Karen Ross provides her curriculum vitae, which outlines her extensive experience in project management, strategic planning, relationship building and communications across both the public and non-profit sectors. Her background includes roles managing organizations in the arts, culture and medical fields, with a focus on capability development, governance, and operational delivery. The CV highlights her skills in analytical thinking, relationship management, and achieving practical goals through creative approaches.

1. Curriculum Vitae
Karen Ross
2016
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2. Curriculum Vitae
Karen Ross Mobile 027 645 6696
PO Box 25259 Email karen.ross54@gmail.com
Wellington Email is my preferred
contact
When you work with me you get:
• a passion for efficient, timely, and well managed work
• a commitment to the role of the information in everyday life
• a keen sense of New Zealand’s place in the world
• innovative, creative and strategic thinking
• focus and determination to get the job done
• a relationship builder who is fun to work with
• a direct communicator with a practical approach
• someone who gets excited about projects and new ideas
• a person with particular skill in project management and processes
• an understanding of complete customer service
• knowledge of the importance of getting the basics right
• years of experience with a constant eye on what is needed
What makes me special is my ability to quickly analyse a project, see where a fresh
approach could work, and contribute my communication skills to get the job done. I
love using creative thinking to achieve a practical goal. It is essential for me to work
and share ideas with others. I am a strong believer in the contribution an individual
can make to an organisation through their values. Working in an environment that
contributes to people and enabling ease in how things function is essential for me.
Skills
• thinking that cuts though clutter and clichés
• strategic and analytical thinking
• a natural aptitude for PR
• organising events, information, people
• looking for the best way to tackle a project and getting on with it
• a reputation for fronting up well and a self directed perspective
• establishing warm working relationships at all levels, even in difficult
environments
• planning and time management
• troubleshooting and on-the-spot solutions
• advanced project management skills
• strong management and understanding of operational and financial delivery
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3. Employment history
State Services Commission
July 2014 – January 2016, Senior Advisor, Integrity (Maternity cover)
The Integrity Team sits within the Legal and Integrity Advice Group. The role of the
team is to provide advice and support to State services agencies on integrity and
conduct issues. This includes work of integrity related projects, preparing guidance
material and operating a ‘help-desk’ function in response to queries from agencies,
organisations and individuals.
• It requires to the work to be delivered in a timely fashion and meet the
agreed deadlines while being delivered in an effective professional manner.
• The work is to respond to situations and queries, also to initiate application
of the Standards of Integrity and Conduct (the Code) to new State agencies
• Projects to support the work of the unit include the revision of the online
integrity information, material for induction and capability in application of
the Code to State sector agencies and employees.
• The role requires strong liaison and people skills, sensitive and appropriate
delivery of demanding and not always well-received guidance, and the ability
to define problems, place them in context, research, analyse and summarise
the process and conclude next steps.
Particular tasks to date have been:
• Review, design and implement the case management system, for the
efficient collection of case data including the segmentation of the data for
performance reporting, continuous improvement and business development
use.
• An audit and review of existing online integrity material and subsequent
redesign and assignment of the information
• Preparation of the Integrity unit’s four-year plan, including performance
measures and improvement goals
• About to undertake review of the Legal teams case systems
• Responding to cases and queries in a timely and efficient manner. The work
is dealt with efficiently recognising the needs of the stakeholders.
Ministry for Culture and Heritage
February 2011 – June 2014 Senior Adviser Capability and Development Cultural
Sector Performance Unit
To develop and implement an annual agency assistance programme, develop and
maintain the Ministry’s agency information web-pages, and carry out project-related
work that contributes to the management the Cultural Sector Performance Unit, the
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4. VAT (Virtual Agency team) and of the Crown’s interests in arts, heritage,
broadcasting or sports agencies (including Creative NZ, NZ On Air and SportsNZ and
13 more).
Relationships: representatives of funded agencies and sector networks, officials from
other Government Departments and contract providers.
The major tasks
• Identifying need, compiling the programme (individual and group), and
delivery of the annual development programme for MCH funded agencies this
includes consultation, negotiating options and publishing results
• Being part of the team developing a new way of working between Ministers,
Departments, and Agencies, The Operating Expectations Framework. This steps
through how modern government relationships work and has been picked up by
CASS Performance Hub
• A major body of work looking at the augmentations of government revenue
funded agencies receive. This includes researching funding options, exploring
ways for organisations to develop their skills and implementing a programme
that assists their fundraising capability
• Development of the annual updating and analysing of an adaption of the
government BASS model into a local version Understanding Agency Costs (UAC)
for use with the MCH funded agencies. This excel record tracks both
programme delivery and back office costs of the agencies. It identifies pressure
points, areas for concern as well as cost effective centres.
• Managing the “Te Kiwai” segment of the MCH website to provide
information, resources and news on relevant issues to the sector
• Over the past two-years overseeing a major business continuity planning
exercise for all the sector, looking at their needs and risk and work alongside
them to have people, physical and reputational risk well managed and accounted
for.
• Looking at legislative change, understanding what this means for our
organisations from multi-million dollar organisations to small 1 -2 people
businesses and supporting each level according to their needs.
• Manage the cross-team work-plan environment in the Cultural Policy Branch
to co-ordinate work-plan initiatives that relates to all MCH funded agencies
• Compilation of annual reports on sector matters. Pacific Peoples and Te Reo
in MCH funded agencies
• Deliver MCH sector Senior Managers’ meetings and workshops on topic
specific areas and development priorities – includes consultation and
establishment of the agenda’s, speaker etc.
• Work on MCH –wide work; Innovation committee, project He Hika (the
sprout) for innovation
September 2008– February 2011 Governance Adviser
November 2009 – February 2011, Acting Project Manager
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5. The function of this role is to provide expert governance advice to Minister, the
Ministry and Agencies as required. The Ministry is at the forefront of governance
initiatives in the public sector and ensures the best possible systems and processes
are in place for the appointment of Crown Boards. The Ministry manages induction
and preparatory programmes for all appointees, and delivers a continuing
programme of board development and associated activity.
The major tasks
• Identifying key governor nominees
• Preparation of briefing material to Crown Ministers
• Due diligence on prospective nominees
• Appointment processes
• Manage Agency public/ private web presence of Crown governors and CE and
senior manager in Crown entities partnered by the Ministry
• Research and identification of key trends and web threads for the arts, heritage,
and sports sectors
• Manage induction orientations and skills based programmes for incoming
governors and ongoing skills needs
• Involvement in Ministry wide policy discussion and initiatives.
Relationships, Crown governors, Ministerial staff, Ministers and Ministry staff. The
time in the role has been linked closely to the Agency Group work plan and working
to meet a variety of targets both in the governance and wider Agency Group area.
In addition to the governance role during this period I have managed the two Agency
Group websites. This involved scoping the content, revising the structure and the
development of material including regular updates.
As part of this I have published a number of arts/economic comment pieces for the
site and NZLive.com
May 2007 – August 2008
Adviser – Registration Medical Council of New Zealand
The function of this role is to oversee the registration functions of the Medical
Council of New Zealand. Registration is at the forefront of the Medical Council’s role
and encompasses New Zealand Graduates, international medical graduates, visiting
specialists, vocational registration of medical staff within the pathways to
registration, education and functioning within the New Zealand medical system.
The position has a high element of stakeholder consultation and relationship work in
it. The key performance indicator being a fully functioning relationship between the
Council and its major stakeholders:
- Doctors
- Vocationally registered medical practitioners
- District Health Boards
- New Zealand hospitals
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6. - International medical community and agencies.
The major tasks
• Accreditation and review visits with stakeholders (District Health Boards and
Hospitals).
• A variety of sector consultation papers, the review, and analysis of the collected
responses.
• Departmental review of processes and staff delivery, retention, and job sizing.
• Preparation, review, editing and presentation of Council (Board) papers.
• Five direct reports.
• Introduction of revised practice and communication processes.
• Policy development, revision, consultation, and implementation.
• The most rewarding and fulfilling part of the role is the role is the relationship
building, mentoring, and the opportunity to participate in cross team and
institutional projects and consultation.
Member of the Policy, Medical Migration and Service Managers committees at the
Medical Council of New Zealand.
2000 to current – Project work with community based organisations primarily in
relation to funding development.
Current - Janet Frame Eden Street Trust – Trustee
Develop and implement a Friends programme for the house. The continued
management of this programme and Trust fundraising activity.
Development of the strategic priorities for the Trust,
Current - Chair the Bachelor of Applied Arts programme at Whitireia Community
Polytechnic. This degree has a wide range of majors including dance, music,
poutama, writing, theatre, visual arts, production and film. The student base is
drawn from many cultures and the content and delivery reflects this.
During my time as chair we have revamped how the programme is governed to best
support student outcomes, staff needs and canvass how the degree and graduates
deliver in New Zealand’s cultural sector.
August 1996 – April 2007
Chief Executive- New Zealand Book Council
The function of the role was to provide leadership and direction of the Book Council
and its programmes, operations, relationships and staff; by leading best practice
direction in accordance with the stated goals and objectives of the Council, Strategic
and Business Plans.
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7. The major tasks
This national organisation that is the represents the overview for the literature
sector in New Zealand. The organisation delivers a wide range of programmes
delivering literature objectives to:
- the New Zealand literature sector
- schools
- the public
- libraries
- International festivals and
- Government and funding bodies
As Chief Executive I fully managed the financial and operating functions of the Book
Council. This includes:
- preparation of annual Statements of Financial Performance and
Position to audit
- preparation and implementation of the annual budget
- monthly position and Board returns
- overview of debtors, creditors and fixed assets.
- all statutory obligations
- full HR and operational delivery
- project management of the delivery of our artistic programme.
The organisation project manages a number of contracts for major New Zealand
entities and funders. In my role I lead the promotion of the Council’s public profile,
from public relations strategy, media liaison, publicity and networking to being the
Council’s public face at events. The Book Council publishes a major website and two
literary journals.
Key achievements:
• Developed the organisation from two part time positions and small budget to
a staff of equivalent 6 full-time positions (11) and quadrupled the operating
budget.
• Worked with Creative New Zealand, New Zealand Historic Places, Colenso
BBDO and sector groups to research and develop tourism for the arts sector
(cultural tourism opportunity)
• Overseen the introduction of a new logo and branding.
• Managed the planning, creating, and implementation of the Council’s large
website from its inception. The site is now an industry leader receiving in
excess of 35,000 unique visitors monthly.
• Implemented project management and financial systems to match new level
of operation. I oversaw all accounting and budget functions to Annual report
stage.
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8. • Grown the profile, business capability and output of the Book Council in a
significant and measurable way. The Book Council is seen as the leading
provider of literature news, events and programmes in New Zealand.
• Achieved a measurable increase in membership, grant income and profile for
the Council through devising PR strategies, producing publicity material, and
undertaking media liaison.
• Project managed dozens of sell-out events with local and international
writers, from initial planning and publicity to front of house and on the spot
crisis management.
• Implemented full administrative systems (including HR) that ensure the Book
Council is managed in a professional, timely and efficient manner.
• Developed a significant partnership and relationship structure that is the
backbone of the Book Council’s profile and success, including relationships
with several key strategic partners for specific development purposes.
• Rewritten the Strategic Plan and Business Plans for the Book Council and
managed the delivery.
• Identification of services and needs for the arts sector and the
commencement of research into these, e.g. superannuation for arts
employees and practitioners.
Preceding this I had four roles with ANZ International, Wrightson NMA, BERL the
Economic Research Group, on UN contract project delivery in South East Asia
and Belize, and Whitireia Community Polytechnic where I worked for over ten
years developing the student facilities and services, in particular to respond to
the wide constituency enrolled with the polytechnic.
Major Projects, Events and Projects
Board Positions
Trustee and Friends manager of the Janet Frame Eden Street Trust, Oamaru
Chair, Whitireia Community Polytechnic: Bachelor of Applied Arts
Achieved
- Develop and implement SOI revision programme for MCH funded agencies
- Organise and delivery Sweet Louise fundraising dinner November 2011
- Attended the IFACCA 5th
World Arts Summit in Melbourne October 2011
- Part of the project team that revised the MCH SOI for the 2011 – 14 years.
- Scope, revise, redevelop, and publish the two Agency Group public/private web
sites
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9. - Research, engage and web publish major article and discussion on Surfing the
Tsunami a commentary and discussion document on the arts, heritage, and sports
sectors in the current economic landscape and a second discussion thread A Diet
of Economy published mid-year.
- Three city organisation and presentation to National and International
stakeholders on medical registration in New Zealand and the international medical
graduate registration process 2008.
- Development and publication of the Medical Council of New Zealand Registration
Guidebook 2008
- WOW – Words on Wheels annual tours 1998 - 2007
- New Zealand Post Children’s Book Festival Writers’ Tours 1998 - 2007
- Nestle Write Around New Zealand Touring Writer Programme
- Booknotes literary journal produced 4 times a year
- New Zealand Books 5 times a year literary review journal
- www.bookcouncil.org.nz – Rated NO1 in Hitwise Awards Top New Zealand
Entertainment Arts and Reading Site
- Booked Out – Subscription series of literary events in Auckland and Wellington
- WordSpace using ground breaking technology for programme delivery –
videoconferencing
- Development of high quality resources to profile our sector, poster, bookmarks
and DVDs
- New Zealand Book Council Compass – Bookgroup resource kit and notes
Education
• Māori Te reo Tikanga and mihi mihi training September - December 2011
• Creative New Zealand
• Māori engagement February 2010
• Project Management March 2009
• Speed Reading Course November 2009
• Dealing with Difficult People August 2007
• Dreamweaver Building a website course 2007
• Victoria University Wellington Executive Training Courses
- Copy editing and proofing reading course April 2005
- Business Grammar May 2005
- Writing for Business May 2005
• New Zealand College of Management Strategic Leadership Programme
2003,2004, 2005 delivered on behalf of Creative New Zealand for New
Zealand Art Managers and 2006Test Drive the Arts 2006
• Masterclass Audience and Event Management and Delivery 2003
• Masterclass Audience Growth and PR Strategies 2005
• Creative New Zealand Delegate to the New Zealand Tourism Conference
2002
• Massey University
Accounting in the Electronic Environment 1996
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10. • Whitireia Community Polytechnic
National Certificate in Business Accounting Practices 1995
Professional Memberships
FINZ, Fundraising Institute of New Zealand
NZATD New Zealand Association of Training and Development
Attending the annual FINZ conference in Auckland April 9 – 10 2014
Arts Wellington
Personal, community activities and memberships
The gym and cycling
Entertaining and cooking
Reading and literature
20th
century and contemporary art
Photographing art spaces, the placement of art and the structures that house art
Theatre and Dance
Singing and playing in a group with a twist, recording our inaugural CD late 2013
Movies
Member Friends of Pataka
Member Wellington Sculpture Trust
Member National Film Archive
Member National Library Society
Member Friends of the Turnbull Library
Member Friends of the Royal New Zealand Ballet
Member New Zealand Book Council
Member New Zealand Portrait Gallery
Member Friends of the City Gallery
Member Friends of Te Papa
Foundation member and supporter of the New Zealand Fashion Museum
Member Design Assembly New Zealand
Member Women in Super – Financial literacy organisation
Referees
Murray Costello *
Principal.. Advisor, Governance MBIE (appointed January 2016), previously
Principal Adviser, Heritage Services Branch, Heritage Projects (previous report)
Tel 021 814289
Rob Greenfield *
Senior Adviser, Governance, Cultural Sector Branch
Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Tel 04 4714025 or 027 699 9889
Andrew Royle*
Chief Legal Adviser
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11. State Services Commission (most recent report)
Tel 04 4956754 or 022 6573727
Kate Camp
Communications Manager, Te Papa
Kate.camp@tepapa.govt.nz Tel 0211545547
Previously Lead Advisor, Communications
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Greg Claridge
Principle Adviser, Defence
Worked alongside as a contractor
Tel 021 895 027
*These referees have been those who I have reported to.
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