Baden Benson
Senior Executive Assistant
Melbourne,VIC
Summary
Senior Executive Assistant with over 20 years of experience in providing high-level support to company leaders. Proven ability to anticipate executive needs and respond with urgency, ensuring seamless operations in fast-paced environments. Recognized for exceptional organizational skills and a proactive approach that drives success. Aiming to leverage expertise in executive support to enhance operational efficiency and contribute to organizational goals.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Executive Assistant to Executive General Manager
Suburban Rail Loop Authority
Melbourne
12.2023 - 08.2025
- Company Overview: Department of Transport and Planning, Melbourne
- Steered daily operations for the Executive General Manager reporting to CEO and 12 direct reports, maintaining a 99% accuracy rate in all administrative tasks and projects handled weekly.
- Streamlined communication among Project Support Officers, accelerating critical project turnaround by 20%.
- Led executive communication initiatives, personally managing 30+ daily inquiries and establishing the office as an information hub for senior leadership.
- Partnered with People & Culture to introduce 'Lunch and Learn' sessions, driving operational feedback and engagement.
- Orchestrated calendar and travel logistics across three time zones, resolving 95% of scheduling conflicts within 24 hours, boosting executive efficiency by 15%.
- Implemented project tracking systems, enabling 15% faster project completion and rigorous weekly deliverables monitoring.
- Developed standardised communication templates, saving 5 hours per week and improving transparency.
- Overhauled the Executive General Manager's briefing process, leading to 20 hours monthly reduction in preparation time and improving executive readiness for crucial meetings with comprehensive reports.
- Introduced a SharePoint-based digital filing system, saving 5+ hours weekly on document retrieval.
- Strengthened protocols for confidential performance reviews and disciplinary actions, achieving 100% HR compliance.
- Department of Transport and Planning, Melbourne
Senior Executive Assistant to the Commissioner
Victorian Disability Worker Commission
Melbourne
01.2021 - 12.2023
- Company Overview: Melbourne
- Orchestrated comprehensive administrative, operational, and facilities support for the Commissioner, including adaptive solutions for a legally blind executive, ensuring seamless workflow execution and zero critical operational disruptions.
- Overhauled document management processes with secure SharePoint implementation, slashing retrieval times by 5 hours weekly and establishing a centralized repository accessible to authorized personnel.
- Established secure digital document systems via SharePoint, saving over 5 hours weekly on retrieval.
- Automated HR review compliance, achieving 100% policy adherence and protecting sensitive data.
- Led high-level stakeholder engagement activities supporting the Commissioner's strategic goals.
- Melbourne
Executive Assistant
Cenitex
Melbourne
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Company Overview: Melbourne
- Drove operational alignment with strategic targets by streamlining communication protocols between the executive director and general managers, improving information flow and project completion rates by 10%.
- Prepared and delivered board papers, reconciliation of monthly expenses, and facilitated interstate travel and bookings.
- Coordinated internal meetings with clients, including AV, catering, and presentations, fostering strong stakeholder relationships.
- Melbourne
Executive Assistant (Contract)
Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA)
Melbourne
01.2019 - 12.2019
- Company Overview: Melbourne
- Orchestrated administrative and operational tasks directly impacting the executive director's strategic goals, including calendar management, correspondence, and travel arrangements, resulting in a 15% increase in executive efficiency.
- Developed travel booking processes and board documentation, contributing to effective policy and procedure upgrades.
- Organised events and team-building activities, increasing engagement scores from 70% to 89% year-over-year.
- Melbourne
Executive Assistant
Deloitte Touché Tohmatsu
Melbourne
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Company Overview: Melbourne
- Steered the office managing partner's complex calendar, prioritizing meetings and communications, which increased time spent on strategic initiatives by 30% and improved overall productivity.
- Facilitated partner inductions, live webinars, workshops, and executive assistant team meetings.
- Organised the 2018 annual partner event for 250 attendees, delivering over $100K in cost savings through strategic planning.
- Acted as change champion during office relocation, liaising between executive team and stakeholders.
- Transformed employee onboarding experience by creating role-specific training manuals based on the team's requirements, ensuring a 90% satisfaction rate among new hires within the first month.
- Melbourne
Executive Assistant
Price Waterhouse Coopers
Melbourne
01.2014 - 01.2018
- Company Overview: Melbourne
- Transformed administrative support for four senior partners/directors by creating detailed expense reports, reconciling discrepancies, and tracking budgets achieving a 100% accuracy rate of financial reporting.
- Arranged meetings and events, prepared presentations, and coordinated all logistical requirements.
- Helped to drive a smooth office relocation by establishing strong relationships with IT, vendors, and construction, and achieved high client satisfaction scores with partners (highest satisfaction ratings on team).
- Melbourne
Office Manager & Executive Assistant
Morgan Consulting
Melbourne
01.2009 - 12.2013
- Company Overview: Melbourne
- Revitalized front office and reception operations, implementing streamlined workflows and procedures that improved visitor experience scores by 30% and reduced administrative costs by 15%.
- Managed 25 internal meeting rooms, coordinating over 60 meetings with efficiency.
- Liaised with staff and suppliers, handled inventory and budgets for three office kitchens.
- Facilitated office refurbishment project, operating within a $150K budget and achieving $35K in savings.
- Collaborated on HR tasks, diary management, and accurate expense reconciliation.
- Melbourne
Front Office Supervisor & Personal Assistant
Watermark Attorneys
Melbourne
01.2009 - 12.2009
- Company Overview: Melbourne
- Melbourne
Education
Diploma - Business Management
12 2010
Skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications
- SharePoint administration
- Skilled in managing expenses using Concur
- Proficient in Adobe Suite
- Proficient in CRM software
- Proficient in MS Teams
- Proficient in Zoom
- Skilled in time management
- Oracle database management
- Unifier
- People and culture integration
- Attention to detail
- Resourceful vendor relations
- Process improvement strategies
- Team collaboration
- Confidentiality compliance
- Problem solving
Websites
Timeline
Senior Executive Assistant to Executive General Manager - Suburban Rail Loop Authority
12.2023 - 08.2025
Senior Executive Assistant to the Commissioner - Victorian Disability Worker Commission
01.2021 - 12.2023
Executive Assistant - Cenitex
01.2019 - 01.2020
Executive Assistant (Contract) - Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA)
01.2019 - 12.2019
Executive Assistant - Deloitte Touché Tohmatsu
01.2018 - 01.2019
Executive Assistant - Price Waterhouse Coopers
01.2014 - 01.2018
Office Manager & Executive Assistant - Morgan Consulting
01.2009 - 12.2013
Front Office Supervisor & Personal Assistant - Watermark Attorneys
01.2009 - 12.2009
Complete Hospitality Training - Diploma, Business Management