Liz Walker
Rowville,Australia
Summary
A motivated and goal-oriented professional with diverse knowledge and skills across management and operations within fast-paced and highly regulated industries, with key capabilities including business relations and support, team management and training, maintenance and workflow processes, and program creation and implementation. Possessing well-developed critical thinking and scheduling capabilities, and applying strong interpersonal and communication attributes, stakeholder liaison, and the ability to develop professional relationships both internally and externally whilst utilising a high level of ethical conduct is effortless.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Practice Manager
Vetland Hospital and Emergency
02.2025 - Current
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of the hospital
- Lead, mentor and work alongside a diverse team to create a positive and productive work environment
- Oversee stock management and supplier relationships
- Develop and maintain established hospital protocols, safety standards, and regulatory compliance
- Oversee client communication, including digital and traditional marketing
- Monitor KPI’s to ensure financial goals are met and resources are allocated effectively
- Lead and support the customer engagement team to provide exceptional client service
- Manage team rosters to ensure adequate coverage and efficiencies
- Conduct feedback and reviews to ensure all team members are meeting expectations, this includes managing HR-related functions
- Analyse KPI’s to assess the hospitals performance and develop future plans that address the challenges and capitalize on opportunities
Hotel Manager
Hanrob Pet Hotels
03.2024 - 02.2025
- Managing the execution, direction, and coordination of business activities (pet boarding, dog daycare, retail, grooming, dog training, transport and education)
- Setting/managing budgets
- Organizing schedules and people
- Ensuring the operations are safe and meet legal requirements, making sure that team members are aware of their duties
- Strong focus on the amplification of sustainability, animal care, and operational productivity for optimum business outcomes
- Complete business forecasting, constantly orchestrating ideas to design and execute performance-enhancing strategies
Director of Operations
The Lost Dogs’ Home
01.2019 - 12.2023
- Manage two work sites with a team of over 200 staff and 100 volunteers, and strategically undertake the leadership of all service delivery operations including budget preparation, recruitment, and employee development
- Managed 16 Local Government Contracts, ensuring an accurate understanding of those contracts, adequately fulfilling requirements and strictly following protocols
- Work closely alongside the OH&S manager to nurture and promote a safe worksite for staff, visitors, and animals
- Thoughtfully develop and manage operational plans and monetary budgets worth over $20million, continuously monitoring processes and progress
- Strong focus on the amplification of sustainability, animal care, and operational productivity for optimum business outcomes
- Complete business forecasting, constantly orchestrating ideas to design and execute performance-enhancing strategies
- Importantly build and foster trusting relationships with industry stakeholders to assist in supporting business practices
- From the 2022 to 2023 financial year, attained a 37.5% increase in revenue through streamlining processes and introducing new programs
- Produced imperative strategies including the Adoption Ambassador program and Shelter Medicine model
- Turnaround time for animal stays in the shelter halved from 40 days to 20 days
- For the 2023 accounting period, accomplished an increase of 22% in animal adoption numbers and a 23% increase in animals fostered compared to 2022
- In the 4 years working as the Director of Operations at The Lost Dogs' Home, achieved an over 84% increase in animal adoptions and a 200% increase in the foster program
- Cultivated a bond with Best Friends Pets to have 17 stores participate in our animal adoption program
Lead Training and Project
RSPCA (VIC)
01.2018 - 12.2019
- Administered technical competence to generate and implement integral policies, procedures, and protocols organisation-wide, ensuring alignment with the Code of Practice and necessary legislative requirements
- Guaranteed consistent standardised excellence across all teams and sites through collaboration with the People and Culture team
- Warranted all projects were completed within predetermined timeframes
- Collaborated with the Local Government regarding compliance with legislation, code of practice, and procedural management systems
- Facilitated the designing and planning of required shelter infrastructure enhancements for the improvement of animal welfare
- Successfully trained employees and volunteers by providing thorough formal and on-the-job technical training
- Ensured all monetary dealings were handled appropriately for optimum business outcomes by crucially controlling a budget of over $22million
- Recognised gaps in workflow processes and directed tailored learning programs to promote improvements
- Created and introduced health management plans, seamlessly incorporating them into the overall emergency management plan
State Animal Care Manager
RSPCA (VIC)
01.2013 - 12.2018
- Supplied strategic supervision across 7 sites, supervising staff and monitoring development and performance
- Undertook employee recruitment, ensuring candidates were appropriately suitable for each designated job
- Warranted all volunteers were appropriately prepared to perform required obligations astutely and safely through providing adequate inductions, training, and resources
- Adequately identified, maintained, and implemented processes and policies that aligned with RSPCA's strategic objectives in the contribution of continuous improvement of animal operations
- Managed tender submissions and expiring contracts regarding Local Government agreements and commitments
- Fostered strong and trusting relationships with internal and external key stakeholders across the state of Victoria
- Followed suitable procedures and adhered to veterinary advice and recommendations to ensure animals were appropriately cared for
- Created and managed the RSPCA Victoria Animal Care strategy, operational plan, and relative budgets worth over $20million
- Undertook customer service initiatives and conceived adoption and foster programs to ensure a decrease of animals within the shelters
- Assured the RSPCA Victoria Foster Program operated beneficially state-wide, and that organisational goals were fulfilled
- Built an important relationship with Petbarn to assist with animal adoptions, growing from involvement with 2 stores to 25 stores
Shelter Manager
Lort Smith Animal Hospital
01.2011 - 12.2013
Clinical Practice Coordinator
RSPCA (VIC)
01.2005 - 12.2011
Education
CERTIFICATE IV - WORKPLACE TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT
Swinburne University
DIPLOMA OF BUSINESS - FRONTLINE MANAGEMENT
Swinburne University
CERTIFICATE IV - ANIMAL TECHNOLOGY
Box Hill TAFE
Skills
- Strategic Management
- Safety Assurance
- Operations Coordination
- Efficient Recruitment
- Elevate Team Performance
- Staff Management
- Positive Relationship Building
- Develop/Implement Policies
- Supervise Strategic Programs
- Facilitate Technical Training
- Project Leader
- Achieve Objectives
- Meet Strict Deadlines
- Enhance Sustainability
- Motivate Team Members
- High-Level Communication
- Accurate and Observant
- Client Satisfaction
- Confidentiality and Discretion
References
Available on request
Timeline
Practice Manager
Vetland Hospital and Emergency
02.2025 - Current
Hotel Manager
Hanrob Pet Hotels
03.2024 - 02.2025
Director of Operations
The Lost Dogs’ Home
01.2019 - 12.2023
Lead Training and Project
RSPCA (VIC)
01.2018 - 12.2019
State Animal Care Manager
RSPCA (VIC)
01.2013 - 12.2018
Shelter Manager
Lort Smith Animal Hospital
01.2011 - 12.2013
Clinical Practice Coordinator
RSPCA (VIC)
01.2005 - 12.2011
CERTIFICATE IV - ANIMAL TECHNOLOGY
Box Hill TAFE
CERTIFICATE IV - WORKPLACE TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT
Swinburne University
DIPLOMA OF BUSINESS - FRONTLINE MANAGEMENT
Swinburne University
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