Nicole Finn
BALLAN,Australia
Summary
Reliable Manager demonstrating high level of ownership and initiative. Possessing exceptional work ethic and desire to go above and beyond to exceed expectations and deliver results. Highly experienced in quickly building productive working relationships. Successful in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments to manage goals and team development. History of thriving in team-oriented environments, solving challenging problems and delivering for all stakeholders.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President
Wye River Surf Lifesaving Club
Wye River, Vic
04.2025 - Current
- Fostered relationships with key stakeholders to ensure alignment on goals.
- Mentored emerging leaders, promoting professional development within the club.
- Developed and executed strategic plans to support the vision of the club.
- Identified problems and implemented solutions to better streamline operations.
- Collaborated with executive committee members on major decisions regarding club-wide initiatives.
Board Member
Eureka Community Kindergarten Association
Ballarat, Vic
11.2021 - Current
- Guided strategic planning for educational programs and community outreach initiatives.
- Advocated for children's needs within the local community and educational frameworks.
- Reviewed budget proposals and financial reports to ensure sustainable funding sources.
- Mentored new board members on responsibilities and organisational objectives.
- Developed partnerships with local organisations to support early childhood education efforts.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory requirements for early childhood education standards.
- Participated in various committees to meet specialised goals.
- Attended board meetings and reviewed meeting agendas.
- Provided guidance on ethical considerations related to business decisions or activities.
Manager, Operations & Initiatives Team
TECH SCHOOLS BRANCH, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Melbourne, Vic
04.2021 - Current
- Oversaw daily operations, maintaining efficiency and quality standards
- Maintain oversight of an operating budget of $20m+ budget, which includes discrete projects
- Coached, mentored and supported team members in order to improve their job performance and achieve their career aspirations
- Led team meetings and one-on-one coaching sessions to continuously improve performance.
- Provide strategic advice to the Director and Executive Director on key issues as they arise
- Liaise and negotiate with external stakeholders to influence decisions
- Develop and maintain positive internal and external relationships with peers, senior and executive stakeholders, building trust through consistent actions, values and communications
Senior Project Officer, Operations & Initiatives Team
TECH SCHOOLS BRANCH, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Melbourne
01.2020 - 04.2021
- Developed and implemented project plans for medium to large-scale projects.
- Conducted detailed research of potential vendors and suppliers in order to identify the most cost-effective options.
- Monitored progress of projects, identified risks and created mitigation strategies as needed.
- Reviewed project deliverables prior to submission to stakeholders for approval.
- Coordinated with internal departments, external partners and other stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
- Prepared technical briefs outlining progress, budgets, issues and solutions related to each project for Ministerial Offices and Departmental Executives.
- Manage discrete projects as requested by Manager with budgets up to $1.4 million over 5 years
- Liaise with external stakeholders to influence decisions
- Develop and maintain positive relationships with peers, senior internal and external stakeholders, building trust through consistent actions, values and communications
Manager, Implementation Team
TECH SCHOOLS BRANCH, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Melbourne
06.2016 - 08.2018
- Manage six individual Tech School construction budgets
- Draft and prepare technical briefs at a professional level for Ministerial Offices and Departmental Executives
- Manage workflow across a team of five to deliver the $128 million Victorian Tech Schools Project
- Lead project plan development and guide team members in ensuring key outcomes achieved
- Support Branch colleagues deliver on key government policy
- Liaise with external stakeholders to influence decisions
- Develop and maintain positive relationships with peer, senior internal and external stakeholders, building trust through consistent actions, values and communications
- Manage professional development opportunities (formal and informal) for all team members
- Prepare in consultation with team members Performance Development Plans that provide opportunities for stretch and reach goals
Senior Project Officer
PARTICIPATION BRANCH, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Melbourne
11.2015 - 06.2016
- Manage Departmental contracts and Common Funding Agreements
- Draft and prepare technical and complex briefs at a professional level
- Provide advice and policy analysis
- Draft and prepare complex correspondence in concise language for signing by the Minister or Secretary
- Meet and liaise with key stakeholders to resolve a range of complex issues
- Review funding applications and final reports to ensure key milestones are met
- Negotiate and consult with stakeholders and peers to seek support of project delivery timelines
- Monitor performance outcomes against objectives to manage project risks and issues
- Manage consultation processes including engagement with external stakeholders
- Manage complex projects to ensure all timeframes are met
- Establish appropriate systems and procedures to guide work plans and track progress
- Identify suitable solutions to complex problems and evaluate the solutions to ensure the desired outcome is achieved
Senior Policy Adviser & Caucus Liaison
HON STEVE HERBERT MLC (MINISTER FOR TRAINING AND SKILLS)
Melbourne
01.2015 - 11.2015
Education
Certificate In Governance For Not-for-Profits - Certificate in Governance For Not-for-Profits
Governance Institute of Australia
06.2025 - 07.2025
Financial Management For Public Sector Employees
IPAA
04.2025 - 04.2025
Introduction To Financial Management
IPAA
02.2021 - 02.2021
Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) -
Clear Horizon
Melbourne07-2024
Diploma - Inspiring Managers Program At DE
Swinburne University
Melbourne12-2023
Bachelor of Mass Communications - Public Relations & Advertising
Queensland University of Technology
Brisbane12-2008
Strategic Management - Board Strategic Management
Steve Bowman
09.2023 - 09.2023
Skills
- Results driven and solution focused
- Lead and influence decisions
- Operations Management
- Workforce Management
- Staff Development
- Policy Implementation
- Contract Management
- Verbal and written communication
- Project Management
- Staff Training and Development
- Team Leadership
- Budget Control
- Performance Evaluations
- Stakeholder Negotiation
- Cross-functional team management
- Cross-Functional Teamwork
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
- Staff Management
References
Referees are available upon request.
Timeline
Certificate In Governance For Not-for-Profits - Certificate in Governance For Not-for-Profits
Governance Institute of Australia
06.2025 - 07.2025
Vice President
Wye River Surf Lifesaving Club
04.2025 - Current
Financial Management For Public Sector Employees
IPAA
04.2025 - 04.2025
Strategic Management - Board Strategic Management
Steve Bowman
09.2023 - 09.2023
Board Member
Eureka Community Kindergarten Association
11.2021 - Current
Manager, Operations & Initiatives Team
TECH SCHOOLS BRANCH, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
04.2021 - Current
Introduction To Financial Management
IPAA
02.2021 - 02.2021
Senior Project Officer, Operations & Initiatives Team
TECH SCHOOLS BRANCH, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
01.2020 - 04.2021
Manager, Implementation Team
TECH SCHOOLS BRANCH, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
06.2016 - 08.2018
Senior Project Officer
PARTICIPATION BRANCH, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
11.2015 - 06.2016
Senior Policy Adviser & Caucus Liaison
HON STEVE HERBERT MLC (MINISTER FOR TRAINING AND SKILLS)
01.2015 - 11.2015
Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) -
Clear Horizon
Diploma - Inspiring Managers Program At DE
Swinburne University
Bachelor of Mass Communications - Public Relations & Advertising
Queensland University of Technology