Zoe Sells

• Leading the life-cycle of strategies and plans to inform the future participation, programming and infrastructure needs of the sport, leisure and recreation industry.
• End-to-end management of projects including the development of proposals and tenders, project inception, data analysis, stakeholder engagement, report writing and delivery.
• Identifying and understanding client and stakeholder needs and aspirations through the delivery of face-to-face, online and other interactive methods of engagement (e.g. workshops, surveys, social media)
• Asking the right questions and generating a deep understanding of the needs of each client and offering a authentic and considerate approach so that the right solutions are provided.
• Developing meaningful stakeholder relationships through mutual understanding and genuine collaboration.
• Continually improving and identifying better ways to work to improve reporting outputs, productivity and efficiencies throughout the delivery of each project.
• Identifying new business development opportunities through the delivery of various proposals and tender submissions.
• Identifying and understanding current and future client and stakeholder needs through the analysis of participation trends, demographic forecasts, facility provision analysis and strategic aspirations.
• Facilitating improved client and stakeholder relationships and identifying opportunities to improve collaborative outcomes.
• Working alongside clients and stakeholders to ensure strategies are outcomes focussed, realistic and achievable within current funding opportunities and constraints.

Key outcomes

Delivery of many sport, recreation and leisure projects, including (but not limited to):

• AFL North East Border and AFL Goulburn Murray Regional Facility Strategies (2024 ongoing)
• AFL Northern Territory Facility Needs Assessment (2023)
• G21 & Football Victoria Regional Strategy (2023)
• Cardinia Shire Equestrian Strategy (2023)
• Moorabool Shire Female Friendly Facilities & Participation Strategy (2022)
• City of Greater Geelong Regional and Sub-Regional Football Facility Business Case (2022)

Key responsibilities

• Leading a small, close knit team to work to strategically plan for the future recreation needs of the City of Greater Geelong.
• Delivering Strategies, Master Plans and Facility Development Plans to guide future infrastructure provision.
• Advocating for funding provision via strategic plans, Councillor liaison, internal departmental liaison and external stakeholder engagement.
• Providing leadership and support to the team to offer highly concise written correspondence for Councillors and external stakeholders (including local members of parliament).
• Working alongside the community, clubs and peak sporting bodies to actively plan, manage and deliver infrastructure upgrades.
• Actively supporting the future growth planning and provision of recreational infrastructure in the City of Greater Geelong.
• Improving and continually maintaining internal and external stakeholder relationships to respond to issues effectively, productively and in a manner that is respectful, considerate and authentic.

Key outcomes

• A small but high performing team who was responsive, respectful, authentic and engaging with colleagues, other team members and internal and external stakeholders.
• Well researched, evidenced based and collaborative strategic and planning documentation delivery for the City of Greater Geelong.
• Clear and concise written correspondence and reports.
• Successful grant writing and advocacy resulting in $10m+ worth of investment in the municipality.

• Coordinating Council’s Grants Process
• Sucessfully obtaining over $400,000 in State Government funding for Council projects with a total project cost in excess of$1.4 million
• Delivering capital projects in the capacity of Service Manager. Projects include Shell Rd Reserve Pavilion, ‘The Hill’ Mountain Bike Track, Armstrong Creek Sporting Pavilion design, Winter Reserve facility design
• Developing quality correspondence including Council reports
• Responding to complex recreation issues in a timely manner.
• Developing project briefs for clubs to pursue funding commitments.

• Successfully obtaining over $400,000 in State Government funding for Council projects with a total project cost in excess of$1.4 million
• Delivering capital projects in the capacity of Service Manager.
• Managing Council's seasonal application process and casual bookings of reserves.
• Responding to day-to-day operational enquires and issues.