SUZANNE McKELL
Adelaide
Summary
CAREER SUMMARY
2020 – current Director Infrastructure, Department of Human Services
2017 to 2020 Director Infrastructure Pt Augusta City Council
2016 to 2017 Manager Strategy & Outcomes, Pt Augusta City Council
2012 to 2016 Manager Transshipping & Port, Arrium Mining
2000 to 2012 Various Roles (detailed below) Port Augusta Power Stations
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Director Infrastructure
Department of Human Services
05.2020 - Current
- Member of the Department of Human Services Executive Leadership Team
- Oversight of Infrastructure Directorate, including strategic asset management, asset lifecycle, planning, capital works program and maintenance of owned and leased assets with a team of ~43 FTEs
- Financial responsibility for an operating budget ~ $12m and capital work program (end to end)
- Oversight and development of Accommodation Strategy, facilities management for a complex and diverse property portfolio including, disability houses and youth training facilities across metropolitan and regional South Australia
- Responsibility for providing a range of corporate services: Records Management, Security, Fleet (~500 vehicles), Mailroom and Project delivery functions across the Department of Human Services
- Agency Security Executive for Protective security responsibilities
- Establish and management of various service contracts ensuring compliance and outcomes including provision of governance framework to ensure strategic objectives are delivered
- Delivery of advice, recommendations and policy development across DHS executives and Minister
- Provision of leadership, support and development of effective partnerships within DHS, across agency, private sector and Non for-Profit partners
Director Infrastructure
Port Augusta City Council
10.2017 - 05.2020
- Direct report to CEO with a team of 46 FTEs
- Oversight of infrastructure portfolio including technical services, capital delivery, building and planning functions, Environmental services and outside workforce
- Establishment and delivery of strategic infrastructure planning for reliability and community expectations within the legislative framework set by The Local Government Act
- Delivery of advice and recommendations to Elected Body pertaining to Infrastructure, Planning, Building, operational maintenance, and capital program
- Driving continuous improvement programs within Infrastructure division and across Council
- Develop and deliver an asset management program to ensure appropriate whole of life administration, reliability, and economic forecasting
- Establish and manage various service contracts ensuring compliance and outcomes including provision of governance framework to ensure strategic objectives of Council is being met
- Managing human, physical, and financial resources in a manner consistent with the expectations and behaviors set out in legislation and contemporary workplace
- Represent Council at various community and public functions and foster relationships that uphold trust and transparency
- Legislated and performance reporting and provision of expert advice the CEO and elected body
- Member of the Executive Leadership Team
Manager Strategy & Outcomes
Port Augusta City Council
04.2016 - 10.2017
- Driving a focus towards health and safety including the effective return of injured workers to safe and appropriate employment
- Determination and implementation of recruitment strategies, career path training, implementation of systems to support employee performance, establishment of a Human Resource strategy for council (in line with strategic plan and relevant influences) and all matters regarding council’s insurance
- Assist in driving the annual process of defining and delivering the annual business plan, ensuring alignment with the Council’s Strategic Plan
- Provide leadership in human resource development to ensure that all statutory and award functions of Council are met in respect to employees and to provide Council with high quality personnel that can respond to customers and community changing needs
- Undertake reporting against departmental programs, promote a performance measurement culture within the organisation through corporate planning and reporting activities
- Work closely with Council’s Management Group and other to ensure that Council’s position on key matters of interest is effectively and accurately transmitted to internal and external stakeholder
- Responsible for the coordination and documentation of employees’ career path training programs and other requirements associated with personnel records after liaison with Council’s Payroll Officer
- Responsible for the provision of advice to Directors and Management in relation to award interpretation, emerging trends in Industrial Relations and enterprise bargaining agreements
- Provide and maintain a positive employee and industrial relations environment and provide advice to Directors in all aspects of Industrial Relations including Council representation in relation to industrial matters
- Responsible for the coordination assessment and management of third-party claims against Council
Manager Transshipping and Port
Arrium Mining
09.2012 - 04.2016
- Operational responsibility for all aspects of the Transshipping component of the Arrium Mining Export supply chain
- Ensure contract governance and effective logistics management
- (Outsourced model)
- Manage all aspects of supply contracts associated with the Port and transshipping operation ensuring safety, reliability, and production targets to maximise value to the organisation
- Provide advice, support, and recommendations to achieve value and compliance with operations, safety, environmental, supply chain, marine and commercial responsibilities
- Develop systems and processes to streamline and effectively manage key contractors and maximise asset utilisation and yield
- Ensure OHS responsibilities, authorities, and accountabilities in the workplace in respect to staff, contractors and visitors and all aspects of safety in operations
- Embed a culture of partnership with the contractors to optimise business and safety outcomes
- Manage and comply with community and regulatory obligations with respect to environmental license
- Develop of appropriate operational practices to allow operational, commercial and safety targets to be met
- Lead the compilation of budgets and management of expenditure (annual O&M budget circa $60m per annum)
- Provide cost report and effective management
- Drive continuous improvement and cost efficiency
- Ensure reliability and effective management of critical infrastructure including oversight of proactive maintenance programming to ensure reliability and scheduling of operations to not negatively impact the rest of the supply chain
- HR responsibility associated with leading effective team
Manager Health, Safety & Security
Alinta Energy
05.2011 - 09.2012
- Support and advise Augusta Power Stations in all aspects of safety & security responsibilities and obligations
- Implementation and identification of improvement projects and company policies to drive continuous improvement in safety and security
- Lead and manage direct reports, engage with various stakeholders to embed a positive safety culture
- Maintaining safety governance framework, statistics and all aspects of safety reporting and record keeping
- Undertake and/ or facilitate safety investigations, at times undertaking the role of organisational representative for third party investigations or audits
- Provision of mentoring in safety systems and application of process and leading a culture of safety across all levels of the organisation
- Chair the Safety Representative Committee and represent Alinta Energy at the Augusta Power Station Safety Meetings
- Co-ordinate safety related training with Line Managers and Human Resource Department
- Advocate and reinforce 'Zero Harm' philosophy
- Manage the provision of first response services at Augusta Power Stations and related service contracts
- Drive and implement policy and proceeds that drives a proactive approach to risk, safety and security
- Develop and strengthen ability of Line Managers to uphold and lead safety behavior in the workplace
- Participate and lead matters relating to management of critical infrastructure including liaison with third parties
Project Services Manager
Babcock & Brown
01.2006 - 05.2011
- Plan, direct and control project management activities across the Port Augusta Power Station site from concept to implementation stage
- Establishment of governance framework including budget control and reporting including mitigation of variances
- Contribute to the overall strategic direction and improvement of the Business
- Management, planning, coordination, resourcing, and reporting of capital works program (approx
- 60 projects per annum)
- Supervision of project teams, officers, Contractors and subcontractors
- Implementation of projects derived from asset plans to ensure value and reliability of plant and operations
- Development and maintenance of project management systems
- Development and maintenance of contract management systems
- Personnel Management and all facets of supervisory role including safety, compliance, leave management, resource, performance management and team debrief
- Support the establishment and maintenance of an asset management framework including 'Whole-of-Life' plans focused on ensuring all plant and equipment is operated and maintained in a condition that meets the short, and long-term financial needs of the business by ensuring all projects meet criteria
- Ensure through projects work that the availability and reliability of the operating plant meets the expectations of the Market & Trading Plan, focusing on maximising revenue opportunities
- Develop and implement project plans that underpin the strategic direction of the business and provide direction to plant personnel
- Develop a 'Continuous Improvement' culture that always seeks to deliver efficiency improvements, improved production levels, reliability gains and improved cost structures
- Plan, lead and effect change management initiatives that improve the overall business
- Project risk managed effectively ensuring timely and high-quality risk reports and early identification of project risks and mitigation actions implemented
- Lead and Manage project safety including contractor management
Senior Contracts Officer
NRG Flinders
04.2000 - 01.2006
- Responsibility for all facets of procurement including probity, planning, reporting and education of Augusta Power Stations personnel
- Development and ongoing management of procurement planning and strategizing
- Preparation of Contract Documentation and tender evaluations for the purpose of engaging goods and service providers on behalf of the organisation include commercial terms, specifications, key performance indicators and vendor response schedules
- Development and maintenance of contract establishment, administration, and systems
- Contract Management with respect to compliance, performance, budgeting, and cost control
- Developing of tools and workplace procedures regarding organisational purchasing practices to ensure safety, probity, efficiency, and standardisation
- Identification of organisation requirements, meeting needs of management and end users within the boundaries of the strategic plan, company policy and legislative requirements
- Report writing for Board members and upper management approval including project justification, acquisition strategies and award reports
- Public speaking, tender briefing, and delivery of information to stakeholders
- Providing procurement guidance, recommendations and advice to Management, Contract Administrators and Store personnel
- Procurement planning, budget provision, resource allocation
- Responsible for contract negotiations and all facets of project management include performance monitoring, claims and dispute resolution
- Management of stores personnel purchasing activities and supplier performance
- Active participation in training, risk mitigation and safety initiatives and responsible for ensuring procurement activities support such programs
Education
Diploma Local Government - Management
Municipal Training
01.2017
Certificate 4 - Frontline Management
Leadership Management Australia
01.2009
Advanced Project Management -
Chifley Business School
01.2007
Post Graduate Professional Management Program -
Adelaide University
01.2005
Certificate 4 - Strategic Purchasing
Australian Institute of Purchasing and Materials Management
01.2002
Bachelor Business - Commercial Law Major, Property Minor
University of South Australia
01.2000
Affiliations
- Asset Management Council Australia
- Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPA) Founding member
- Australian Institute of Project Management
Timeline
Director Infrastructure
Department of Human Services
05.2020 - Current
Director Infrastructure
Port Augusta City Council
10.2017 - 05.2020
Manager Strategy & Outcomes
Port Augusta City Council
04.2016 - 10.2017
Manager Transshipping and Port
Arrium Mining
09.2012 - 04.2016
Manager Health, Safety & Security
Alinta Energy
05.2011 - 09.2012
Project Services Manager
Babcock & Brown
01.2006 - 05.2011
Senior Contracts Officer
NRG Flinders
04.2000 - 01.2006
Diploma Local Government - Management
Municipal Training
Certificate 4 - Frontline Management
Leadership Management Australia
Advanced Project Management -
Chifley Business School
Post Graduate Professional Management Program -
Adelaide University
Certificate 4 - Strategic Purchasing
Australian Institute of Purchasing and Materials Management
Bachelor Business - Commercial Law Major, Property Minor
University of South Australia
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