Joe Arena

I am a highly strategic leader with significant expertise in strategy development and execution. A proven track record of delivering transformational change resulting in improved culture and performance in several organisations and industries, including the Health Industry. Solutions focused with exceptional stakeholder/member engagement skills and great strengths in financial management, marketing, branding, HR, procurement, ICT and acquisitions. An accomplished, strong and empathetic leader who coaches and mentors’ senior staff to achieve excellence. My core values of integrity, accountability and conscience, ensure that key business goals are exceeded, and the highest value is always delivered. Accomplished Chief Executive Officer well-versed in assessing risk, developing solutions and implementing positive changes to achieve sustainability and growth in challenging market conditions. Adept at building and strengthening business and client relationships.

• Procurement Australasia Ltd, CEO, 04/2013, 04/2023, A national Procurement Services organisation with over 20,000 members and supply contracts with an annual spend under management of more than $500M. A highly profitable organisation providing category aggregation contracts, advisory service, direct channel sales and co-working facilities. Full profit and loss responsibility and responsible for setting strategic direction, strategy execution, governance, asset management, capital investment and all administrative functions including Finance, Marketing and communication, sales, ICT, procurement and HR/IR. Key Achievements: - Successful acquisition of a large competitor, tripling revenue. - Influenced government ministers, the board of directors and shareholders to approve an amendment of the company’s constitution enabling it to provide services to the private sector. - Successfully intergraded two organisations and established a very positive, high-performance culture based on agreed company values, high-performance teams and strong,10 out of 10, customer focus. - Increased Shareholder equity by more than 5 times - Turned a loss-making enterprise in 2013 to deliver 4 record profits over my tenure. - Led the organisation through the COVID – 19 crises whilst increasing staff engagement and maintaining profitability without laying off any staff. - Diversified revenue streams via the establishment of a highly profitable consultancy unit, direct channel sales and co-working facilities in Melbourne and Sydney. - Developed and implemented a new brand strategy. - Restructured the organisation to include an innovation unit and People and Culture function. - Introduced Risk management systems and processes and business continuity plans - Delivered transformational change incorporating innovations that subsequently turned a small suburban organisation to a medium sized national company with a significant revenue base and large financial assets. Transformational change includes the introduction of: Financial - Cost Drivers - Rolling forecasts - Deep revenue analysis and reporting - Improved financial reporting - Infernal Audit - Outsourced Payroll (ADP) ICT - Equipment and cloud-based software which created a totally Mobile workforce - An outsourced IT function. - Contract management system - Office 365 - MYOB for Business - SharePoint - CRM - Teams Procurement - Social and Sustainable - Renewable energy contracts - Progressive energy procurement - Vendor and Client briefings
• La Trobe University, Director Financial Operations, 02/1998, 09/2012, Established in 1964 as Victoria’s 3rd university to provide educational services to low socio-economic students from the northern and western suburbs of Melbourne. La Trobe University had grown to an organisation with revenue of over $610M, approximately 2,540 staff and several campuses including four in regional Victoria. Accountabilities included: - The provision of a strategic finance operations function across all faculties and campuses. - Provide high level, strategic advice to the senior management of the University in the effective management of the University’s finances and resources. - Management of the University’s Investment Portfolio, Taxation Services, Banking Services, Procurement, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Vehicle Fleet and Print Services. - Ensuring a smooth internal and external financial audit process and reporting to the finance and governance committee on audit issues. - Ensuring that accurate accounting records are maintained and are in compliance with State and Federal Government laws and AAS regulations. - Leadership in the formulation of University accounting systems, financial policy and business procedures and ensuring that they are harmonised across the University. - Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure efficient and effective use of the university’s financial resources. Achievements: - Led the finance function review and the implementation of the recommendations (2009 – 2010) resulting in transformational change across the whole organisation. - Introduced a shared services model for the finance function - Established a structured learning program to educate university staff on procurement, corporate card use, and taxation (GST & FBT) - Introduced a new investment strategy, including a new asset allocation strategy, policies and procedures. - Revised and updated all Finance Division Policies - Developed and implemented a strong customer service culture - Introduced an electronic travel management system - Introduced electronic expense management software – saving of one staff member. - Divestment of the university bookshop to private operators. - Restructured the Strategic Sourcing and Procurement unit in 2010 to include category managers. - Member of La Trobe University’s Sustainable Management Committee. - Developed and implemented the sustainable procurement policy - Member of the executive committee of the Australian Universities Procurement Network (AUPN). - Chair of the AUPN’s Sustainable Procurement Subcommittee - Reduced staff in the financial operations area by 11 staff (25%).
• Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board, Procurement Manager, 11/1995, 01/1998, Achievements: - Provide an efficient strategic sourcing & contract administration service. Implement a governance structure around procurement including the development of policies and procedures; outsource non-core activities, introduce electronic trading, implement a purchasing card procurement model. Introduced electronic B to B trading. Established standard conditions of contract and standard conditions of tender. Outsourced warehousing of stationery stock and printed matter. Outsourced the print shop including bulk photocopy service and I.D. card production. Amalgamated all warehouses and introduced new distribution processes, including desk top delivery direct from the supplier Implemented the use of purchasing card and established systems and procedures for its use. Reduced Supply Department staff by 40% The new initiatives achieved measurable savings in operating expenses for the department in the order of $1,000,000.00, recurrent.
• Monash Surgicentre, CEO, 1994, 1995, The Monash Surgicentre in Clayton was established in the early 1990s as one of Melbourne’s first day surgery centres, a relatively new concept at that time. Unfortunately, the centre was unsuccessful and not financially viable and was placed into administration. The centre was acquired by a company who decided to try and revive the business. I was approached by this company to take up the CEO position and establish the business as a going concern. I was given full P&L responsibility and control of all administrative functions. I am pleased to say that the Surgicentre became viable within 12 months and is now a full service private hospital. Achievements: - 170% increase in revenue - 195% increase in case load - Significant brand improvement - Established a new Dental Unit consisting of 40 Dentists who brought in a significant case load and a diversified revenue stream - Established educational seminars for GPs which were accredited by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.

• National Boys Choir of Australia, Non-Executive Director, 2019
• Opera Society Inc., Non-Executive Director and Treasurer, 2022
• Master of Supply Chain and Logistics Management, La Trobe University, Advisory Board Member, 2022
• Our Lady of the Pines Primary School Fund Raising Committee, President, 2014, 2016
• Australian Universities Procurement Network (AUPN), Executive Member, 2001, 2012
• AUPN, Chair, Sustainability Committee, 2005, 2012
• La Trobe University Guild Board, Council Nominee, 2004, 2011
• La Trobe University Bookshop Board, Chair, 2009, 2011
• Monash Surgicentre, CEO/Executive Director, 1994, 1995