James Sully
Cardiff
Summary
Accomplished professional with expertise in evidence-based policy development, strategic analysis, and problem-solving. Demonstrates proficiency in multi-agency coordination and stakeholder engagement, effectively influencing senior decision-makers. Skilled in high-pressure decision-making, delivering statutory outputs and clear recommendations during fast-moving incidents. Proven track record in programme and project leadership, managing procurement, funding, and governance. Adept at clear and concise communication through senior-level briefings and technical advice. Committed to operational and organisational judgement, prioritising complex workloads while maintaining accuracy under pressure.
Overview
1
1
year of post-secondary education
12
12
years of professional experience
Work history
Animal Disease Policy Lead
Welsh Government
Cardiff
2025.04 - 2026.07
- Led national animal disease policy and multi‑agency incident response during fast‑moving outbreaks.
- Drafted and secured urgent statutory control measures; coordinated rapid cross‑government communications.
- Provided clear, evidence‑based advice to Ministers and senior officials during high‑pressure incidents.
- Identified strategic evidence gaps and commissioned national surveillance projects to strengthen policy foundations.
- Secured programme funding through robust business case development and managed procurement and contract delivery to ensure effective implementation.
- Developed innovative, long-term policy solutions addressing persistent animal health challenges, enhancing the resilience of the sector.
- Coordinated UK‑wide policy alignment with Defra, APHA and devolved governments during multi‑administration outbreaks.
- Balanced disease control requirements with industry impacts by implementing proportionate, evidence-driven decision-making that supported stakeholder interests.
- Communicated complex scientific and operational issues clearly to senior stakeholders and delivery partners.
- Worked flexible hours, covering nights, weekends and bank holidays.
Finance & Strategy Manager
Welsh Government
Cardiff
2019.08 - 2025.04
- Supported senior leaders in financial planning, strategic analysis and governance, enhancing understanding of complex corporate processes and high-pressure decision‑making.
- Managed multiple concurrent workstreams, including coordinating year‑end accruals and FSA annexes, delivering accurate, time‑critical outputs under competing demands.
- Led the annual SLA/KPI negotiation process with APHA, analysing technical policy proposals, identifying areas of divergence and influencing agreement through clear, purposeful communication.
- Chaired cross‑government discussions between policy leads and APHA, facilitating consensus, navigating sensitive issues and ensuring decisions were accurately captured for senior approval.
- Strengthened planning and prioritisation capability by structuring workloads, delegating effectively and training team support, resulting in increased team capacity.
- Developed strong analytical skills, advanced communication capability and confidence operating in fast‑moving environments — forming a solid platform for progression into senior policy and strategic roles.
Pay & Pensions Support Officer
Welsh Government
Cardiff
2018.08 - 2019.08
- Processed pay changes for Welsh Government staff to strict monthly payroll deadlines, ensuring high levels of accuracy.
- Planned and prioritised workloads, identifying cases for financial adjustment and completing detailed pay calculations for promotions, partial retirements, secondments, and sickness to ensure accurate payroll processing.
- Maintained accurate personal records and monitored outstanding queries, resolving cases promptly to enhance employee satisfaction.
- Communicated clearly and professionally with employees at all grades, gathering required information and explaining pay changes, timelines and implications.
- Produced concise written records for each case, detailing recalculated pay, updated entitlements, and associated changes for future reference and compliance.
- Strengthened attention to detail, data‑management capability and confidence delivering time-critical outputs within tight payroll cycles.
Duty Property Manager
Welsh Government
Cardiff
2014.10 - 2016.03
- Joined Welsh Government as an Apprentice in the Property Management Team and progressed to a permanent Duty Property Manager role, reflecting strong performance and capability.
- Coordinated maintenance activity for Welsh Government tenants and contractors, ensuring compliance with statutory landlord responsibilities and enhancing tenant satisfaction.
- Challenged contractor performance and re-prioritised workloads to uphold service delivery standards and meet stakeholder expectations.
- Analysed incomplete or conflicting information to assess repair urgency, making timely decisions to minimise disruption and maintain service continuity.
- Strengthened problem‑solving capability by identifying practical solutions, balancing stakeholder needs and applying legal and procedural requirements confidently in fast‑moving situations.
Education
NVQ Level 2 - Business Administration
WJEC
Cardiff 2014.10 - 2016.03
GCSEs - Mathematics
Edexcel
CardiffGCSEs - Science
OCR
CardiffGCSEs - Media Studies
WJEC
CardiffGCSEs - Physical Education
WJEC
CardiffGCSEs - English
WJEC
CardiffGCSEs - Religious Studies
WJEC
CardiffSkills
- Policy Development – designing proportionate, practical interventions grounded in robust analysis
- Programme & Project Leadership – commissioning evidence projects, managing procurement, funding and governance
- Multi‑Agency Coordination – working confidently across government, delivery bodies and industry to align decisions and actions
- High‑Pressure Decision‑Making – delivering statutory outputs and clear recommendations during fast‑moving incidents
- Strategic Analysis & Problem Solving – interpreting incomplete information, assessing risk and shaping long‑term solutions
- Stakeholder Engagement & Influence – building consensus, navigating sensitive issues and influencing senior decision‑makers
- Clear & Concise Communication – producing senior‑level briefings, statutory documents and accessible technical advice
- Operational & Organisational Judgement – prioritising effectively, managing complex workloads and maintaining accuracy under pressure
Timeline
Animal Disease Policy Lead
Welsh Government
2025.04 - 2026.07
Finance & Strategy Manager
Welsh Government
2019.08 - 2025.04
Pay & Pensions Support Officer
Welsh Government
2018.08 - 2019.08
Duty Property Manager
Welsh Government
2014.10 - 2016.03
NVQ Level 2 - Business Administration
WJEC
2014.10 - 2016.03
GCSEs - Mathematics
Edexcel
GCSEs - Science
OCR
GCSEs - Media Studies
WJEC
GCSEs - Physical Education
WJEC
GCSEs - English
WJEC
GCSEs - Religious Studies
WJEC