John Sullivan Email & Phone Number

Melbourne, Vic, Au

Docklands, Melbourne, Australia

The Chief Governance Officer is the head of the Governance and Legal Division at the Victorian Building Authority (VBA). The Division includes the following functions: Legal Services, Internal Review, Corporate Governance, Stakeholder Relations, FOI and Privacy, the VBA Board Secretariat, the Building Regulations Advisory Committee Secretariat, and the CEO Support Unit. Reporting to the CEO and the Chief Commissioner of the VBA, the CGO sits on the VBA's Executive Leadership Team and is also the Secretary to the VBA Board and key Board committees.The CGO provides oversight of all major components of governance within the VBA, and is a source of influence in respect of maintenance and improvement of governance structures, processes and practice. The position fulfils an authoritative role in respect of organisational compliance with relevant legislative and regulatory obligations and the policy requirements of government, and advises the VBA Board on the delegation of its statutory powers to VBA management.Under direction from the CGO, the Governance and Legal Division is responsible for government liaison and the flow of information and advice between the Authority and key government stakeholders, including the Office of the Minister for Planning, performing both a co-ordination and quality assurance function.

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Work in this area has included:• reform of Board and Executive governance processes and structures• improved government liaison arrangements• leading of the preparation of the VBA Annual Report• support for the Chief Commissioner and the Board with regard to independent inquiries • oversight of the executive support function for the Building Regulation Advisory Committee

Burwood East

Work in this area included:• reform of Board and Executive governance structures• management and enhancement of governance compliance and integrity arrangements• improved government liaison arrangements

East Burwood

The Director, Governance role at CFA provided oversight of governance across the organisation. The role included the functions of Corporate Secretary and Secretary to the CFA Board, Finance Audit and Risk Committee, Strategic Planning and Governance Committee and Remuneration Committee.

Melbourne, Australia

As Executive Director I managed four teams undertaking a diverse range of work including corporate and strategic planning, cross-portfolio policy development and implementation, relationship management with non-government school representative bodies, and service delivery improvement for Aboriginal students and children from vulnerable families. I was Secretary to the Children’s Services Co-ordination Board (CSCB), and chaired the IDC that supported the CSCB. I had management responsibility for the secretariat function supporting the Victorian Children’s Council.Major achievements included: - Development and management of the Department’s corporate and strategic planning processes, and longer-term strategic agenda- Management of the Department’s overall system review processes, including analysis of system performance- Provision of quarterly risk and performance reports to the Department’s Executive Board- Leading the Government Schools Governance Review- Creation of cohort-specific strategies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, vulnerable children, and students with disabilities- Negotiation of funding agreements with the advocacy body for Aboriginal learners in Victoria, and with the bodies representing non-government schools - developing new approaches to the regulation of home schooling, and ensuring the financial health of non-government schools.

Melbourne, Australia

Major achievements included:• formation and start-up of the Business Working with Education Foundation• negotiating the 2010-13 Non-Government Schools Funding Agreement• managing the reform of the State’s Koorie Pathways Schools• developing a new approach to specialist education• introduction of guidelines to allow the IB to be delivered in government schools• developing a policy framework for new selective entry schools • creating a comprehensive plan to improve student engagement in the middle years

Melbourne, Australia

Major achievements included:• development and delivery of the Wannik Strategy for Aboriginal Education• revolutionary reform of the Koorie Education Workforce• reforming the governance and operating model of the Victorian College of Koorie Education • creation of a new tutorial program for under-performing Koorie students • managing the introduction of Clontarf Academies into Victoria• developing and publishing new Guidelines for Home Schooling• management and development of the Department’s approach to digital learning.

Melbourne, Australia

Major achievements included:• creating a “balanced scorecard” approach to monitoring departmental performance• developing Guidelines for Community Engagement with Government Schools• management and development of the Department’s annual approach to the Budget

Melbourne, Australia

Major achievements included:• negotiation of national funding agreements• roll-out of a digital learning platform for Victorian TAFEs• reform of Industry Training Advisory Board structures • development of a policy framework for State employment programs

Melbourne, Australia

Led the Victorian DPC work on national taxation reform and the associated Intergovernmental Funding Agreement

Master’S Degree, Philosophy

High School