Thilaka Satha
Summary
Results-driven leader with strong background in strategic management and organizational growth. Skilled in developing and implementing effective business strategies, optimizing processes, and driving team performance. Known for adaptability, effective collaboration, and delivering measurable outcomes in dynamic environments. Strong communication and problem-solving abilities, coupled with focus on fostering productive and positive team culture.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director Position - Multiple Acting Opportunities
Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions
01.2023 - Current
- Appointed to act in Director capacity multiple times leading the department through the annual report processes, development of the submission on performance measures for the State budget papers, response to public accounts estimates committee hearings and department's submissions on whole of Victorian Government enquiries.
- Have led the division through a change process during organisation restructure in 2024 and enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Worked with the Executive Leadership Team in fostering a positive culture and maintaining productive teams through workforce planning, resource management and access to professional development.
Manager Business Planning and Governance
The Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR)
07.2022 - Current
- Led the development of the department’s complex strategic plan 2023-27 across 13 varied portfolios ranging from global trade to skills and capability overseen by 9 ministers. Received praise from the Secretary and executive management for the detailed analysis and mapping of dependencies, extensive engagement and collaboration and the efforts to enhance the department’s integrated planning maturity.
- Established the centralised function for governance oversight of the 60+ public sector entities aligned to the department, improving efficiency with departmental operations and supporting the Secretary meet their obligations.
- Provide authoritative advice that is relied upon by executive management in briefing Ministers on complex and high profile governance issues.
- Mentored staff and peers, fostering professional growth and enhancing team capabilities.
- Provide insights on complex issues through research, data analytics, stakeholder consultation, articulating policy and procedure requirements and highlighting impactful actions.
- A trusted member of leadership with contributions to enhance team capability and culture. Gained recognition for my leadership skills from Deputy Secretary and provided with opportunities to lead impactful work.
- Led cross-functional teams to achieve project goals, fostering collaboration and innovation.
Principal Strategic Adviser
The Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR)
12.2021 - 07.2022
- Primary role to provide trusted advise to the Executive Director through review of Ministerial briefs, memoranda, meeting papers, position statements and identifying areas of possible concern and areas to focus.
- Facilitated change process for the office of the Executive Director to implement an organisational restructure including workforce data management, change communication materials and regular updates for Executive Board.
Strategy Coordination Lead
Sustainability Victoria (SV)
01.2018 - 01.2021
- Company Overview: An environmental climate change portfolio agency setup to mobilise Victorians to act on climate change and use resources wisely to be able create a better environment, now and for the future.
- Led a team of 4 subject matter experts to facilitate evidence-based decision making at all levels, including Sustainability Victoria’s Board and Executive Leadership Team (ELT).
- Led development of the new Strategy for 2030 by partnering with policy experts internally, at the Department and across the sector to inform a systemic change in the environmental portfolio.
- Held ownership of data stewardship at SV with ability to provide data insights on waste management, resource recovery, contribution to climate change and behavior change impact.
- Launched a new Scorecard for the business that streamlined reporting for effecting decision making.
- Elevated the profile of the team to provide insights with our unique value add of having visibility across the entire organisation and being able to see impact.
- Led the development of an outcomes approach to reporting and introduced the inclusion of UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- Developed the SV business plan, annual report and led ongoing monitoring and engagement of the business in alignment with legislative obligations.
- Led an 18-month transition process to introduce an interactive reporting platform that illustrates the health of SV and the impact of its achievements.
Process Improvement Specialist
Health Purchasing Victoria (HPV)
01.2013 - 01.2018
- Company Overview: Nucleus of the health sector procurement practice with a focus on delivering high quality patient care by providing safe, affordable and sustainable health care outcomes.
- Led a team of 3 full time project managers and 2 subject matter experts working on a range of complex operational initiatives.
- Led creation of annual business plan from 2015-2018 for HPV. Recognised for my detailed approach to establishing plans and introducing a culture of accountability through full consultation with all employees on the deliverables and action plan.
- Developed and gazetted the first suite of 5 Health Purchasing Policies, as part of the Health Services Act 1988, for the management of end-to-end procurement life cycle in the Victorian Health Sector.
- Established a Balanced Scorecard methodology for reporting on organisational performance measures. Streamlined 70 deliverables across the organisation to 14 key strategic indicators over a span of 2 years.
- Led the implementation of 3 key infrastructure/change management projects in 2017 (HPV Intranet, Website redesign and Introduction of customer relationship management system).
Education
AICD - Clinical governance for Aged Care Boards
01.2020
SIT Trained Facilitator - undefined
Systematic Innovative Thinking Institute
01.2016
Balanced Scorecard Professional Certificate - undefined
George Washington University
01.2015
Prince 2 Registered Practitioner -
01.2010
Master of International Business - International Business Law
Monash University
01.2004
Skills
- Leadership As a Director on the Ahpra Board, I uphold public safety by setting and enforcing professional standards for over 450,000 nurses and midwives nationwide I chair the Business Strategy Committee for an aged care provider serving 40,000 residents in Manningham and previously served as Deputy Chair of a national women’s health organisation reaching all women living with HIV in Australia Since 2014, I’ve held senior leadership roles in four organisations, currently leading a high-performing team overseeing governance across 13 sectors to ensure departmental performance aligns with government priorities
- Stakeholder Management Led engagement of numerous inter-governmental, management, board and expert groups to gain buy-in for new strategic directions and whole of Victorian government initiatives Engaged and successfully transitioned 6 deputy secretaries, executive management and over 3500 staff to a renewed pathway to strengthen Victoria’s economy Influenced adaptation of the circular economy approach to determine a 10-year horizon plan for the sustainability sector Led 12 departments and 76 health services through the transition of 2 major reforms in the procurement practice
- Strategic Planning and Governance Developed 3-5 year strategic plan, the annual implementation plan with detailed deliverables and performance targets for 4 organisations servicing large, complex sectors Lead the central governance function with oversight of 80 government entities
- Impactful Communication Experienced facilitator and presenter with a strong track record of distilling and communicating complex ideas to a range of audiences through pragmatic solutions to enable decision making Authored multiple ministerial, CEO and management briefings that was adapted to the needs of the audience and positively influenced desired outcomes
- Change Management Proactively led 3 organisations through major corporate governance change initiatives eg, redefining value proposition, changing purpose, adopting legislative responsibilities, establishment of governance and risk management framework As manager, navigated complex and difficult workforce transitions
- Decision-making - Adopt an evidence based approach to inform decision making including interpretation of legislative and policy framework to determine best options Used Balanced Scorecard methodology to establish performance reporting in two organisations, enabling Boards and executives to make informed, strategic decisions Introduced PRINCE2 project management at organisations, embedding structured decision-making into program delivery Led a project office delivering 17 cross-functional projects since 2015 Oversaw three years of budget bid development at submitting over 20 proposals that informed government decisions on energy, climate, and emissions policy
Certification
Legislative Knowledge. Employment rights, Arbitration, Recognition and Trade Union Act Practitioner, Financial Management Act 1994 including resource management framework, Health Services Act 1988, Sustainability Victoria Act 2005, Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Victoria) Act 2009.
Affiliations
- Aphra Nursing and Midwifery Board Board of Director (Community Member) Board established to make decisions about nurses, midwives and students on matters of registration, endorsement, notification and ensure compliance of set policy, professional standards and conditions.
- MannaCare Board of Director Chair – Business Strategy and Operational Risk Committee Community based Not for profit organization providing a comprehensive and integrated range of community and residential support services for a broader population of 40,000 older people for over 30 years.
- Positive Women Victoria (PWV) Deputy Board Chair Sole community-based organisation specifically funder to provide support, information and advocacy for women living with HIV. Serving the needs of 200+ members and advocating for a greater population of 2,500 women.
Career History
- Department of Treasury and Governance, Victoria Senior Strategy and Policy Advisor 2011 – 2013
- Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas), London, UK Policy Advisor 2009 – 2010
- Central Arbitration Committee (CAC), London, UK Project/Case Officer 2007 - 2009
Timeline
Director Position - Multiple Acting Opportunities
Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions
01.2023 - Current
Manager Business Planning and Governance
The Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR)
07.2022 - Current
Principal Strategic Adviser
The Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR)
12.2021 - 07.2022
Strategy Coordination Lead
Sustainability Victoria (SV)
01.2018 - 01.2021
Process Improvement Specialist
Health Purchasing Victoria (HPV)
01.2013 - 01.2018
SIT Trained Facilitator - undefined
Systematic Innovative Thinking Institute
Balanced Scorecard Professional Certificate - undefined
George Washington University
Master of International Business - International Business Law
Monash University
AICD - Clinical governance for Aged Care Boards
Prince 2 Registered Practitioner -
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