Vanessa Dumbrell

The Operations Portfolio Management Office supports efficient and effective delivery of the programs and projects that make up the complete portfolio.

• Provided governance and assurance to a portfolio of projects of $500M.
• Operationalising and improving the Portfolio Governance Framework.
• Ensuring robust and best practice governance principles are adhered to across the group.
• Providing advice to senior leaders on governance and risk management practices.
• Achieved departmental goals by developing and executing strategic plans and performance metrics.
• Increased team productivity by implementing streamlined processes and effective communication strategies.
• Facilitated successful cross-functional collaborations for the completion of key projects, fostering strong working relationships among team members.
• Enhanced customer satisfaction by resolving disputes promptly, maintaining open lines of communication, and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
• Established robust risk mitigation strategies to safeguard against potential operational challenges or disruptions.
• Drove operational efficiency through data-driven decision-making processes, leveraging analytics tools for informed strategy development.

Managed and coordinated the development, implementation and evaluation of complex projects to achieve project outcomes and support the achievement of organisational objectives.

• Developed a cross-government governance structure to support change of government priorities related to housing, infrastructure and planning.
• Developed unit strategic plans supported by a robust governance structure.
• Streamlined decision-making processes to optimize resource allocation and operational efficiency.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop governance-related training programs, raising awareness on critical issues.
• Facilitated productive governance meetings, establishing clear agendas and fostering open dialogue among members.
• Managed a team of professionals responsible for executing various aspects of the organization''s governance activities efficiently and effectively.
• Enabled business scalability by designing adaptable frameworks for strategy development and execution in dynamic environments.

Provided high-level advice and support to the Executive Group Manager to achieve policy in line with strategic direction.

• Enhanced company performance by developing and implementing strategic plans and initiatives.
• Streamlined operational processes for increased efficiency to achieve government reporting timelines.
• Fostered a culture of innovation, leading to the development of new programs and policies.
• Established strong relationships with key stakeholders to enhance collaboration and drive business success.
• Handled administrative management, human resource issues and business coordination for unit.
• Built high-performing teams through targeted recruitment, training, and mentoring efforts.

Facilitated the information flow from the Department to the Minister for Justice, Consumer Affairs and Road Safety, and the Minister for Corrections and Justice Health.

• Maintained an open line of communication with the Ministers Office and Department ensuring satisfaction and addressing any concerns promptly.
• Provided consistent and sound advice to the Minister and Senior Government Executives on sensitive political issues.
• Assessed risks associated with proposed policies or initiatives, offering informed recommendations for mitigation strategies.
• Served as a key point of contact for cross-functional teams during complex projects or initiatives providing advice on assembly and cabinet matters.
• Consolidated critical data from multiple sources for timely reporting to senior management and stakeholders.
• Established effective communication channels by collaborating with various departments and stakeholders.

• Provide high-level executive support to the Office of the Director-General (including Deputies).
• Provide daily strategy briefings to the Director-General outlining key risks and priorities.
• Act as an extension of the Director-General by attending meetings and briefings in place of the Director-General.
• Built high-performing teams through targeted recruitment, training, and mentoring efforts.
• Provide advice to senior executives of all business units triaging issues for the Director-General's attention.
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Lead the Governance and Coordination functions of the Department

• Assist in the development of the Strategic Plan and implement governance structure to support effective and transparent implementation.
• Managed a team of 5.
• Point of contact for the Inspector of Correctional Services, provided project management leadership for each review, coordinating resources to meet expectations.
• Led cross-functional teams to execute projects on time, and with high-quality outcomes.
• Manage the executive support and coordination of responding to external agencies.
• Provide high level advice to the Executive Director and Executives.
• Point of contact for all external stakeholders including the Ministers Office and media.
• Implemented Corrections Day and an Awards ceremony to boost morale and recognise achievements.
• Collaborated with other department leaders to establish shared goals and ensure alignment across teams.
• Promoted a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging feedback from all levels of the organization and implementing actionable changes accordingly.
• Streamlined workflows for increased efficiency, reducing turnaround times for critical tasks.
• Established clear communication channels that ensured the timely exchange of information between the Minister and Department.

Lead a team of 5 direct reports and 30+ staff to achieve department goals by developing and implementing strategic plan and initiatives and oversaw all operations of the office of the Commissioner.

• Streamlined operations for increased efficiency with process improvements.
• Led cross-functional teams to successfully launch new policies and frameworks, meeting deadlines and budgets.
• Optimized efficiency in meeting timelines by effectively delegating tasks and prioritizing workload among team members.
• Championed continuous improvement initiatives to drive operational excellence within the organization.
• Cultivated a culture of innovation by promoting creative thinking and encouraging employees to take calculated risks in pursuit of solutions.
• Navigated complex regulatory environments to ensure compliance with local laws, standards, and regulations relevant to the business domain.
• Created an agile working environment, enabling rapid response to changing business needs without sacrificing quality or performance standards.
• Developed organizational capabilities through leadership development programs designed for current leaders as well as high-potential individuals identified within the workforce.
• Drove strategic improvements to enhance operational efficiencies.
• Delivered the annual report.
• Revamped operational plans to refocus staff and align processes with business objectives.

Led a team of eight employees to draft high-level communications for the Ministers Office and other Statutory Office Holders.

• Provided legal and strategic advice to the Minister on Corrections practice and management.
• Spokesperson for the Department on media questions.
• Developed a complaints resolution process with statutory oversight agencies, reporting on risks to the senior exectutive.
• Allocated tasks to members of the team based on experience and skill set.
• Oversaw and quality assured all Ministerial and Legislative Assembly material (including Questions on Notice, Cabinet Submissions, Ministerial speaches).
• Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
• Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
• Improved project efficiency with strategic planning, resource allocation, and time management practices.
• Enhances policy development by conducting thorough research and analysis on relevant issues.
• Collaborated with stakeholders to develop sound policies addressing pressing concerns.
• Evaluated the impact of existing policies on organizational goals, recommending necessary modifications.
• Monitored legislative developments, ensuring timely adaptation of policies in response to changes.
• Led cross-functional teams in drafting comprehensive policy documents and guidelines.
• Managed policy projects from inception to completion, meeting deadlines and achieving objectives.
• Provided expert guidance to senior leadership on matters related to policy formulation and execution.
• Mentored junior team members in best practices for effective policy management.
• Presented complex information in clear, concise language, simplifying decision-making processes for stakeholders involved in policy development.
• Conducted risk assessments on proposed policies, identifying potential challenges and mitigating factors early in the process.
• Coordinated communication strategies around key policies, ensuring consistent messaging throughout the organization.
• Advocated for organizational interests through active participation in industry conferences, workshops, and seminars related to pertinent policy topics.

Manage key projects through strong governance arrangements and program management.

• Streamlined project processes by implementing project management methodologies, resulting in the successful implementation of a cross government commitment
• Established effective governance and communication among community stakeholders, government officials and the ministers office.
• Developed comprehensive project plans with clear timelines, milestones, and budget requirements, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality results.
• Provided the Legislative Assembly with six monthly updates on the progress of the project, including detailed reports on project status ensuring transparency and alignment with objectives.
• Coordinated cross-government teams and resolved conflicts, maintaining a positive culture of change throughout the project lifecycle.
• Monitored progress against established goals, adjusting schedules and resources as needed to keep projects on track.
• Enhanced overall project success by conducting thorough post-project evaluations and incorporating lessons learned into future efforts.
• Delivered exceptional customer satisfaction by proactively addressing client concerns and meeting or exceeding expectations throughout the engagement process.
• Developed strong relationships with stakeholders through regular communication updates, fostering trust and confidence in the governments ability to deliver results.
• Successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously by prioritizing tasks according to urgency, resource availability, and alignment with organizational goals.
• Collaborated closely with senior management to align project objectives with government priorities, ensuring that efforts contributed to overall trust in the government.

Managed the ACT Victims Register, recording the names and contact details of victims. Provide policy advice to support victims of crime.

Provide advice to the minister and senior executive on matters relating to the delivery of correctional services in the ACT. Research, development and interpretation of legislation, policies and procedures relating to correctional practice.

Provide high-level legal secretariat support to the Sentence Administration Board as required under the Crimes (Sentence Administration) Act 2005.