Kate joined Merit Solutions in 2023 and brings over 25 years’ experience in public sector and consultancy roles including executive search, recruitment and selection, talent management and leadership development, job evaluation and analysis and culture and capability programs. Kate’s industry sector experience include government, regulation, aviation, construction, engineering, travel, tourism and hospitality both in Australia and the Middle East.

Prior to joining Merit Solutions, Kate worked for more than ten years in senior roles at the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) where she led a range of teams with responsibility at different times for Capability and Engagement, Job Structures, Recruitment and, in an operational area, Entry Control and Regulatory Services. She led CASA’s National Recruitment program for almost three years. Her early career was in recruitment agencies in Australia and Abu Dhabi where she successfully led executive search and end-to-end recruitment assignments as well as managing recruitment teams.

Kate has extensive experience in public sector recruitment and selection. With Merit Solutions, she has regularly worked with Queensland and Australian government panels up to senior executive level. She has a reputation for the provision of professional advice and support as well as the preparation of high quality reports. At CASA, Kate led the National Recruitment Team for several years, implementing a decentralised recruitment model, developing talent pools for critical roles, reducing recruitment costs and time to fill and increasing candidate applications for critical roles through the use of digital attraction and proactive candidate sourcing strategies. Kate has chaired panels for management, operational, technical and administrative roles. Kate supported the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Board for senior appointments including the Director of Agency and CEO and the Industry Complaints Commissioner.

Through her Australian and international experience, Kate has an established track record in executive recruitment and search and has supported successful recruitment projects for Merit Solutions. With Intersearch and Talent Partners based in Abu Dhabi, Kate led search assignments for senior appointments in the government, engineering, construction and aviation sectors across the region. In Australia, Kate was a manager for AA Appointments, a specialist recruitment agency for the tourism, travel and aviation sectors. Initially working in Sydney as part of their inaugural Australian operation. Kate then opened the Queensland Branch which is still operational today. Over this period, Kate led major recruitment assignments for clients such as Virgin Blue, Qantas, Flight Centre, Corporate Travel Management and Hilton Hotels. Kate has extensive experience across all stages of end-to-end recruitment including analysis and development of job descriptions, developing targeted attraction strategies, advertising, candidate enquiry management, developing interview questions and work assessments, shortlisting, application of psychometric tests, scribing, selection report writing, referee checking and candidate management including feedback.

Part of Kate’s responsibilities at the Civil Aviation Safety Authority included the completion of recruitment audits prior to presenting to the delegate, advising panel members and managers on recruitment and selection best practice, implementing an applicant tracking system and developing a recruitment policy and procedures for the Authority. Partnering closely with management, Kate provided training to panel members on recruitment, privacy and discrimination legislation that included one on one training, facilitating workshops and the development of an online recruitment training module. Kate was also responsible for managing complex escalations including reviews of decision, conflict of interest management and freedom of information requests. Kate in her management roles prepared reports for governance and executive committees, informed budget, corporate reporting and Senate Estimates.

Supporting organisation structure change, Kate has experience in job evaluation and analysis including the use of work level standards, capability and competency frameworks for senior, technical, operational and administrative roles. Kate is trained in Mercer’s Job Evaluation methodology and, at CASA, was responsible for analysing and recommending submissions for attainment and pay point progression requests as well as the review of roles against classification standards.

Kate has extensive practical experience leading significant teams including over eight years at a senior leadership level in CASA where she was successful in encouraging individuals and teams to deliver, develop and improve performance in a positive and solution focused culture. She was responsible for setting strategy, delivering cultural change, championing long term visions, developing budgets, plans and targets, prioritising workload, risk management, high level problem solving, demonstrating resilience and engaging commitment from teams to execute and obtain results.

Kate has a strong interest in recruitment, selection, capability and job analysis. She has led the delivery of culture and change programs including leadership development 360 feedback program, engagement initiatives including bespoke engagement surveys and participation in the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) State of the Service survey and associated workshops. Having worked internationally and domestically, Kate enjoys supporting a range of clients and in all level of roles.