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OES is an online education enabler with demonstrated success in providing tailored solutions for online learning. We design, promote and deliver high-quality programs online on behalf of our university partners, supporting their growth by reaching a new cohort of students who prefer the flexibility of online study.
OES has a proven reputation in the fast-growing online education space, managing the recruitment, enrolment, learning design, teaching and support of over 10,000 students on behalf of our university partners. OES provides a full suite of services from marketing and recruitment through to graduation, including student administration and support, course design, learning management system hosting and optimisation, assessment management and market insights. We can also tailor our services to meet a university’s specific needs.
Founded as a joint venture between leading, global digital employment platform SEEK (an ASX listed company) and an Australian university, OES is a unique combination of academic rigour and commercial expertise. Our university heritage ensures we place a particular emphasis on quality teaching and learning and our approach is informed by student behaviour insights and an evidence-based pedagogical model, ensuring the student is at the centre of all aspects of learning and teaching. We are experts in designing and delivering learning journeys that reflect the specific needs of online students and this combined with world leading expertise in technology and innovation, we can help our university partners develop and deliver online programs of the highest calibre.
OES offers multi-channel marketing capability and our co-founder, SEEK, has relationships with over 1.1 million hirers and 215 million candidates globally, connecting millions of individuals with job opportunities and relevant educational pathways. Through SEEK and our in house marketing and recruitment expertise, we offer our partners global student recruitment capabilities and unique employment market insights to inform new and emerging education programs.
Leveraging our depth of experience, capability and scale, we transform the student experience to produce work-ready graduates through accessible, engaging and authentic online learning.
Chair (Non-Executive)
Chair since October 2016.
Wendy is an experienced senior executive and company director, and retired in December 2016 from the role of Group Executive, Operations and Director, Melbourne for AMP Ltd. Prior to this Wendy held a number of other senior roles including Chief Operations Officer and Chief Information Officer at AXA Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd and General Manager, Institutional Technology at ANZ Bank Ltd.
Other current directorships include Epworth Healthcare, Tower Ltd, Tower Insurance Ltd and Very Special Kids where she chairs the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee and is a member of the Remuneration Committee.
Wendy was a member of the Swinburne University Council for 9 years, and retired in December 2015. During her service as a Council member, Wendy chaired the Finance Committee. Wendy is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Fellow of FINSIA and a member of Chief Executive Women.
Non-Executive Director
Director since August 2017.
Geoff currently holds the position of Group Chief Financial Officer at SEEK where he has overall responsibility for SEEK’s global finance and administration operations. Prior to SEEK, Geoff was Managing Partner of Deloitte Victoria and Group CFO of AXA Asia Pacific.
Geoff holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Melbourne University and an Executive Masters of Business Administration from the Australian Graduate School of Management. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Geoff was appointed to the Board of AMP Limited in July 2016 and is Chair of the Audit Committee. Geoff is also on the Board of AMP Bank, AMP Life and NMLA Life and is on the Board of Zhaopin and Chair of their Audit & Risk Committee.
Non-Executive Director
Director since February 2020.
Jason currently holds the position of Managing Director – Strategic Projects at SEEK Investments where he is focused on SEEK’s online education initiatives. He has been involved at SEEK since 1999 as an early employee and senior executive having previously overseen business development, strategy and international investments. Jason was also a Partner at Tiger Global Management, a US-based investment management firm.
Jason holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Law from the University of NSW having begun his career as a solicitor at King & Wood Mallesons.
Non-Executive Educational Institution Director
Director since July 2019.
Belinda Robinson is a company director and the Vice-President, University Relations and Strategy at the University of Canberra (UC). Belinda’s primary responsibility at UC is to provide strategic advice and direction for the positioning of the university within Australia’s highly competitive higher education sector, and engagement with governments and broader public policy making processes.
Belinda is regarded as one of the most experienced and respected experts in the higher education sector in Australia. She spent seven years leading Australia’s peak university body, Universities Australia. Prior to Universities Australia, she served as Chief Executive of a number of peak national industry representative bodies and has held senior positions in national, state and local governments – including eight years in senior and executive roles with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Belinda is an experienced company director including of ASX listed companies and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She currently chairs the boards of the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, the Cooperative Research Centres Association, and Western Sydney University Enterprises.
Non-Executive Director
Director since March 2015.
Josh is Director of Education for SEEK Ltd. Since 2004 Josh has been focused on expanding SEEK’s presence in education, and was one of the strategic architects behind SEEK Learning, a service connecting working adults with courses to develop their careers. Josh’s experience also includes his role as Strategy Director of THINK Education Group, which was part of the SEEK Group during this time.
Other current directorships include the Board of Universidad en Línea (UTEL) as part of SEEK’s investment in the Mexican Online University.
Prior to SEEK Josh worked as a strategy consultant with Accenture and holds a Bachelor Degree from the University of Tasmania with majors in International Business and Japanese.
Non-Executive Director
Director since August 2018.
Chris joined SEEK in 2016 and in a member of the SEEK Investments team. In his role he is responsible for Corporate Development including mergers and acquisitions and management of the investment portfolio. Chris brings to this role extensive experience in this area having worked in investment banking at Goldman Sachs and Citi Group. Chris also previously worked at Accenture and ExxonMobil prior to his MBA.
Chris holds a Masters in Chemical Engineering with First Class Honours from the University of Manchester and a Master of Business Administration from London Business School.
Other current directorships include GO1, FutureLearn and SideKicker.
Chief Executive Officer
Denice Pitt has been Chief Executive Officer of Online Education Services since the company was launched in July, 2011. As CEO Denice is committed to delivering high quality, innovative online education while at the same time ensuring the company’s continued financial viability and growth. Under her leadership, OES was named BRW Fastest Growing Company in 2015.
Denice brings to education a wealth of leadership experience, having previously served as President and Country Head of Aegis Australia. Her prior roles include Vice President of Operations, Chief Operating Officer and CEO of the UCMS Group Ltd, as well as National Customer Service Manager of Optus. These experiences inform not only the effective business functioning of OES, but also the outstanding customer service which is delivered to OES clients at every stage of the value chain.
Denice is equally committed to promoting a positive organisational culture for the OES team and supporting the balance of career and home for the staff. Staff engagement for both in-house and offsite workforces has regularly been measured at more than 80%, qualifying OES for best employer awards on multiple occasions.
Denice is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and Board Member for Firbank Grammar School and Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) Ltd (RACV).
Chief Financial Officer
Mark Doughty has been Chief Financial Officer for Online Education Services since 2013 and is an experienced finance professional with a specialism in fast growth internet and technology businesses. Mark also has significant experience from the online learning environment having been Chief Financial Officer for several years at the UK based Interactive University.
Prior to OES, Mark spent three years as Chief Financial Officer of UK web business Cupid plc taking the business from its early stages through to London stock exchange listing and international growth.
Mark has further web environment experience from four years as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of ASX Listed mobile web content business Jumbuck Entertainment.
In 2012 Mark was shortlisted for UK Listed Company CFO of the Year.
Mark is also a PWC qualified Chartered Accountant.
Executive Director, Human Resources
Liz is the Executive Director, Human Resources at Online Education Services (OES), having joined OES in April 2020. In this role Liz is accountable for setting the people strategy for OES to ensure the company delivers on its objectives of being a great place to work while maintaining high engagement and performance levels amongst staff.
Liz has expertise in developing and driving people strategies that transform customer and employee experience and deliver organisational goals. Liz has 20 years of experience as a leader in Human Resources in roles across a number of industries, including professional services, financial services, membership, education and corporate hotels and with organisations such as Deloitte, AMP and most recently, CPA Australia.
Liz is passionate about enabling people and organisations to thrive through fit for purpose people and culture solutions.
Liz holds a Bachelor of Business from Victoria University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resources from Deakin University and is a chartered member of the Australian Human Resources Institute (CAHRI).
Executive Director, Strategy
Ivar Berget joined Online Education Services (OES) as Executive Director of Strategy in 2017, and is an experienced strategy professional with a corporate, consulting and military background. Ivar brings strong skills within strategy development, implementation planning and general leadership and management to the team.
Prior to joining OES, Ivar spent over three years in the Strategy and Delivery Team at Coles Supermarkets Australia and worked for several years in management consulting with leading global management consulting firm, A.T. Kearney. His focus on consumer industries has driven a passion for real and positive customer outcomes.
Originally from Norway, Ivar served in the Norwegian Army and Norwegian Ministry of Defence for close to 12 years, leaving at the rank of Major. These positions encompassed a great amount of leadership, policy, strategy, and tactical planning and execution.
Ivar holds a Bachelor of Military Studies from the Norwegian Military Academy, a Master of International Affairs from Australian National University, and an Executive MBA from ESCP Europe and Norwegian School of Management.
Executive Director, Academic
Sue Kokonis is Executive Director, Academic at Online Education Services (OES).
In this role, Sue oversees the educational portfolio spanning the design, delivery and quality assurance of over 50 programs across 3 partners. The quality of these programs have been endorsed by high student satisfaction ratings and external accrediting bodies such as TEQSA, APAC, ANMAC, CPA, FASEA, CAANZ, FPA, VIT, and NESA.
Sue is highly experienced in transforming learning and teaching and working with key academic stakeholders to achieve this. Sue brings 25 years’ experience in tertiary education in face to face, blended and online environments. Sue has held academic leadership roles in Higher Education learning and teaching including Deputy Dean and Associate Dean.
Executive Director, Sales & Marketing
Michael Smolders is Executive Director Sales & Marketing having joined Online Education Services (OES) in June 2019. With a passion for consumer behaviour, Michael drives strong sales and customer satisfaction outcomes through his advocacy for business change grounded in consumer insight.
After spending more than 20 years in marketing and product management roles for leading brands across the education, financial services and retail sectors, Michael knows that successful business growth comes from genuinely putting the consumer at the heart of the decision making process, and by delivering seamless, memorable service experiences to consumers.
Michael’s achievements include launching new product suites generating up to $1b in revenue, and leading global marketing teams that delivered new digital education experiences to adult learners.
Prior to joining OES, Michael worked for leading brands including CPA Australia, ING Direct, Commonwealth Bank and David Jones.
Michael holds a B.Bus (Mkt) and MBA (Strat. Mgt), both with Charles Sturt University. Michael draws personal and professional inspiration from cultural travel, amazing food experiences, and the arts – as a member of Melbourne’s major theatre, opera, symphony and art institutions.
Executive Director, Growth
Claire Sadler is the Executive Director, Growth having joined OES in January 2021.
In this role, Claire is responsible for driving OES’s business development efforts globally (excluding the UK).
With a firm belief in the transformative power of education, Claire has spent over 13 years in business development at the nexus of higher education and industry. Claire has held a range of sales and leadership roles at the University of Melbourne and Pearson with experience across Asia Pacific and the Middle East.
Claire has expertise in building and executing sales strategies, developing enduring client relationships, and crafting innovative solutions that deliver commercial growth and meaningful educational outcomes.
Claire holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Commerce (Management), from the University of Melbourne.
Executive Director - Partnerships (APAC)
Gavin Fleer joined Online Education Services (OES) in 2015 and is an experienced commercial operator within the education industry, with demonstrated expertise in building long-term, successful and sustainable partnerships. In his role as Executive Director, Partnerships APAC, Gavin is responsible for establishing new partnerships and for the health and growth of our existing university partnerships.
Prior to joining OES, Gavin worked for several years at SEEK, the world’s largest online employment marketplace. Gavin started in SEEK’s education division where he led the team responsible for developing and managing SEEK Learning’s education provider partnerships. Gavin then moved into the international team where he managed SEEK’s majority investment in Zhaopin, the leading online employment marketplace in China.
Before joining SEEK, Gavin was a lawyer at King & Wood Mallesons, specialising in commercial law.
Executive Director, Student Experience and Insights
Sacha Nouwens is Executive Director, Student Experience and Insights. An experienced analytics professional, Sacha is skilled at deriving dynamic insights from customer data. She combines this technical expertise with her passion for education to create positive student experiences.
Having joined OES in 2012, Sacha has contributed to the phenomenal growth of the company by analysing employment and higher education market trends and establishing OES’s Business Intelligence and Analytics function. Sacha gained first-hand experience of online education working as an eLearning Advisor and Unit Coordinator and, in 2016, established the Student Experience and Insights team, which has worked across all areas of the business to identify and deliver new initiatives and improvements for students.
Prior to joining OES, Sacha worked for 10 years in customer analytics, research and strategy within banking, insurance and the public sector.
Sacha holds a Bachelor of Technology (Information and Communication) from Macquarie University, a Graduate Certificate in Social Science (Environment & Planning) from RMIT, and a Diploma of Management from Swinburne University of Technology.
Executive Director, IT & Operations
Matt is the Executive Director of IT & Operations for Online Education Services (OES). In this role he oversees the Information Technology, Student Services, Student Advisor and Student Placement teams. He was one of the original Executive Team members of OES.
Matt has extensive experience in the successful establishment and optimization of information technology and operational platforms through his various executive technology and operational roles at SEEK, Coles Myer and ABN AMRO Australia, and his time as a consultant for Price Waterhouse in the Financial Services sector in Australia and the United States. These roles involved broad strategic, delivery and operational responsibilities across Australia, the Asia Pacific and US regions.
Matt is particularly passionate about the role technology can play in online learning and support, and enjoys providing thought leadership and valued insights into the role evolving technologies can play to create a high quality student experience. He is also committed to championing the OES mantra of outstanding customer service throughout his teams in all their interactions with OES clients.
Managing Director – UK
Andrea Burrows is Managing Director for Online Education Services (OES)’ UK operations. She is an experienced executive director with a track record in sales, growth and general management including strategy, operations, people and finance. In 2017, Andrea was named as a British Interactive Media Association Hot 100 in the CEO and Leaders category.
In her last role, Andrea worked as Managing Director of a UK top 20 design and build digital agency. The agency partnered with clients to define organisation-wide digital strategies, crafting mobile first digital experiences, building impactful brands and creating persuasive campaigns. Prior to this, Andrea has been instrumental in leading merger and acquisition processes for digital brands and management buy outs, where she was key in taking a company from a UK focussed agency to the headquarters of a global network and growing the business to a top three in the sector.
Born in the North East of England, Andrea studied at Cardiff University, Wales and after graduating with a first class honours, Andrea moved to London to work in media. In 2012 she completed a Global MBA at Durham University. Andrea is currently the Industry Advisory Board Member for Digital Leadership at the University of Aberdeen.
Academic Director
Nicola joined OES in 2014 to lead the Vocational Educational and Training (VET) division to expand the Swinburne Online portfolio to include Diplomas. This role included building a bespoke LMS for vocational training in Australia. Following the establishment of this division, Nicola has worked closely with OES’s university partners to develop successful portfolios of undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Prior to OES, Nicola consulted to public and private educational providers, Government departments and NGOs after a long career in the University sector where she worked as an early adopter of eLearning.
Nicola holds a Bachelor of Psychology, a Bachelor of Marketing, a Graduate Certificate of Project Management and a Master of Business Management.
Director, Learning Design
Lucy joined OES in 2014 with over 16 years’ experience in learning design, project management, concept design, and the creation and evaluation of educational solutions in both print and digital formats.
Prior to OES she worked for 9 years in a variety of roles at Pearson Australia, for the most part as a Learning Architect and Custom publishing specialist. Lucy also worked for 8 years lecturing at RMIT in the School of Art. In 2000 she was awarded her PhD from Monash University in the School of Literary, Visual and Performance Studies and also has a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from Monash University.
Academic Director
Nikki is a registered psychologist, with a professional interest across the social sciences. She joined OES after a successful 20 year academic career at Monash University, during which she held several senior academic roles including Associate Professor of Psychology, Chair of the School Accreditation and Quality Committee, and President of the Australian Music and Psychology Society. Nikki has an established research program, with special interests in music psychology, positive psychology and e-mental health. She was awarded her PhD in Psychology in 1995, and has a Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Honours) from La Trobe University.
Program Director, MBA, Management, Logistics and Sports Management
Heather’s successful career in business and education spans almost 30 years. She has published numerous papers on management strategies and currently runs a consultancy specialising in business and HR strategy, executive coaching, leadership and executive development. Heather joins OES after years of delivering post-graduate programs to executives at Swinburne University of Technology. As Program Director she is responsible for overseeing the successful delivery of a suite of business degrees.
Program Director, Education
Rhonni has more than 20 years’ experience in education roles, with a background in science, teaching and educational design. She joined OES in 2012, and has contributed across facilitation, learning design, and leadership. In the role of Program Director, Rhonni oversees the design and delivery of our Education courses. She holds a B.Sc., Grad. Dip. Ed., Cert IV Training and Assessment, Grad. Cert in Educational Design, is an Organisational Coach, and is currently completing her Master of Learning Sciences and Technology.
Academic Director
Erin is an experienced university manager and strategist. Following a degree in mechanical engineering and a PhD in aerodynamics, he pursued an academic career and became one of Australia’s youngest engineering professors. Erin moved into university leadership and served in a number of positions including Dean of Engineering at Central Queensland University and Head of the Melbourne School of Energy and Environment at Melbourne University Private. Erin then took his career in a different direction and over the next 15 years established and grew a highly successful management consulting business. He returned to the higher education sector in 2015 as Academic Partnerships Manager with Open Universities Australia, and joined OES in August 2017.
Director of Learning
Diane has held senior management positions in primary and higher education providing leadership in teaching, professional development and learning design. Diane commenced at OES in 2011 as Manager of the Learning Design team. Prior to OES, she worked as a lecturer in higher education at Swinburne University of Technology and various academic development and online learning project management roles at RMIT and Victoria University. She holds a Bachelor of Education from University of Melbourne and a Master of Education from RMIT University.
jul
SEEK and Swinburne University of Technology launch joint venture Online Education Services (Trading as Swinburne Online), operating out of the SEEK Group Head Office
jul
OES Leadership Team and Board established
oct
Build of Swinburne Online units commences
nov
Student enrolment commences
feb
First eLearning Advisor’s hired for Swinburne Online remote workforce
mar
First Teaching Period commences with over 500 students enrolled across eight programs
sep
Direct sales channel launches for Teaching Period 3 recruitment
nov
Over 1,000 students enrolled at Swinburne Online
mar
Swinburne Online launches first postgraduate course: Master of Teaching
jun
OES’ remote workforce experiences significant growth to meet the growing demand of online courses with 120 eLAs
nov
Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) added to Swinburne Online suite of courses
nov
Over 4,000 students enrolled at Swinburne Online in 11 programs
mar
First six Swinburne Online students graduate
mar
Swinburne Online launches Master of Business Administration (MBA); Master of Professional Accounting; Bachelor of Design and Bachelor of Education (Primary)
may
OES awarded AON Hewitt Best Employer Award
nov
Over 6,000 students enrolled at Swinburne Online in 15 higher education programs
dec
First TVC launched for Swinburne Online (We’ll see you through)
dec
82 Swinburne Online graduates for the year
mar
Moved locations out of SEEK Head Office to OES-branded office space to accommodate growth
may
AON Hewitt Best Employer 2nd year running
sep
Swinburne Online TAFE courses launched with five business diplomas
sep
Courses available for international students to study online
oct
OES named #1 on the 2015 BRW Fast 100 for outstanding business growth
nov
Over 8,000 students enrolled at Swinburne Online in 20 higher education programs
dec
545 Swinburne Online students graduate for the year
mar
First three international students commence
may
AON Hewitt Best Employer for 3rd consecutive year
aug
1,100 Swinburne Online students graduate and join the ranks of the 140,000 strong Swinburne University Alumni
aug
Over 9,500 students enrolled at Swinburne Online in 20 higher education programs
mar
SEEK increase ownership in OES from 50 percent to 80 percent
jun
2,190 Swinburne Online students graduate
jul
OES named ‘Best of the Best’ in Aon Hewitt Best Employer awards and accredited as a Best Employer for fourth consecutive year
aug
Over 10,000 students enrolled
sep
OES enters into a strategic partnership with Western Sydney University for end-to end OPM services. Five undergraduate degrees across Business and Social Science launched through Western Sydney University Online
apr
OES’s first international office opens in London, United Kingdom
oct
OES enters into a strategic partnership with Queensland University of Technology (QUT) for end-to end OPM services. QUT Online launches six weeks after the partnership is announced, offering postgraduate courses across health, communications, business and education.
nov
OES acquires UK online program management provider the Interactive Design Institute (IDI). IDI is an end-to-end online education provider, delivering undergraduate and postgraduate degrees through partnerships with the University of Hertfordshire and the University of Aberdeen.
may
OES partners with Auckland Online to provide discrete learning design services to assist them in developing a range of high quality, engaging online postgraduate programs.
nov
The first University of Aberdeen MBA and MSc Finance graduate (16)
dec
First QUT Online students graduate (36)
feb
OES enters into a strategic partnership with Monash University, a top 100 university in the world and member of the Group of Eight to deliver end-to end OPM services. The first intake of a suite of postgraduate courses targeted at the needs of professionals who want to accelerate or change their career are to commence in June.
mar
OES partners with Irabina Autism Services (IAS) to provide discrete learning design services. IAS is Australia’s largest paediatric Autism specific service provider, to create a new course on Applied Behaviour Therapy. The project is supported by the Victorian State Government Workforce Training and Innovation Fund. The course receives a LearnX award for Best Agile eLearning Design in September 2020
apr
OES partners with Queen Mary, University of London’s for discrete learning design and production services, working closely with the University’s academic staff to create engaging and educative, underpinned by academic excellence. The partnership spans learning strategy, design, development and production for online and blended programs
apr
Swinburne Online launches Diploma of Nursing in response to government priority areas
oct
OES enters into a strategic partnership with Engineering Education Australia (EEA), the training and development arm of Engineers Australia, Australia’s peak body for the engineering profession. OES will assist EEA to build a bespoke learning platform and to develop and provision a suite of online professional development for engineers, professionals, and engineering organisations.
oct
OES partners with Teach for Australia, a not-for-profit organisation working to break the cycle of disadvantage through teaching and leadership in education. OES provided Simulation services to Teach for Australia to prepare educators for challenging classroom behaviours through immersive virtual learning experiences.
nov
OES expands its operations in the US, Middle East and South Africa through a majority investment in Construct Education, a global leader in online learning design. Construct helps organisations create cutting edge digital learning experiences.