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 held line management roles at the Civil Aviation Safety Authority delivering operational, recruitment, capability and culture programs.  Most recently, Kate was the National Team Leader for Regulatory Services Entry Control, holding responsibility for HR functions for a large team including performance management, recruitment and selection, induction and development.  Prior roles included leading the recruitment team at the Agency for all levels including senior, executive and technical appointments, job evaluation and analysis, leading culture and capability programs for leadership development and organisation engagement.

As a consultant for Intersearch and Talent Partners based in Abu Dhabi, Kate led search assignments for senior appointments in the government, engineering, construction and aviation sectors.  Kate was a manager for AA Appointments as part of their inaugural Australian operation, a specialist recruitment agency for the tourism, travel and aviation sectors, and supported clients such as Virgin Blue, Qantas, Flight Centre, Corporate Travel Management and Hilton Hotels in a variety of roles.  Kate opened the Queensland Branch which is still operational today.

Kate has extensive experience in public sector recruitment and selection including chairing panels for management, operational, technical and administrative roles.  She has delivered large scale recruitment programs for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and for aviation clients such as Virgin Blue.  Kate has supported the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Board for senior appointments including the Director of Agency and CEO and the Industry Complaints Commissioner.  In the Middle East, Kate’s experience was in research and search recruiting senior appointments primarily for the Abu Dhabi Government, construction, aviation and engineering sectors. 

Kate has extensive experience in 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, candidate feedback, referee checking. 

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 and is trained in Mercer’s Job Evaluation methodology.  Kate was responsible for analysing and recommending submissions for attainment and pay point progression requests for delegate approval.

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.