Jessica Bollen
Summary
Strong program and project management experience across State and Local Government, with the ability to identify strategic needs and provide operational support.
Leadership of geographically dispersed, field-based officers fostering trust, collaboration, and high performance through consistent, integrity-driven guidance.
Proven capability in process and governance improvement, leading to greater compliance, better decision-making, and significant attraction of investment for local communities.
High-level stakeholder engagement, building cooperative relationships with internal colleagues and external partners, successfully influencing outcomes and delivering program objectives.
Strong analytical and reporting skills, with the ability to provide insights and recommendations that inform strategic and operational decisions.
Commitment to delivering safe, inclusive, and sustainable learning environments, with a deep understanding of the unique challenges facing small schools in rural and regional Victoria.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Program Advisor – Operations and Program Support, Small Schools Program
Department of Education
03.2025 - Current
- Providing operational, administrative and program support across the Small Schools Program (SSP), involving collaboration with 16 coordinators supporting 316 schools across Victoria.
- Identified strategic gaps within the program, contributing to strengthening alignment with overarching objectives.
- Assisted in developing business processes to improve program delivery and operational efficiency.
- Built collaborative relationships with coordinators, schools, and stakeholders, contributing to improved service delivery.
Grants Officer
Moira Shire Council
01.2021 - 01.2025
- Led governance and process improvements, including Project Control Boards, capital works pipelines, and business case development frameworks.
- Strengthened compliance and accountability in grant processes, improving transparency and efficiency.
- Developed targeted investment attraction strategies, leading to significant external funding secured for community projects.
- Supported councillors and executives with reporting, analysis, and recommendations for resource prioritisation.
Transport Planner
Department of Transport
01.2018 - 01.2021
- Managed transport planning projects and contributed to statewide transport infrastructure strategies.
- Coordinated funding applications and business cases to support infrastructure investment needs.
- Built relationships with local government and regional partners to advocate for transport priorities.
- Delivered project pipeline documentation and supported executive-level reporting.
Planning Officer
VicRoads
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Supported project management activities for regional infrastructure programs.
- Assisted in stakeholder engagement and coordination of project approvals.
- Contributed to improved reporting and governance of capital works.
District Supervisor / Sergeant
Sheriff’s Office Victoria
01.2008 - 01.2016
- Led a team of field-based Sheriff’s Officers dispersed across a large geographical area.
- Provided leadership grounded in integrity, stability, and consistency, earning trust, loyalty, and productivity from the team.
- Ensured compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, achieving high standards of operational delivery.
- Built strong stakeholder relationships, including with courts, enforcement bodies, and community partners.
- Applied sound judgement in sensitive and high-risk situations.
Skills
- Strong program and project management experience across State and Local Government, with the ability to identify strategic needs and provide operational support aligned grounded in values like integrity and accountability
- Leadership of geographically dispersed, field-based officers and coordinators, fostering trust, collaboration, and high performance through consistent, integrity-driven guidance
- Proven capability in process and governance improvement, leading to greater compliance, better decision-making, and significant attraction of investment for local communities
- High-level stakeholder engagement, building cooperative relationships with internal colleagues and external partners, successfully influencing outcomes and delivering program objectives
- Strong analytical and reporting skills, with the ability to provide insights and recommendations that inform strategic and operational decisions
- Commitment to delivering safe, inclusive, and sustainable learning environments, with a deep understanding of the unique challenges facing small schools in rural and regional Victoria
Timeline
Program Advisor – Operations and Program Support, Small Schools Program
Department of Education
03.2025 - Current
Grants Officer
Moira Shire Council
01.2021 - 01.2025
Transport Planner
Department of Transport
01.2018 - 01.2021
Planning Officer
VicRoads
01.2016 - 01.2018
District Supervisor / Sergeant
Sheriff’s Office Victoria
01.2008 - 01.2016
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