largest agribusiness involved in all aspects of primary production; supporting producers needs throughout the entire production cycle, from providing agronomy, banking and lending, insurance, financial planning, and real estate services to wool, grain and livestock trading.Example of portfolio responsibilities:Elders Rural Services, Elders Insurance, Rural Bank (partnership with Bendigo Adelaide Bank); Elders Financial Planning (50/50 partnership with ING), Elders Real Estate, Futuris Automotive (manufacturer of original equipment automotive parts), Plant Tech (development of new seed varieties).

Australian Resources and Energy Employer Association (formerly AMMA) is the national industry association for resources, energy industry and all supply chain employers. Provided advice to member companies in strategy development and planning, general HR and IR matters and the delivery of training. Drafted associated documentation and policies on a fee for service basis. Provided the same services nationally to the Agribusiness Employers’ Federation under an affiliation agreement.

The Agribusiness Employers' Federation (AEF), an employer organisation representing the interests of employers in the Agribusiness Sector since 1942, assisted members to increase the productivity of their business by providing timely, professional human resources and industrial relations advice. Elders was one of AEF’s largest members.

TransAdelaide was a publicly owned corporation which operated and maintained suburban train and light rail services in Adelaide under contract to the Government of South Australia. Managed team of 7 across HR, payroll, worker’s compensation and rehabilitation

Office for the Commissioner for Public Employment (OCPE) was an independent business unit within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. Public Sector Workforce Relations developed high level human resource management policy and had lead responsibility for representing the South Australian Government as employer in matters before industrial courts and tribunals.Responsible for conducting sensitive and high-level negotiations dealing with significant industrial relations claims and matters, including enterprise bargaining negotiations, industrial disputes, unfair dismissals, underpayment of wages claims, and award variation and interpretation matters.Advised Agency Chief Executives and other Executive level officers on major industrial relations claims, developed sustainable and appropriate recommendations for Government’s consideration, conducted negotiations and dealt with related matters, advocated Government’s position before Industrial Tribunals and developed implementation strategies and processes to give effect to Government policies.Selected highlights:• Granted Recognised Advocate status by SA Industrial Relations Court pursuant to Industrial and Employee Relations Act 1994 (SA).• Led challenging negotiations delivering certified enterprise agreements for key Government Agencies in accordance with Cabinet approvals. • Appointed Government’s advocate to the Remuneration Tribunal for Statutory Officers reviews.