Penny Costaridis
Norah Head,NSW
Summary
Experienced community engagement and outreach professional with expertise in project management, building community resilience, coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives, and delivering impactful programs. Skilled in policy development, stakeholder engagement, and process improvement, with a passion for fostering inclusivity and empowering communities through education and awareness.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Community Capability Officer
NSW State Emergency Service
01.2024 - Current
- Project Management Expertise
- Sound knowledge of project management, delivering 4 major programs through all stages of project life cycle while ensuring clear objectives, budget constraints, and measurable outcomes
- Coordinated and delivered statewide strategies to reduce risks and impacts for at-risk communities, including floods, storms, and tsunamis
- Demonstrated ability to plan, prioritize, and manage time effectively to meet deadlines and deliver results
- Community Engagement and Resilience Building
- Supported NSW SES units in developing community capability plans, building local networks, and fostering two-way communication to facilitate development of local hazard plans and community asset-building initiatives
- Delivered high-quality, cost-effective community engagement strategies tailored to needs of diverse community groups, ensuring alignment with community-focused objectives
- Engaged with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, Pacific diaspora groups, and Indigenous communities through targeted workshops, campaigns, and educational programs
- Stakeholder and Volunteer Coordination
- Built and maintained strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to enhance information sharing and enable collaborative responses to community needs
- Enhanced SES community capability through knowledge sharing, volunteer skills training, and recruitment and retention strategies
- Technical Knowledge in Emergency Management
- Sound understanding of emergency management concepts, principles, and arrangements applicable to disaster preparedness, response, and recovery
- Supported the development of localised hazard resources, such as customisable flash flood collateral, to address critical gaps in community awareness and preparedness
Proprietor
Harvey Norman
01.2000 - 06.2023
- Retail Management and Business Operations
- Over25 years of experience in retail management, including15 years as a business proprietor, overseeing daily operations, financial management, and customer engagement
- Successfully led the refit and relocation of operational stores, including planning layouts, managing logistics, and maintaining operations during transitions
- Established and maintained off-site sales events, coordinating stock logistics, stakeholder involvement, and staff accommodations to maximize sales and brand presence
- Built and managed high-performing teams, ensuring staff recruitment, training, and retention to deliver exceptional customer service and achieve business goals
- Developed and implemented systems and procedures to streamline operations, optimize sales performance, and enhance the customer experience
- Negotiated with stakeholders, including media companies and suppliers, to secure favourable contracts, strengthen brand positioning, and drive growth
- Customer Service and Sales Expertise
- Proven ability to lead teams in delivering exceptional customer service, resulting in increased customer satisfaction and loyalty
- Skilled in analysing market trends and customer needs to develop targeted marketing and sales strategies that drive revenue growth
- Adept at addressing customer concerns, ensuring prompt resolutions, and maintaining positive relationships with diverse clientele
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Development Studies
University of Newcastle
Newcastle01.2024
Skills
- Proficient in using Social Suite to design, distribute, and analyze surveys for community engagement projects, providing valuable insights to inform strategy and decision-making
- Experienced in managing projects from initiation to completion, ensuring alignment with objectives, timelines, and budget constraints
- Skilled in coordinating cross-functional teams, setting clear deliverables, and tracking progress to deliver successful outcomes
- Adept at developing engaging digital content, including social media posts, infographics, and online resources tailored to target audiences
- Experienced in producing high-quality written materials such as community newsletters, hazard preparedness guides, and formal reports
- Skilled in planning, executing, and evaluating campaigns to raise awareness and drive community participation in resilience and preparedness programs
- Demonstrated ability to tailor campaigns to diverse audiences, ensuring relevance and accessibility
- Confident public speaker with extensive experience delivering presentations to community groups, stakeholders, and volunteers
- Proficient in designing and facilitating interactive workshops to educate and engage participants on emergency preparedness and resilience topics
- Proficient in using communication tools and software to streamline operations, share updates, and collaborate effectively with internal teams and external stakeholders
- Skilled in maintaining accurate records and databases to track project progress, stakeholder engagement, and community feedback
- Experienced in writing comprehensive reports that analyze survey results, community feedback, and project outcomes to provide actionable insights
Professional Development
- P-CEP, ONLINE, currently enrolled and accepted Reconstruction Authority Community Certification
- Current First Aid -08/2024 - Present
- Working with Children Check - Exp10/2028 - WWC2759378E
Timeline
Community Capability Officer
NSW State Emergency Service
01.2024 - Current
Proprietor
Harvey Norman
01.2000 - 06.2023
Bachelor of Arts - Development Studies
University of Newcastle
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