Leah Dawson

• Multi-site manager: overseeing the operations of large format stores >$18 million retail outlets with teams of 30 each, responsible for managing operational performance and KPI accountability
• P&L Management: Full accountability for profit and loss, implementing cost-saving measures while increasing sales revenue through targeted merchandising strategies and in-store activations
• Team Leadership & Development: Led recruitment, onboarding, and training of staff, cultivating a cohesive and motivated team
• Spearheaded staff development programs, enhancing employee engagement and reducing turnover
• Support for Area Group in employment relation cases and people matters inc
• Performance improvement plan development and management
• Contributed to leadership performance rating tool development adopted by business at a National level
• Operational Efficiency: Streamlined stock management and stock integrity processes, developed a highly efficient and knowledgeable team who are empowered to autonomously implement operational efficiencies
• Customer Experience Management: Championed exceptional customer service standards, resulting in a significant increase in customer satisfaction survey results– a key business KPI metric
• Merchandising and Sales: Successfully dissected data analytics to understand customer purchasing behaviours to implement targeted sales campaigns, acting quickly on trends and using data to enhance sales and profitability
• Compliance & WHS: Ensured strict adherence to health and safety standards, conducted regular audits, and maintained compliance with industry regulations

Key Achievements:

• 2024 Retail Drinks Award National Store Manager of the Year Finalist
• Received ‘Leading with Purpose' Award 2024 for thoughtful people leadership
• Nominated by Endeavour Group for Store Manager of the Year 2024 and Large format retail store in National Industry Awards
• Received state award for ‘Caring for Team' – zero LTI incidences
• Exceeded sales targets consistently, driving growth in multiple categories – positive growth against economic/market trends
• Improved operational efficiency through the implementation of new inventory control systems, resulting in a 27% reduction in stock loss vs previous year
• Reduced casual mix from 69% to 14% through thoughtful people planning, achieving a highly engaged and efficient team culture

• Operational management: Resource management and overseeing compliance, site management, maintenance coordination, business continuity planning, project management, complaints management, insurances, leases, workers compensation case management, return to work coordination and Work Health and Safety, Policies and Procedures
• HR management: Management of the recruitment and onboarding of staff, inductions, safety training and ongoing management of compliance requirements, employment law, training and development
• Financial management: P&L Analysis, budget forecasting, expense control
• Marketing: Website management, SEO, social media marketing including content creation and scheduling, online marketing, online review management, traditional media including creation of radio ads and ROI tracking, Google My Business platform management, graphic design
• Contracts management: lease negotiations, supplier contracts, legal and risk analysis and maximising operational performance
• Retail and Service delivery: analysis, forecasting and implementing growth strategies, ensuring business continuity, new product development, pricing, profit margins
• Project Management: new sites, acquisitions and contract management
• WHS management and compliance in an industrial setting: Initial inductions management and ongoing induction requirements management with customers, emergency planning, environmental planning, risk analysis and management, SWMS, SOP's, Incident investigation, managing audits
• Process Improvement: including workflow automation, creating administrative efficiencies, implementing new IT solutions and stock management improvements

Key Achievements:

• Successfully facilitated organisational restructure, including role analysis and re-design, recruitment and onboarding
• Developed and maintained new company website, and implemented high performing online presence which has significantly increased market share and revenue
• Created new company internal Work Health and Safety website and digitalization of processes to complement our Safety Management System and create ease of access and organisational safety reporting efficiencies
• Successfully implemented process improvements by identifying pain points and analysing process efficiency opportunities, designing and implementing workflow digitalisation and automation opportunities to reduce or eliminate repetitive administrative tasks
• Implemented and maintained a Search Engine Optimisation strategy with high rankings for many keywords, both local search terms and broader keyword search terms with high volumes and competitiveness

• Financial Management: Budgeting, forecasting, COGS, expense control and generating profit growth
• WHS: Management of Safety Management system under two separate accreditations i.e Public Passenger Transport Accreditation and Point to Point Transport, ensuring compliance, facilitating internal and external audits
• Legal and legislative compliance: Ensuring company complies with all legal and legitimate requirements
• New product development: market research, product research and development, cost analysis, creative development, website copy and SEO
• Workflow automation: Task analysis to create process efficiencies and to digital and automate processes
• Business development: Sustainable growth planning, generate new leads, networking, stakeholder relationship management, overseeing large corporate customers, marketing and advertising, forecasting and budgeting
• Human resources management: Manage staff, recruitment, training and development, managing payroll for team of casual staff and permanent role, superannuation, annual leave, award review
• Marketing and communications: Website management, SEO, online marketing inc Social media content and Google my business, Google AD Words, management of online supplier portal platforms

Key Achievements:

• Finalists 2020 – Best Small Business – Illawarra Women in Business
• Highly Commended 2018 - Customer Focus Award - Illawarra Women in Business
• Highly Commended 2018 - Best Small Business - Illawarra Women in Business
• Winner 2017 - Customer Focus Award - Illawarra Women in Business
• Highly Commended 2017 - Best Small Business - Illawarra Women in Business
• Finalist 2017 – Best Specialised Business – Illawarra & South Coast Local Business Awards

• Volunteer management: (400+ regular volunteers and 3500 event-specific volunteers): recruitment, training and development, ongoing general management of regional volunteer teams, meeting facilitation, recognition and reward programs
• Regional volunteer strategy development & delivery: Identify and build strategic relationships with stakeholders to support organisational growth, event growth strategy support, fundraising growth strategy development and implementation, capacity building and generating growth of fundraising and cancer support services, program restructuring, efficiency planning and change management
• Communications: Management of internal and external regional communications incl Internal comms, social media and program and event communication, media liaison, press releases, media spokesperson, contribution to state comms
• Internship program management and mentoring: program creation, relationship management with University internships managers, recruitment, selection and ongoing mentoring, training of staff to be able to successfully manage interns
• Database management: ongoing management of large volume of volunteer and stakeholder data
• Grant writing and implementation: successful grant writing and program creation, implementation, ongoing management and reporting of grant compliance
• Events & conference management: Entire event management from small to large events
• Public Speaking: Media Representative and Event public speaking including generalised volunteer topics, fundraising and cancer research

Key Achievements:

• NSW Volunteer Manager of the Year Industry Award finalist 2013 & 2014
• Successfully created, managed and hosted inaugural state volunteer conference, supported by successful grant application and funding
• Supported increases in fundraising through successful volunteer program support
• Set up new cancer support services programs in regional areas of NSW
• Successfully managed an entirely volunteer based Cancer Patient Transport Service
• Successfully managed Prevention and advocacy volunteer led programs and internships programs

• Strategic Fundraising Leadership: Developed and executed fundraising strategies, resulting in significant increases in community engagement, revenue and net profit, including community and major events, major donor acquisition, grants, workplace giving and individual giving acquisition and management; 2.5 million local portfolio + contribution to national campaigns
• Board Reporting & Financial Oversight: Prepared comprehensive board reports, managed budgets, and delivered financial reporting to ensure transparency and accountability
• Event & Campaign Management: Led the planning and execution of successful community fundraising events, including managing corporate sponsorships and major donor relations
• Grant Writing & Major Donor Relations: Secured critical funding through effective grant writing and cultivated relationships with major donors, enhancing long-term sustainability
• Volunteer & Corporate Engagement: Recruited and managed a strong network of volunteers and corporate partners, maximizing contributions through workplace giving programs and corporate volunteering initiatives
• Marketing, Communications & Media Relations: Developed targeted marketing strategies, managed PR campaigns, and secured media coverage to raise awareness of the charity's mission and programs
• Sponsorship & Networking: Acquired and managed corporate sponsorships while fostering lasting partnerships through strategic networking efforts
• Data & ROI Analysis: Conducted return-on-investment analyses for fundraising campaigns, optimizing efforts based on performance metrics
• Digital Fundraising & Website Management: Oversaw the charity's website and online fundraising platforms, driving donations through innovative digital strategies

Key Achievements:

• Implemented successful major fundraising event in attendance of 4700 people generating 135% increase in net return on previous year
• Managed events calendar of large events > $100k revenue per event
• Managed successful Corporate Volunteering program; acquiring new donors and engaging HNW individuals
• Acquired new large corporations for workplace giving and implemented successful regular giving acquisition campaigns
• Secured charity of choice corporate networking organisations resulting in high ROI third party fundraising and exposure

• End-to-End Campaign Management: Led the full lifecycle of a national fundraising campaign across NSW and ACT, from strategy development to successful implementation
• Lead Generation & Partnership Development: Drove growth by acquiring and managing key partnerships, fostering long-term relationships with corporate and community stakeholders
• Budget & Resource Management: Managed campaign budgets, ensuring efficient allocation of resources while meeting financial targets
• Media & Public Relations: Developed media and PR strategies to enhance public awareness and promote campaign visibility across multiple platforms
• Event & Community Fundraising Management: Coordinated high-impact fundraising events, maintaining strong relationships with community fundraisers to maximize engagement and support
• Team Leadership: Directed and mentored a high-performing team, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and campaign objectives
• Marketing & Communications: Produced and developed compelling communication materials across various channels, including print, digital, and video, to drive engagement and donations