Merit People

Janice Sturgess

Executive Consultant

Qualifications: 

Bachelor of Arts (University of Queensland) 
Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (QUT)

Professional Associations: 

Australian Human Resources Institute
Certified Professional
Australian Institute of Company Directors
Member

Career Details
Jan was joint Managing Director of Merit Solutions from 1996 to 2010 and she continues with 
Merit as an Executive Consultant.  Her earlier career involved senior HR positions in 
Commonwealth Departments, notably the Department of Human Services and Health where for 5 
years she was HR Manager for a regional network of some 700 staff.  She gained useful 
governance exposure in a lead agency as the State Manager of the Merit Protection and Review 
Agency.  

Recruitment and Selection 
Jan has specialised in recruitment and selection services.  She has chaired Appeal Review 
Committees in the Commonwealth and the Brisbane City Council, undertaken major recruitment 
and selection projects and advised on and managed large selection exercises.  Jan has a great 
depth of experience across all jurisdictions as an independent panel member or in supporting 
Senior Executives to select to SES and SO roles.  Providing expert advice in advertising, 
shortlisting large fields for interview, psychological assessment, interview strategies and referee 
checking, Jan has developed a reputation for absolute discretion, expert advice and responsive 
delivery.  She is accredited to use the PAPI psychological profiling tool. 

Coaching and Training
Jan has a long history of designing and providing training for management development, client 
service and recruitment practices.  With Merit Solutions, Jan has built a reputation for coaching, 
mentoring and training managers and panel members in selection policies and procedures, as 
well as coaching job applicants both pre and post selection exercises.  

Research, Analysis and Reporting
Jan has undertaken broader consulting roles and brings insights from 15 years as a business 
manager developing business cases and tender documents.  Consulting to agencies across all 
jurisdictions has required analysis of central policy frameworks and individual agency 
requirements.  She has successfully prepared submissions for organisational reviews, Role 
Statement approvals, performance management, suitability assessments and selections.  

Organisational Design and Governance
Jan has managed significant change projects arising from Award and Departmental restructures.  
As a Consultant, she has continued her experience through advising managers and developing 
and reviewing Role Statements.  Committee roles, exposure as a Company Director and current 
AICD Company Director Diploma studies have developed an interest in corporate governance.

Other Achievements
Jan’s community interests have involved her for many years in committee roles with 
professional, school and sporting groups and she is a life member of the 139 Club in Brisbane.