To celebrate International Women’s Day for 2024, we sat down with one of our dedicated female leaders Amanda, our Marion Branch Manager.
Starting with Police Credit Union nearly six years ago as a Loans Consultant, Amanda quickly moved into the Branch Manager role after returning to the industry she had extensively learned before taking a decade long break. She now leads a high performing team at our Marion branch which provides Members with a customer experience that is second to none. When Amanda isn’t supporting Members, she is mentoring her team to reach their personal and professional goals.
What made you pursue your current role?
Before joining Police Credit Union, I stepped away from the Finance industry for 10 years to raise my daughter and had various part time roles. I then joined the Direct Lending Unit at Police Credit Union as a full time Loans Consultant. I was excited to take on this role as it was a return to a place of comfort and to an industry I knew and loved. With my background and expertise in banking and leading high performing teams, my goal in returning to full time work was always to become a Branch Manager. Within my first year as a Loans Consultant, I was excited to have the opportunity to apply for the Branch Manager position in the Marion branch. I was beyond thrilled to be the successful applicant for this position.
What do you love most about your role?
Working within my passions for engaging with people, coaching and mentoring, and supporting their personal and professional growth has been some of the most rewarding parts of leading the Marion team. It’s a bonus that the entire team are strong, wonderful women.
What is a career highlight or special memory you have from your time at Police Credit Union?
A special memory I have at Police Credit Union happened at our most recent Staff Celebration Night. I was honoured to receive an award for my dedicated internal customer service achievements. This achievement was only made more amazing when two of my team members were also recognised for their high achievements and member service. The pride I feel seeing my team achieve their personal and professional best is a true delight.
What are some of your favourite things about working at Police Credit Union?
Without a doubt, my favourite thing about working at Police Credit Union is the people, including the wonderful Marion branch team and our incredible members. Seeing my team achieve their goals and guiding them to success brings a joy to my day that is hard to put into words. Meeting and helping our Members on a daily basis is a true passion of mine. Working as a team to ensure they get the best service and outcomes possible is one of the most rewarding parts of my role.
Additionally, I feel immensely proud of the opportunities I have had to engage directly with our Platinum Members in their workplaces and within the community.
Finally, I enjoy the support for my own professional development and growth. I have had many opportunities to be involved with various aspects of the wider business. Working for an employer who is truly invested in my growth and personal development is very rewarding and something I am grateful for.
What are your tips for leading a high performing team?
My tips for leading a high performing team align closely with my personal values and are a huge part of what I believe makes me a successful leader. Leading by example, I demonstrate my values, work ethic, and behaviours I expect from my team to set a positive tone and the standard of work. Clear communication should be a priority in any team environment and I always ensure that expectations and feedback are clearly communicated. This helps with individual performance as well as fostering team alignment and overall success. I cultivate a collaborative environment with open conversations and mutual respect, ensuring that everyone in my team feels valued and respected. It’s very important to me to recognise and celebrate the accomplishments of individual team members and my team as a whole.
As a leader, I think it’s important I provide support and resources, ensuring my team have the necessary tools and training to excel. I always provide guidance where needed. I also think it’s important to delegate tasks and responsibilities effectively, giving each team member the opportunity to grow and develop. Finally, I promote fun and work-life balance in the workplace.
By implementing these strategies, I have created a cohesive and high-performing team that thrives in achieving its goals and exceeds expectations.
What are your tips for young women who are wanting to pursue a role in the banking industry?
I suggest finding a blend between an educational background in finance and operational experience. Seek out entry level roles to gain practical experience and explore different facets of the industry. A great starting place is at Member first organisations where you can work within a team environment and learn from those around you. If you can continuously improve your own financial knowledge, communication skills, and networking abilities, you can enhance your career and find areas of the industry you never expected to enjoy. I also really encourage seeking a female mentor for guidance and support. Ultimately it comes down to advocating for yourself, embracing challenges and opportunities for growth, and remaining resilient.
How do you balance a busy work life and home life?
My partner is the chef in our home and I am lucky he cooks wonderful meals for us every night. The nature of David’s work means there is no real structure as his shifts vary all time. We all go day by day with a loose menu plan for meals and remain flexible on how the day will end.
My almost 16-year-old daughter has started a new school this year and is so independent. She organises her travel and her work shifts.
The balance for me is to not get caught up in the busyness of the world. Take moments to relax, try not to have too many commitments and be prepared to just go with the flow.
The theme for this International Women’s day is #InspireInclusion. Why do you believe it’s important for organisations like Police Credit Union to inspire the inclusion of women?
I believe it’s important for Police Credit Union to inspire the inclusion of women because diversity drives innovation, creativity and overall success. By embracing a diverse workforce that includes women, we benefit from a wider range of perspectives, experiences, and skills leading to better decision-making and problem-solving. Promoting gender inclusion creates a positive work culture, where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute. This not only enhances employee morale and engagement but also demonstrates a commitment to social responsibility and equality, which can continue to build on our reputation and attract top talent. Overall, inspiring the inclusion of women in all organisations is not only the right thing to do ethically but also essential for driving growth and competitiveness in our marketplace.