Don
Don Magin, CEO of the Greater Building Society has been with the Greater since 1986, and after more than 20 years in a senior management position, was appointed as CEO in April 2008.
"Why have I stayed with the one organisation for so long? Very simply, it is because I enjoy my job, the challenges that I have been offered over the years, and the great people that I have worked with in many different areas, both within Head Office and throughout our branch network. And I am not unique – many of our staff have over 20 years with the Greater.
As someone thinking about a career with the Greater, these may seem to be clichéd statements, but we have been able to build a wonderful culture that has been developed over a long period of time. As part of the "Greater family" you will get to share in our achievements and disappointments, the good times and the tough times, and you will find that throughout it all we still manage to have a bit of fun. We will genuinely care for you, both in a work sense and personally. We will do whatever we need to do to support you if things aren't going so well.
As a progressive and growing organisation, we would like to think that we were able to offer you opportunities to progress – not that I am looking to hand over my job just yet!
In my own case, I joined the Greater to manage the IT Department. Over the years, I was given responsibilities for many areas, including opportunities to represent the Greater on a number of industry committees, including those with representatives from the major banks. Without these additional and diverse challenges, I don't think I would have been considered as someone with the skills and knowledge to run a financial institution as large and as complex as the Greater.
We also have a strong commitment to the community, and we provide support in many ways to organisations such as Hunter Medical Research Institute, Mayumarri – Healing Survivors of Child Abuse, and Wesley Mission's LifeForce suicide prevention program.
I believe that a career at the Greater would be both satisfying and challenging, and you could become part of a dynamic organisation that is providing a real alternative to the major banks in regional NSW and South East QLD."
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Gavin
Gavin has been with the Greater since 2002 and is currently one of our Branch Managers.
"I started as a Financial Services Trainee (Member Service Officer) and completed a 12 month traineeship. After this I worked in a number of branches across the region as a member Service Officer before undertaking a secondment within Head Office at Hamilton. During this time I experienced first hand the processes, systems and behind the scenes operations within the Transaction Services Department and Call Centre. Having the opportunity to experience the Greater's business operations from other angles has been most valuable in helping me lead my teams to ensure that our objectives are carried out accurately and efficiently. I have progressed through various Branch Supervisor roles across the branch network and also taken advantage of challenges including being seconded to manage various Greater branches away from home for extended periods of time. At the age of 22 I was appointed Branch Manager, making me one of the youngest Branch Managers within the Society.
The Branch Manager role is constantly evolving, the challenges we face on a daily basis are wide ranging. The diversity, planning and the people are what I enjoy most about my role.
The culture starts at the very top and flows right through the whole organisation. The people at the Greater have a genuine bond with each other – something rarely seen in many companies today.
I undertook a position recently at one of our northern branches and upon my arrival I literally felt like I had entered a Greater branch near my house. The people were welcoming and gave me all the assistance I needed in settling into both the office and the town. This culture is embedded within the organisation and extends wherever we are located and will continue to do so wherever we go to next.
The Greater focuses on progressive growth rather than simply writing the business and calling the next number in the queue. The culture, attitude and understanding shared by employees makes the Greater what it is and is what will continue to draw people to us.
There are a variety of opportunities to advance your career with the Greater. Some of these include in house training programs such as frontline fundamentals and lending assessment skills as well as a variety of training workshops & branch visits conducted throughout the year with our business partners.
I have completed a number of internal and external courses that have been offered by Greater or courses which Greater has supported me in completing. The Greater seeks to make the most of its employees with on the job career development. Opportunities to act within a higher position are often allocated in house to existing employees who are wishing to advance their career. I've done this myself and found that it's the best way to broaden your experience as well as dealing with a variety of people at varying offices."
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Faith
Faith has been with the Greater since 2002, where she started in a part time capacity and is currently a Branch Supervisor.
Faith finds her role rewarding and challenging.
"I enjoy the vast variety of challenges in regards to lending, daily tasks and the responsibility that comes with such a leadership role.
What I enjoy most about our culture is the people, we pride ourselves on the level of customer service we provide to our members. We care about our members needs and strive to best meet those needs with the products, services and resources available to us."
Faith explains some of the development opportunities available to progress your career.
"I have completed branch manager relief at several different branches on the Central Coast and Newcastle areas, manager meetings and training programs to better develop my skills and knowledge base."
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Dianna
Dianna has been with the Greater since 1999 and is currently a Part Time Member Services Officer.
"I started at the Greater as a casual Member Service Officer which gave me the opportunity to meet staff and members at various branches. I then transferred to Elermore Vale Branch as Part time MSO which was then changed to a Part time Job Share Position for my benefit. I have been there for a happy 9 years.
I enjoy the face to face customer service in the branch, the flexibility of my job share position and the great staff I work with.
The Greater is not to big to form close relationships with our members. We are not just dealing with customers we are dealing with people we know.
When you work in a relaxed, friendly environment and offer excellent products it filters through to our customer service.
My Part time Job Share position, gives me the flexibility to take time off if required for my family."
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Jan
Jan has been with the Greater since 1996, in a variety of roles from frontline customer service to her current role of Advances Supervisor in our Loans Department.
"I enjoy the variety of work within the section, working with my team to improve our systems and implementing changes, it's very rewarding. We help customer's everyday by meeting our service levels and that's very satisfying.
What sets the Greater apart is the culture of the organisation from our line managers to the Chief Executive Officer who all care for their staff in ways I have never experienced before. The Greater also encourages staff to put forward ideas to improve work process and systems, they listen to the users."
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Margaret
Margaret has been with the Greater since 2006, starting as a casual Member Service Officer progressing to a Customer Contact Consultant in our call centre.
"I enjoy my current role, our calls and requests are so varied it allows me to constantly expand my knowledge. Our Customer Service Department is not an automated service so our members are dealing directly with us. We are committed to assisting them with their enquiries and go the extra mile. We follow up where necessary and refer on when needed .
There are new job opportunities advertised weekly on our internal Intranet for current employees to apply for, this allows people to change departments and progress if they desire to."
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Matt
Matt has had a varied career, starting with us in 1992, as a Trainee. Matt spent time in our Finance Department as an Assistant Accountant and now is our Transaction Services Manager.
"I enjoy the variety involved in the position. Any given day can include supporting/mentoring staff, resolving operational issues, reviewing department budgets and expenditure through to negotiating contracts with potential suppliers and being involved with major project development.
My current position involves constant communication with a range of people including staff, senior management, internal and external customers, suppliers and regulators. The range of people I work with provide additional variety to the role and it's satisfying to be able to work closely with other's to achieve common goals and outcomes."
Matt explains what is unique about the Greater's culture?
"It's Openness. From my experience staff are encouraged to provide feedback and comments on issues affecting their area of the business to Management and this results in a range of suggestions and ideas on how we can do things better".
"The Greater has an open; 'people orientated' culture. Although one of the Greater's objectives is to be 'customer focused' I think that generally our staff just like helping people."
Matt started as a trainee and has been supported through his career to develop and progress.
"The Greater have provided me with support and opportunities to continue my study since my traineeship, including a Bachelor of Commerce and CPA program. The Greater has encouraged me to implement and use ideas I have learned throughout these courses into my past and current roles."
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