Olivia Sewell
Wangaratta,Australia
Summary
Highly accomplished business operations professional with extensive experience across education, Victorian Government and emergency services. Recognised for leading business operations, human resources, recruitment, governance, finance, procurement, project and event management, and executive administration. Trusted adviser to senior leaders with a proven ability to manage complex priorities, improve systems, deliver organisational projects and build collaborative relationships with staff, community members and government stakeholders.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Business Manager
Yarrunga Primary School
01.2019 - Current
- Lead the strategic and day-to-day business operations of the school across finance, HR, governance, procurement, facilities and administration.
- Deliver operational projects from planning through implementation, managing timelines, budgets and stakeholders.
- Manage procurement, contracts, compliance, reporting and Department systems.
- Provide executive support and strategic advice to the Principal and School Council.
- Manage end-to-end recruitment, onboarding and workforce administration.
- Coordinate whole-school events, professional learning and community engagement initiatives.
- Coordinate contractors, maintenance and capital works liaison.
- Develop productive relationships with families, staff, Department representatives and external agencies.
VPS3 Support Officer / School Improvement Performance Support Officer
Department of Education – Benalla Regional Office
09.2016 - 01.2019
- Coordinated regional programs and provided executive support to enhance reporting processes.
- Prepared ministerial briefings and high-level documentation.
- Managed travel compliance and procurement while liaising with stakeholders to ensure alignment with operational needs.
- Provided support in Acting Executive Support role, ensuring continuity in regional operations.
Administration Officer / Assistant to Inspector
Victoria Police
05.2012 - 09.2016
- Delivered comprehensive executive and administrative support to facilitate operations.
- Coordinated correspondence, procurement, rosters, and property management to ensure efficient workflow.
- Offered guidance and emotional support to peers in recovery, fostering a supportive environment.
Earlier Career
Victoria Police & CPL Maintenance
01.2008 - 01.2012
- Police Communications Operator (000).
- Office Administrator (2IC).
Education
Diploma of Public Safety - Emergency Management
Certificate IV - Frontline Management
Certificate IV - Office Administration
Certificate - Health (Nursing Division 2)
Skills
- Business Operations
- Financial Management
- Procurement
- Governance
- Compliance
- Human Resources
- Recruitment
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Project and Event Management
- Risk Management
- Continuous Improvement
- Executive Support
- Leadership
- Microsoft 365
- Department of Education Systems
Education And Professional Development
- Diploma of Public Safety (Emergency Management)
- Certificate IV Frontline Management
- Certificate IV Office Administration
- Certificate – Health (Nursing Division 2)
- Professional development in Emergency Management, Peer Support, Equal Opportunity & Human Rights and Respectful Workplaces.
Core Capabilities
- Business Operations
- Human Resources
- Recruitment
- Project & Event Management
- Executive Support
- Financial Management
- Procurement
- Governance
- Compliance
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Risk Management
- Continuous Improvement
- Leadership
- Microsoft 365
- Department of Education Systems
Professional Highlights
- Leadership of business operations for a Victorian Government primary school.
- End-to-end human resources, recruitment and onboarding.
- Project and event management from planning through implementation.
- Financial management, procurement, budgeting and compliance.
- Executive support to senior leadership and School Council.
- Facilities, contractor and stakeholder management.
- Strong administrative background across the Department of Education and Victoria Police.
Timeline
Business Manager
Yarrunga Primary School
01.2019 - Current
VPS3 Support Officer / School Improvement Performance Support Officer
Department of Education – Benalla Regional Office
09.2016 - 01.2019
Administration Officer / Assistant to Inspector
Victoria Police
05.2012 - 09.2016
Earlier Career
Victoria Police & CPL Maintenance
01.2008 - 01.2012