Kirrilly Brown
Caringbah
Summary
Transformational leader in transport safety, driving strategic initiatives that improve operational efficiency and risk management. Successfully coordinated complex projects, aligning priorities across teams and stakeholders to deliver consistent outcomes. Proven ability to enhance workforce engagement and streamline communication, resulting in improved organizational effectiveness.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Business Manager, Transport Safety Branch (TSB)
Transport for NSW
08.2022 - Current
- Lead the integration of strategy, communications, governance, and operations across a complex, multi-functional division to ensure aligned priorities and consistent delivery.
- Bring together priorities across safety, planning, governance, and operational delivery, ensuring teams are aligned and working in a clear and coordinated way.
- Act as a central coordination point for high-volume and time-critical requests, implementing structured processes that improved the timeliness, quality, and consistency of advice to Executive Director, Deputy Secretary, Secretary, and Ministerial level.
- Strengthened communication across leadership through structured updates, forward planning, and consistent messaging, improving clarity and reducing duplication across teams.
- Built strong relationships across internal and external stakeholders, including NSW Police Force and Ministerial offices, aligning priorities and navigating complex, competing issues such as enforcement strategy.
- Supported governance and delivery of major initiatives including Road Safety Action Plan 2026, improving alignment, reporting, and coordinated execution across multiple teams and agencies.
- Identified and managed emerging risks through analysis of the divisional risk register, including workforce risks impacting key programs; developed executive briefings that secured approval to recruit critical roles, protecting delivery of major initiatives.
- Led organisational change within the team, redesigning processes, building capability, and maintaining engagement, resulting in successful adoption of new ways of working.
- Introduced more integrated and streamlined ways of working, improving efficiency, communication flow, and collaboration across teams.
- Lead the development, maintenance, and oversight of key strategic governance documents, including the TSB Risk Register, Divisional Strategic and Risk Registers, and the Safety Management Plan. Provide regular high-risk reporting and assurance to the senior leadership team.
- Coordinate the development of Branch business plans, KPIs, and performance metrics aligned to organisational priorities. Provide assurance and high-level performance reporting to executive leadership.
Senior Strategic Business Advisor – Office of the Secretary
NSW Department of Planning and Environment
07.2021 - 08.2022
- Provided strategic advice and high-level business support to the Director and Executive Director, leading initiatives that enhanced governance, enabled effective decision-making, and supported the Department’s reform agenda and cluster-wide priorities.
- Provided strategic advice to senior executives, supporting decision-making on complex policy, operational, and reform priorities.
- Coordinated Cabinet submissions, executive briefings, and reporting, ensuring consistency and alignment across stakeholders.
- Led cross-functional coordination for Budget Estimates, improving readiness and quality of information provided to senior leadership.
- Built strong relationships across the department to align priorities and support delivery of organisational initiatives.
- Acted as a key liaison across departmental teams, sharing intelligence, providing strategic input, and representing the Office in cross-cluster engagements and committees.
- Managed and delivered strategic projects and initiatives on behalf of the Office, acting as an advisor and observer on governance and reform activities.
- Assessed business risks and identified opportunities to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of executive governance forums, implementing solutions that supported organisational performance.
Executive Officer – Office of the General Counsel
NSW Police Force
09.2019 - 07.2021
- Provided high-level, confidential executive and business support to the General Counsel and senior leadership team, ensuring the effective functioning of the Office through expert coordination of operational, strategic, and governance responsibilities.
- Delivered high-level executive and business support across operational, governance, and strategic functions.
- Acted as a key liaison between senior executives and government stakeholders, improving communication and coordination.
- Led development of compliance frameworks and reporting processes, strengthening governance and operational consistency.
- Managed business operations including finance, workforce planning, and performance processes.
Business Manager
NSW Department of Education
01.2014 - 01.2019
Cabin Supervisor & Crew Support Roles
Virgin Blue / Virgin Australia
01.2008 - 01.2014
- Led cabin crew in high-pressure, customer-facing environments, ensuring safe, consistent, and customer-focused service delivery.
- Managed onboard performance and resolved issues in real time while leading by example in dynamic operational settings to maintain high service standards.
- Collaborated across Cabin Crew Manager’s office, training, and corporate travel sales to enhance understanding of crew operations and support functions.
- Gained insights into frontline teams' reception and interpretation of corporate direction, informing a practical, frontline-focused leadership approach.
Education
Bachelor of Laws -
Charles Sturt University
06-2026
Diploma of Business Studies -
Swinburne Online
06-2019
Skills
- Transport safety leadership
- Safety management
- Risk management
- Governance
- Strategic planning
- Performance improvement
- Cross-functional alignment and delivery
- Stakeholder influence
- Complex leadership
- Insight translation
- Workforce engagement
Core Capabilities
- Workforce communication and engagement
- Cross-functional alignment and delivery
- Senior stakeholder influence (Executive & Ministerial)
- Leadership in complex environments
- Operational performance and process improvement
- Strategic planning, governance, and risk management
- Frontline leadership (aviation experience)
- Translating insights into practical outcomes
Timeline
Business Manager, Transport Safety Branch (TSB)
Transport for NSW
08.2022 - Current
Senior Strategic Business Advisor – Office of the Secretary
NSW Department of Planning and Environment
07.2021 - 08.2022
Executive Officer – Office of the General Counsel
NSW Police Force
09.2019 - 07.2021
Business Manager
NSW Department of Education
01.2014 - 01.2019
Cabin Supervisor & Crew Support Roles
Virgin Blue / Virgin Australia
01.2008 - 01.2014
Bachelor of Laws -
Charles Sturt University
Diploma of Business Studies -
Swinburne Online