Saran Shanmugam

• Effectively and harmoniously lead a team of diverse examiners
• Lea change initiatives in MECH 3 as the change manager for MECH 3 and successfully integrated SharePoint as the central point of contact and source of information
• Enabled staff to use and contribute to SharePoint pages
• MECH 3 received a 100% rating in change management in the last State of Service (SOS) survey
• Mentored staff and motivate them to perform at their best using coaching techniques by understanding their needs and goals for the future
• Built capability and ensured that staff took ownership and pride in their job
• Came up with innovative ideas during the leadership meetings and implemented them
• Challenged the status quo and propose creative solutions to improve efficiencies in the section
• As co-chair of the Cultural and Linguistic Diverse (CALD) network, I led the network to achieve its commitments and purpose
• Currently as a leader in MECH 2, I am creative and use innovative products to build efficiency
• An inclusive leader who sets clear expectations and deliver on commitments
• Built staff capability, empower them to make sound decisions and set a culture to achieve high performance

As the SME in QEP, I engaged with MECH AGM and Directors in CEG, QEP and ITG to facilitate an internal stakeholder communication on the cloud based FMA tool. I regularly connected with the delivery manager in ITG to align corporate UAT testing outcomes with the final messaging. By understanding IT priorities in the Cognitive Future roadmap, I strategically synthesised messaging to the Business Opera􀆟ons team ensuring critical insights were shared effectively. I maintained records of all the discussions, queried on pending action items to ensure timely progression and completion.

• Managed a section of diverse examiners and senior examiners in an equitable, inclusive, and consultative manner
• Conducted the planning cycle and provided advise to Assistant General Manager on operational matters
• Advised Senior Examiners to motivate their staff and investigate innovative ways to reward them and get the most out of their performance
• Actively engaged in PMC meetings and built partnerships with other section heads
• Discussed changes initiatives and benchmarking exercises
• Promoted learning and development opportunities to staff and created a growth mindset within the section
• Exercised appropriate powers, authority, delegations and discretions under the Patents Act, Work Health & Safety Act and Public Services Act
• Positively managed staff through important changes such as TEAMS and RIO and persuasively liaised with staff from other areas of IPA to build partnerships

• Reviewed products from MECH, and most ELEC sections for compliance to IP Australia’s product quality standards
• Discussed review cases with individuals, supervisors, section heads, AGM’s and Opposition and Hearing to gather additional information to help with review and to resolve points of understanding and process
• Attended and provided quality input into various working groups across Customer Services Division, including Senior Examiners Forum (SEF), Search Technical Team (STT)
• Lead ten internal audits in high-risk areas of IP Australia as the Lead Auditor
• Communicated results to Improvement Managers of the group
• Raised improvement log tickets to improve processes
• Presented the Quality Review Framework at IPA to the international delegates

• Examining patent applications in accordance with legislative requirements

• Provided support to examiners to achieve their goals
• Organised sections meetings and planning days at external locations
• Contributed innovative ideas to the management group
• Acted in MECH 1 and MECH 2 and strengthened relationships between MECH sections