Joel Fichera
Strategy and Transformation
I am a former strategy and transformation consultant with over six years in consulting and two years in corporate advisory. I have earlier experience in sales (Walt DisneyWorld) and academic research.
Currently, I am Head of Transformation at Virgin Australia, where I have worked since 2024.
What I Bring
A non-exhaustive list of my professional approach and skills.
My Approach: A focus on achieving results as a team, while balancing data analysis and understanding that not all ambiguity can be removed.
Hard Skills: Strategy development, operation model development, project and program management, financial modelling, business case development, and data analysis.
Soft Skills: Leadership through the line and through influence, effective written and verbal communication, delivering engaging workshops and presentations from the front-line the Board Level, and development and Mentoring of teams.
My Professional Experience
I have a unique mixture of degrees, professional experience, and industry exposure that makes we well suited to jump into the deep end, make sense of what is happening, and chart a direction forward.
I have a Bachelor of Science (Major: Psychology) and a dual MBA and Master of Marketing. This provides me the foundation that has made it possible for me to integrate effectively across many different industries, teams, and client contexts.
I have held roles in transformation, strategy and implementation consulting, HR consulting, corporate advisory, and academia. I have worked in or consulted for airlines, hospitals, theme parks, financial services, energy, mining, manufacturing, and F&B.
Experience and Education
Experience and Education
Professional Experience
Virgin Australia
Head of Transformation
Jul 2024 – Present
Partners in Performance
Manager (Engagement Lead)
Provided strategic and operational consulting for tier 1 and 2 companies – notable projects include driving performance uplift in underground mining, accelerating execution for a national infrastructure project, portfolio prioritisation across multiple industries, PMO design (and redesign), services strategy for a financial services provider, market sizing and strategy for the venture arm of an energy company.
Feb 2023 – Jun 2024
Senior Associate
May 2021 – Jan 2023
Yellow Folder Research
Head of Delivery
As Head, I led the delivery function for the business spanning:
- People – Consultants and external teams,
- Process – workflows, project stages, project management, and
- Systems – identification, design and implementation of changes to core database as well as resulting reports
Jan 2019 – Aug 2019
Project Lead
Jul 2018 – Dec 2018
Lead Consultant – Research Projects
Oct 2016 – Jun 2018
Dragon Tree Capital
Analyst (Corporate Advisory)
Conducting comprehensive analyses and due diligence for capital raising and to provide investment advice across various sectors including mining, software and computer services, and healthcare equipment and services.
Aug 2014 – Oct 2016
Walt Disney World
Vacation Planner (Ticket Sales)
Based in Orlando, Florida. Professional sales focused role, regularly exceeded targets for up-selling and cross-selling.
Aug 2013 – Jun 2014
Cogstate Limited
Research Assistant
Data entry and analysis, and preparation of preliminary reports and literature reviews for studies relating to post-operative cognitive outcomes following major surgeries.
Jan 2013 – Aug 2013
Professional Experience
Head of Transformation
Jul 2024 – Present
Manager (Engagement Lead)
Feb 2023 – Jun 2024
Provided strategic and operational consulting for tier 1 and 2 companies – notable projects include driving performance uplift in underground mining, accelerating execution for a national infrastructure project, portfolio prioritisation across multiple industries, PMO design (and redesign), services strategy for a financial services provider, market sizing and strategy for the venture arm of an energy company.
Senior Associate
May 2021 – Jan 2023
Head of Delivery
Jan 2019 – Aug 2019
As Head, I led the delivery function for the business spanning:
- People – Consultants and external teams,
- Process – workflows, project stages, project management, and
- Systems – identification, design and implementation of changes to core database as well as resulting reports
Project Lead
Jul 2018 – Dec 2018
Lead Consultant – Research Projects
Oct 2016 – Jun 2018
Analyst (Corporate Advisory)
Aug 2014 – Oct 2016
Conducting comprehensive analyses and due diligence for capital raising and to provide investment advice across various sectors including mining, software and computer services, and healthcare equipment and services.
Vacation Planner (Ticket Sales)
Aug 2013 – Jun 2014
Based in Orlando, Florida. Professional sales focused role, regularly exceeded targets for up-selling and cross-selling.
Research Assistant
Jan 2013 – Aug 2013
Data entry and analysis, and preparation of preliminary reports and literature reviews for studies relating to post-operative cognitive outcomes following major surgeries.
Education
Melbourne Business School
Master of Business Administration and Master of Marketing
H1 Average and Dean’s List
President (FT) of MBS Consulting Club
2019 – 2021
RMIT University
Bachelor of Applied Science (Hons.), Psychology
Thesis: Complex Executive Function in Schizophrenia, Nature and Magnitude of Impairment, and Relationships to Functional Activities of Daily Living.
Major Areas of Study: Research Methods, Advanced Research Methods, Advanced Topics in Psychology, Psychological Assessment and Intervention.
2012 – 2012
University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Science, Psychology
Major Areas of Study: Psychology, Research Methodology and Statistics, Genetics and Biology, Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Philosophy.
2009 – 2011
Additional Education
Harvard Business School Online – Credential of Readiness
A course covering the fundamentals of business; Business Analytics, Economics for Managers, and Financial Accounting.
Udacity – Intro to Programming Nanodegree
A course covering the fundamentals of programming (HTML, CSS, Python).
Various
Education
Master of Business Administration and Master of Marketing
2019 – 2021
H1 Average and Dean’s List
President (FT) of MBS Consulting Club
Bachelor of Applied Science (Hons.), Psychology
2012-2012
Thesis: Complex Executive Function in Schizophrenia, Nature and Magnitude of Impairment, and Relationships to Functional Activities of Daily Living.
Major Areas of Study: Research Methods, Advanced Research Methods, Advanced Topics in Psychology, Psychological Assessment and Intervention.
Bachelor of Science, Psychology
2009-2011
Major Areas of Study: Psychology, Research Methodology and Statistics, Genetics and Biology, Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Philosophy.
More about me
In addition to my education and professional pursuits, I enjoy cooking, indoor bouldering, boardgames, and exploring Brisbane and it’s beautiful surrounds.
Contact
Email: Joelfichera@gmail.com
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/joelfichera/
Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Contact
Email: Joelfichera@gmail.com
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/joelfichera/
Location: Brisbane, Queensland