Erin Williams
Torquay,Australia
Summary
Accomplished leader with a proven track record at the Australian Red Cross, adept in strategic leadership and program design & delivery. Spearheaded transformative initiatives, enhancing operational efficiency and community engagement. Expert in governance & risk, securing sustainable funding, and driving innovation. Achieved significant advancements in emergency services, demonstrating exceptional stakeholder relationship management and financial acumen.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of State & Territory Operations Transformation
Australian Red Cross
01.2024 - Current
- Leading the strategic operations function, aligning state and territory activities with organisational goals to drive impact and collaboration across portfolios
- Directing the design and implementation of innovative initiatives integrating climate-related efforts with resilience, response and recovery programs
- Delivery of a federal budget strategy to scale the national emergency response program to secure sustainable funding for emergency services
- Streamlined the national budget, improving resource allocation and aligning financial planning with organisational priorities
- Embedding human-centered, community-driven practices across all programs to ensure measurable impact
Head of Emergency Services Redesign
Australian Red Cross
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Directed the transformation of the National Emergency Services program to enhance capacity and capability for addressing increasing disaster frequency, scale and complexity
- Delivered a future-focused operating model to align emergency services with strategic goals and community needs
- Led a 12-month discovery phase, gathering insights from after-action reviews and evaluations to inform redesign efforts
- Coordinated disaster simulations, including executive exercises, to test and enhance organisational readiness
- Established governance frameworks to oversee program transformation and integration
National Strategy & Influence Manager
Australian Red Cross
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Developed and executed the National Emergency Services strategy, aligning programs with emerging risks and organisational priorities
- Directed the design and implementation of a nationally consistent resilience framework, increasing disaster preparedness outcomes
- Secured sustainable funding through innovative models and strategic partnerships, supporting program growth
- Directed performance evaluation frameworks, ensuring measurable impact and continuous improvement
- Managed high-impact national partnerships and contracts to sustain program delivery and scalability
National Disaster Relief & Recovery Fund Manager
Australian Red Cross
01.2020 - 01.2021
- Managed the $240M Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund, delivering targeted support to communities impacted by the 2019-2020 bushfires
- Allocated funds to balance immediate relief with long-term recovery, reaching thousands of individuals and communities
- Established governance frameworks to ensure transparency and accountability in fund management
- Designed and executed financial assistance programs, utilising GIS mapping and community needs assessments for data-driven decision-making
National Member & Volunteer Operations Manager
Australian Red Cross
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Redesigned the national member and volunteer lifecycle to enhance engagement, operational efficiency, and compliance
- Delivered a foundational member and volunteer model, increasing recruitment and retention rates
- Optimised systems and processes, reducing delays and enhancing volunteer lifecycle management
- Streamlined governance frameworks, improving consistency and compliance across national operations
National Emergency Services Operations & Workforce Manager
Australian Red Cross
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Strengthened national readiness and consistency in emergency response through innovative frameworks and coordination
- Developed nationally consistent frameworks for emergency response and workforce management
- Oversaw incident management operations and national Register.Find.Reunite services, enhancing operational efficiency
- Conducted disaster simulations and after-action reviews to identify gaps and inform improvements
Project Manager – Remuneration Review
Australian Red Cross
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Delivered a $25M remediation project, ensuring compliance and operational improvements
- Established robust governance structures, mitigating future risks
- Delivered the project on time and within budget, with zero financial or reputational loss
Victorian State Manager Emergency Services Operations & Workforce
Australian Red Cross
01.2014 - 01.2017
- Managed disaster response and resilience programs across Victoria, strengthening local and interstate operational capacity
- Implemented statewide preparedness programs, increasing community resilience
- Designed and delivered a volunteer model to enhance capacity and disaster support capabilities
- Strengthened partnerships with local governments through collaborative disaster simulations and initiatives
Education
Certificate IV -
Workplace Training & Assessment
Certificate IV -
Business Administration
Advanced Diploma -
Residential & Community Services
Skills
- Strategic Leadership
- Transformation & Change
- Program Design & Delivery
- Governance & Risk
- Stakeholder Relationship Management
- Innovation & Improvement
- Financial Acumen
- Operational Efficiency
- Community Engagement
- Emergency Services Expertise
References
Available upon request
Timeline
Head of State & Territory Operations Transformation
Australian Red Cross
01.2024 - Current
Head of Emergency Services Redesign
Australian Red Cross
01.2022 - 01.2023
National Strategy & Influence Manager
Australian Red Cross
01.2021 - 01.2022
National Disaster Relief & Recovery Fund Manager
Australian Red Cross
01.2020 - 01.2021
National Member & Volunteer Operations Manager
Australian Red Cross
01.2019 - 01.2020
National Emergency Services Operations & Workforce Manager
Australian Red Cross
01.2018 - 01.2019
Project Manager – Remuneration Review
Australian Red Cross
01.2017 - 01.2018
Victorian State Manager Emergency Services Operations & Workforce
Australian Red Cross
01.2014 - 01.2017
Certificate IV -
Workplace Training & Assessment
Certificate IV -
Business Administration
Advanced Diploma -
Residential & Community Services
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