Melissa LUTON

• Company Overview: Residential Property Development
• Project Oversight
• Team & Contractor Management
• Financial Management
• Compliance & Risk Management

• Oversee residential property development projects end-to-end.
• Manage contractor relationships, financial oversight, and risk compliance.
• Coordinate planning, construction, and compliance with regulatory standards.

Operations Manager | Optomeyes Holdings Pty Ltd (OPSM), Hobart | Dec 2013 – Nov 2018

• Led multi-site operations for $16.5M business, managing finance, HR, governance, and IT transformation.
• Provided secretariat support to the Board of Directors, ensuring high-standard governance and compliance.
• Managed end-to-end financial reporting using Xero: BAS, payroll tax, budgeting, cash flow forecasting, and reconciliations.
• Developed and implemented automated rostering and timesheet systems for 100+ staff.
• Oversaw HR lifecycle: recruitment, contracts, compliance, registration for optometrists, and leadership development.
• Managed tender submissions and grant applications, including the Visiting Optometrist Scheme.
• Successfully migrated company to cloud-based IT infrastructure and led user training and adoption.

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• Operational Leadership: Supervised administration staff and supported leadership development across stores.
• Governance & Board Support: Prepared comprehensive board reports and documentation to support strategic decision-making. Provided secretariat duties including minute-taking, agenda preparation, board communication, tracking and managing action items and ensuring timely follow-up on decisions and directives. Maintained governance standards in alignment with corporate, legal, and regulatory frameworks.
• Accounting - Using Xero: Full accounting for business of $16.5m turnover, end month journals, preparing management reports (E.g. Profit and Loss Statement, Balance Sheet) for relevant stakeholders such as Board of Directors, Franchisors, Store Managers. Monitoring of Profit and Loss and Balance Sheet, cash flow forecasting, budgets, conducting spot audits and ensuring all recording is done to strict Government standards. Tracing payments and investigation. High level discussions and planning with Accountants and Managing Director on tax and financial planning, Joint Venture Consolidation, Sales and KPI's. BAS Preparation and Returns, Payroll Tax, FBT, Annual Tax returns.
• Bookkeeping: Using Xero - all accounts payable and receivable, entry and management of all Franchisor invoices and payments, data analysis and interrogation of information from Franchisor (can include up to 15,000 line items in a spreadsheet), ensuring all revenue is received from various sources (Medicare, DVA, Hicaps, Eftpos, Cash, Third Party Contracts), bank reconciliation, Asset Register maintenance.
• Human Resources: Onboarding new staff, Contract and Award management, Rostering, organise locums, Ensuring Optometry staff have up to date registration, Coordinating internal leadership events for Optical staff and Managers, Provide coaching and training to the management team on creating a high performance culture, Work closely with the Board of Directors in assisting on developing the company's brand against competitors as an employer of choice.
• Payroll: Payroll (both weekly and fortnightly) for up to 102 staff initially using manual timesheets through Xero, Payment Summary issuing, termination payments. Test and implement automated rostering and timesheet into business, continual management and training thereafter.
• Operations: Develop company policies, Create and implement systems and procedures to meet the needs of the business.
• Property: Managed lease agreements, property compliance (Forms 56, OH&S, fire safety, evacuation plans), and landlord relationships. Ensured physical premises met all legislative and operational requirements.
• Communications: Maintained strong working relationships with franchisors, legal and accounting partners, government departments, and vendors. Managed government tenders and grants, including the Visiting Optometrist Scheme for rural and remote services. Produced internal newsletters and communications.
• IT: Led migration to a cloud-based IT environment, negotiated contracts, and provided ongoing remote desktop support. Identified and deployed new software systems and trained staff to optimise performance and service delivery.
• Awards: Telstra Women in Business Award nomination
• Managed operations for $16.5M turnover business, overseeing HR, finance, compliance, and IT.
• Provided full secretariat services to Board of Directors and supported strategic decision-making.
• Delivered all financial operations using Xero: BAS, FBT, payroll tax, monthly reporting, and audits.
• Led HR functions: recruitment, contracts, awards, rostering, and leadership development.
• Implemented automated payroll systems and managed compliance for 100+ staff.
• Handled all property leasing, compliance (OHS, fire safety), and landlord relations.
• Managed tenders and grants, including the Visiting Optometrist Scheme.
• Migrated company to cloud IT infrastructure, negotiated vendor contracts, and trained users.
• Nominated for Telstra Women in Business Award.

Senior Advisor (AO6) | Department of Transport and Main Roads | Brisbane

• Project-managed communication strategy for the Road System Manager Framework.
• Developed and implemented change management plans department-wide.
• Created and maintained governance portal and performance reporting systems.
• Participated in Business Excellence Framework assessments and internal governance groups.
• Awarded General Manager’s Commendation for communications leadership.

Portfolio Analyst (AO6) | Department of Transport and Main Roads | Brisbane

• Assessed and optimised $200M+ program portfolio across 6,000 State-wide projects.
• Ensured alignment with departmental strategy and benefit realisation.

Senior Project Officer (AO5) | Department of Transport and Main Roads | Brisbane

• Supported program development and evaluation across state-wide infrastructure.
• Consulted widely with stakeholders and prepared executive reports.

• Management of accounts payable/receivable, payroll, bank reconciliation
• Preparation of client Proposals.
• Writing of tender submissions.

• Managed apprenticeships program
• Manage and supervise traineeship activities in NSW region.
• Assistance with domestic and international business development and tender writing.
• Liaise with stakeholders including Job Networks, Centrelink, Employment Agencies and government agencies.
• Act as a RTO reference point and liaise with a variety of clients at all levels in both the private and public sector.
• Develop and manage marketing activities.

• Company Overview: Commercial Cleaning Company
• Founded and led a 22-staff commercial cleaning business with major contracts including Hoyts cinemas, aged care facitilities, bowling centres.
• Oversaw HR, finance, compliance, and client onboarding.
• Human Resources: Staff recruitment, training and supervision, employment contracts, rostering.
• Sales and Marketing.
• Regulatory and statutory compliance.
• Using MYOB: Accounts Payable, Receivable, month end reporting, BAS, Weekly Payroll, Provision of Group Summaries, Superannuation payments.