Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Languages
Timeline
Generic
Melissa Davidson

Melissa Davidson

Balgowlah,NSW

Summary

Highly organised and proactive Operations & Executive Support professional with 13+ years’ experience across finance, media, automotive and real estate. Skilled in diary management, financial administration, workflow coordination, system support and stakeholder management. Known for exceptional attention to detail, strong communication and the ability to manage complex tasks independently in fast-paced environments.

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience

Work History

Account Admin Assistant

Fortem Media
06.2024 - Current

Fortem Media is an international production house specialising in innovative content creation and digital experience.


  • Ignition system specialist and primary escalation point for all system queries across the business
  • Managed end-to-end debt collection, including reconciliations, follow-ups, payment plans and credit control
  • Ensured accurate financial administration, including payment validation, invoice processing, reconciliations and structured record-keeping
  • Designed and maintained a centralised remuneration & salary governance spreadsheet tracking roles, levels, pay changes and compliance
  • Prepared and coordinated updated employee remuneration letters, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality
  • Created a structured digital filing system for contracts, tax forms, super forms and other compliance documentation
  • Streamlined payment run processes and batching, improving accuracy and turnaround times
  • Completed company-wide leave accrual calculations for shutdown period and ensured Xero balances were fully accurate
  • Restructured the leave workflow by supporting the transition from HiBob to Xero
  • Managed sensitive HR documentation, including payroll files and compliance forms
  • Coordinated team offsite planning end-to-end, including venue sourcing, quoting, budgeting, catering and logistics
  • Supported the Creative Hour Tracking productivity project, including reporting, admin and operational improvements
  • Proactively took ownership of business operations tasks beyond original role scope, contributing to efficiency gains across the company

Executive Assistant to Director

River Investment Management Pty Ltd
01.2024 - 06.2024

RiverX Investment Management is a wealth management firm serving retail clients, wholesale investors, families and corporate clients. Their approach combines long-term, endowment-style investment strategies with personalised, relationship-driven service.

  • Supported the Director with complex diary management, domestic travel coordination and expense processing
  • Coordinated client events and team functions, including venue arrangements, logistics and supplier management
  • Provided high-level administrative support to the Director and broader investment team, ensuring seamless daily operations
  • Managed confidential documentation, correspondence and scheduling across multiple stakeholders
  • Assisted in maintaining professional client engagement standards within a fast-paced financial services environment

Executive Assistant - Skoda Director

Volkswagen Group Australia
03.2023 - 01.2024

Volkswagen Group Australia (VGA) is the nation’s largest importer of European cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles.


  • Supported the Brand Director with complex diary management, travel coordination and expense processing
  • Provided broad administrative support to the Škoda leadership team, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations
  • Coordinated dealer meetings and brand events, managing logistics, scheduling, communications and supplier engagement
  • Organised the annual Škoda team overnight offsite, including venue sourcing, budgeting, catering, transport and end-to-end logistics
  • Managed confidential documentation, correspondence and stakeholder coordination across a fast-paced automotive environmen

Account Coordinator

Campaigntrack / Realhub — A Domain Group Company
04.2021 - 12.2022

Campaigntrack/Realhub is Australasia’s largest full-service real estate marketing platform, providing end-to-end digital workflow, automation and creative production solutions to the property industry.


  • First-level contact for all system-related issues, providing timely support via phone, email and Freshdesk ticketing
  • Troubleshot complex client complaints, escalating only when necessary and maintaining SLA targets
  • Provided professional support to clients, external suppliers and internal teams, ensuring high customer satisfaction and reduced ticket volumes
  • Gained intermediate proficiency in Realhub, Freshdesk, Adobe and platform tools to resolve technical and workflow issues
  • Collaborated with the Team Leader to create and maintain training courses and video modules for onboarding new support staff
  • Ensured adherence to company branding policies, specifications and order procedures, guiding clients and internal staff as needed
  • Participated in system changes, feature rollouts and process improvements, supporting ongoing product evolution
  • Supported scheduling, attendance reporting and communication flows for the system support division

Executive Assistant to Principal

Rowe Partners (now Part of The Agency) — Manly
01.2021 - 04.2021

Rowe Partners was a boutique real estate agency based in Manly and is now part of The Agency, a national real estate network known for premium client service.


  • Provided executive administrative support to the Principal, including diary management, correspondence and document preparation
  • Managed client communication, appointment scheduling and follow-up across multiple property campaigns
  • Coordinated property marketing activities, including materials, photography bookings and supplier liaison
  • Supported office operations, filing, data entry and contract organisation to maintain compliance and workflow efficiency
  • Assisted with open home preparation, buyer enquiries and general sales administration in a fast-paced environment

Career Break – Maternity Leave

N/A
08.2018 - 12.2020

Full-time parental leave.

Client Services Manager

McGrath – Neutral Bay (now Part of DiJones)
01.2017 - 08.2018

McGrath is one of Australia’s most successful residential real estate groups, with over 100 offices across the East Coast. The Neutral Bay office has since become part of Di Jones, a leading boutique real estate network.


  • Built and maintained strong relationships with new and existing clients, ensuring a high standard of service and smooth sales processes
  • Provided comprehensive administrative and operational support to Sales Agents and the broader team
  • Developed and implemented customer service improvement strategies, enhancing client experience and engagement
  • Coordinated and supported property marketing activities, including campaign planning, materials, and agent briefs
  • Attended open homes, managed enquiries and ensured accurate documentation and correspondence
  • Acted as a key point of contact for vendors, buyers and suppliers, ensuring timely communication and workflow efficiency

Account Manager - Sales

Bauer Media (formerly ACP Magazines, Now Are Media) — Sydney
06.2016 - 12.2016

(Promoted from Direct Sales Coordinator)


  • Managed and grew a client portfolio across Bauer’s premium print and digital brands
  • Assisted in achieving monthly and quarterly revenue targets
  • Supported new business acquisition from direct advertisers
  • Collaborated with internal teams to develop integrated cross-platform campaigns
  • Built and maintained strong client relationships across key accounts

Direct Sales Coordinator and Harvey Norman Client Executive

Bauer Media
07.2014 - 06.2016

Bauer Media is Australasia’s leading multi-platform magazine publisher, with brands spanning print, digital and live experiences. Formerly part of ACP Magazines and the Packer media group, now known as Are Media.


  • Provided high-level administrative and coordination support to the Head of Direct Sales and broader sales team
  • Managed diaries, email workflows, client meetings and phone screening
  • Coordinated interstate travel and managed corporate expense processes including Visa reconciliations
  • Conducted competitor analysis for marketing and advertising strategy
  • Identified operational inefficiencies and contributed to process improvements supporting sales performance
  • Managed event and project logistics for campaigns, concepts and national initiatives
  • Winner of Bauer Media Quarterly Sales Awards (FY16 Q1 – Service Excellence, FY16 Q4 – Outstanding Customer Service)

Public Relations Assistant

Schrader Consult
07.2011 - 12.2011

Schrader Consult was a boutique public relations agency working with luxury fashion and retail clients including Max Mara, Comptoir des Cotonniers and Fabergé.


  • Coordinated press seating, guest care and VIP support during Milan Fashion Week for Max Mara
  • Managed press enquiries, including follow-up, editing responses and preparing media information
  • Processed product orders for editorial shoots and stylist requests
  • Produced regular press mailings, media updates and communication packs for journalists
  • Conducted press clipping documentation and reporting, including coverage tracking and evaluation
  • Supported office operations including treasury management, supplier coordination, office organisation and administrative support

Office and Service Assistant

Mercedes Benz
01.2011 - 06.2011

Mercedes-Benz is a globally recognised premium automotive brand known for exceptional service standards, precision engineering and a luxury customer experience.


  • Welcomed and advised customers in a premium automotive service environment
  • Prepared and processed service orders, bookings and customer documentation
  • Provided telephone advice and customer support, resolving enquiries quickly and professionally
  • Coordinated local craft and service-award events, including logistics and communication
  • Performed a wide range of administrative duties including emailing, printing, scanning, data entry and document preparation
  • Supported day-to-day office operations, maintaining high service standards consistent with the Mercedes-Benz brand

Automotive Business Administration Apprenticeship

Mercedes Benz
09.2008 - 12.2010

During this structured vocational training program, I completed rotations across key dealership departments, gaining comprehensive experience in customer service, sales administration, logistics, workshop operations and office coordination.


  • Rotated through Customer Service, Service Reception, Sales Administration, Workshop, Logistics, Marketing and General Administration
  • Coordinated operational and administrative workflows across multiple departments
  • Developed strong technical understanding through hands-on workshop exposure
  • Attended vocational school twice weekly and completed all required examinations
  • Elected Apprentice Representative, liaising between trainees and management
  • Organised apprentice team-building activities, excursions and internal communication
  • Selected for multi-day leadership and professional development training programs in Berlin and Munich

Education

Automotive Business Administration Apprenticeship - Automotive Business Administration

Mercedes Benz
Wuerzburg, Germany
12.2010

Secondary Education – Mittlere Reife (Germany) -

Mary-Ward School
Wuerzburg, Germany
07.2008

Skills

  • Executive support & complex diary management
  • Operations & workflow coordination
  • Financial administration & reconciliations
  • Process improvement & systems optimisation
  • Stakeholder and client relationship management
  • HR & payroll administration support
  • Event, travel & meeting coordination
  • Project support and cross-functional collaboration
  • High attention to detail & data accuracy
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking
  • Strong organisation & time management
  • Ability to work autonomously with minimal supervision
  • Xero
  • Ignition (system specialist)
  • Freshdesk
  • Slack
  • Google Workspace
  • Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
  • Adobe tools (basic/intermediate)
  • SharePoint & intranet maintenance

Accomplishments

  • Awarded Bauer Media Sales Award – Service Excellence (FY16 Q1) for outstanding client service and operational performance.
  • Awarded Bauer Media Sales Award – Outstanding Customer Service (FY16 Q4) for exceptional relationship management and problem resolution.
  • Nominated and elected as Apprentice Representative during Mercedes-Benz apprenticeship, acting as the liaison between trainees and management.
  • Completed multi-day leadership and team development training programs across multiple German cities (Berlin, Munich, Wuerzburg).
  • Successfully organised and coordinated multiple corporate offsites and team events, improving team engagement and productivity.
  • Became the Ignition Specialist at Fortem Media, providing systems support, training and process improvements across the business.

Languages

English
Native or Bilingual
German
Native or Bilingual

Timeline

Account Admin Assistant

Fortem Media
06.2024 - Current

Executive Assistant to Director

River Investment Management Pty Ltd
01.2024 - 06.2024

Executive Assistant - Skoda Director

Volkswagen Group Australia
03.2023 - 01.2024

Account Coordinator

Campaigntrack / Realhub — A Domain Group Company
04.2021 - 12.2022

Executive Assistant to Principal

Rowe Partners (now Part of The Agency) — Manly
01.2021 - 04.2021

Career Break – Maternity Leave

N/A
08.2018 - 12.2020

Client Services Manager

McGrath – Neutral Bay (now Part of DiJones)
01.2017 - 08.2018

Account Manager - Sales

Bauer Media (formerly ACP Magazines, Now Are Media) — Sydney
06.2016 - 12.2016

Direct Sales Coordinator and Harvey Norman Client Executive

Bauer Media
07.2014 - 06.2016

Public Relations Assistant

Schrader Consult
07.2011 - 12.2011

Office and Service Assistant

Mercedes Benz
01.2011 - 06.2011

Automotive Business Administration Apprenticeship

Mercedes Benz
09.2008 - 12.2010

Automotive Business Administration Apprenticeship - Automotive Business Administration

Mercedes Benz

Secondary Education – Mittlere Reife (Germany) -

Mary-Ward School
Melissa Davidson