Thomas Hehir Email & Phone Number

Melbourne, Australia

As Chief Operations Officer of Alinea International (Asia Pacific) I have guided the company’s growth, while managing the day-to-day operations. I am responsible for ensuring the company is fully prepared to expand rapidly, and mobilise new significant programs, keeping the company in a ready state to double in size. I have been forward looking, while continuing to manage our present operations including business development, human resources, finance, procurement, compliance, child protection, contracting, among other things. For business development opportunities I have taken a lead role on our tender process and worked closely with associates to submit bids to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. I also provide ongoing inputs into our existing major programs. as well as guiding future strategy and development. Since I helped found The Whitelum Group, now Alinea International (Asia Pacific) as a start-up consultancy, it now manages major Australian Government contracts including the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP) Support Unit, Australian Volunteers Program (with AVI and Cardno Emerging Markets), Aus4Equality (with CoWater), as well as a suite of designs, evaluations, and specialist inputs. As Chief Operations Officer I work closely with the senior program staff to ensure we are meeting all Commonwealth standards and requirements, manage human resources and administer contracts, manage finance, negotiate contracts with the Commonwealth Government, and provide inputs on operational approaches and strategic direction. In addition, with the Australian Humanitarian Partnership I managed the mobilisation of the program, have been a primary contact in administering over $35 million in grant funding, negotiated, and consulted on grant contracts with both Government and NGOs, and provided corporate input and management to many parts of the program.

I was the volunteer CEO of this not-for profit mentoring program aimed at promoting health awareness in secondary school students throughout the western suburbs of Melbourne. The CHASE Program was going through a period of change when I became CEO, moving on from a temporary trial project to a long-term sustainable program.Throughout my time there I led the organisation through a major restructure, strategic planning, and an expansion nearly doubling our capacity and reach. I regularly met and coordinated with other local organisations, and Members of the Victorian Parliament who championed our cause. I also coordinated the development and implementation of their first annual strategic plan.

As a residential care worker I provided out-of-home care services for young people in the care of the Department of Human Services. As an substitute agency staff member I would receive short-notice to work with new clients, and under a variety of therapeutic models. I worked closely with young people demonstrating high risk behaviour, and ensured they had a safe and reassuring place to return to. This role also involved working with unaccompanied minors seeking asylum in Australia.

Masters, Social Policy

I completed my Master of Social Policy having specialised in corporate impact on social policy. My minor thesis was focused on uniting.

Bachelor Of Commerce (B.Com.), Business Administration And Management, General

I completed my Commerce Degree majoring in Management and Marketing, with an interest in corporate ethics, operations, and value-chain.

Education record