Damien Sweeney Promoted to Principal Consultant

Allura Partners has promoted Damien Sweeney to Principal Consultant in the Transformation and Change division. Specialising in Project Delivery and Senior Transformation roles for private equity-backed and ASX-listed companies, Damien brings valuable insights gained from his own professional journey as a former Business Analyst. 

Prior to joining Allura Partners, Damien worked as a Business Analyst with a global insurance provider in Ireland, where he gained first-hand experience in transformation initiatives across the EMEA region. “Working directly in this environment was incredibly useful for understanding the challenges of large-scale transformation programs” Damien observed. “It means I can quickly understand what clients need and evaluate candidates’ capabilities more effectively.”  

Additionally, he said, “When reviewing CVs or speaking with candidates, I can identify genuine expertise, probe deeper into their experience and help them to present their strengths. We find this particularly valuable in roles like Scrum Master, where many candidates may have the certification but varying levels of practical experience.” 

A Curiosity for Business and People 

Damien’s approach to recruitment is shaped by a genuine curiosity for people and business. 

“I’ve always been interested in what people do for work and how they got to where they are, as well as understanding how businesses structure themselves for success,” he explained. 

Through his work with major organisations in various industries, such as insurance, construction and private equity, Damien has acquired critical insights into how different companies approach transformation. 

“It’s fascinating to see how complex organisations operate... No two companies are structured the same way. Even within similar roles, such as IT Project Management, the methodologies, team structures, and delivery approaches can vary significantly. This knowledge helps me match candidates more effectively to specific organisational cultures and requirements.” 

At Allura Partners, Damien specialises in project delivery roles, including project managers, program managers, portfolio managers, project management office specialists, and agile delivery professionals. He works across various sectors, including insurance, construction, FMCG, and retail, as well as private equity-backed organisations and ASX-listed companies. 

 “Private equity environments typically run lean operations focussed on transformation and value creation,” he observed. “This requires a different type of candidate – someone who can operate effectively in a fast-paced, results-driven environment while managing significant change initiatives.  

Lean Into Your Network 

As Australia slowly emerges from a challenging economic period, Damien said it’s important for candidates to “lean in” on the support of their network. 

“At a time when companies have been putting major transformation projects on hold or even deciding not to progress them, we’ve definitely had a surplus of candidates. Some people have been out of work for six to nine months. I make a point of telling them that this is not a reflection on them. It’s simply a reflection on the market – and the market is changing. As we turn the corner, I encourage candidates to lean on their networks to reach out and see who can help, who can support them, and who can get them a referral. And to work with a specialist recruitment consultancy – like Allura Partners – that can help position them for the roles that hold most potential”. 

Cultural Fit Prevails 

Success in recruitment, Damien said, comes down to more than matching a candidate’s technical capabilities with the job spec; it also comes down to cultural fit and personal attributes. And this is where he has proven his capabilities: Damien’s promotion to Principal Consultant reflects his success in understanding client and candidate needs and building strong, lasting relationships. 

“When I work with candidates, I look for those who can be assertive without being aggressive, who can influence stakeholders effectively, and who demonstrate strong communication skills. Project managers often work with budgets up to tens of millions and manage large teams across onshore and offshore locations – they need to handle that pressure while maintaining strong stakeholder relationships.” 

Over the next 12 to 24 months, Damien said he’s excited about opportunities to support organisations through their transformation journeys. “Many organisations have significant transformation initiatives planned. Being part of these journeys, from the initial team formation through to successful delivery, is exciting and rewarding. You feel like you’re contributing to something meaningful.” 

Learning and Contributing 

With a Master’s degree in Information Systems Management and certification as a Scrum Master, Damien has a demonstrated interest in ongoing learning and professional development. Originally from Ireland, he moved to Australia in 2019 and initially found a role recruiting in labour hire for high-end residential construction. The role, he says, was demanding but “a good place to cut my teeth” – as he moved labourers from site to site and often on a day-to-day basis. In 2022, in search of a new job that would make the most of both his academic qualifications and his work experience in business analysis and transformation, he joined Allura Partners. Damien’s promotion to Principal Consultant in early 2025 marks another step in his career progression, where he continues to develop his expertise through experience backed up by both internal and external professional development. 

To find out more about how Damien can support you, please contact him here.