My job: Construction task a major juggling act

Name: Stuart West.
Role: Senior project manager.
Age: 42.
Working hours: About 50 a week.
Employer: Fletcher Construction.
Salary: Depends on scale and complexity of project plus project manager's skills and experience. As a guide, project managers' salaries in building industry start from $90,000.
Qualification: Degree in Construction Management (UK).

Describe your job?

I work for Fletcher Construction as a senior project manager. My role is to head up a management team of construction professionals and specialists to deliver multimillion-dollar building projects on time, on budget and to the quality clients expect and to the high standards Fletcher Construction prides itself upon. I plan and co-ordinate the whole process of turning the building designer's drawings into the bricks and mortar of a completed building fit for its end purpose.

Each construction project is unique with a varying client, design team and hundreds of specialist subcontractor workers plus thousands of components and materials that must be brought together at the right time and in the right order.

My job is to define, build and adapt a project team to meet the needs of the project. I place a strong emphasis on ensuring work can be carried out efficiently and safely on site.

Who do you report to?

I report directly to our senior construction and operations managers at Fletcher Construction's Auckland head office.

What is your background?

I have a degree in construction management and, before moving to New Zealand six years ago, worked for a medium-size building contractor in the southeast of England. I gained a lot of solid practical experience working my way through site and contracts management.

I also ran my own freelance architectural draughting business. Having a foot in both design and build camps I have developed good spatial awareness and attention to detail. These skills are key to turning two-dimensional drawings into 3D structures.

Why did you choose to work with Fletcher?

My wife Sam and I were keen to travel and work overseas and when I saw Fletcher Construction advertising work in New Zealand I jumped at the chance. We love the outdoors lifestyle and being able to work for the largest construction company in New Zealand was a fantastic opportunity.

What is your latest project?

I am working on a multimillion-dollar two-year project for the University of Auckland's Faculty of Health and Science. Currently under my control is construction of the new multi-level Boyle Building which will house lecture theatres and office space for the Schools of Nursing, Pharmacy and Medical Sciences. A 30,000cu m bulk dig and ground-retention operation will provide nearly 200 basement parking spaces, a much-coveted commodity for the busy faculty users. Plus there's a major central plant facility to replace and upgrade most of the existing plant, significantly improving energy usage across the campus.

What skills do you need for this role?

Excellent vision, forward planning, attention to detail and the ability to build and direct a high-performing team are essential. Also crucial to success is good communication skills to build and form good working relationships with clients, designers, subcontractors and specialist suppliers. As well as knowing the site intimately day-to-day, an overall tactical strategy and ability to view the overall picture is essential. A proactive sense of optimism really helps in dealing with the constant challenges projects continually face.

Best part of the job?

In building, you can see the physical results of your efforts. The sense of achievement when a client moves into his shiny new building is immense and continually grows the passion I have for building. And without question you continually get to meet and work with a huge number of interesting people. My job is never boring.

The job's challenges?

Bringing together so many people and materials at the right time and in the right place is never easy. Problems have to be faced head on and solved daily, not left behind. You have to be quick-thinking and adaptable so the job gets built right the first time. But building wouldn't be fun if it wasn't challenging!

Why is the job important?

As project manager I act as the linchpin in directing the combined efforts of the whole team together and making sure the project heads in the right direction. If I can be an exemplar and lead by example, results will follow.

What do you want to be doing in five years?

To have achieved project director status and be managing the top prestigious jobs for Fletcher Construction.

Advice to those interested in a similar role?

Never be afraid to ask. You can grow your knowledge and understanding much faster by tapping into the wealth of experience around you.