Project Management in Construction is a mixture of technical management and people management. Key skills for a PM (Project Manager) to have in their arsenal include the ability to break a large task down into manageable chunks and to understand when and how to engage different people, to keep the project moving forward.

A PM is often the main point of contact between the client and the rest of the project team, as such they will need to be able to maintain good relationships and handle multiple requests simultaneously. Managing a project through to a successful conclusion provides a large amount of job satisfaction and can cement some long-term friendships.

What is the best thing about what you are doing now?

I am currently working on a project that will kick start the UK's EV battery production industry. Being able to play a part in a project of national importance is very important to me; it gives purpose and reason to the day-to-day activities on the project and encourages impressive individual effort from the whole team. The larger impacts of construction are important to me too; it's good to consider the positive impacts the finished built environment will have on the local community, the economy, the natural environment and the further advancements the facility may facilitate. 

What made you interested in your current role?

I moved from client side project management to consultancy project management as I wanted to be involved with the teams who are set tasks by clients and need to find the most suitable solution for the client, the project and the project team. The challenge and variation available within consultancy project management are important to me; the job changes on a daily basis and my activities adapt to react to those needs.

How has your career developed since graduating from the University of Birmingham?

After leaving the University of Birmingham I moved between a few initial roles with quick succession as I was aiming to move swiftly out of the Graduate Project Management role. I settled at Jaguar Land Rover as a Construction Project Manager and worked there for five and a half years, during which time I lived and worked in Slovakia, supporting the construction of their new plant out there. After the completion of that project, I left Jaguar Land Rover and joined Ridge and Partners where I worked on a number of enjoyable projects before joining the project I am currently working on. The current project has the same scale and importance as the Slovak JLR plant and it is a privilege to be part of the team.