Gregory Smith
Summary
Driven IT professional leveraging 15 years' experience working across business systems, products and services within leading Australian and New Zealand financial organisations and a government agency. Extensive experience in managing change in a constantly changing environment. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to summarise complex technical recommendations for a non-technical audience - ‘noise free communication' is vital for efficiency across all mediums. Inquisitive business mindset, achieved through looking at the business environment from various stand-points – employee, investor and as a consumer of products and services. Expertise in strategic planning, negotiating, time management, problem-solving, and relationship management achieved through 3500 targeted appointments (as Financial Planner). Deliver results through building relationships and achieving through others – ‘nobody wins unless everybody wins' thought process. A down-to-earth approach, combining functional capability, best practice processes and common sense. Energy and passion that ensures things get done - with a bit of fun along the way.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Systems Administrator
Electoral Commission
02.2022 - 01.2023
- Provided enterprise level 2 - 3 technical support to all customers within the organisation.
- Facilitated weekly catch-ups with our level 1 support provider (SPARK). Aim - cohesive unity, discuss patterns, capabilities to action, and upcoming developments.
- Maintained various Azure SaaS Cloud Services such as Azure AD, Sharepoint, Teams, Intune, AAD Connect, Exchange Online and O365.
- Analysed threats/alerts triggered via Azure Sentinel.
- Reimaging & deployment of all required devices (Laptops, phones (Android/iPhone), Tablets).
- Procurement of software, licenses, and hardware.
- Assisted with the delivery of new technologies / projects (includes preparation/implementation of
Service Desk Consultant (1 – 3 Level Support)
Statistics New Zealand
10.2015 - 09.2019
- Provided enterprise level technical support to all customers within the organisation (approx. 1000+ nationwide). Front door for all IT incidents and service requests; received via phone or service desk management tool.
- I used MS Server Active Directory to manage all facets of user account management and accesses. As the business evolved/fast-tracked (due to the 2016 earthquake) to the cloud; Fujitsu provided our new DaaS, I then used Azure AD integrated with MS Intune to provision accesses and application installation.
- I used various RDP to provide remote support e.g. Bomgar, Skype for Business, and Citrix tools. Face to face customer support when required.
- Supported enterprise applications (Office 365, MS Teams, MS Office, OneDrive, SharePoint).
- Supported video conferencing meeting rooms, mobile devices, and Follow Me printing.
- Daily contact with our vendor providers: Revera (IaaS), Fujitsu (DaaS), Spark (TaaS (GNet)) and SEEMail (Email Blocker/Encryption tool).
- Prepared knowledge articles to solve common problems and user guides for new products.
- Being part of a complete reimagining of the technology operating environment: new desktop, updated operating system, move to a new mobile/remote environment, 3 new datacenters in hybrid configuration, new wireless networks and transfer to new vendor managed services.
- DBS moving from a traditional 3 tier support model to DevOps and DaaS.
Senior Adviser
MAS (Medical Assurance Society)
01.2013 - 12.2014
- Company Overview: MAS (New Zealand) is a membership-based society, providing financial products and services to time poor professionals and their families. It consists of 27,000 members across the professions of surgeons, doctors, dentists, lawyers and architects.
- Maintained and strengthened relationships with 170 MAS members and continued to fulfil their requirements for financial advice, MAS products and services, across the Wellington region.
- Conducted information gathering appointments, completed analysis to identify personal and financial needs, problems or opportunities, defined the nature of a solution to that need, in a clear and concise manner, and justified the investment necessary to deliver that solution.
- Actively sought new MAS members, with a focus on building and maintaining relationships.
- Provided advice and had input into projects led by other MAS business units that had a bearing on members' experiences with MAS.
- Planned and implemented MAS communications with members, business partners and other stakeholders.
- Organised promotional and sponsorship events.
- Monitored market activity and undertook market research.
- MAS (New Zealand) is a membership-based society, providing financial products and services to time poor professionals and their families. It consists of 27,000 members across the professions of surgeons, doctors, dentists, lawyers and architects.
- Upskilled myself on 30+ products and was servicing members within 2 weeks.
- Used my previous experience to drive best practice in the content and process around daily used documentation within the delivery of financial advice.
Financial Planner
TelstraSuper Financial Planning
01.2010 - 12.2012
- Company Overview: TelstraSuper is Australia's largest corporate super fund with over 100,000 members and assets in excess of $15 billion (AUD, as at 30th April, 2014). TelstraSuper was named ‘Super Fund of the Year' 2012, 2014, and 2015 by independent ratings agency SuperRatings.
- Serviced and built on an existing extensive member base of approximately 700 with Funds Under Advice (FUA) of approximately $235,000,000. Advice was predominately in superannuation (pre and post retirement).
- Conducted information gathering appointments, completed analysis to identify personal and financial needs, problems or opportunities, defined the solution to that need in a clear and concise manner, and justified the investment necessary to deliver that solution.
- Provided various financial modelling to members from a detailed 12-month time-frame to a broader 30-year time-frame using various systems.
- Obtained new business from prospects and existing members by offering quality strategic advice and exceptional customer service. Biannual targets $5,700,000.
- Managed designated paraplanner on completing Statement of Advice (SoA) within specified timeframe.
- Managed all paperwork involved with implementing members advice.
- Involved in company run retirement seminars, employer workshops and regional visits.
- TelstraSuper is Australia's largest corporate super fund with over 100,000 members and assets in excess of $15 billion (AUD, as at 30th April, 2014). TelstraSuper was named ‘Super Fund of the Year' 2012, 2014, and 2015 by independent ratings agency SuperRatings.
- Met KPI's – which included; inflow and redemption target, number of appointments, quality of advice, compliance, team contribution and general activity.
- Involved in development and rollout of new products.
- 100% pass rate of all compliance audits.
- Integral part of building on the company culture.
Financial Planner
State Super Financial Services
01.2007 - 12.2010
- Company Overview: State Super Financial Services provides both in-house products and financial planning services specialising in retirement planning for past and present government employees. State Super Financial Services has over 57,000 members and assets in excess of $14 billion (AUD, as at March, 2015).
- Serviced and built on extensive client base of 225 clients (pre and post retirement) with FUA of approximately $85,000,000. Business rules and compensation plan required 85% of client base having to be reviewed annually and a redemption rate of less than 4% (this figure also included pension payments).
- Conducted information gathering appointments, completed analysis to identify personal and financial needs, problems or opportunities, defined the solution to that need in a clear and concise manner, and justified the investment necessary to deliver that solution.
- Provided various financial modelling to clients from a detailed 12-month time-frame to a broader 30-year time-frame using various systems.
- Obtained new business within a very competitive market from prospects and existing clients by offering quality strategic advice and exceptional customer service. Biannual targets of $6,000,000.
- Managed and mentored designated Customer Service Officer on various skill sets required to run ‘our business' efficiently and as smoothly as possible; this included managing client's expectations, filtering phone enquiries, diary management (minimum 12 appointments per week), training for obtaining appointments via phone, and software training resulting from IT infrastructure changes.
- Overseen the required paperwork involved from initial appointment to the client investing with the company.
- State Super Financial Services provides both in-house products and financial planning services specialising in retirement planning for past and present government employees. State Super Financial Services has over 57,000 members and assets in excess of $14 billion (AUD, as at March, 2015).
- Navigated clients through the turbulent GFC period through empathy and strong belief in our investment process and investment portfolio.
- Presenter at company run seminars involving up to 80 people.
- Extremely low redemption rate of
- Met financial targets in some of the periods which was a huge achievement given this period was during the GFC and the vast majority of clients were deferring retirement until market and economic sentiment recovered.
- Deemed by management to be the person to look after demanding clients.
- Drafted comprehensive financial plan to offer recommendations and supporting data.
- Streamlined reporting processes to improve efficiency in delivering insights to clients.
- Continuously updated industry knowledge through professional development opportunities and staying abreast of market trends.
Financial Planner Associate
ANZ Bank
01.2006 - 12.2007
- Conducted client interviews (approximately 12 - 18 per week) with advice predominantly across superannuation, wealth creation (including gearing strategies), risk and retirement planning.
- Business and financial management, client relationship management and risk/compliance adherence.
- Proactively identified and addressed new and existing sources of business, reviewed client portfolios, prepared and delivered financial plans (SoA) to meet client's needs, meeting both individual and team objectives and ensured regulatory compliance standards were met.
- Trained referral sources (Tellers/Mortgage brokers) to look for opportunities.
- Selected by management due to consistent performance to participate in ‘Million Dollar Round Table' workshops.
- Consistently met and surpassed revenue targets, while obtaining a high level of service.
- Received numerous referrals; resulting from my genuine interest in ensuring my clients were receiving first class financial advice and service.
Education
Diploma in Systems Technology -
Computer Power Plus
01.2015
AFA Certificate -
NZ FMA (Financial Market Authority)
01.2014
Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance - undefined
Kaplan Professional
01.2011
CFP Certification - undefined
Financial Planning Association of Australia
01.2007
Diploma in Financial Planning – DFP 1 - 8 - undefined
Deakin University
01.2004
Diploma of Technical Analysis - undefined
Securities Institute
01.2003
Certificate IV in Management – Team Leadership - undefined
Sydney Institute – TAFE NSW
01.2001
Certificate IV in Applied Business Studies - undefined
Australian School of Commerce and Management
01.2001
Skills
- Active Directory
- Azure AD
- MS Intune
- AAD Connect
- O365
- Exchange Online
- Sharepoint
- Teams
- Azure Sentinel
- Azure Defender
- Printix
- Zendesk
- MS Server 2012 R2
- VMware
- Citrix Tools
- Capsule
- Cherwell
- Bomgar
- Novell Zenworks
- Cisco Unified CM Administration
- MS Windows 7
- MS Windows 10
- Skype for Business
- Lotus Note
- Checkpoint
- VisiPlan
- Coin
- MoneyWise
Certification
- Red Hat System Administration 1 (RH124), 2019, Auldhouse
- ITIL Foundation, 2018, Auldhouse
- ICAgile Certified Professional, 2018, DragonsArm
Hobbies and Interests
- World history
- Reading
- Member of Kapiti Brass Band (cornet)
- Involved in children’s sport teams
- Exercising
- Chess
- Watching sport
Timeline
Senior Systems Administrator
Electoral Commission
02.2022 - 01.2023
Service Desk Consultant (1 – 3 Level Support)
Statistics New Zealand
10.2015 - 09.2019
Senior Adviser
MAS (Medical Assurance Society)
01.2013 - 12.2014
Financial Planner
TelstraSuper Financial Planning
01.2010 - 12.2012
Financial Planner
State Super Financial Services
01.2007 - 12.2010
Financial Planner Associate
ANZ Bank
01.2006 - 12.2007
Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance - undefined
Kaplan Professional
CFP Certification - undefined
Financial Planning Association of Australia
Diploma in Financial Planning – DFP 1 - 8 - undefined
Deakin University
Diploma of Technical Analysis - undefined
Securities Institute
Certificate IV in Management – Team Leadership - undefined
Sydney Institute – TAFE NSW
Certificate IV in Applied Business Studies - undefined
Australian School of Commerce and Management
Diploma in Systems Technology -
Computer Power Plus
AFA Certificate -
NZ FMA (Financial Market Authority)
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