Kelly Hawkins
Gorokan,Australia
Summary
Dynamic operations leader with a proven track record at Mini Masterminds, enhancing team retention by 50% through strategic planning and execution. Demonstrates exceptional skills in fostering team morale and driving continuous improvement initiatives. Expertise includes mentoring staff and ensuring compliance with high-quality standards in early childhood education. Dedicated to creating an environment that supports both employee growth and exceptional educational outcomes.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Operations
Mini Masterminds
01.2024 - Current
- Led initiative to enhance team retention by 50%.
- Spearheaded approval process for five new services.
- Developed comprehensive business plans to direct strategic decisions toward long-term goals.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors and suppliers to secure competitive pricing.
- Maintained adherence to relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards.
- Monitored performance metrics to identify areas of improvement in operational efficiency.
- Formulated long-term plans to enhance operational efficiency.
- Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company programs.
- Developed, implemented, and enforced operational policies and procedures.
- Identified potential risks associated with operations activities and developed mitigation strategies.
- Collaborated with senior management on strategic planning initiatives.
- Provided leadership, mentorship, and guidance to team members in order to foster a collaborative work environment.
- Conducted regular meetings with department heads to review progress towards operational goals.
- Improved Compliance Audit scores form sub 30% 50 sub 80% within 6 months
Director Of Operations
Only About Children
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Analyzed data across variety of sources to identify trends, patterns and areas of opportunity.
- Directed and supported Centre Directors in achieving goals.
- Recognized employees for demonstrating excellent service resulting in increased company morale.
- Analyzed documents and revised processes to align with objectives.
- Monitored progress by establishing plans, budgets and measuring results.
- Managed day-to-day operations of a staff across multiple sites.
- Facilitated meetings with key stakeholders to discuss progress towards objectives.
- Demonstrated proficiency in issue resolution to build and maintain strong relationships.
Senior Operations Manager
Only About Children
01.2019 - 01.2023
Area Manager
Little Learning School
01.2018 - 12.2018
- Identified business opportunities by analyzing consumer trends within local markets.
- Resolved conflicts between employees or customers in a professional manner.
- Coached, developed and motivated team to achieve revenue goals.
- Collaborated with other departments such as Human Resources or Marketing on initiatives related to Area Management duties.
- Oversaw the recruitment process for new staff members including interviewing and training.
Area Manager
GoodStart Early Learning
01.2009 - 12.2018
Area Manager
ABC Learning Centres
01.2008 - 12.2009
Centre Director
Wyong Shire Council
01.2004 - 12.2008
Early Childhood Teacher, Authorised Supervisor
Loftus Kindergarten
01.2002 - 12.2004
Teacher
Rosemount International School
, Singapore
01.2001 - 12.2002
- Company Overview: Singapore
- Singapore
Pedagogical Practitioner
Tom Thumb Preschool
Gymea, Australia
01.1998 - 12.2001
- Company Overview: Gymea, NSW
- Developing high quality early learning programs for children aged 6 weeks to school age
- Leading teams through the NCAC Accreditation to achieve High Quality rating
- Fostering positive relationships with children, staff, families, internal and external stakeholders where relevant
- Gymea, NSW
Education
Bachelor of Education - Early Childhood Care and Education
University of New England
Armidale, NSW01.2014
Bachelor of Teaching - Early Childhood
University of Wollongong
Wollongong, NSW01.1998
HSC -
St. VIncents College
Potts Point, NSWSkills
- Cultivating Continuous Improvement
- Pedagogical leadership
- Guiding and coaching team members
- Providing regular feedback
- Providing staff development opportunities
- Setting budgets and targets
- Strategic planning
- Coordinated Local Marketing Initiatives
- Fostering community partnerships
- Effective communication
- Effective time management
- Effective Delegation Skills
- Fostering team morale
- Celebrating staff success
- Communicating expectations clearly
- Committed to ongoing personal and professional development
- Training Preparation and Presentation
- Fostering open relationships with families
- Maintaining knowledge of industry changes and trends
- Sustaining High Compliance Performance Levels
- Implementing and enforcing WHS initiatives and procedures
- Facilitating recruitment processes
- Carrying out performance appraisals
- Policy and Procedure Analysis
- Advocacy for young children and the profession of early childhood learning
- Overseeing Workers Compensation Claims
- Return to work plans
References
On request
Pedagogical Practitioner Experience
- Tom Thumb Preschool, Gymea, NSW, 01/01/98 - 12/31/01
- Rosemount International School, Singapore, 01/01/01 - 12/31/02
- Loftus Kindergarten, 01/01/02 - 12/31/04
Professional Development
- Leadership, Seamann and Slattery, 01/01/15
- EYLF and NQF, Dr. Miriam Guigni, 01/01/15
- Leadership, Alina Dan Consultancy, 01/01/11
- Child Safe Organisations Seminar, 01/01/11
- Autism Workshop, Sue Larkey, 01/01/08
Accomplishments
- Recipient of the CEO award for Outstanding Acheivement, 2024
Timeline
Head of Operations
Mini Masterminds
01.2024 - Current
Director Of Operations
Only About Children
01.2023 - 01.2024
Senior Operations Manager
Only About Children
01.2019 - 01.2023
Area Manager
Little Learning School
01.2018 - 12.2018
Area Manager
GoodStart Early Learning
01.2009 - 12.2018
Area Manager
ABC Learning Centres
01.2008 - 12.2009
Centre Director
Wyong Shire Council
01.2004 - 12.2008
Early Childhood Teacher, Authorised Supervisor
Loftus Kindergarten
01.2002 - 12.2004
Teacher
Rosemount International School
01.2001 - 12.2002
Pedagogical Practitioner
Tom Thumb Preschool
01.1998 - 12.2001
Bachelor of Education - Early Childhood Care and Education
University of New England
Bachelor of Teaching - Early Childhood
University of Wollongong
HSC -
St. VIncents College
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