Amanda Collins
North Richmond,NSW
Summary
Talented leader with strong track record of success in delivering quality programs. Confident in leading teams and motivating staff to meet targets within the strategic and operational delivery plan. Strong skills in networking and partnership building to enhance the diversity of program offerings.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Children’s Services Projects and Grants Manager
Penrith City Council
Penrith
01.2012 - Current
- Manage and lead project team consisting of Aboriginal and Cultural Projects Manager, Business Support role, Children and Parenting Programs Coordinator and Mobile Playvan Project team
- Delivery of funded programs under the Quality Participation Grant across 23 services
- Strategic Planning for Children’s Services across Penrith LGA
- Project planning and implementation for the Children and Parenting Project funded by the Department of Social Services
- Liaise with funding bodies to ensure compliance with funding guidelines respond to changes in reporting tools and system
- Funding submissions through NSW Department of Education
- Administration of Start Strong Funding Program
- Funding submissions through the Before and After School Care Grant Funding Program and Vacation Care funding
- Completion of tender submissions for OSH in Schools model in consultation with the Department of Education
- Project and event coordination including major events such as children’s week
- Regular contributions to Board reports
- Early literacy initiatives - collaboration with several key organisations.
Acting Children’s Services Business Manager
Penrith City Council
Penrith
09.2023 - 10.2023
- Reporting to Penrith City Council and the Children’s Services Board
- Managing a team of staff members, providing guidance and direction to ensure successful completion of projects.
- Managing capital works programs
- Managing administration team
Acting Children’s Services Operations Manager
Penrith City Council
Penrith
2022 - 2023
- Reporting to the Early Childhood Education and Care Directorate
- Responding to compliance notices from the Department of Education
- Supporting and mentoring leadership team
- Providing Care and education to over 3000 children and families
- Supporting over 300 educators and employees
- Managing, monitoring, and developing budgets for services
- Reporting to the Children’s Service Cooperative Board
- Reporting to the Children’s Services Board
- Developed and implemented operational procedures to ensure quality standards are met.
Education
Skills
- Strategic Planning
- Budget monitoring and development
- Grant submissions
- Motivated Leader
- Business Development
- Innovation
- Networking and relationship building
Recent Achievements
- 2024- Finalist in LG Excellence Awards – Mobile Playvan Project
- 2023 -Innovation Grant funding for 15 services $500,000
- 2023 - Vacation Care funding for multiple services
- Quality Participation Grants -23 services $402,500
- Development and implementation of an employee recognition program
- Development and implementation of safety values
- Development of the Children’s Services calendar to showcase the photography project “Through Children’s Eyes.”
- Presentation and workshop delivery at ECA conference 2019 Hobart on innovative program delivered through the Middles Year Mentoring Project
- Successful submissions through NSW Department of Education Quality Environment grants for all 5 Preschool services and 18 Long day Care services
- Successful Capital Works funding grant for 2 services through Department of Education 2018
- Successful submission for Inclusive Communities funding grant for 5 years
- Poster Presentation at ECA conference on innovative community initiatives 2018
- Successful abstract submission to present at the 2019 Paint the Town ReaD conference in Perth.
Professional Development Completed
- 2023 SNAICC conference Darwin
- 2023 Ignite Leadership Program
- 2023 ECA reconciliation Symposium
- 2022 Stronger Smarter Jarjums Program
- Trauma Informed Practice
- Neuroscience and Behaviour
- Cultural awareness
- DISC
- Workplace Health and Safety Committee Training
- Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment
- Crucial conversations training
- Mindful leadership- Mary Jo McVeigh
- Unleashed leadership- William DeJean
- Recruitment and Selection
- Governance
- EEO
- Creating and sustaining a centre of excellence
Board Membership
2023, 2024, Board Member, LEAD Connect
References
- Jade Bradbury, Children’s Services Operations Manager, Penrith City Council, 0403414196
- Linda Ross, Manager People and Children, Penrith City Council, 0458 353 687
- Julie Jasprizza-Laus, Area Manager, Western Sydney Mission Australia, 0425 210 213
- Trish Heeley, Director of KU Falconbridge, Penrith City Council, 0414372327
Hobbies and Interests
- Well being initiatives
- Travelling
- Cooking
- Mountain biking
Awards Received / Nominations
- NSW Local Government Excellence Award finalist 2024 (result announced in June) – A circular economy in action - A community collaboration powered by parents.
- NSW Local Government Excellence Award finalist 2022 – Healthy Mind, Body and Family Program
- NSW Local Government Excellence Award finalist 2020 – Through Children’s Eyes photography project
- Inclusion in “Her Stories” Anthology of the remarkable Women of Cranbrook
- The Artkids project that was completed in 2013 nominated for a Local Government Arts and Cultural award
- Mobile Playvan project was awarded a Local Government Award for excellence in innovative service delivery
Timeline
Acting Children’s Services Business Manager
Penrith City Council
09.2023 - 10.2023
Children’s Services Projects and Grants Manager
Penrith City Council
01.2012 - Current
Acting Children’s Services Operations Manager
Penrith City Council
2022 - 2023
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