MEET SARAH HUNTER

KEYNOTE SPEAKER LEADERSHIP SUMMIT WOMEN IN RETAIL & LICENSING

Sarah Hunter is the Managing Director of Officeworks, one of Australia’s leading retailers, selling a range of products and services in a variety of areas including technology, stationery, education resources, furniture, art supplies and print and create. Sarah leads a team of over 9,000 people at Officeworks while also raising a young family. She acknowledges that balancing personal and professional life isn’t always possible, saying, “There are times when family takes priority, like during a holiday, and other times when work demands more focus, such as during a major business milestone. What matters most is being present in the moment—whether with family or at work—and leading with authenticity.

Throughout her career, Sarah has emphasised the importance of sincerity in leadership. She believes in being true to oneself, stating, “I don’t have to behave like everyone else in the room to say what I want or be who I want to be.” This genuine approach allows her to navigate the challenges of executive roles without compromising her personal identity.

Sarah’s commitment to work-life balance is evident in the initiatives she has introduced at Officeworks. One of the first policies she implemented was the Growing Families Policy, designed to support parents in thriving both personally and professionally. Under her leadership, Officeworks has embraced flexible work arrangements, including hybrid working, recognising its importance in modern work culture.

To help other businesses foster flexible work environments, Officeworks launched Flexiworks, a platform that equips employees with the tools they need to work productively from any location. Sarah explains, “Flexiworks is designed to ensure hybrid teams are always supported with what they need to work effectively and safely—whether from home or anywhere else.” By promoting flexibility, this initiative enhances both productivity and employee well-being.

For Sarah, a strong alignment between personal values and workplace culture is essential to achieving a sustainable work-life balance. She emphasises the importance of hiring individuals whose values reflect those of Officeworks, advocating for a people-first approach: “Recruit for will, train for skill.” This philosophy fosters a cohesive and supportive work environment where employees feel engaged, understanding and better connected.

Her leadership style reflects a disciplined approach to strategy, particularly in distinguishing between crisis management and routine business operations. She understands the importance of balancing urgent priorities with long-term strategic goals, ensuring the business remains agile, stable, and resilient in the face of challenges. This approach allows Officeworks to navigate complexities while continuing to support customers, team members, and the broader community to work, learn, create and connect.

Sarah is also deeply passionate about ensuring all Australians have access to quality education, a foundation that has shaped her own leadership journey. Under her guidance, Officeworks has strengthened its 12-year partnerships with The Smith Family and the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation, raising vital funds to support children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Thanks to the generosity of customers, partners, and team members, Officeworks has helped provide scholarships and educational resources to more than 98,000 children across Australia—an achievement Sarah is immensely proud of.