Nikki Watson

Initially joined as a lead program facilitator for L&D before transitioning into a management role, tasked with enhancing Grey Matta's suite of human development programs and working with contractors and clients to facilitate successful delivery of these and bespoke client solutions.

• Conceptualisation, design and development of multi-faceted solutions covering for example: complex change management, interpersonal conflict, process mapping, team dynamics, strategic communications, tailored coaching and nested programs for leadership pathways
• Integrated neuroscience principles to all GMS face-to-face, virtual, blended and e-learning leadership program offerings to enhance participant engagement and retention of insights and learning
• Conducting needs analysis and identifying opportunities and strategic approaches to deliver client-defined outcomes of success in consultation with sales and account management
• Design, promotion and delivery of leadership offerings to clients and actively supporting collateral development and marketing efforts
• Establishment in partnership, of a new online learning management system and offerings for Grey Matta Solutions incorporating branding, messaging and user acceptance testing. Over 200 participants have now successfully transitioned and completed learning within the platform via soft launch (formal launch occurs in August 2024).
• Contributed to the development of strategic plans and company-wide standards for reporting and documentation procedures, ensuring consistency across all projects and alignment with business objectives
• Monitored ongoing developments in industry best practices, integrating innovative solutions into existing systems for enhanced outcomes.
• Promoted personal development through coaching sessions, assisting in the creation of individual career plans, and sharing professional growth opportunities
• Spearheaded new business development initiatives, expanding the company's reach into emerging markets with the concepts of Just in Time Coaching and more
• Evaluated program effectiveness, implementing improvements based on feedback and data analysis.
• Collaborated with subject matter experts to develop engaging and relevant course content and bespoke offerings to meet the needs of our clients and customers
• Communicated all learning and performance objectives, schedules, and training assessments to subcontractors as part of onboarding for delivery
• Ensured capability uplift for subcontractors in relation to the online LMS platform and integration of AI into design and delivery

The SELF Safety Culture program (Safe, Engage, Lead Focus), encourages participants to explore habits of thought and behaviour, and instils an awareness of personal reasons for making safe choices.

• Facilitation of SELF Safety program across various locations within Sime Darby Berhad (Hastings Deering), delivering over 50 two-day sessions to a multi-disciplinary workforce of 1,500 staff.
• Review and analysis of the effectiveness of training materials and ongoing discussion and adjustment to incorporate enhancements for behavioural change
• Created the SELF coaching program including all tools, projected deployment and anticipated impacts of this on organisational safety officer resilience
• Identification and consideration of real-life safety challenges and facilitation of discussion on potential options to mitigate or remove the risk - generating group insights and individual ownership of actions by attendees post workshop
• Managing challenging behaviours of some attendees (attendance was compulsory) to support their decision to continue with the training with increased engagement
• Development of reports and tracking metrics on the SELF safety leadership and SELF coaching program - my facilitation rating was at all times over 90% for satisfaction of approach and engagement of attendees
• Establishing rapport and building strong relationships with key influencers that are geographically dispersed, sharing knowledge and identifying linkages across these stakeholders.

-As a sole trader, I undertook ongoing contracting roles with Leadership Management Australia (RTO #3908), TAFE Queensland and Brisbane-based small business owners for the design and delivery of qualification and non-qualifications-based training and coaching.

• Implemented innovative training methods to engage participants and maximise learning outcomes. This included transitioning learners from face to face to online learning during Covid, using Adobe Spark and other software and Zoom and MS Teams - the team made the decision to adopt this approach for virtual and blended learning delivery on an ongoing basis
• Consistent participant satisfaction rankings of 90%+ in facilitating Leadership & Management Cert IV (BSB42015) & Diploma (BSB51918) Programs for LMA and for facilitation of Cert IV Crime & Justice (10283NAT) and Diploma of Legal Services (BSB52215) for TAFE Queensland
• Supporting shifts in perspective and behavioural change via facilitation and coaching practices to enhance participant productivity and wellbeing whilst also driving business outcomes and also making recommendations for placement in practical experience opportunities
• Coordinated logistics for classroom and on-site courses
• Manage reasonable adjustments and support for students/participants grappling with change, anxiety, mental illness and wellbeing including working with them and their support (parents, supervisors, specialists) to plan out success strategies.
• Partnered with a portfolio of small businesses, working closely with owners and their leadership team to build and deliver learning outcomes targeted at leadership and operational improvement skills.
• Design, delivery and assessment of certified (Diploma & Cert IV Leadership and Management etc), and partial or non-certified programs (Exceptional Customer Service/Coaching and Mentoring/Building Resilience/Emotional Intelligence and DISC)
• Contributed to and enhanced assessment processes and tools that aligned with industry-accredited skills standards such as National Training Packages, undertaking validation, moderation and peer review of other facilitators and trainers.

In this role, I spearheaded the delivery of a critical change initiative (driving innovative ways to deliver water business services), across the entire water business portfolio of Queensland in tight timeframes. This included oversight, management and reporting on progress, benefits realisation, shared resources, legislative and policy amendments, ICT and business operational changes and associated communications and change management activities.

• Leading and managing a capable, high-performing, multi-disciplinary team to deliver quality, timely, and innovative program design, administration and other strategic advice and project services in support of other business areas working on, or affected by the changes
• Provision of support, capacity and coaching to over 26 project managers, collaborating with them on reform initiatives and risk identification - this included the establishment of a change agent network across the State
• Coordinate, lead and provide high-level, accurate and timely advice for resolving emerging and/or complex program implementation and reform issues of significance to the department, the government and its key clients and partners on behalf of the SRO, and Deputy Director General (sponsor)
• Represent the division, department and government on high level, inter-departmental and multiparty working groups
• Liaise with and maintain productive working relationships with key internal and external clients, stakeholders and partners
• Experience in the establishment of master program plans, program interdependencies matrix and benefits analysis
• Establishment and integration of agile and other systems and procedures for managing, tracking and reporting on risks, issues and benefit realisation including visual dashboards
• Provision of training and information sessions, facilitation of workshops for a range of audiences including train the trainer for staff, SMEs, the Program Board and executive team
• Embed efficiencies across the program through use of standardised tools, processes and practices.
• Communicated clearly with employees, suppliers and stakeholders to keep everyone on same page and working toward established business goals.

Representation of Queensland's interests in Commonwealth forums for the Murray Darling Basin Plan (MDBP)

• Preparation and facilitation of workshops, meetings and forums across affected agencies and with Commonwealth representatives to enhance clarity and understanding of existing arrangements and future expectations
• Supervision of staff and leadership of the team in the review & development of strategic and operational plans, undertaking gap analysis, trend, risk and opportunity identification, to deliver business outcomes and maintain a high performing team
• Strategic policy and drafting advice for Qld's submission on the initial Commonwealth Senate Committee Inquiry and Report into the Wild Rives [Environmental Management] Bill No.2
• Supervision and support for all team activities across the business unit including the development of cabinet documents, briefings and new policy to improve indigenous engagement activities in relation to wild rivers
• Liaison with peak bodies, clients, external agencies and key stakeholders on water entitlement and wild river related matters
• Analysed and delivered options for the removal of unnecessary red tape from the entire States' water resource plans and Resource Operations Plans
• Drafted 'mock up' instruments and implementation plan for delivery of the policy approach to demonstrate how minimum regulatory burden requirements could be met
• Preparation and delivery of workshops and forums with regional senior staff in relation to proposed changes and incorporation of associated operational implications and learnings.

As project manager for the Rewards Based Tariff Trial, I commenced this role part way through the initiation phase, in the lead-up to the project launching in Energex and Ergon Energy 'live' systems pon 1 January. The project comprised engagement of voluntary trial participants to address statistical sample set and customer representation, 6 tariff pricing trial elements, installation of new smart meter technology and more.

• Successful management of multiple critical paths at on commencing in the role, to deliver the project successfully to agreed timeframes and within budget despite significant weather events occurring in Brisbane, Cairns and Toowoomba - all three sites for the trial.
• This was the largest trial of its kind at that time, and involved the collation of statistically relevant data for 6 separate tariff trials testing consumer response to peak demand and aligning the trial systems to existing billing, data collection and customer engagement cycles spanning 3 years (the project was later extended to 5 years due to its success)
• Project management of all aspects of the trial including marketing, obtaining volunteers to participate, installation of smart meters (via management of contractors), establishment of trial 'billing' and other associated ICT and database developments and process changes, to enable the trial to smoothly operate across both companies
• Liaison with executive management in Energex and Ergon including regular presentations to the Board and progress reporting to the joint Steering Committee
• Liaison and representation of both Energex and Ergon Energy with the Energy Ombudsman, Office of Clean Energy, Australian Energy Regulator, electricity retailers and product suppliers.
• Established effective communication among team members for enhanced collaboration and successful project completion. This included the facilitation of process mapping between customer contact staff and meter installation divisions to ensure understanding and common goals were clear and enabling a smooth customer experience.

• Principal Lawyer and case manager for Munya Lakes Supreme Court Judicial Review action for $20 million in damages. Collating and working with internal staff on the preparation of affidavits, court documentation and briefing reports. The Sate was ultimately successful in this action ensuring all statutory instruments remained lawful and valid.
• Drafting and review of other team members legal advices in support of the Team Leader, as well as preparing written and verbal briefings to the Minister, Director General and executives
• Provision of drafting advice relating to Wild Rivers, Water Resources, planning legislation and Native Title and Indigenous Land Agreement legislation
• Working in partnership with clients to establish preventative approaches to limit potential liability and risk exposure
• Representation of the States interests at the then National Native Title Tribunal, leading a team of 3 lawyers and drafting of templates for Indigenous Land Use Agreements
• Specialist advice on sequencing of events to provide for the lawful progression of matters subject to legal action and opportunities to improve legislation in response to findings.

• Management of multiple projects for sustainable delivery of water in catchments including Whitsundays (Proserpine), North Queensland, SEQ, more
• Review and QA for all State operational plans (statutory instruments) regulating the use of water entitlements, environmental flows and conversion of water into tradable rights
• Collation and strategic advice on legal advice, requests and potential high risk matters
• Creation of new systems and processes for sourcing advice and disseminating legal advice across the agency
• Liaison with legal services staff and Crown Law, multidisciplinary regionally dispersed staff
• Creation of learning content and materials for up-skilling departmental staff on statutory interpretations and drafting.