SARAH SHARPE
VIRGINIA,SA
Summary
I am conscientious, reliable, enthusiastic, and enjoy a challenge. Throughout my career I have thrived on responsibility and have appreciated the opportunity to use my initiative and judgment with limited or no direction. I am dependable and trustworthy, approachable, positive and have a good sense of humour. My experience working in a Minister's Office and within an Executive Director's Office has provided me with strong skills in high-level executive support stakeholder engagement and managing confidential and sensitive matters to continue to develop my career. I am constantly striving for both personal and team success.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work History
Office Manager and FOI Officer
03.2026 - Current
Executive Assistant and FOI Officer
08.2024 - 03.2026
Senior Business Support Officer
06.2022 - 08.2024
Administration Assistant
01.2022 - 06.2022
Project Officer, Director, Communications and Engagement – North-South Corridor
06.2021 - 12.2021
Business Support Officer, Executive Director, People and Corporate Services
08.2020 - 06.2021
Business Support Officer, Minister Knoll
11.2019 - 08.2020
Business Support Officer, Road Safety
05.2019 - 11.2019
Business Support Officer, Minister Mullighan
06.2016 - 04.2018
Trainee Clerical Processing, Lee Electoral Office
08.2015 - 05.2016
Office Manager and FOI Officer
- Coordinated and prioritized competing priorities, urgent matters, deadlines, meetings, correspondence, and ministerial commitments in a fast-paced environment.
- Managed day-to-day operations to ensure efficient and professional office functioning.
- Oversaw ministerial correspondence and briefings, including triage, tracking, quality assurance, and progression of materials for the Minister's consideration.
- Led team to optimize workflow processes.
Executive Assistant and FOI Officer
- Coordinated executive meetings, briefings, and travel logistics to enhance communication and decision-making
- Liaised with internal/ external business units to facilitate accurate and timely FOI responses.
- Conducted document searches, assessed exemptions, and prepared detailed decision notices and schedules of documents.
- My experience as a Freedom of Information (FOI) Officer has strengthened my attention to detail, analytical thinking, and understanding of legislative and compliance requirements
- Records management
- Indexing correspondence, invites and meetings
- Liaised with members of the public and internal/external clients to ensure effective communication and support
- Oversaw systems and processes to streamline operations and improve service delivery
- Assisting/ backup for the EA to the Minister and the Office Manager
- Processing accounts
Senior Business Support Officer
- Delivered customer service by addressing inquiries and resolving issues to enhance client satisfaction.
- Liaised with members of the public and internal and external clients to facilitate effective communication.
- Coordinated meetings and events to ensure smooth execution and stakeholder engagement.
- Managed records by organizing and maintaining files for easy retrieval.
- Managing systems and processes
- Assisting Senior Officers
- Indexing correspondence, invites and meetings
- Processing accounts
Administration Assistant, Adelaide Remand Centre
- Coordinated diary management and calendar schedules for lawyers to optimize time allocation
- Providing Business Support to the Business Managers
- Preparation and distribution of committee and meeting papers
- Executed data entry to ensure accurate record maintenance and accessibility
- Processed incoming and outgoing mail to support efficient communication and documentation
Project Officer, Director Communications and Engagement – North South Corridor Project.
- Coordinated diary management and calendar for the Director, ensuring effective scheduling and time management.
- Provided business support to Business Managers by organizing resources and facilitating communication.
- Recorded detailed minutes during meetings to ensure accurate documentation of discussions and decisions.
- Preparation and distribution of committee and meeting papers
- Data entry into Consultation Manager
- General administration duties including processing of invoices, purchase cards, travel requests etc
- Adapted to new division within DIT, enhancing written and verbal communication skills while taking on increased responsibilities.
Business Support Officer, Executive Director, People and Corporate Services
- Diary management and calendar coordination for Executive Director
- Coordination and data entry of all correspondence for the Executive Director and the Office of the Chief Executive
- Supported Executive Director and Business Manager through efficient business operations and administrative assistance
- Prepared and distributed committee and meeting papers to ensure informed discussions and decision-making
- Preparation of reports, presentations and Ministerials
- Managed general administration duties including invoice processing, purchase card management, and travel requests to streamline office operations
- Working with the Executive Director and the Business Manager for People and Corporate Services has provided me with a broader understanding of the operational functioning of the Department. Often working autonomously, has enabled me to enhance my ability to multitask, work under pressure and analyze key priorities. I have further developed both my written and verbal communication skills and am confident I can continue to strive to learn and develop all of my skills and knowledge of the Department.
Business Support Officer, Ministers Knoll's Office
- Provided exceptional customer service by addressing inquiries and resolving issues promptly.
- Indexing all incoming and outgoing correspondence (letters, invitations, Ministerials, parliamentary briefings etc.)
- Providing general business support to senior officers and the wider office
- Performed general administration duties including managing invoices and processing travel requests. including processing of invoices, purchase cards, travel requests etc
- Meet and greet guests of the Minister
- Processing of Freedom of Information Applications
- Adapted to the high-pressure demands of working in a Minister's office through prior experience. This fast paced office environment allowed me to further develop my communication and organisation skills. I thoroughly enjoyed a constantly changing work environment which allowed me flexibility to learn and develop my skills further.
Business Support Officer, Road Safety
- Coordinated diary management for Director, Road Safety, ensuring efficient scheduling and prioritization of engagements
- Managed client accounts by maintaining relationships and addressing needs.
- Coordinated meetings and events, facilitating effective communication and collaboration within the Road Safety unit
- Managed records and performed data entry, maintaining accurate documentation to support Road Safety initiatives
- General administration duties
- Working in the Road Safety unit gave me an understanding of what the State Government is doing to promote road safety.
Business Support Officer, Minister Mullighan's Office
- Liaised with members of the public and internal and external clients to address needs and build relationships.
- Managed correspondence by organizing and responding to communications efficiently.
- Coordinated meetings and events to ensure smooth execution and effective communication among stakeholders.
- Indexed correspondence, invites, and meetings to streamline communication flow.
- Provided customer service by addressing inquiries and resolving issues promptly.
- Assisting Senior Officers
- Managing systems and processes
- Processing accounts
- My time in the Minister's office provided me with great insight into how Minister's and their offices work with the community and both Federal and State Government. This steep learning environment allowed me to rapidly learn and develop my administration skills. The confidence I gained in this environment has assisted me with my approach to dealing with both internal and external stakeholders.
Clerical Processing Traineeship, Lee Electoral Office
- Performed general office duties, ensuring efficient customer service and reception support
- Coordinated correspondence, facilitating effective communication among stakeholders
- Mail management (incoming and outgoing)
- Conducted follow-up phone calls to confirm client satisfaction and address any concerns
- Database entry
- This traineeship allowed me to gain general administration skills and obtain valuable customer service skills liaising with members of the public and officers from Parliament House, Electorate and Ministerial Offices and Government agencies whilst completing my Certificate III in Business Administration and Government.
Clerical Processing Traineeship, Lee Electoral Office
- Performed general office duties, including customer service and reception, to support daily operations.
- Coordination of correspondence
- Managed incoming and outgoing mail to ensure timely communication and document delivery.
- Conducted follow-up phone calls to ensure customer satisfaction.
- Database entry
- Developed general administration skills and enhanced customer service abilities by liaising with public members and officers from Parliament House, Electorate, Ministerial Offices, and Government agencies during Certificate III in Business Administration and Government.
Education
Certificate III - Business Administration and Government
TAFE SA
Adelaide01-2016
Certificate III - Health Administration
TAFE SA
Elizabeth01-2016
Certificate III - Children Services
TAFE SA
Whyalla01-2010
Skills
- Ability to work under pressure in a demanding office environment
- Microsoft and government applications
- Diary management
- Coordination of meetings and events
- Trustworthy with confidentiality awareness
- Records management
- Attention to detail
- Strong organisational and time management skills
- Reliable with a strong work ethic
- Continuous improvement
- Good team player and can work autonomously
Custom
2025 Accredited FOI Officer
Timeline
Office Manager and FOI Officer
03.2026 - Current
Executive Assistant and FOI Officer
08.2024 - 03.2026
Senior Business Support Officer
06.2022 - 08.2024
Administration Assistant
01.2022 - 06.2022
Project Officer, Director, Communications and Engagement – North-South Corridor
06.2021 - 12.2021
Business Support Officer, Executive Director, People and Corporate Services
08.2020 - 06.2021
Business Support Officer, Minister Knoll
11.2019 - 08.2020
Business Support Officer, Road Safety
05.2019 - 11.2019
Business Support Officer, Minister Mullighan
06.2016 - 04.2018
Trainee Clerical Processing, Lee Electoral Office
08.2015 - 05.2016
Office Manager and FOI Officer
Executive Assistant and FOI Officer
Senior Business Support Officer
Administration Assistant, Adelaide Remand Centre
Project Officer, Director Communications and Engagement – North South Corridor Project.
Business Support Officer, Executive Director, People and Corporate Services
Business Support Officer, Ministers Knoll's Office
Business Support Officer, Road Safety
Business Support Officer, Minister Mullighan's Office
Clerical Processing Traineeship, Lee Electoral Office
Clerical Processing Traineeship, Lee Electoral Office
Certificate III - Business Administration and Government
TAFE SA
Certificate III - Health Administration
TAFE SA
Certificate III - Children Services
TAFE SA