Cathy Horsley
Geelong,VIC
Summary
Results-driven professional with extensive team leadership, administrative, customer engagement, policy development, stakeholder management and budget management experience. Advanced knowledge of Office Suite, Google Workspace, report preparation and strong prioritisation skills. Demonstrated experience with program delivery working with people with intellectual disability, handling community requests and referrals. Manage volunteering requests, recruitment and retention, ensuring compliance with quality standards, Work Health and Safety legislation including management and mitigation of risk. Strong customer-centric, person-centred approach, consistently striving for excellence by engaging with diverse stakeholders to build productive relationships and ensure inclusive and accessible communications. Plans and prioritises work and critical activities appropriately in fast paced environment, recognises barriers to achieving outcomes finds effective ways to deal with them and evaluate progress. Team Leader experienced in directing activities of workgroups. Develops strategies, provides training, sets goals and obtains team feedback. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Big picture focus with excellence in communicating goals and vision to succeed. Problem solver, networker, and consensus builder. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy. Supportive Team Lead with eighteen years of experience leading teams. Expert in following detailed production schedules with distinguished history of maximizing productivity. Committed to proactive reorganization for optimized safety and efficiency. Talented Team Leader experienced and dedicated to enhancing employee satisfaction and business success. Diplomatic and friendly with proven commitment to employee training. Hardworking team player bringing necessary experience and knowledge to tackle any operational demand.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Team Lead Community Building
City of Port Phillip
04.2020 - 11.2024
- Provide high level secretariat support for the sixteen-member Older Persons Advisory Committee (OPAC) including coordination of accessible recruitment and onboarding practices, management of internal meetings (including remote engagement) coordinate and plan agendas and minutes, coordinate the annual and quarterly management planning processes for the OPAC and support the Council’s management team’s administrative needs
- High level program management for the City of Port Phillip’s community building team ensuring effective communication, recruitment and onboarding, procurement processes and provision of complex advice
- Ensure productive relationships with a diverse range of potential stakeholders and influential Council staff
- Identify and leverage opportunities for collaboration and community connections and opportunities for strategic advocacy by providing relevant information and support
- Lead the implementation of Port Phillip's Volunteer Program ensuring alignment with organisational goals and compliance with audit requirements
- Develop and implemented strategies for improving volunteer engagement and program effectiveness, based on feedback and performance assessments
- Ensure compliance with relevant standards and best practices, addressing any gaps or issues to maintain high-quality volunteer management
- Oversee implementation of six major community funding deeds, ensuring that funded programs are inclusive, accessible, and effectively support residents facing social and/or economic disadvantage
- Monitor and evaluate funded community organisations to ensure compliance and alignment with Council’s strategic directions and adherence to program funding guidelines
- Facilitate regular communication with stakeholders to address challenges and ensure the delivery of impactful programs
- Design and manage Port Phillip’s annual Seniors Festival, creating opportunities for intersectional connection and information dissemination among older residents
- Coordinate with stakeholders including grant recipients, community organisations, venue managers and the Seniors Festival subcommittee to respond to emerging issues and implement ethical initiatives that address community needs and improve civic participation
- Promoted a positive work environment by fostering teamwork, open communication, and employee recognition initiatives.
- Served as a role model for the team by demonstrating commitment to excellence, professionalism, and adherence to company values at all times.
- Coached team members in techniques necessary to complete job tasks.
- Collaborated with other department leads to streamline workflows, improve interdepartmental coordination, and achieve business goals collectively.
- Increased customer satisfaction by ensuring timely completion of projects and adherence to high-quality standards.
- Managed schedules, accepted time off requests and found coverage for short shifts.
- Conducted regular progress reviews with individual team members to identify areas for improvement and provide guidance on career development opportunities.
- Established clear performance metrics which helped in tracking progress towards set targets effectively.
- Managed risks and mitigated potential issues through proactive planning, monitoring, and timely decision making.
- Created and managed project plans, timelines and budgets.
- Generated reports detailing findings and recommendations.
Team Leader Community Cultural Inclusion and Respite
City of Port Phillip
04.2006 - 03.2020
- Lead the delivery of Council's Access Arts Development programs and partnerships to promote social, recreation and leisure activities, life skill and capacity-building programs for people with disability
- Monitor and evaluate program effectiveness, adjusting as needed to enhance inclusivity and community impact
- Champion initiatives that support equitable and ethical access to cultural experiences, contributing to a more engaged and active community
- Designed and delivered the THRIVE Creative Grants program for arts with disability, a proof-of-concept two-year trial program including exploration of fully accessible application modes completed in collaboration with key organisation Arts Access Victoria
- Supervise and support permanent staff, casual staff, contractors, and volunteers, including managing organisational change, end-of-contract negotiations, and professional development pathways
- Lead the Council's response to the annual Department of Health and Human Services standards audit and compliance with AS/NZS ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems, ensuring adherence to standards and driving quality improvements
Education
Master of Fine Art - Painting
12.1999
Bachelor of Arts - Painting
12.1985
Skills
- Inclusive Communications
- Program Development
- Team Supervision
- Development of Learning programs
- Volunteer Management
- Network Development
- Budget Management
- Workplace Health and Safety
- Policy Development
- Stakeholder Management
- Grant Management
- Customer Oriented
- Schedule Management
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Influencing skills
- Attention to Detail
- Onboarding and Orientation
- Client Support and Record Management
Accomplishments
- Led the transition of 200 clients from Council disability support programs to approved NDIS providers in 2020 by completing an expression of interest and assessment process and development of Memorandum of Understanding with three local providers with accuracy and efficiency to ensure continuity of service for clients, their families and allies.
Safetychecks
- Current Police Check
- Current Working with Children's check
Community First Awards for Community Partnerships, Client Support and Team Leadership
In 2017 I was awarded an individual award for a community cultural development project which supported fifteen people with lived experience of disability and dual diagnosis to participate in the annual Parkes Elvis Festival. The project included developing a partnership with a local community organisation to support the health and wellbeing of the included community members, successfully raising external funding for the project, staff rostering and development of robust health and safety protocols.
In 2022 I was awarded an individual award for outstanding team leadership supporting the Council's Social Support and Community Building teams during a time of change an uncertainty. This award recognised my kind and considerate approach to team members while also supporting their day to day activities with my high level organisation skills.
Timeline
Team Lead Community Building - City of Port Phillip
04.2020 - 11.2024
Team Leader Community Cultural Inclusion and Respite - City of Port Phillip
04.2006 - 03.2020
Victorian College of The Arts - Master of Fine Art, Painting
Victoria College - Bachelor of Arts, Painting
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