Staff Profile: Jean Bayron – CIE Hub and Operations Manager

8 March 2024

Tell us a little bit about your background and how you ended up at CIE? 

My career journey has been quite diverse. Originally, I trained as a nurse in the Philippines. However, upon moving to New Zealand, I decided to pursue opportunities in office environments. With a postgraduate diploma in accounting, I landed a job in finance at the University. Later on, I transitioned to operations at the FMHS Simulation Centre for Patient Safety. I served as Operations Coordinator for four years and then transitioned into the role of Technical Manager, where I assisted academics in running their courses by controlling the mannequins and the equipment and also did a lot of troubleshooting. This path eventually led me to CIE, where I am eager to take on new challenges. 

What does being the Hub and Operations Manager at CIE involve? 

My role revolves around streamlining administrative tasks across various teams within CIE. Previously, each team handled its own administrative work, but now our team centralises and streamlines these tasks to support everyone better. It’s quite a challenging role, but we’re learning and making progress every day. 

What drew you to this role in CIE? 

The vibrant energy and innovative spirit at CIE were major draws for me. Coming from a healthcare background, I found the dynamic atmosphere and collaborative energy of CIE captivating. Moreover, the opportunity to work in a bigger team and take on a brand-new challenge was something I couldn’t pass up. 

What is your favourite part of your job? 

I’d say the innovation aspect is what I enjoy the most. Every day, I get to brainstorm with the team and think about how we can make things better for everyone at CIE. It’s like solving a puzzle, and I find it incredibly rewarding to come up with creative solutions to improve our operations. 

What kind of advice would you give people who aren’t sure if innovation and entrepreneurship are for them? 

I would encourage them to take the leap and try it out. Stepping out of your comfort zone can be intimidating, but you never know what opportunities await you. If I can make the transition from nursing to management, anyone can do it. Don’t be afraid to explore new possibilities and embrace the unknown. 

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be? 

That’s an easy one – I’d choose to have dinner with my husband. We’ve been through a lot together, and there’s no one else I’d rather share a dinner with. Our journey, from navigating visa applications to pursuing our dreams in New Zealand, has been incredibly meaningful. As we do not have children, we are all that we have got, so we are really close and I’d love to celebrate that over a nice dinner. 

When you’re not working, what would we find you doing? 

During my downtime, you’ll often find me relaxing and unwinding by watching Netflix, particularly real crime documentaries. It’s a great way for me to switch off and immerse myself in something completely different. Additionally, I have a passion for sewing, which I’ve been cultivating over the years. When I was little, my mom used to make clothes for my barbies, and that is probably where my love for sewing comes from. Four years ago I have bought my first sewing machine and have been teaching myself how to use it by watching tutorials on YouTube.  Whether it’s creating props for my husband’s anime and Marvel figures photography or experimenting with new sewing projects, it’s a hobby that brings me joy and allows me to express my creativity outside of work.