Vicky Samaras
Figtree,Australia
Summary
Dynamic leader with a proven track record in stakeholder engagement and successful employment initiatives. Expertise in partnership development and team collaboration has driven strategic growth, achieving high compliance metrics while fostering inclusive employment opportunities.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
National Partnership Manager
Matchworks
04.2023 - Current
- Established and managed collaborative partnerships with employers and stakeholders to achieve business goals.
- Champion diversity and inclusion initiatives to create job opportunities for jobseekers registered in Workforce Australia and Disability Employment Contracts that are funded by the government.
- Oversaw 'Accelerator Program' for effective collaboration with employers and provided jobseeker interview support.
- Assist in implementing national Employment Engagement Strategy.
- Provided leadership team with timely monthly performance insights.
- Managed intricate employer collaborations to apply service initiatives.
- Work closely with leadership to create and implement strategic plans for Employer Services Team.
- Directed efforts in managing performance through defining and accomplishing key performance indicators for the team.
- Developed strategic partnerships with major employers aligned with labor market demands.
- Support resolution of escalated relationship management problems with employer partners.
- Maintain strong connections with peak bodies and government entities to align with business goals.
- Assess employer recruitment needs, and ensure jobseekers are well-prepared for opportunities.
- Work with operational teams to achieve business objectives and promote job openings
- Ensure accurate management of job placement records and compliance with audits
- Collaborate with Marketing & Communications to highlight employer partnership successes and stay updated on local labour market trends
- Utilise of internal systems eg Mega
- Utilise of ESS Web – government system for both WFA and DES
- Support with external audits and government site visits
- Development of memorandum of understanding, jobs compacts and disability pledge with employers discussing partnership agreements
- Account management of large national employers
- Management of job match staff (eg
- Weekly team meetings, supervision meetings, performance management)
Contact Supervisor- Weekends (Contractor)
Phoenix Rising for Children & Supervised Contact Workers (SWS)
, NSW
01.2017 - Current
- Ensured safe and structured interaction between children and parents per judicial mandates.
- Authored reports detailing supervised interactions for judicial consideration.
- Administered contract-specific billing procedures.
State Employer Engagement Lead (NSW/VIC)
Matchworks
08.2021 - 04.2023
- Managed a team of up to 23 Employer Engagement Partners across NSW/ACT
- Provided leadership, coaching, and mentoring in Sales & Marketing for DES and WFA contracts
- Established and nurtured partnerships with employers and key stakeholders to drive business outcomes
- Promoted diversity and inclusion initiatives to secure employment for DES & WFA clients
- Supported talent pooling through the 'Accelerator Program' and other training initiatives
- Worked to improve employment outcomes across DES/WFA sectors
- Contributed to the Employment Engagement Strategy, presenting and securing buy-in from Regional Managers
- Recruited and onboarded staff, ensuring compliance with company policies
- Conducted monthly performance reviews and weekly team meetings focused on pipeline development and KPI tracking
- Built and maintained relationships with stakeholders, government, and community organizations to enhance business results
- Utilized reporting tools to monitor performance and support the GM in developing quarterly business plans
- Ensured adherence to contractual guidelines and company standards
General Manager
Ostara Australia
11.2019 - 08.2021
- Company Overview: Specialist Mental Health Employment Provider
- Appointed during a significant restructure, I led the organisation through the transition by facilitating redundancies for 15 staff across QLD and VIC, while focusing on rebuilding team morale and enhancing performance
- Performance Management: Oversaw operations in NSW, QLD, and VIC, collaborating with managers to achieve 3-5 star ratings from the Department of Social Services (DSS)
- Successfully improved star ratings across sites, notably in Melbourne, and initiated positive changes in NSW
- Financial Oversight: Partnered with the Accountant and CEO to develop budgets for 2019-2021, resulting in an improved financial position for the company
- Customer Satisfaction: Managed and resolved customer complaints, adhering to company policies to enhance overall satisfaction
- Risk and Compliance: Ensured compliance with DES contracts and the Deed, achieving high standards in Disability Standards and DSS audits
- Maintained compliance metrics above 95%, positioning Ostara as a top performer in compliance strategies
- People Management: Led recruitment efforts and collaborated with site managers to attract and train staff, fostering a culture of high performance and accountability
- Relationship Management: Cultivated partnerships with employers and community organizations, such as Headspace and NSW Health, to drive collaborative outcomes
- Business Development: Developed strong business relationships through MOUs and SLAs, clarifying roles and expectations among stakeholders
- Team Motivation: Set and monitored KPIs, driving teams to achieve targets related to financial performance, placements, conversions, and quality
- Quality Audits: Facilitated preparations for quality audits, ensuring compliance and readiness
- Specialist Mental Health Employment Provider
- Successfully restructured the organisation to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability
- Exceeded performance targets by implementing strategic KPI initiatives and fostering a motivated team environment
- Enhanced marketing and sales efforts through improved campaigns and tools, resulting in increased revenue
- Instituted daily motivation meetings, improving staff morale and driving performance
NSW Disability Employment Services Manager (Specialist Mental Health)
One Door Mental Health / Ostara Australia
09.2015 - 11.2019
- As the NSW Disability Employment Services Manager, my role includes using coaching, training and direct role modelling to ensure that every DES operated by One Door Mental Health is viable and achieving a minimum three star performance rating
- The role is working alongside and directly assisting the teams achieve their KPIs
- Sites are located in Shoalhaven, Port Macquarie and Inner West Sydney
- Marketing across three existing NSW DES ESAs to employers and community organisations
- Coach staff in effective marketing practices to make placements and attract suitable Jobseekers for Direct Registration
- To ensure that high performance (4 Star minimum) can be achieved at all our DES services
- Facilitating Induction presentations and training eg
- Baseline DES Training for staff
- Provide leadership, training and support to DES staff to achieve targets
- Develop and manage the DES program budgets
- To ensure that the DES services operate in full accordance with the DES contract, guidelines, relevant policies and procedures of Ostara and One Door including WHS, Code of Conduct, Confidentiality and Privacy and Quality
- Conduct regular staff reviews to identify training and/or development needs in accordance with One Door Policies and Procedures
- Support DES Managers with recruitment and orientation of new staff using the One Door’s Recruitment and Orientation Policies and Guidelines
- Performance manage staff as required using the One Door’s Performance Management Policies and Procedures
- As of March 2017 Star ratings obtained, Shoalhaven 5 stars +47, Burwood 4 stars +29 and Port Macquarie 3 stars +9 for my sites
- When I started with One Door in Sep 2015 approx 2.5 yrs ago Shoalhaven was a 2 star tracking down, Burwood was a 3 star and Port Macquarie was a 1 star when we took over in November 2016 (first New Horizon then Ostara Direct Services)
- Launched a collaborated Innovative Youth Program with NBN, Headspace and Ostara which supports youth with a mental Health
- Achieved ITT (invitation to treat) for all contracts to deliver DES from 1 July 2019
DES Business Manager – Liverpool & Campbelltown Site
Break Thru People Solutions
03.2010 - 09.2015
- In this role, I managed multiple programs and led a team to improve service delivery and performance
- Responsibilities included building and maintaining relationships with community organizations and employers
- Coaching staff and facilitating training to ensure compliance with DEEWR contracts and high service standards
- Coordinating recruitment and orientation of new staff and overseeing HR procedures
- Implementing successful strategies that resulted in improved performance ratings and exceeded budget expectations
- Managed two Disability Employment Services (DES) programs in Liverpool and Campbelltown, including a Youth at Risk ESS program
- Led a team of 10 staff across various roles, overseeing program delivery, staff development, and community engagement
- Directed daily operations, facilitated team meetings, provided staff training on case management, and promoted a supportive work culture
- Successfully mentored teams in delivering high-quality service to clients with disabilities
- Built and maintained key community relationships, including MOU development with local organisations and successful fundraising efforts (e.g., Rotary Club and GMK)
- Oversaw the delivery of ESS (Generalist) and DMS (Specialist Psychiatric/Mental Health) programs
- Ensured compliance with DEEWR contracts and delivered strong performance, securing a 5-year contract extension
- Improved team performance and achieved a 3-star rating for both DMS and ESS programs (Dec 2014)
- Led the successful tender process for a new 5-year site contract
- Developed a Pre-Employment Group and Job Club, offering job seekers essential work-life skills
- Initiated an Indigenous Working Group in Liverpool, collaborating with key stakeholders like FACs and Area Health Services
- Increased budget by over $300,000 in 2012 and consistently exceeded targets thereafter
- Transformed two low-performing teams into a cohesive, high-performing unit, improving star ratings from 1.5 to 3 stars
- Exceeded placement targets and supported a positive, results-driven work environment
Vocational Rehabilitation Services Manager
Break Thru People Solutions
08.2008 - 03.2010
- Led the Vocational Rehabilitation Services team at Maroubra, managing client placements and team performance to meet contractual obligations
- Allocated case managers ensured compliance with service standards, and developed team training plans
- Focused on job seekers’ capacity rather than incapacity, improving placements through targeted marketing and job support strategies
- Enhanced relationships with employers and developed marketing strategies to promote program outcomes
- Increased team performance, achieving higher star ratings
- Initiated Pre-Employment Groups and Job Clubs to support clients' employment readiness
Coordinator – Disability Employment Network (DEN)
Spinal Cord Injury Australia
02.2008 - 08.2008
- Managed caseloads for job seekers with disabilities, providing personalised job support and placement assistance
- Delivered pre-employment services and job search support to clients with disabilities
- Built business relationships and marketed services to employers through telemarketing and face-to-face networking
- Supported clients in the workplace, ensuring they met employers' expectations and maintained long-term employment
Employment Services Program Manager
Greenacres Employment Solutions
02.2006 - 02.2008
- Led the Employment Services team, overseeing job placement, training, and performance management for individuals with disabilities
- Ensured compliance with DEWR performance requirements and coordinated training and development initiatives for staff
- Developed strategic partnerships and contributed to funding proposals and submissions
- Improved staff performance and job placements, surpassing targets and raising team morale
- Supported the design and delivery of vocational training programs for clients
Pre-Employment Coordinator
Greenacres Workwise
01.2004 - 02.2006
- Coordinated pre-employment programs, providing training and job search support for individuals with disabilities
- Delivered life skills and job readiness training, including OH&S, career planning, and conflict resolution
- Organized job search activities, liaised with employers, and promoted job opportunities through telemarketing and meetings
- Designed and coordinated a successful Pre-Employment Program that helped clients gain employment
- Developed relationships with employers, facilitating job placements and training opportunities
Employment Resources Coordinator
Workfocus Australia
07.2003 - 01.2004
- Supported clients with injuries in securing work trials and placements, collaborating with employers and rehabilitation consultants
- Assisted clients with job searching and canvassed work trials, achieving high placement rates
- Maintained and expanded an employer database, securing work opportunities for clients
- Exceeded work trial placement targets, contributing to team success
- Developed and maintained strong employer relationships, ensuring job opportunities for clients
Education
First Aid and CPR -
06.2024
Risk Assessment -
05.2024
Working with Children Check -
01.2024
Introduction to Disability awareness -
01.2024
NDIS Worker Orientation Completion -
01.2023
Mental health First Aid (component 1) -
01.2022
Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management -
BSB60420
07.2021
TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment -
01.2021
Diploma Quality Auditing -
01.2021
Advanced Diploma Leadership & Management -
BSB61015
12.2020
Diploma Community Services -
CHC52015
12.2020
Accelerated Leadership Performance -
Skills
- Leadership and Team Development
- Disability Employment Services (DES)
- Workforce Australia (WFA)
- Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Building
- Contract & Performance Management
- Employee Training
- Marketing Outreach Initiatives
- Case Management Expertise
- Budget Management
- Analytical Problem Solving
- Negotiation
- Pipeline development
- Partnership development
- Revenue generation
- Growth strategies
- Stakeholder management
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Time management
- Talent acquisition
- Supply chain management
Professional Referees
- Nikki Noack, Matchworks General Manager of Community & Innovation, 0478407822
- Bill Gye, Previous CEO of Ostara Australia and General Manager of One Door Mental Health, 0438 698 058
- Naseema Hamasur, Previous General Manager (Finance) & Board member for Ostara Australia, 0412020676
- Lisa Kineally, Director for Phoenix Rising for Children (weekend/Contract work), 0411477472
Casual Employment History
Contact Supervisor, Phoenix Rising for Children & Supervised Contact Workers (SWS), 2017, Current, Support children visit parents that are ordered by the courts to have contact supervision., Write reports that are given to the courts on the details of the supervised contact., Invoicing to organisation as it is contract work.
Timeline
National Partnership Manager
Matchworks
04.2023 - Current
State Employer Engagement Lead (NSW/VIC)
Matchworks
08.2021 - 04.2023
General Manager
Ostara Australia
11.2019 - 08.2021
Contact Supervisor- Weekends (Contractor)
Phoenix Rising for Children & Supervised Contact Workers (SWS)
01.2017 - Current
NSW Disability Employment Services Manager (Specialist Mental Health)
One Door Mental Health / Ostara Australia
09.2015 - 11.2019
DES Business Manager – Liverpool & Campbelltown Site
Break Thru People Solutions
03.2010 - 09.2015
Vocational Rehabilitation Services Manager
Break Thru People Solutions
08.2008 - 03.2010
Coordinator – Disability Employment Network (DEN)
Spinal Cord Injury Australia
02.2008 - 08.2008
Employment Services Program Manager
Greenacres Employment Solutions
02.2006 - 02.2008
Pre-Employment Coordinator
Greenacres Workwise
01.2004 - 02.2006
Employment Resources Coordinator
Workfocus Australia
07.2003 - 01.2004
First Aid and CPR -
Risk Assessment -
Working with Children Check -
Introduction to Disability awareness -
NDIS Worker Orientation Completion -
Mental health First Aid (component 1) -
Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management -
BSB60420
TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment -
Diploma Quality Auditing -
Advanced Diploma Leadership & Management -
BSB61015
Diploma Community Services -
CHC52015
Accelerated Leadership Performance -
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