Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Profile Strengths
Timeline
Generic

Sarah Kennings

Rochedale,Australia

Summary

Dynamic Senior Advisor with extensive experience at Rio Tinto, excelling in project management and stakeholder engagement. Proven track record in enhancing operational support and driving business process improvements. Adept at navigating complex HR challenges while fostering collaboration across teams, ensuring successful implementation of innovative solutions. Seasoned Senior Advisor with background in developing strategic plans, advising on critical business decisions, and leading cross-functional teams. Known for strong leadership skills, analytical prowess, and ability to drive significant improvements in operational efficiency. On previous roles, instrumental in enhancing decision-making processes and fostering a culture of excellence.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Advisor – Partnership and Operational Support

Rio Tinto
01.2020 - Current
  • Providing operational support, acting as the conduit between HR and the BS&S organization to strengthen the partnership
  • Facilitate cross functional working groups (e.g
  • HR Systems Super Users)
  • Coordination HR functional risk and assurance frameworks and provide support on internal and external audits, including management of the Rio Tinto Archer platform
  • High level oversight of data privacy controls, education and reporting
  • Manage the HR functional knowledge management platform (HR document center) and framework
  • Support HR teams with the development of best practice for document management and technology support
  • HR function project support on multi discipline and critical HR functional initiatives

Process Project Manager - Workday Implementation

Rio Tinto
Brisbane, QLD
03.2024 - 10.2025

assisting the Process and Service Design Lead in the global implementation of the Workday and ServiceNow HCM solution. This role involves coordinating with various stakeholders, managing project timelines, and ensuring the successful execution of end-to-end process and service design. The ideal candidate will have strong project management skills, a deep understanding of HCM solutions, and the ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic environment.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Project Coordination: Assist in the development and management of project plans, timelines, and deliverables for the Workday and ServiceNow HCM implementation.
  • Stakeholder Management: Collaborate with global process leads, SMEs, and other stakeholders to gather requirements, provide updates, and ensure alignment with project goals.
  • Process Design Support: Support the design and documentation of global processes, inputs, off-system steps, process outputs, and data flows.
  • Solution Validation: Ensure that the proposed solution design meets enterprise-wide business requirements and supports the overall people operating model.
  • Team Leadership: Provide guidance and support to project team members, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment.
  • Risk Management: Identify potential risks and issues, develop mitigation strategies, and escalate concerns to the Process and Service Design Lead as needed.
  • Continuous Improvement: Contribute to the continuous improvement of project management practices and methodologies within the HR department.

EDM Advisor – Australia and Asia Pacific ESPS

Rio Tinto
07.2016 - 01.2018
  • Providing assistance as primary point of delivery for both standard and non standard transactions for APAC region
  • Internal point of escalation for EDM retained organization for case management which includes troubleshooting and issues which arise both onshore and offshore
  • Processing and providing guidance on both policy and benefits which are often too complex and are not completed by the offshore team
  • Identifying continuous improvement opportunities and managing the standardization process from start to finish
  • Providing expert guidance to various project teams on day to day operations, processes which require support from projects to fund improvements and change
  • Working to maintain and build relationships with key stakeholders within the company but also our offshore teams in manila

Employee Services Officer & Fleet Management Coordinator

Rio Tinto Shared Services
11.2010 - 01.2016
  • Facilitate overpayments, sick leave queries, salary review processing, pay slips, tax query’s
  • Support employment Relations & Industrial Relation case management
  • Foster working relationships with site HR, payroll, customers, management
  • Management of 500 company vehicles purchases, disposals, maintenance for our executive management
  • Building strong relationships with our external vendors and key stakeholders
  • Fleet Management, required a new processes as there were issues surrounding risk and compliance
  • Provide HR transactional and administrative support for HR processes in relation to the HR Systems
  • Provide guidance on HR policies for benefits and contracts for different Business Units
  • Conduct internal audits, liaise with HR and IS&T and resolve any anomalies within SAP
  • Administer company remuneration benefits such as Share Savings Scheme, Medical Subsidy and Car Calculations benefit

Education

Bachelor of Business - Human Resources & Management

Skills

  • Project Management
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Problem Solving
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Business Process Improvement

References

Available on request

Profile Strengths

  • Strong knowledge and ability to support operational HR support functions with an extensive understanding of core Rio Tinto HR systems and processes
  • Adaptable and resilience to meet high performance service delivery and fast paced environments whilst maintaining a strong customer focus
  • Strong communicator with experience engaging with a variety of stakeholders at different levels within the organisation
  • Proven ability to identify improvement opportunities, using logic and non traditional thinking to find new or alternate ways to improve operational services or resolve a problem
  • Effective project management skills with experience in managing and supporting a number of projects involving cross functional teams

Timeline

Process Project Manager - Workday Implementation

Rio Tinto
03.2024 - 10.2025

Senior Advisor – Partnership and Operational Support

Rio Tinto
01.2020 - Current

EDM Advisor – Australia and Asia Pacific ESPS

Rio Tinto
07.2016 - 01.2018

Employee Services Officer & Fleet Management Coordinator

Rio Tinto Shared Services
11.2010 - 01.2016

Bachelor of Business - Human Resources & Management

Sarah Kennings