Robert Orth
Rochedale South,Australia
Summary
Public Service Professional with over 20 years of experience in the Queensland Government, specializing in stakeholder engagement and advanced problem-solving. Proven track record in contract and financial management, operational performance optimization, and governance practices. Demonstrated ability to lead high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams to achieve strategic objectives. Committed to enhancing public service effectiveness through innovative solutions and collaboration.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Program Manager
Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
01.2012 - Current
- Roles - Principal Project Officer Jan 2012 - Feb 2016, Program Manager Feb 2016 - current, and Acting Director - January-February 2020 and December 2024
- Successfully managed multimillion dollar grant programs for the State and Commonwealth in terms of contract management and financial management.
- Delivered significant outcomes for regional communities in Queensland including economic, social and health benefits.
- Enhanced end-to-end grant management operations by improving efficiencies in assessment, contract negotiations, administration and project acquittal.
- Responsible for evaluating all payment claims and variation requests for numerous government-funded programs (including Commercial Grant contracts for a period).
- Managed program finances with timely accruals/deferrals, estimate briefs, and audits.
- Led timely and accurate reporting of program and project statuses, through Monthly Program Progress Report, Service Delivery Statement, Regional Action Plans, Media opportunities, Regional Visits, Treasury requests.
- Ensured accuracy and maintenance of system records through monthly reconciliations.
- Maintained compliance through regular assessment of grant recipient performance.
- Achieved project and program objectives by resolving complex issues.
- Led weekly team meetings to discuss progress, address issues, and plan future actions.
- Communicated regularly with internal and external partners to ensure alignment of strategies and goals.
- Implemented lessons learned into program processes to enhance operational efficiency.
- Achieved substantial outcomes leading to economic growth and social improvement in regional Queensland.
Acting Manager – Contract Management
Department of Environment and Resources Management
01.2006 - 12.2011
- Ensured the Department met its financial and contractual obligations under Bilateral Agreements with the Commonwealth and Financial Agreements with grant recipients
- Provided secretariat support to the Cape York Central Coordination Group, the Cape York Tenure Resolution Implementation Group and Chief Executive Officers Committee for Natural Resource Management (NRM) in South East Queensland (SEQ)
- Clean Audit Report 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009
- Completed a reconciliation of all NRM grant programs backdated to 2002
- Assisted in the development of an online grants management tool (enQuire)
- Developed strong working relationships with Ministerial staff, senior public servants, community representatives and other stakeholders
Principal/Senior Trade Officer
Department of the Premier and Cabinet/ State Development
03.2003 - 01.2006
- Analyses and provided advice on current trends in international markets
- Hosted inbound trade missions and trade events
- Coordinated ICT trade missions to Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Canada
- Successfully facilitated negotiations that led to a contract between Steve Parish Publishing and Jurong Bird Park
- Facilitated a meeting between Steve Irwin and representatives of Jurong Bird Park at Australia Zoo
- Russia trade seminar – secured 154 companies to attend
- Ireland trade seminar – secured 123 companies to attend
- Coordinating the Premier’s trade mission briefing book for 3 years
- Visited regional Queensland businesses and assisted them in preparing their Premier’s Export Award applications
Project Officer, Major Projects Facilitation
Department of State Development
09.2002 - 02.2003
- Reviewing Environmental Impact Statements of major projects
- Assisting Project Managers in writing the Coordinator-General Report on major projects in Queensland
International Business Cadet/Trade Officer – Hong Kong & South China
Queensland Government Trade and Investment Office - Hong Kong
02.2002 - 08.2002
- Queensland Trade and Investment officer based in Hong Kong
- Undertook in-market research on the opportunities for exporting education to Hong Kong and Southern China
- Submitted a report on the opportunities for Queensland to supply secondary, vocational and university education to Hong Kong and South China
- Hosted inbound trade missions including one led by the Premier and other Members of Parliament
Education
Graduate Certificate - Public Sector Management
Queensland University of Technology
01.2019
Master of Commerce - Professional Accounting
Griffith University
01.2009
Justice of the Peace (Qualified) -
Department of Justice and Attorney General
01.2009
Bachelor of International Business - Management, Marketing and Chinese Language
Griffith University
01.2001
Associate Diploma - Business Accounting
Yeronga Institute of TAFE
01.1995
Skills
- Stakeholder management
- Contract development
- Financial analysis
- Program performance analysis
- Team leadership
- Project management
- Strategic alignment
- Data analysis
References
- Anita Hicks, 07 3452 7379, Executive Director (Grants and Program Management), Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
- Bill Walker, 0403 352 834, Executive Director (Business Support Package), Department of Employment Small Business and Training
Workphone
3452-7360
Timeline
Program Manager
Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
01.2012 - Current
Acting Manager – Contract Management
Department of Environment and Resources Management
01.2006 - 12.2011
Principal/Senior Trade Officer
Department of the Premier and Cabinet/ State Development
03.2003 - 01.2006
Project Officer, Major Projects Facilitation
Department of State Development
09.2002 - 02.2003
International Business Cadet/Trade Officer – Hong Kong & South China
Queensland Government Trade and Investment Office - Hong Kong
02.2002 - 08.2002
Graduate Certificate - Public Sector Management
Queensland University of Technology
Master of Commerce - Professional Accounting
Griffith University
Justice of the Peace (Qualified) -
Department of Justice and Attorney General
Bachelor of International Business - Management, Marketing and Chinese Language
Griffith University
Associate Diploma - Business Accounting
Yeronga Institute of TAFE
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