Merit People

Richard Hancock

Senior Consultant

Qualifications:     	Bachelor of Arts (Administration)

Career Details:	

Richard has recently joined Merit Solutions and brings with him an extensive range of experience 
in HR, program policy and delivery and IT&T management and procurement.  Richard has had a 
30 year career with the Commonwealth Public Service followed by 3 years as a manager and 
senior consultant with InTACT, the ACT Government IT&T provider. 

Richard was employed in the Department of Employment Education and Training for 14 years in 
senior roles as Director Personnel Policy, Director Budgeting and Staffing and Area Manager for 
North Queensland.  As Area Manager Richard was responsible for in excess of 400 staff located 
in 13 offices with a  sizable budget.

In 1996 Richard was a senior member of the team responsible for closing the Commonwealth 
Employment Service and the creation of Employment National as a business entity.  In this role 
Richard was responsible for a range of infrastructure issues including property and information 
technology.  Richard was also project manager for the implementation of SAP which included the 
HR and Finance modules. 

From 2001 to 2004 Richard was the project manager responsible for the review of the ACT 
Government’s contracts for the supply of all IT&T products and services and the conduct of 
tenders for new arrangements. The value of these contracts exceeded 70m.  In this role 
Richard was responsible for the preparation of all tender documentation, conduct of the tender 
process (including Chair of the various assessment panels) and contract negotiations with the 
selected vendors.  

Selection Skills:

Richard has had extensive experience in staff selection in the Commonwealth Public Service; in 
the Public Service Board, Industries Assistance Commission, Department of Defence and the 
Department of Employment Education and Training.  This experience has included selection 
panel chair and member, preparation of selection reports, selection approval delegate, 
Departmental representative on Appeal Review Committees and selection policy/guideline 
development and implementation.  

Other Achievements:
		
Richard is experienced in complex contract negotiations and management, including contract 
terminations, with high profile vendors.  This has included working closely with legal counsel.  
Richard has been a member and Chair of the Australian SAP User Group.

Richard has developed risk assessment plans, undertaken reviews/analysis and developed 
recommendations on complex and high value IT&T projects, including gaining senior 
management and ministerial approval. Richard has developed and managed Service Level 
Agreements for the delivery of IT&T products and services.