Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Hobbies and Interests
References
Key Capabilities
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

Cheryl Swales

Quakers Hill,NSW

Summary

Dynamic leader with extensive experience in Facilities and Infrastructure Projects, excelling in strategic planning and project management. Proven track record in overseeing national facilities operations, achieving significant cost savings, and enhancing regulatory compliance. Problem solving expert who can manage difficult or sensitive situations and deliver outstanding results. Strategic negotiator with extraordinary communication and interpersonal skills. Adept at cross-functional team leadership, fostering collaboration, and driving successful outcomes in complex environments.

Overview

22
22
years of professional experience

Work History

NATIONAL DIRECTOR, FACILITIES AND ASSET SERVICES

The University of Notre Dame
11.2021 - Current
  • Responsible for delivery of Maintenance & Infrastructure nationally with Campuses based in Fremantle, Broome and Sydney along with 8 Clinical Schools on the East Coast (NSW and VIC).
  • Leader and mentor to a team of 27 as well as the Regional Clinical teams.
  • I oversee space planning and capital works nationally and provide strategic direction for Campus Master Planning.
  • Appointed as the key advisor on the COVID Management Advisory Group upon commencement with Notre Dame due to my recent extensive experience at USYD.

SENIOR MANAGER, CENTRAL OPERATIONS SERVICES (COS)

The University of Sydney
08.2017 - 11.2021
  • Responsible for the management and operational efficiency of facilities across the University Property Portfolios to ensure they support the requirements and specifications for academic endeavors and research outcomes.
  • Strategic Advisor appointed to the COVID Management Advisory Committee, responsible for developing all business continuity planning during COVID on behalf of the University.

OPERATIONS MANAGER CENTRAL PARK

JLL
05.2014 - 08.2017
  • Responsible to deliver all maintenance and operations for the Retail component of Central Park which currently stands at 13,500 GLA (Gross Lettable Area) with additional retail still under construction.
  • Developed and implemented: Facilities Management framework and strategy, Emergency Management processes, Security plans, policies and Centre Risk Management matrix.
  • Developed Asset Management Strategy with Lifecycle Planning, Tenancy Delivery strategy and process mapping.
  • Oversaw all hard service and soft service delivery, statutory and regulatory compliance, Waste Avoidance and Sustainability Strategy.
  • Financial operating model and 12 year capital works program, Defects management matrix and tracking process, Contractor performance management and monitoring model across all disciplines.

OPERATIONS MANAGER NSW

Coles Group Property Developments
10.2012 - 05.2014
  • Company Overview: Coles Group Property Developments (CGPD) is a subsidiary of Coles responsible for the acquisition and development of land parcels and purchase of existing built Assets.
  • As Operations Manager NSW I was responsible for Asset Portfolio across the Central Sydney region through to the Blue Mountains.
  • My portfolio consisted of 20+ freehold sites 12 of which were active shopping centres and 2 of these were mixed use developments.
  • I established the shared facilities budgets for both mixed use assets as they were newly opened, and I coordinated and directed the Building Management Committees Chairing one and Treasurer for the other.
  • I assisted in preparing assets for sale and developed feasibility budgets for potential new developments and existing redevelopments.
  • Other duties my role incorporated: Developing, implementing and managing all OPEX budgets and capital works, Day to day operations, contractor management, performance and statutory compliance.
  • Developing and implementing new contract service scopes, Providing design criteria to the development team for new projects.
  • Implementing and stabilising new contracts when launching new Centres, Developing and implementing cost saving initiatives, Monthly P&L reporting for all assets.

FACILITIES MANAGER ROUSE HILL TOWN CENTRE

The GPT Group
04.2007 - 08.2012
  • Company Overview: Rouse Hill Town Centre was Australia’s first regional retail centre to demonstrate a comprehensive approach to world class social and environmental sustainability.
  • I was responsible for 5 direct reports and 4 indirect and a financial budget of over $5M.
  • Develop and implement Risk Management Strategies to reduce or eliminate risk exposure, Risk Management plans for all operational and marketing events.
  • Site specific induction procedures, Customer Experience Initiatives, Staff incentive program for IS Contract.
  • Security plans, policies and procedures, Carpark Management policy and procedures, Loading Dock and Waste Management Plan, Sustainable Solution Strategies.

SENIOR FACILITIES MANAGER KING STREET WHARF

Multiplex Facilities Management
04.2003 - 04.2007
  • I was Senior Facilities Manager for King Street Wharf and responsible for the contract managing 5 commercial buildings with retail and restaurants on ground levels, 3 residential towers totaling 365 apartments with an additional 25 retailers on Shelley and Lime Street.
  • My duties included the following: Manage a direct a team of 4 staff including performance reviews, setting KPI’s, training program and mentoring.
  • Design, implement and manage budgets across King Street Wharf. There were 9 budgets in total including 3 Building Management Committees. Total budget approximately $5M.
  • Prepare, implement and approve house rules for all buildings at King Street Wharf.
  • Develop scope of works for service contracts, tendering of contracts, negotiation with service providers, preparation of tender analysis and recommendations for submissions to client.
  • Prepare reports and submit to Executive Committee prior to all meetings.
  • Prepare a Sinking Fund Assessment Plan for submission to the client detailing strategies for maintenance, including routine and corrective maintenance and replacement requirements together with indicative cost replacement amounts.

FACILITIES MANAGER EXCELSIOR APARTMENTS

Multiplex Facilities Management
10.2004 - 07.2005
  • Excelsior is a Residential Apartment Building in Surry Hills consisting of 165 apartments and 10 retail lots.
  • I was given this building to manage at a time when the relationship between Multiplex and the Owners Corporation had all but diminished.
  • Key achievements included: Regained trust of Owners Corporation addressing multiple outstanding issues including capital works.
  • Identified and provided solution for ongoing air conditioning failures with recommendation that would save $50k pa moving forward.

Education

High Potential Leadership -

The University of Notre Dame Australia
11-2024

Leadership & Management Diploma -

Upskilled
01.2016

Building & Construction Certificate IV -

TAFE
01.2014

Business Administration - Management and Operations

TAFE
01.1989

Skills

  • Strategic planning
  • Project management
  • Budget management
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Negotiation and conflict resolution
  • Change management
  • Contract negotiation
  • Decision-making
  • Profit and loss accountability
  • Cross-functional team leadership
  • Business strategy
  • Forecasting
  • MS Office advanced Word
  • MS Office advanced Powerpoint
  • MS Office advanced Excel
  • MS Project
  • MRI
  • SAP
  • Evolution
  • Sharepoint
  • Peoplesoft
  • CM3
  • RM3
  • SINE
  • CMMS (Archibus, Kwiklook, Pinnacle)
  • WHS White Card
  • First Aid

Hobbies and Interests

  • Politics
  • Sustainability Projects
  • Sports (in particular NRL)
  • Networking and building relationships
  • Leadership Coaching / Mentoring

References

AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

Key Capabilities

Demonstrated leader and mentor, risk mitigation strategies, compliance and regulatory processes, high level financial acumen, excellent relationship skills and collaborative negotiation approach, stakeholder engagement, Interpersonal intelligence, outstanding communicator, skilled project management and capital works delivery, precise planning and execution.

Affiliations

  • Nominated as one of only 15 staff nationally at The University of Notre Dame to participate in the Pilot in 2024 High Potential Leadership Program
  • Nominated to represent all Professional Staff at The University of Notre Dame on the Joint Consultative Committee for the Enterprise Agreement 2025
  • Invited to Tonga for the Grand Opening Ceremony of the Church of Tonga high school (Siasi 'o Tonga), meeting the King and Queen of Tonga 2024

Timeline

NATIONAL DIRECTOR, FACILITIES AND ASSET SERVICES

The University of Notre Dame
11.2021 - Current

SENIOR MANAGER, CENTRAL OPERATIONS SERVICES (COS)

The University of Sydney
08.2017 - 11.2021

OPERATIONS MANAGER CENTRAL PARK

JLL
05.2014 - 08.2017

OPERATIONS MANAGER NSW

Coles Group Property Developments
10.2012 - 05.2014

FACILITIES MANAGER ROUSE HILL TOWN CENTRE

The GPT Group
04.2007 - 08.2012

FACILITIES MANAGER EXCELSIOR APARTMENTS

Multiplex Facilities Management
10.2004 - 07.2005

SENIOR FACILITIES MANAGER KING STREET WHARF

Multiplex Facilities Management
04.2003 - 04.2007

High Potential Leadership -

The University of Notre Dame Australia

Leadership & Management Diploma -

Upskilled

Building & Construction Certificate IV -

TAFE

Business Administration - Management and Operations

TAFE

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