Cassie Pickering

Experienced people, HR and executive-support professional with more than 14 years' leadership and personnel-management experience across the Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence and education sectors. Currently supporting career and workforce planning for approximately 1,200 personnel, combining complex casework, stakeholder engagement and operational decision-making. Strong background in employee welfare, coaching, project and event coordination, senior-leadership support and process improvement, with a reputation for building trusted relationships and delivering calmly in fast-paced environments.

ASSISTANT CAREER MANAGER at MINISTRY OF DEFENCE (2025-02 – Present)

• Support career management and workforce planning for approximately 1,200 Service personnel, including assignment forecasting and allocation of available workforce against operational requirements.
• Balance organisational needs with individual aspirations and career considerations to support informed, evidence-based assignment decisions.
• Produce and manage casework for complex personnel needs, ensuring information is accurate, clearly presented and progressed to appropriate stakeholders.
• Deliver an ongoing engagement and education programme, presenting to key stakeholders and customers on career-management processes and workforce matters.

DEPUTY HEADMASTER'S PA at ROYAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL (2023-01 – 2024-07)

• Provided comprehensive executive and administrative support to the Deputy Headmaster, including complex diary management, appointments, travel and confidential correspondence.
• Project-managed large-scale school events and supported wider initiatives including Character Education and Challenge Partners programmes.
• Supported admissions activity and coordinated student suspension and detention administration, including sensitive engagement with parents and senior staff.
• Supported digital and process-improvement projects by reviewing existing systems and introducing practical improvements to administrative workflows.
• Provided additional support to Assistant Heads and senior leadership as required, adapting quickly to changing priorities and high-volume workloads.

HR MANAGER, RAF COSFORD at ROYAL AIR FORCE (2021-04 – 2023-09)

• Led and developed HR personnel, using coaching and mentoring to improve confidence, capability and the quality of support delivered to staff.
• Advised colleagues and managers on employee welfare, discipline and personnel matters, balancing policy requirements with practical, people-focused solutions.
• Ensured compliance with Defence policy and procedures while constructively challenging inefficient practices and proposing workable alternatives.
• Managed competing priorities in a high-tempo environment, maintaining professional standards, discretion and responsive support to personnel and leadership.

Level 3 Certificate in Management & Leadership – Institute of Leadership and Management (2016 – 2016)

NVQ Level 2 in Business & Administration – MOD Southwick Park (2009 – 2009)