Donna Ward
Human Resources Leader
Sydney,Australia
Summary
Experienced and authentic Human Resources leader with ability to operate both strategically and operationally and with broad experience across the full employee lifecycle such as talent acquisition, development and talent management, performance and reward, organisational design and employee relations. Known for enhancing team dynamics and driving performance through strategic HR initiatives aligned to organisational strategy and goals.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of People
Bank of Queensland
03.2022 - Current
- Develop and execute strategic people plans for the Retail Bank and Group Risk Divisions by partnering Executives and Senior Leadership Teams
- Coach, consult and advise Group Executive Retail Banking and Group Chief Risk Officer on strategic and operational people matters
- Partner with Retail Banking and Group Risk Leadership Teams and Extended Leadership Teams to lead a cultural transformation and lift engagement results
- Provide trusted strategic and operational advice incorporating considerations for commercial, people and risk factors
- Partner with Centres of Excellence to design, and deliver solutions and programs to meet business needs (Performance & Reward, Employee Relations, Talent Acquisition, Organisational Development, Capability, Health & Safety, Data and Analytics, Payroll and Operations)
- Leverage data and analytics to identify trends or emerging themes and proactively identify opportunities to value add
- Lead the implementation of the HR calendar cycle eg talent and succession planning; performance and remuneration reviews, culture and engagement, recognition
- Lead a team of P&C Business Partners focused on delivering against business plans and people priorities
- Lead a team of P&C Advisors to partner with P&C BPs and senior leaders to deliver cyclical activities, performance management and coaching support and general HR advice across all BOQ Group Divisions
Senior HR Manager
rebel Sport, Super Retail Group
10.2019 - 02.2022
- Partner with the Managing Director, rebel and the rebel Leadership Team to lead an engaged team focused on delivering commercial returns
- Lead cultural change to elevate passion for sport in team and inspire Australians to chase their sporting dreams and passion
- Provide trusted strategic and operational advice incorporating considerations for commercial, people and risk factors
- Consult and advise the MD and leadership team in relation to structure and capabilities to drive improved performance and ensure we have the appropriate capabilities to execute the business strategy, ensuring alignment with key organisational design principles
- Actively develop a pipeline of future talent
- Develop and execute rebel People Plan with key focus on safety, culture, capability and diversity and inclusion
- Lead and champion diversity and inclusion initiatives and calendar events
- Partner with HR Centres of Excellence to deliver Groupwide programs executed to individual brand requirements
- Value add business partnering through proactive data driven identification of key opportunities
- Actively participate as member of rebel Charity Steering Committee
- Lead the implementation of the HR calendar cycle eg talent and succession planning; performance and remuneration reviews
- Develop internal team communications on behalf of Managing Director
- Oversee monthly Team Member of the Month recognition program for rebel
- Lead, coach and develop HR Business Partner direct report and coach members of the broader HR team as required
- Mentoring talented female Store Managers
Acting Head of HR
St.George Group Business Bank
11.2018 - 08.2019
- Company Overview: Westpac Banking Corporation
- Provide strategic and operational support to the General Manager St.George Group Business Bank, including developing and executing the people plan in alignment with business plans and Group HR
- Acting as a trusted advisor to the GM and the senior leadership team across the spectrum of HR activities, including: Organisational design and change, Performance and reward frameworks, Talent management and succession planning, Executive recruitment, Inclusion and diversity, Engagement and advocacy, Health, Safety and Wellbeing, Employee Relations
- Partner with the Head of Finance to help drive leader accountability and deliver to FTE and expense plan
- Work closely with HR Centres of Excellence to deliver strategic change and priorities and ensure these are aligned to the business strategy and needs
- Participate in various Steering Committees to drive organisational priorities eg Review of Business Operating Models
- Participate in Working Group to review and update the Banker incentive scheme to ensure compliance with Australian Banking Association standards and community expectations
- Provide leadership and support to 3 HR Business Partners who have a matrix reporting line to Ho HR St.George Group Business Bank
- Continue to HR Business Partner responsibilities as outlined below
- Westpac Banking Corporation
HR Business Partner / HR Manager
St.George Business Bank
01.2011 - 11.2018
- Company Overview: Westpac Banking Corporation
- Provide consultative HR advice and counsel to senior leaders across the St.George Business Bank and/or St.George Retail business
- Work collaboratively with business leaders and frontline leaders to drive cultural change with business leaders
- Provide coaching and HR support to frontline distribution leaders, including performance management and counselling, remuneration and reward, leave management, leadership development, employee engagement, health & safety, recruitment etc
- Lead and facilitate the annual performance and reward process, including facilitation of performance alignment session and annual remuneration recommendation and alignment process
- Provide insights into key HR drivers and impacts and work with the senior leadership team on actions to drive improvement across key measures such as: leave accruals, employee engagement and advocacy, LTIFR, Women in Leadership and FTE management
- Partner with Finance teams to effectively manage FTE and employee expense line
- Partner and work collaboratively with HR Centres of Excellence such as Reward, Employee Relations and HR Shared Services to deliver coordinated and professional support to business leaders
- Lead and implement annual HR calendar activities including Market Matching (remunerations), Remuneration Review, Talent Management and succession planning and FTE planning
- Worked on Due Diligence of HR policies and processes for the Lloyds Acquisition in 2013
- Working member of the Westpac Group Job Evaluation Committee
- Attend Unfair Dismissal, Discrimination and Human Rights hearings as required and in conjunction with Employee Relations and/or Legal representation
- Westpac Banking Corporation
Education
Graduate Diploma - Employee Relations
Griffith University
Graduate Diploma - Human Resources
Deakin University
Skills
- Collaborative stakeholder engagement and management
- Commercially focused
- Extensive HR generalist experience
- Ability to operate strategically and operationally
- Data insights and action
- Organisational design and change
- Change management
- Authentic leadership
- Experience in multi brand and complex organisations
Timeline
Head of People
Bank of Queensland
03.2022 - Current
Senior HR Manager
rebel Sport, Super Retail Group
10.2019 - 02.2022
Acting Head of HR
St.George Group Business Bank
11.2018 - 08.2019
HR Business Partner / HR Manager
St.George Business Bank
01.2011 - 11.2018
Graduate Diploma - Employee Relations
Griffith University
Graduate Diploma - Human Resources
Deakin University
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