Launched in 2007, the Australian Institute of Management’s Young Manager of the Year award encourages and celebrates the contribution of young people to excellence in management.

Take advantage of this is amazing opportunity and get recognised for your management achievements so far. You’ll also have an incredible opportunity to network and connect with the wider management community at large. So why wait, make an executive decision and apply today.

The award is a great opportunity to raise your profile within the management community, helping to accelerate your management career as well as gaining recognition and acknowledgement for your skills. There’s also a fantastic prize package for the winner.

Part of the prize package on offer for the winner includes:

• The choice of any AIM courses (up to the value of $2,000)
• Collaboration with an executive coach to challenge your thinking and help you shape your management future ($5,000 value)
• 12 months AIM Personal Membership
• New iPad, 16GB Wi-Fi & Cellular
• Opportunity to compete in the AIM National Young Manager of the Year Award

Launched in 2007, this annual award is part of AIM's commitment to encouraging and celebrating the contribution of young people to excellence in management.

Originally named after former AIM NSW & ACT Chairman, James E Layt AM FAIM, in recognition of his role in the advancement of management practice in Australia.

Young managers aged 18 to 30 are encouraged to unleash their management potential and celebrate their role in inspiring management futures through this annual award.

The AIM NSW & ACT Young Manager of the Year could work in any organisation or industry in NSW or the ACT - or may even own a business employing more than five people. They might put themselves forward or be nominated by their employer, supervisor or colleagues.

Applicants need to prepare an online application to showcase their management experience according to the judging criteria outlined in the How to enter section.

Past contenders have held roles in sales, media, web development, government, pharmaceuticals and telecommunications. Can you bring something different to the Award?

Stage 1: Submissions
Submissions open on Wednesday 30 May 2012 and close on 5.00pm Friday 14 September 2012.
Submissions can be made online.

Stage 2: Shortlisting
Assessment of all award submissions and short listing of finalists.

Stage 3: Judging
Finalist interviews with the judging panel at AIM NSW & ACT in North Sydney will be held on Friday 19 October 2012. The AIM NSW & ACT Young Manager of the Year will be chosen based on their award submission and interview. The winner of the AIM NSW & ACT Young Manager of the Year will go on to compete in the AIM National Young Manager of the Year award held in Brisbane over 1 – 2 November 2012.

Stage 4: Award presentation
The official presentation of the AIM NSW & ACT Young Manager of the Year 2012 award will be at a AIM NSW & ACT event.

The award is a great opportunity to raise your profile within the management community, helping to accelerate your management career as well as gaining recognition and acknowledgement for your skills. There’s also a fantastic prize package for the winner.

Part of the prize package on offer for the winner includes:

• The choice of any AIM courses (up to the value of $2,000)
• Collaboration with an executive coach to challenge your thinking and help you shape your management future ($5,000 value)
• 12 months AIM Personal Membership
• New iPad, 16GB Wi-Fi & Cellular
• Opportunity to compete in the AIM National Young Manager of the Year Award

Show us that you have what it takes to be the next AIM Young Manager of the Year
It's easy to apply, but there are a few important steps to remember.

Resume
Update your resume with your work history, education and community activities, making sure you highlight your responsibilities and achievements in management.

Organisational chart
Obtain an up-to-date organisational chart showing your current position and reporting structure – including all senior staff, your direct reports and the total number of employees.

Professional and personal development
Collect copies of certificates, awards, press clippings and other evidence to support any community work or achievements that are relevant to your submission.

Referees
Include two business referees (employers, immediate supervisors, business partners or clients) on your Submission Cover Sheet. The judging panel may contact them for further information – please note all information obtained via reference checking remains strictly confidential.

Written questions
There are nine short written questions which you will need to complete as part of your application. Answers to these questions will demonstrate your management experience and capabilities according to the following judging criteria:

• Ability to manage complex tasks, people, process and the macro-environment:
  Provide an overview of your leadership and management style, highlighting significant changes, innovation or business improvement initiatives that demonstrate your skills in this area.


• Recognition of your leadership and management excellence by your organisation, board, staff or other stakeholders:
  Highlight your career progression and the complexity of the supplier, client and intra-organisational relationships you mange. Include promotions, awards and feedback you have received regarding your leadership and management style.


• Effective communication of your organisation’s goals and vision to all stakeholders:
  Illustrate how you have actively shared and communicated your organisation’s goals, vision and mission with relevant stakeholders.


• Commitment to mentoring or other leadership activities:
  Give practical examples of your leadership style and how you develop the potential of your staff. Detail any involvement in internal or external mentoring or public speaking programs.


• Financial performance:
  Demonstrate your business acumen and performance against budgets.

 

1. Click here to begin the online application.




2. You will need to create an account by entering your email and creating a password.




3. Enter your personal details and the details of two referees.




4. Upload a copy of your resume or create one using the 'Resume Builder'.




5. Upload a copy of your organisational chart.




6. Upload your supporting documentation.




7. Read and agree to the terms and conditions.




8. Complete the nine written answer questions. These will display after you agree to the terms and conditions.

 

While your application status is set to ‘EDIT’ you can save your application, logout and come back to it later.

Once you set your application status to ‘SUBMIT’ your application will be submitted and you will no longer be able to login or edit that application.

For each of the resume, organisational chart and supporting documentation sections you can only upload one file. If you have more than one document for each of these sections please scan them into one PDF file and upload.

Julie McKay
Executive Director, UN Women Australia

"In many ways, I feel like this Award has been won by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers who work every day to make UNIFEM Australia a stronger organisation – building our capacity to contribute to broader issues of gender equality. For me personally, it has made me think about my leadership journey – what I wanted to achieve, what I still want to achieve and how best to take the next step. I am honoured to win the Award and look forward to working with AIM over the next 12 months."

Julie McKay is one of the youngest Executive Directors of a national women's organisation in Australia, a position she has held for the past 3 and a half years. Starting as the sole staff member at UNIFEM Australia, Julie has balanced the management of publicity campaigns while successfully putting in place the plans and resources needed to achieve rapid business growth, while continuing throughout to inspire her team.

Passionate about building stronger links between the corporate and non-profit sectors, Julie is dedicated to finding ways to increase the profile of non-profit leaders who often go unrecognised for having management expertise. Julie feels that some of Australia's best leaders are in the non-profit sector because they are required to maintain a vision and lead their organisations with minimal resources.
 

Tal Rapke
Medical Affairs Manager, SANOFI-AVENTIS

"As a strong supporter of life-long learning I'm always looking for opportunities to develop and build upon my professional skills. This Award will provide the necessary support to continue my progression and impact as a manager and I feel fortunate to have received this recognition."

Tal Rapke began his career as a medical doctor, and after working in consulting in New York for a number of years, rose quickly at Sanofi-aventis to the position of Medical Affairs Manager.

One of the greatest challenges in his leadership journey has been to understand how to transition from thinking like a doctor to gaining self-awareness as a leader. Highly brand focused, Tal has introduced processes, brought together teams from across the business and aligned staff with the brand, achieving impactful results. Due to this success his business processes have been replicated in other divisions.

Tal is responsible for a team of medical experts and physicians and is focused on balancing patient health and commercial success while putting his unique knowledge as a clinician to good use as a mentor to high performing staff.

Maja Paleka
Business Director, BT Australia

"Since winning the award my confidence as a leader has grown. It couldn't have come at a better time - having just been promoted to Sales Manager, it increased my visibility and more recently played a part in my appointment at BT Australia. I encourage all young managers to go for it - the application process really makes you think about all the important issues in leadership and management that we sometimes just 'do' and rarely discuss... it's a great learning experience."

Tamara Sprod
General Manager TMF Operations, Employers Mutual

"Through the award I have had the opportunity to formally acknowledge the coaches and mentors who have invested their time in my personal and professional development. Preparing my submission allowed me to reflect upon and recognise the achievements I have experienced in my career to date, and to realise how fortunate I am to be surrounded by great people who have contributed to my leadership and management style. I am proud to have been awarded the Young Manager of the Year James E Layt Award and encourage all young managers to participate in the program and the development opportunities AIM offers."

Geraldine Chin Moody
Chief Operating Officer, BAKER & MCKENZIE

"The Award process is a great time for self reflection - a time to celebrate your successes, reflect on what is important to you and how you have got to where you are and think about your future... The Award (itself) is a bonus to open new doors and opportunities."

Martin Keetels
National Commercial Counsel and National Bid Manager, Konica Minolta

"I believe young managers have the unique opportunity to challenge existing stereotypes, understand emergent trends and add value to organisations aiming to commercialise and apply new and innovative concepts. I encourage all young managers to identify and capitalise on opportunities that will provide them the chance to build upon their skill set whilst delivering significant benefits to their business. I look forward to continuing my professional journey with the support of AIM and the Young Manager of the Year Award."

Martin Keetels, 29, began his career as the Associate to His Honour Judge O’Brien in the District Court of Queensland before moving to start his own legal and bid management consultancy. Martin then moved on to Konica Minolta, recognising the opportunities the company could offer in developing his leadership and managerial skills. At Konica Minolta, he has risen quickly through the ranks from Senior Bid Manager to become National Commercial Counsel and National Bid Manager. Martin also leads a small team within the business charged with evaluating and recommending strategic growth options in new markets.

Martin has demonstrated exceptional strategic vision and strong managerial values and displayed outstanding career progression, receiving two significant promotions during his three years at Konica Minolta. Driven by results, Martin works to build revenue and maximise profitability by promoting and encouraging an adaptable and knowledge-based team culture. He is passionate about driving the behaviours that deliver excellence and align with the company’s strategic direction.