Can you replace Nic?

Nic Stephen’s early life in Hobart was influenced and defined by integrity.

His parents were at the forefront of Tasmania’s organic movement and education innovation.

Dad David, was alongside Lester Jones and Peter Cundall as organic gardening gurus, while mum Helen spent 50 years growing children’s lives as a visionary and passionate teacher.

It was Helen who showed Nic empathy, grace and humility and those traits have become the hallmarks of his professional life and most recently honed in his role as General Manager, Operations, Hobart with Tasmanian disability provider, StGiles.

Nic has stepped into another role with StGiles, and was last month made General Manager of Organisational and Business development.

He said his replacement in Hobart should be someone who truly appreciates the dynamic buzz of interacting with a diversity of people.

“Someone who has a true love of people – who is fulfilled by personal interaction and excitement and has a real interest in all people – from an excited child or a fearful parent to a starry-eyed young graduate or a gifted, senior allied health professional.

The organisation head-hunted Nic after a year of providing guidance to the StGiles leadership and management teams as well as being a guest speaker at the organisation’s annual staff day. He knew what he was getting into and will mentor his replacement.

StGiles is a strange beast – most people assume that the organisation is a lot smaller than it really is.

With an annual turnover of $23million and 400 staff dispersed from campuses in Hobart, Launceston and Burnie, StGiles is one of Tasmania’s largest not-for-profits, annually reaching around 3000 Tasmanians, of all ages, living with disability.

Are you like Nic?

He believes the past decade of his professional life has been leading towards his new role – his interests in social justice and health with roles including volunteer ambassador for the Stroke Foundation and volunteer Chairman of Pathways Tasmania ( youth housing & drug rehab) since 2016, show a person who is living by a set of values that also reflect those of his island home, Tasmania.

If you think you can step into Nic’s shoes you have to be ready to adopt the reverse triangle approach to management.

“You have to be able to build people and teams,’’ he said and “enjoy the cut and thrust of a truly operational role – StGiles has many moving parts and I have thrived on the energy – my replacement needs to be someone who brings experience and enjoys that kind of energy,’’ Nic said.

If you’re interested in leading our teams, you can find out more about the Hobart based General Manager Operations here.