Desirae Young
Canberra,ACT
Summary
I am motivated, dedicated and highly skilled with experience across policy and program areas. I have academic educational qualifications and practical experience in the administration of education services; program governance; and RTO compliance and training services. I am experienced in process reform, designing and implementing administrative change and supporting dedicated culture reform processes. My sound understanding of legislative and regulatory frameworks, data collection methods and analysis mean I can translate complex information for multiple audiences and I specialise in persuasive communications in sensitive areas. I hold a current APS Baseline security clearance.
Dynamic Director oversees every facet of production with strong project management and decision-making skills. Brings comprehensive knowledge of [Type] production writing, planning and technical operations. Skilled at coordinating production plans and personnel resources to complete work under tight deadlines.
Encouraging manager and analytical problem-solver with talents for team building, leading and motivating, as well as excellent customer relations aptitude and relationship-building skills. Proficient in using independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success. Dedicated to applying training, monitoring and morale-building abilities to enhance employee engagement and boost performance.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Director - Student Support and Parent Engagement
Department Of Education
01.2023 - Current
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
- Established culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
- Cultivated positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
- Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
- Strengthened internal controls by reviewing existing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Director, Education and Advice Team
Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority
09.2022 - 12.2023
- I lead and mange high performing team responsible for: Leading the Education and Advice Team to achieve refreshed education sessions Working closely and productively to build robust relationships with team leaders (EL1s) to ensure staff are empowered to deliver to a high standard Support IPEA's broader strategic objectives under the Corporate Plan by providing supportive and approachable leadership and encouraging the section to understand that our individual contributions form part of the wider corporate culture Provide analysis for the Parliamentary Expenses Management System (PEMS) defects and enhancements for the team and branch Represent IPEA to a high level to our stakeholders and build up collegiate and productive relationships that will facilitate achievement of outcomes.
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
Team Leader
Grants Management Unit
06.2020 - 09.2022
- I lead and mange a high performing team responsible for: overseeing the Indigenous Student Success Program administered budget of $70 million; overseeing the Away From Base Program administered budget of $ 17 million; continuous quality improvement of systems, processes and advice associated with financial allocations and expenditure, grants and program administration; building and managing relationships with key stakeholders, including - The Executive and other teams in the Division; Finance Business Partner - and NIAA Grants; advocacy and strategic placement of the Division in relation to implementation of new grants processes and systems; understanding the legislative environment and providing strategic advice to the Division and Executive; and managing March Hub shut down and end of financial year processes and expenditure.
Assistant Director
Employment Branch
06.2019 - 06.2020
- I was asked by the Branch Manager of the Employment Branch to lead and establish the Tailored Assistance Employment Grants (TAEG) program, including: building a team capable of doing the work, and associated systems and processes; providing a first point of contact for all issues/enquiries raised by the Regional Offices; developing and maintaining a strong and respectful relationship with Regional colleagues to solve problems related to the assessment of TAEG applications; managing a backlog and incoming applications for assessment and decision; inputting to the development of policies/procedures related to future assessment work; researching, advising on and negotiating assurance measures and processes to inform Departmental reporting and compliance; and working closely with the Division Executive to manage budgets and application timelines.
- Led team of [Number] [Type] professionals in special projects and daily operations.
Technical Adviser (EL1)
Closing the Gap Refresh Taskforce
11.2017 - 06.2019
- I was requested by the Branch Manager in the Foundation Skills Branch of the Department of Education to take up a secondment period to work on the refresh of the educational setting and targets for consideration in the Closing the Gap Refresh (CtGR)
- As educational leader I worked on the following: contributed to the briefing for Minister Scullion on Closing the Gap Refresh policy and target setting through short-notice briefings and strategic communication products
- Built networks and influence key decision-making across the Commonwealth, states and territories to enhance closing the gap coordination, through regular inter department committees (IDCs)
- Contributed to the strategic direction of Closing the Gap Refresh taskforce for the team and provide daily support and leadership to staff members to deliver on key outcomes
- Achievements include: developing a proposal to consider a theory of change to support new target setting for the Closing the Gap Refresh; supporting the CtGR taskforce and senior officials in the planning and management of regular IDC meetings, and contributing to the policy settings and briefings for the Closing the Gap Refreshed Commonwealth implementation plan.
Assistant Director
Department of Education and Training
12.2015 - 11.2017
- As Assistant Director and periods of Acting Director, I led and managed the Skills for Education and Employment Program and supported the Director of the Adult Migrant Education Program in the following: worked in partnership with the Director of the Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) Program to support and manage strategic policy proposals and release of tender for the SEE program; supported management of the Foundation Skills Branch, including setting the agenda for strategic discussion items for quality assurance processes, and providing professional educational advice on the delivery of accredited training and assessment services; advised and trained junior staff on how to develop quality new policy proposals for Cabinet consideration; and achievements included: re-drafting the SEE program guideline administrative advice documents and SEE tender documents which enabled clearer policy outcomes; and, increasing quality assurance results through regular and focused engagement with key stakeholders and the quality assurance body.
Assistant Director
Trades Recognition Australia
01.2011 - 12.2015
- As leader of the Trades Recognition – Migration Skills Assessment Program, I was responsible for: management and overview of the team conducting skill assessments for international migration, providing written documentation in accordance with program guidelines and legislation advising on assessment outcome; advised and trained junior staff on international research of qualification levels and standards and assessing applications against program guidelines; management of administrative processes to receipt, track and provide notification of outcomes of client assessments; achievements included: effective management of 1,500 client assessments per year; and, facilitated increased awareness of the standards required for the skilled migration process with assessment bodies and migration agents; and management and delivery of procurement process to expand offshore skills assessing authorities.
Policy Officer
Department of Employment
01.2008 - 01.2010
Policy Officer
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
01.2006 - 01.2007
Policy Officer
Department of Education, Science and Training
01.2003 - 05.2006
Director of Studies for the LLNP
Career Employment Australia
01.2000 - 01.2003
Curriculum Writer & ESL Teacher
Australasian Correctional Management
01.1999 - 01.2000
Senior ESL Teacher
Kelly English College
01.1998 - 01.1999
ESL Teacher
Ten Language & Communication
01.1996 - 01.1998
Education
Masters of Education – TESOL -
Queensland Uni of Technology
01.2006
Graduate Diploma in Education -
University of Western Australia
01.2000
Graduate Certificate in Education TESOL -
Queensland Uni of Technology
01.1999
Bachelor of Arts in Modern Asian Studies -
Griffith University
01.1996
Skills
- Strategic Planning
- Verbal and written communication
- People Management
- Operations Management
- Staff Development
- Program Management
- Legal and Regulatory Compliance
- Content Development
- Training Management
References
- Pamela Banerjee, Director, Department of Education, Skills and Employment, 0459 923 211
- Vicki Schuhardt, Director – National Grant Management, National Indigenous Australians Agency, (02) 6152 320
Timeline
Director - Student Support and Parent Engagement
Department Of Education
01.2023 - Current
Director, Education and Advice Team
Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority
09.2022 - 12.2023
Team Leader
Grants Management Unit
06.2020 - 09.2022
Assistant Director
Employment Branch
06.2019 - 06.2020
Technical Adviser (EL1)
Closing the Gap Refresh Taskforce
11.2017 - 06.2019
Assistant Director
Department of Education and Training
12.2015 - 11.2017
Assistant Director
Trades Recognition Australia
01.2011 - 12.2015
Policy Officer
Department of Employment
01.2008 - 01.2010
Policy Officer
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
01.2006 - 01.2007
Policy Officer
Department of Education, Science and Training
01.2003 - 05.2006
Director of Studies for the LLNP
Career Employment Australia
01.2000 - 01.2003
Curriculum Writer & ESL Teacher
Australasian Correctional Management
01.1999 - 01.2000
Senior ESL Teacher
Kelly English College
01.1998 - 01.1999
ESL Teacher
Ten Language & Communication
01.1996 - 01.1998
Masters of Education – TESOL -
Queensland Uni of Technology
Graduate Diploma in Education -
University of Western Australia
Graduate Certificate in Education TESOL -
Queensland Uni of Technology
Bachelor of Arts in Modern Asian Studies -
Griffith University
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