Mel deVries
Strathmore Heights,VIC
Summary
I am a high performing Executive Assistant with extensive experience supporting multiple directors and senior leaders across fast-paced government, corporate and executive search environments. I bring exceptional organisational skills, strong judgement and an unwavering commitment to confidentiality. With deep experience in complex calendar management, meeting logistics, preparing agendas, minutes and leadership documentation, I ensure seamless communication flow and smooth day-to-day operations across busy portfolios. I am often valued for my proactive, solutions-focused mindset, my ability to handle competing priorities with ease, and my professional, approachable manner when building strong, collaborative relationships across all levels of an organisation.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Workforce Capability Services Officer
Department of Education
07.2025 - 12.2025
- Support the Department teams in undertaking of staff recruitment and selection to meet workforce needs according to HR policy and merit processes
- Coordinate shortlisting, scheduling interviews and interview preparation in line with the department recruitment processes and guidelines
- Provide administration support to the Manager, Workforce Capability Services
- Triage Workforce inbox and delegate incoming correspondence accordingly
- Manage candidate care and communication efficiently and respectfully
- Assist with preparing salary authority forms, selection reports and assisting via the briefing process to CIO department for approvals or managing requests for further information
- Ensure the Division is compliant with internal processes / legislative frameworks and offer best practice recruitment advice and solutions.
- Maintain accurate candidate records, databases and information management systems.
- Maintain updates and improvements to the IMTD organisation chart.
- Assist in the development and review of manuals and procedures.
- Achievements
- Managed end-to-end recruitment processes during extended staff leave, covering two positions simultaneously with minimal handover
- Successfully managed multiple high-volume recruitment projects while maintaining compliance and stakeholder satisfaction
- Recognised for professionalism, responsiveness, and ability to build strong stakeholder relationships
- Contributed to HR process improvement initiatives, enhancing candidate experience and internal operations.
Executive Team Assistant
SHK Asia Pacific (Executive Search Recruitment)
08.2024 - 05.2025
- Admin/Consultant Support
- Scheduling Interviews between clients and candidates
- Client reporting
- Creating client proposals, reports, presentations
- Posting job advertisements
- Arranging candidate background checks e.g. psychometric testing and qualification checks
- Coordinate Interstate travel
- LinkedIn Recruiter management
- Executive Contracting
- End to end coordination of contractors on assignment
- Preparing client and candidate contracts
- Onboarding, timesheet management, main point of contact
- Accounts - MYOB
- Invoicing clients, managing timesheets, debtor follow up
- Expense reconciliation and processing
- Database Management
- Reporting
- System maintenance and data integrity
- Document management
- Workflow improvements
- Office Management
- Maintain office supplies
- Building work orders
- Office support
- Achievements
- Successfully managed offshore administrative tasks during significant weather events, maintaining operational efficiency and accurate reporting under pressure
- Implemented workflow and database improvements, reducing errors and increasing efficiency in monthly payroll time sheeting
- Supported consultants in meeting recruitment KPIs, contributing to business growth and client satisfaction.
Executive Search Recruitment Support
iVirtually Assist
07.2010 - 08.2024
- Providing Recruitment / administration support
- CONNECTING RECRUITERS (10-15 hours a week)
- Supporting Andrea Collins – Rec to Rec Recruitment
- Candidate care, communication
- Client support and communication
- Coordinating end to end interview schedules, often across different time zones
- Diary/Inbox Management
- Prepare and manage recruitment invoicing
- Achievements
- Created an invoice template to assist with placement invoicing
- Created a running spreadsheet to retain all placed and floated candidates to find data easily
- Set up Sharepoint files to ensure client and candidate information was up to date, linking to the CRM
- Maintained full accessibility to clients in Andrea’s absence, providing prompt and professional assistance to meet stakeholder needs.
- WHO Group Recruitment Services (part time 3 days per week)
- Executive Assistant to Two Directors and Supporting Trades and Labour Recruitment Team
- Providing Executive Support to two Executive Search Directors
- Office management
- Assisting with Reception duties
- Creating client reports
- Maintaining two databases: Search and Trades & Labour
- Assisting the Finance department
- Assisting Trades & Labour team: collecting timesheets, organising approvals, ensuring pay rates are correct.
- Managing the Trades staff and assisting with their calls and requests for information
- Weekly calls to our clients to follow up any issues with tradies.
- Helping assist with the ‘bug’ in our new database
- Online advertising management
- Candidate communications and support
- Template management
- Achievements
- Successfully integrated a new CRM for Trades and Labour division
- Assisted with hiring managers and trades people who hesitated and pushed back on using the new technology.
- Onboarded successfully over a 12 month period and handed this position to retain a team member to continue the support and growth.
Executive Assistant to Group Manager, Corporate Real Estate (CRE)
Australia Post
12.2005 - 08.2007
- End to end responsibility for all administration activities for the Group Executive and his direct reports.
- Accountable for all aspects of administration support, projects, and privy to sensitive confidential documents from the Chief Executive Officer.
- Preparation and coordination of monthly reports for each State CRE department which was presented to the CEO, Managing Director and Executives
- Coordination of key senior management meetings including: board papers, committee, and executive meetings
- Support the execution of the CRE communication plan
- Proactive management of calendar and filing systems, correspondence, and preparing responding and briefing notes as needed with a high level of discretion and diplomacy
- Assist with planning and coordinating of performance management related activities
- Supported the Group Manager in ensuring all time sensitive matters are addressed in an efficient manner
- Set up of filing system to improve transparency of documentation relating to clients, suppliers, and Employees
- Successful revision of existing supplier SLAs to improve services and provide cost savings to the company
- Provide project coordination support for key projects including the CRE – Five D Transition Program which required complex stakeholder and relationship skills to ensure the transition went as planned
- Achievements
- Coordinated the CRE Five D Transition Program, managing complex stakeholder relationships and ensuring the project was delivered on time and to scope.
- Successfully retained an Executive Assistant from the CEO as my contract expired.
Office Manager
Accountancy Options Recruitment Group
09.2003 - 09.2005
- Managed office operations, recruitment support, HR administration, and contractor onboarding.
- Supported consultants with diary management, candidate communications, and advertising.
- Streamlined internal processes, increasing operational efficiency.
- Achievements
- Successfully project managed the new office fit out, procurements and relocation.
- Improved internal processes, increasing operational efficiency and accuracy in recruitment administration.
Executive Assistant
Hamilton James & Bruce, Melbourne
01.2000 - 09.2003
- Executive Assistant – (Divisions: Accounting, Sales & Marketing, IT, Banking & Finance)
- Providing IT and Technology support to consultants across the business
- Office and HR management
- Inductions: onboarding, and exits
- Supporting the Consultants will all Administration needs – internal and client facing
- Advertising jobs on relevant platforms: print ads and Seek.com
- Shortlisting of candidates and resume preparation for client submissions
- Providing project coordination and support for key initiatives across the business
- Achievements
- Received ‘PA of the Quarter Awards’ across all offices from the National CEO.
- Acted as a versatile Executive Assistant, seamlessly floating between departments and sectors to provide consistent, high-quality support across multiple teams.
Skills
- HR Administration & Recruitment Support: Experienced in supporting recruitment processes, coordinating interviews, managing candidate communications, and ensuring compliance with HR policies and legislative frameworks
- Stakeholder Engagement & Customer Service: Skilled at building positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, providing timely, professional, and solutions-focused support
- Organisational & Time Management: Exceptional ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain accurate records in fast-paced environments
- Process Improvement & Systems Management: Experienced in improving administrative workflows, maintaining HR databases, and quickly learning new systems and processes
- Confidentiality & Professionalism: High level of discretion when managing sensitive information, with a strong commitment to integrity and trust
- Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication, including preparing reports, documentation, and briefing notes for executives and stakeholders
- Project & Event Coordination: Successfully managed office events, projects, and administrative initiatives, ensuring timely delivery and stakeholder satisfaction
- Problem Solving & Adaptability: Proactive, resourceful, and solutions-oriented, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities and work with urgency
- Client & Candidate Support: Experienced in providing high-quality support to consultants, directors, candidates, and clients, ensuring positive experiences throughout recruitment and HR processes
- Commercial Awareness: Strong understanding of business operations, contracting, and administrative processes in recruitment and HR environments
- Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office (MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
- CRM: FastTrack, Bullhorn, Trello, JobAdder, Salesforce, Clockwork and Loxo
- Employment Hero
- SharePoint Management
- PowerPoint - updated course 2024
- Managing expenses, invoicing, credit card reconciliation for 22 consultants, and maintaining receipts
- Budget tracking for Executive Search consultants
- MYOB invoicing
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Awards:, Nominated and received ‘The Neighbourhood Spirit Award’ in March 2022 in recognition “for making a difference in my neighbourhood” by Moonee Valley City Council.
Timeline
Workforce Capability Services Officer
Department of Education
07.2025 - 12.2025
Executive Team Assistant
SHK Asia Pacific (Executive Search Recruitment)
08.2024 - 05.2025
Executive Search Recruitment Support
iVirtually Assist
07.2010 - 08.2024
Executive Assistant to Group Manager, Corporate Real Estate (CRE)
Australia Post
12.2005 - 08.2007
Office Manager
Accountancy Options Recruitment Group
09.2003 - 09.2005
Executive Assistant
Hamilton James & Bruce, Melbourne
01.2000 - 09.2003