About Me - Sally Brodie

I have worked for over 15 years in both the UK and Australia in multiple organisations and industries including the financial sector, multinational banking and not for profit. I have a diverse background having worked as a Regional COO, Operations Manager, Events Manager, Business Manager and Executive Assistant to the C-Suite.

As I embark on the next chapter in my career, I am excited to bring my skill set to help business owners create greater efficiency and drive successful outcomes. I am a natural organiser and problem solver with exceptional analytical skills and attention to detail, a perfectionist by nature and a desire to help set up the best foundation for your business to thrive. I have a keen eye for detail, diplomacy and effective stakeholder communication. If you are time poor, overwhelmed by operational tasks, struggling with understanding and implementing the right systems to streamline your business then I’m here to help!

So what have I done in my past roles to qualify me to work as your Business Manager? Here’s a few highlights! I’ve worked for a preeminent international philanthropist, venture capitalist, private equity investor, and social innovator as well as a high net worth American financier in the UK, supporting them in both a business and personal capacity. Think managing offices and household staff internationally, booking private jets, planning private parties, dealing with personal bankers, liaising with politicians, CEO’s, business magnates, and running charitable endeavours and multiple international households. Roles that required a great deal of diplomacy, time management, gatekeeping and interpersonal skills. I’ve also worked for international non-profits, charities supporting innovation, investment banks and financial services firms. I’ve worked for a charity promoting entrepreneurship and innovation in the UK and was part of a team commissioned to manage a partnership between the Financial Times and the UK Government to promote peace in the Middle East through economic means. I’ve sat in the Cabinet Room at Downing Street and organised events that saw Israeli and Palestinian politicians debate while I kept their security guards calm outside. I’ve run projects including office openings in Israel, corporate wine tastings in Paris, Investor Relations events at Oktoberfest in Munich. I’ve been responsible for managing VIP speakers such as Bob Geldof and Gordon Brown (while he was the PM) at flagship innovation conferences for over 2000 people. I have successfully spearheaded numerous projects that have involved overhauling travel management systems, expense systems, researching and implementing CRM software. I’ve orchestrated complex office moves, closed down businesses, trained teams and created SOP’s, welcome packs and mentorship programs. Ok so that’s a bit of a highlight reel, feel free to ask me about any of these or the bits that didn’t make it on this page.

Having experienced different businesses and different leadership styles I have been fortunate enough to see incredible examples of how to work and how to lead, and I’ve also seen how not to. But I see everything as a learning experience, the good and the bad. I’m incredibly fortunate that I have worked with business leaders who have imparted their knowledge and wisdom to me, as well as their working styles, who have promoted me and driven me to learn and hold myself to a very high standard. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had those people in my life so that I can now use those skills to help others. It has helped me to take a very holistic approach towards business functions and strategies and a unique approach to each challenge.

What else can I do? Business Managers by their very nature are very versatile people as our roles are varied and we have to be across all aspects of a business. So while I am experienced in operational management, employee relations, budget and pipeline management, overseeing projects and ensuring seamless execution and timely delivery I am also able to pick up new skills and research and run new systems. I also do the ‘boring’ stuff, you know like creating filing conventions, and creating standard operating procedures so everyone in your organisation knows how to operate and operate smoothly and efficiently. The stuff that takes time you may not have. I’ve worked around very driven, sometimes difficult people and am valued for my ability to work with differing temperaments as well as my discretion. I’m diplomatic, perceptive, personable and can adjust my style to complement others. Working in large corporations I am used to quickly fostering strong relationships and cross-functional collaboration. I love to be a team player and find that listening to others can give you great insight and viewpoints that are valuable to your personal growth and your business. Above all I value communication and collaboration, I believe they are at the core of a good business venture.