Experience

The Mathematical Association of Victoria

• Australia
• Education Administration Programs
• 1 - 100 Employee

• CEO

  • Sep 2016 - Present

  MAV supports mathematics education. Financial and strategic planning:  Led the development of two strategic plans, being implemented.  Developed new budget templates, financial reporting and established finance committee, delegations and KPIs. Increased reserves beyond target. Improved financial position:  2021 Reduced revenue (COVID-19); delivered break even without government support, delivered all services in varied formats.  2020 Reduced revenue (COVID-19); increased net margin by 13.3%; exceeded budget profit by 600%.  2019 revenue and profit target achieved increasing revenue by 15% on prior year.  2018 profit target achieved, consolidated position.  2017 increased net profit margin 4% on prior year; exceeded budget profit by 248%; increased revenue by 35% on prior year.  In 2016 returned organisation to surplus after previous years of loss. Customer focus, branding and marketing:  RFP led to new association software system, improving customer engagement, personalisation.  Renewed branding, marketing and comms;  Renewed online shop with improved marketing, increasing revenue year on year for 3 years.  Invited speaker, panel member and panel chair at various conferences. Stakeholder management and partnerships:  2019 added new annual partner.  Initiated and led new Primary Mathematics Education conference with Melbourne Graduate School of Education, The University of Melbourne. Successfully run for 4 years.  Strengthened relationship with the Victorian Department of Education and Training (DET); consistently gained new contracts each year.  Won tender for 4 years of funding ($240K) under the Victorian DET, Strategic Partnerships Program.  Member of the Victorian DET Tech Schools Learning Programs Advisory Panel.  Member of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) Advisory Panels. Operations:  Manage 9 staff and all operations.  As company secretary led significant governance and policy improvements.



Australasian Society of Association Executives

• Australia
• Non-profit Organization Management
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Vice President, Elected Director

  • May 2019 - Feb 2023

   May 2019: Elected Director on Board  August 2020 to June 2022 elected as Vice President (AuSAE) is the leading association for current and future association and not-for-profit (NFP) leaders in Australia and New Zealand. AuSAE are focused on fostering a strong and robust association sector in Australia and New Zealand through providing professional development, support and networking opportunities for existing and emerging leaders.  May 2019: Elected Director on Board  August 2020 to June 2022 elected as Vice President (AuSAE) is the leading association for current and future association and not-for-profit (NFP) leaders in Australia and New Zealand. AuSAE are focused on fostering a strong and robust association sector in Australia and New Zealand through providing professional development, support and networking opportunities for existing and emerging leaders.



Council of Professional Teaching Associations of Victoria (CPTAV)

• Vice President and Treasurer

  • Nov 2018 - Nov 2021

  Elected to Council in November 2019, and have acted as Treasurer (currently) and Vice President. The Council of Professional Teaching Associations of Victoria (CPTAV) is the peak body representing professional teaching associations throughout Victoria. Elected to Council in November 2019, and have acted as Treasurer (currently) and Vice President. The Council of Professional Teaching Associations of Victoria (CPTAV) is the peak body representing professional teaching associations throughout Victoria.



Macmillan Education Australia & New Zealand

• Managing Director

  • Jan 2014 - Aug 2016

  In accepting the role of MD in January 2014 I was given a mandate from the Managing Director of Macmillan Publishers Australia to restructure and return the business to profit. KPIs were set for improved revenue and profit targets. A new strategic plan was developed, agreed and implemented. Maintained revenue in a flat market; growing revenue strategically in areas of focus, while withdrawing investment from unprofitable lines. Delivered on mandate to restructure business in 2014 and delivered 125% of revenue target and increased net profit by 5%. Successfully grew revenue in areas of core focus:- Increased export revenue by 86% in 2014, and 52% in 2015 focusing on new market segments, and grew sundry rights income by 47% over two years.- increased revenue in secondary division front list product by 5% over 2 years- increased revenue in ELT product range by 8% over 2 years- increased custom publishing (bespoke content) revenue by 9% over 2 years Launched new award winning digital products and platform using agile processes, embedding new systems and processes for future digital development Reduced overhead costs by 25% over 2 years: - closed NZ based production and operations team, centralised operations in Melbourne- 35% headcount reduction over two years while delivering product and services on time- restructured sales team to align to revised product strategy. Implemented Salesforce CRM to improve communication, reporting and sales pipeline. As a member of the Regional Compliance Committee, increased compliance focussing on anti-bribery and corruption in export activities, data and personal information security, PCI credit card compliance, OH&S, financial processes, contractor agreements and website terms and conditions. Presented internal training in leadership, managing change, goal setting and feedback and increased training to management team by 80% and reduced costs.

• General Manager, Secondary Division

  • Jan 2012 - Dec 2013

  This role change involved handing over some responsibility for production and editorial departments and taking on direct leadership of sales and marketing for the division.  Successfully drove departmental overhead costs down in 2012 by a further 10%. Researched, developed and implemented a strategy and roadmap to create a digital business, launching initial new digital products in 2014. Personally published market leading products that consistently exceeded target revenue. Provided leadership for sales including:- new sales and marketing strategies and reporting implemented, improving tracking of sales pipeline, and improved branding of product- implemented a new rep incentive program- achieved sales of forecast front list titles during competitive Australian Curriculum implementation.

• Digital Strategist, Education Group

  • Jan 2012 - Dec 2013

  Consulting role in addition to above GM role; across K-12 schools and tertiary division. Chaired cross divisional team meetings; provided advice on digital projects and strategy. Provided thought leadership about digital market trends and opportunities. Leveraged opportunities, allowing reuse of platforms across various business units. Various cutting edge digital projects implemented: web based and app products in HTML5. Recruited an Internet Systems Architect, directing the overall digital strategy and budget process. Liaised with the UK Macmillan to ensure opportunities were seen in a global perspective.

• General Manager, Secondary Publishing

  • Dec 2007 - Jan 2012

  This role included managing editorial, publishing and media and permissions team.  Led and managed the Secondary Schools Publishing Division P&L of approx. $8m. Increased productivity in 2009 by 25% through increased cost control. In 2010 and 2011, reduced departmental overhead costs by 8%. Increased accountability through a set of benchmarks using these to drive performance:- earlier product release, resulting in sales increase of up to 10% for new product- earlier supply of collateral to marketing, improving internal service to marketing by 80%- improved manuscript quality resulting in measured pre-press savings (gross margin) of up to 5%.- Improved branding and market recognition through a revised company logo incorporated into distinctive product design templates. Successfully led the development of various global and local digital initiatives including:- a new global digital delivery platform for Australian and international markets launched - initiated the development of an online digital ebook platform for Macmillan global companies. Continued to personally release products that met and exceeded sales targets in all cases. In 2009 applied for and was awarded $5000 from the APA (Australian Publishers Association) Career Development Fund to attend BETT in the UK, and undertake research into digital products. In 2010 applied for and was awarded from the APA and Copyright Agency funding for creating a six month digital development internship position.



Australian Publishers Association

• Australia
• Book and Periodical Publishing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Elected Director & Chair of the Schools Committee

  • Apr 2012 - Jan 2014

  April 2012 to January 2014 - Elected Director, and Chair of Schools CommitteeJanuary 2007 to April 2012 - Schools Committee Member Elected as a member of the Board of Directors. Chair of the Schools Committee. Proactive Board member, advising on the APA function, finances and direction. Represented the APA to senior bureaucrats at various forums, including presenting at a parliamentary inquiry. Contributed at various government consultations, roundtables and to submissions including the Australian Law Reform Commission review of copyright and the Book Industry Review. Negotiated to positively resolve issues on behalf of APA members with various agencies including ACARA (Australian Curriculum and Reporting Authority), Education Services Australia (ESA) and CAG (the government Copyright Advisory Group) Coordinated and consulted on an ARC research project into the use of education resources. Advised on the development of strategies to raise the profile of educational publishers in collaboration with Copyright Agency, including presenting at the FutureEducation symposium for educators, industry representatives, and government officials. Led the redevelopment of the industry based Awards for Excellence in Educational Publishing.

• Member of Schools Committee

  • Dec 2007 - Mar 2012

  Actively addressing industry issues on behalf of educational publishers.



Pearson Education Australia pty Ltd.

• Senior Publisher

  • Aug 2006 - Dec 2007

  This promotion included managing three direct reports, managing the three-year product plan, while continuing to project manage new product development and release. Successfully released market leading products that exceeded budgeted revenue in 2007 by 15%. Products delivered to market on time and up to 5% under budget in every case.  Award: Pearson Education Book of the Year 2006; most successful product based on revenue, propelling Pearson to a market leading position and exceeding target revenue by up to 50%. Award: Pearson Education Innovation of the Year 2006; Science Dimensions Teacher Editions. Successfully managed a three year financial and product plan including revenue and budget targets. Successfully supported publishers in ensuring key performance indicators were met. Active member of the Business Integration Team during acquisition of Harcourt Education.

• Publisher

  • Feb 2003 - Aug 2006

   Exceeded budgeted revenue from published product in 2004, 2005 and 2006 by up to 30%. Award: Pearson Education Book of the Year 2005; most successful product based on revenue, exceeding target revenue by 30%. Successfully project managed multiple projects; 100% delivered on time and up to 10% under budget in every case. Proven stakeholder management; recruiting, contracting, briefing, and retaining key authors.  Active member of the internal Marketing, Publishing and Branding Committees. Supported marketing and sales by writing marketing copy, training sales representatives, and planning and running high quality promotional workshops to purchasers nationally. Maintained a strategic 3 year plan for product release including revenue and budget targets.



Various Government, Catholic, and Independent Schools in Australia and NZ

• Educational Leadership and Teaching Positions

  • Jan 1995 - Jan 2003

  Employed as a Senior Staff Member, Head of Department (Science), Leading Teacher, and Teacher at various schools including: Victoria, Australia: •Loyola College, Watsonia •Northcote High School, Northcote •St Leonard’s College, Brighton •Kingswood College, Box Hill •Eltham College, Research •St. Leonard’s College, Brighton New Zealand: •Auckland Grammar School, Auckland, New Zealand. Employed as a Senior Staff Member, Head of Department (Science), Leading Teacher, and Teacher at various schools including: Victoria, Australia: •Loyola College, Watsonia •Northcote High School, Northcote •St Leonard’s College, Brighton •Kingswood College, Box Hill •Eltham College, Research •St. Leonard’s College, Brighton New Zealand: •Auckland Grammar School, Auckland, New Zealand.