Banking on balance

BALANCING a fulfilling career while prioritising family to achieve a healthy work-life balance is a challenge many professionals face.

For Sarah Posterino and Karen Mason, two experienced senior business banking managers at Bendigo Bank, an innovative job-sharing arrangement has allowed them to excel in both.

Sarah and Karen have more than 40 years of business banking experience across business and commercial banking and risk management. Their success in structuring and managing their shared role not only benefits their work-life balance but also demonstrates a deep understanding of business principles, something their customers directly benefit from.

By carefully structuring their schedules, each working three days with an overlapping handover day, Sarah and Karen ensure a seamless experience for their business banking customers. Their ability to divide responsibilities efficiently while maintaining a high level of service reflects the strategic resource management that businesses value.

At the heart of their job-sharing arrangement is a commitment to delivering the best possible outcomes for their customers. “Our customers essentially get two sets of expertise and two problem-solving approaches,” Sarah said. “It allows us to bring fresh perspectives to challenges and offer well-rounded solutions to meet our customer’s needs,” Karen said.

Just like any successful business, Sarah and Karen have structured their job-share arrangement to ensure continuity with their customers in mind. “We maintain constant communication through detailed handover notes, meetings and shared documents,” Sarah said. “Our customers never feel a gap in service.”

Sarah and Karen’s ability to maximise efficiency while maintaining work-life balance showcases the kind of operational management that businesses value. “We’re highly organised because we have to be,” Sarah said. “Everything we do is designed to ensure smooth workflows and outcomes, just like in a well-run business.”

Job-sharing is still relatively uncommon in the business banking industry, but Sarah and Karen have proven that with the right structure, it can be an effective model for success. Their ability to implement an innovative working arrangement and thrive within it demonstrates adaptability, a critical skill in business.

“Our job-sharing arrangement isn’t just about flexibility,” Karen said. “It’s about working smarter, delivering better results and showing that you don’t have to choose between a great career and being a great parent. You can do both successfully.”

Reach out to Sarah and Karen to discover how they can support you with your business banking needs.

For more information, head to bendigobank.com.au/business