Stephen M Graham
B.ECON., DIP. ED., MAITD; MVADR

I am a qualified and nationally accredited mediator specialising in workplace related conflict resolution.

I became a consultant after more than 15 years having real jobs in both the private and public sectors. Work health & safety, change management, employee relations and learning & development capabilities were built leading and managing these functions within Ford Australia; Aerospace Technologies Australia [now Boeing]; Coles Myer; Western Health Care Network (Melbourne) and The Age.

Now as a people and organisational management consultant I have added experience gained serving clients across all sectors of the Australian economy including: TAFE and higher education; financial services; agribusinesses; infrastructure organisations, emergency services, the public sector, retailing and logistics environments, and not for profit organisations.

My main successes have been in situations where the alignment of peoples’ needs, and the organisation’s plans are at issue. I have successfully implemented and facilitated change in diverse settings, often requiring sensitivity to the issues involved or where employee relations / work health and safety capability have been important. My work these days includes workplace mediations and investigations, organisational design and reviews, and Board and management performance reviews etc in various sectors.

I appreciate the importance of sound consultative principles and practices. People say that I am a very good listener. I have worked collaboratively and cooperatively with professionals from various disciplines including: engineering; law; science; medicine and accounting.

Recent Assignments

Investigating allegations in respect of several cases of bullying and sexual harassment in the health sector
Conducting an organisational review of the Human Resources department of a large TAFE institute
Undertaking a Board review for an ASX listed company with annual turnover exceeding $350M

Successful Assignment Outcomes Include:

Mediated an agreement for the peaceful departure of a senior executive in circumstances that had been difficult for the CEO
Investigated, on behalf of the Board, whistle-blower claims of bullying and harassment by senior managers
Investigated allegations of sexual harassment and bullying between doctors in a Melbourne hospital
Analysed the situation to design and implement actions that addressed significant, chronic inter-department rivalries and conflicts within a large white-collar organisation.
Reviewed the operations of the finance department of a large TAFE institute in Melbourne and recommended remediations to improve performance, staff engagement and customer focus
Lead consultant in a review of the WHS Department of one of Melbourne’s main emergency services. Key deliverables were assessments of the WHS Department’s overall ability to deliver its mission
Conducted a 360-degree process with the top five international business development executives of a large TAFE institute and then worked with them to develop action plans aligned to the organisation’s strategic plan
Managed TriSigma’s review and subsequent involvement in implementing changes for an Australian university’s campus facilities and property management function
Facilitated agreement by the directors of a financial services company to an agreed set of actions that averted dissolution of the partnership
Worked with the Board Chair, Directors and the CEO of a privatised infrastructure company to overcome conflicts within the Board and between the Board and Executive Management
Developed and used a bespoke process to conduct a qualitative Board review for an ASX listed agribusiness. Reports were produced for each Director and for the Board as a whole. The Board and individual directors committed to and took action in light of the insights gleaned from the reports
Facilitated the deliberations of key stakeholders in the development of a framework to define capability requirements for the delivery of projects exceeding $500 million over 5 years for an Australian Government business unit.

Professional Background

Since 2002 – Executive Director with TriSigma

Previous positions held have included:

Human Resources Director
Western Health Care Network (Melbourne)
A workforce of approximately 10,000 employees, employed across 26 sites in the western suburbs of Melbourne including the Royal Melbourne Hospital at Carlton and the Western Hospital campuses at Sunshine and Footscray

Workplace Development Manager
The Age
Responsibility for workplace relations, occupational health & safety and organisational development; and a member of the Senior Management Team at The Age

Human Resources Manager
Ford Vehicle Assembly Plant
Responsible for HR including health and safety and workers compensation, employment and industrial relations.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Economics - Sydney University
Graduate Diploma in Education - Sydney University
Cert IV Training & Assessment - Kangan Institute TAFE
National Accreditation as a Mediator - National Mediator Accreditation System

Affiliations

Australian Institute for Training & Development - Member
Victorian Association for Dispute Resolution - Member; immediate past Treasurer

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