Find real world jobs you could do to Shape Your World

Joanne Concesso

My role as an Assistant Estimator is varied. It includes helping the Estimator put a cost together for a current project we are bidding for .It involves checking drawings, sending out enquiries for prices, comparing the prices when they come back and generally helping to get the job priced.

I enjoy it because even though some projects may be similar, there are always different aspects to the projects that we are pricing, which makes it really interesting. When we are successful with winning a project, its really great to visit the site and watch the project being built, and see it come alive. Very satisfying!

Stacey Botwood

I have been at Kier Living since 2013 where I started as a business administration apprentice and have since progressed to the role of apprentice coordinator.

Most days I visit sites to carry out reviews with our apprentices and make sure they are happy in their roles. This is the part of my job I love the most as no one day is the same, travelling to different sites and meeting different people. Being female, I never thought I would ever be working in the construction industry, but now that I am I can see there are so many different roles and a lot more females coming into the industry at high levels. For example, three of the directors at Kier Living Central are female!

Kieran Jassal

I enjoyed the variety of work and learning that’s part of my apprenticeship. My work is not repetitive, each job is different. My mentor was very supportive, that we even developed a friendship out of work. I have felt part of a team and I enjoy the banter with my fellow work colleagues.

I leave for work about 6.50 so I can be on site ready to start work at 8am and my working day finishes at 4.30pm. I would initially work shadowing a joiner, but gradually I became experienced to work away on my own. I enjoyed the variety of skills I was learning as each day was different. My long term ambition would be to work towards management level and to become my own boss.

Sharon Mitchell

My role involves working on business Improvement across the Property division. This means managing all elements of marketing, media, PR, business development, customer engagement, cross-selling, award submissions. I engaging with the rest of the Kier Property team and the wider Kier Group business to generate opportunities.

My role is varied and rewarding. My role has changed over the years in terms of divisions, strategy and project delivery. I have managed and interacted with a number of different teams over the years to encourage forward thinking, working towards a common goal of improved working, working collaboratively and enthusiastically.

Shahab Ahmad

I undertake due diligence and review all technical matters on project with the design team. (including pre-con, construction and post-construction).

Development and construction is so varied and diverse there is always the opportunity to personally grow and develop your experience. Whilst you go through the same broad processes on most schemes; every project is different and has its own unique issues, often completely unpredictable, which always challenges you. After going through all the work of buying a site, developing a scheme, getting planning consent and appointing a contractor (which can all take years) there is huge satisfaction is actually seeing contractors on site and building something.

Vicky Squibb

I am the solicitor who has overall responsibility for the legal advice given or procured on property-related (and other commercial) matters for the Property and Living business units.

I drive and lead commercial property deals to conclusion within challenging time-frames in order to ensure the delivery of the necessary commercial outputs, whilst taking a balanced view as to risk. I appreciate that sounds a bit contrived, and possibly a bit dull (I am a lawyer, after all). In reality I help the team that I work with (who I very much like and respect) to solve problems which enables them to buy, develop and sell property in order to make profit for the Kier Group. I enjoy it because the team is great, the buildings we create are tangible and of a high quality, and I can see the part I play in our success.

Jaqueline Stanford

As a Lead Business Analyst I lead a team of Business Analyst’s within B2B Transformation, within my role I manage the analysis phase from Foundation to Delivery, primarily focusing on all the BA deliverables which contribute to the success of the overall projects, within the analysis space I am responsible for the Detailed requirements, Business Processes and Traceability these are the core deliverable not to mention managing the Stakeholder engagement process within the teams.

I love my job because it is forever changing no project is the same and there is always a learning curve to be established which keeps me and my team on their toes, I also love the people I work with especially by BA team who all have great personalities which makes each day enjoyable. Last but by no means least I enjoy the atmosphere within Virgin Media, “Work Hard” and “Play Hard” that’s my motto for my team and I have been happy to find it here at Virgin Media.

Jamie Daniels

I look after Kier’s fleet vehicles on our TOR2 contract. From inspections, to services, to repairs; there’s not much I don’t do! I’ve always loved cars and I’d like to run the garage one day. My apprenticeship is helping me on my way to accomplishing this; I’ve already achieved my level two light vehicles and levels two and three heavy goods vehicles qualifications.

I’m well looked after – my team is a great bunch and Kier’s a good company to work for. I know an apprenticeship can seem scary, but everyone has been really helpful. The friendly environment has really brought me out of my shell, which has helped me in life as well as work.

Philip Lavelle

I manage a whole team of people to ensure that a major construction project is delivered safely, in budget on time and walk away with a very satisfied customer. My job gives me autonomy and the freedom to innovate and look at new ways of doing things. The people are the most important thing on any project and successful teams are not created by accident they require a plan and a strategy.

I love my role because of the autonomy it gives me to in effect run my own business and gives me variety as no two days are ever the same. I enjoy good communication with all my team and like the fact that at the end of each day I can actually see what has been achieved.

Zoe Morgan

I assist in placing orders and managing work packages at SA1. I’m a site based assistant Quantity Surveyor, and I have very good hands on practice as I’m able to work closely with design and operational staff.

I love my job because no day is the same! I work with intelligent people who I am constantly learning from.

Stewart Croft

I started working at Kier as an apprentice after I left St Francis Xavier School. I’m finding my apprenticeship really interesting and varied and a typical day for me usually consists of carrying out site inductions, attending progress review meetings with subcontractors and liaising with clients about the scheme’s management.

I also spend time working with other members of the project team to understand the various roles required to deliver projects. There’s a lot of competition for apprenticeship places but if you work hard and secure one you can learn so much.  I try to take in as much knowledge from the people around me as I can as each day is different within construction.

Helene Lubineau

My role consists of creating and monitoring the construction and contract programme on sites, currently I am working on two projects in Cambridge. I regularly communicate with the site team regarding the key construction, procurement and design activities. I record and report the progress on site, both  internally and externally. I also adapt the construction programme to optimize or mitigate if there is any changes in the process. I help to look forward and assist the team to plan the next activities.

I love this job as you are involved with and aware of everything regarding the site, communicate with all the subcontractors and every members of your team including the design, procurement, pre-construction and operational teams. As the planning team is generally very small, typically a planner and sometimes an assistant planner, you are a key element on site. As a planner you work closely with the project manager and assist them in order to help deliver the project on time. The planner role gives you a very multidisciplinary approach of the construction phase with programmed targets to reach, which is why I find it enjoyable.

Nicole Jermy

My team within Virgin Media help to manage the costs and expenses of maintaining our vast and growing network and ensuring that the business has access to all the IT systems necessary. Our team, like many, is vital in ensuring that the company continues to grow from strength to strength. My job varies on a daily basis but involves things from checking invoices that we have received and ensuring they match up with a tracker through to reading fibre contracts for information. One of the reasons that I love my role is because it’s so varied every day with new challenges and tasks. I also enjoy learning about new parts of the business, helping to grow my understanding of what is required to maintain a large corporation.

I see finance as being the backbone of every firm, and I love being a part of such a vital part of an organisation. Without a good and strong finance team most companies would struggle to maintain their business. With finance you can really see the difference that you are making within a company and I really enjoy that aspect of it.

The VM grad scheme is one of the best in the industry. They really care a lot about their graduates and this is one of the reasons that drew me to them. Also the chances that we get to experience three different very varied job roles with the year rotations was very appealing with each job role widening your knowledge and helping you develop further.

Tim Boardman

I am responsible for the safe and successful delivery of highway maintenance and improvement schemes within the wider ASC9 delivery programme. My schemes are predominantly structures on, under or over the motorway network mainly within the Birmingham Box Area (M6/M5/M42). Our schemes are focused on maintaining and improving the motorway network functionality for Highways England and the wider economy. We always strive to do this safely, enthusiastically and professionally in order to give our client a quality and reliable product and service.

Because I absolutely love this industry and have done for nearly 30 years. Every day is different, full of challenges and opportunities to learn or improve. Our people, logistics and planning are fundamental to the safe and successful delivery of our works and I relish the challenges that these all pose when delivering projects. We ultimately leave the asset in a safer, better and improved condition and this has benefits to the wider society and our country as a whole. As an industry we typically do this diligently, quietly and without fuss; which I personally find very rewarding.

Cherry Lisle

I’m the first point of contact for enquiries around the courses we provide and I am responsible for ensuring bookings are taken. I also work with our supply chain to arrange asbestos awareness courses.

Before each training course takes place, I make sure all relevant learner files are prepared and available to the participants. After the courses I then manage the payment process, sending out invoices and helping with any enquiries relating to this. I really enjoy working at the Gas Training Centre, the team are really supportive and have helped boost my confidence.

Tim Lacy

I help our Group and Property divisions deliver on their strategic SHEA (Safety, Health, Environment, Assurance) goals for Vision 2020. I do this through the development and application of SHE programmes. I help ensure that our business units remain compliant with all SHE related legislation and drive to deliver continuous SHE improvements.

I believe that good health and safety is vital for any business, so the management of health and safety is an important role that provides added value to any organisation. It is a technical function that utilises my professional training and experience. It is a challenging and varied role that provides job satisfaction, exposure to many other business functions, as well as a mix of activities at offices and sites.

David Mellows

I work with the planning team to develop construction programmes and methodology, from initial concept stage, though the tender and construction process to final completion of a project.

The great thing about planning is that you are involved in the project from start to finish and I work with many different departments and organisations all with the common goal of completing the project on time.

Laura Negus

In my role as Personal Assistant, I assist Rob Gray, a Technical Services Director within Kier, with every day responsibilities including diary and calendar management as well as supporting his senior management team to support and deliver the best possible service to our clients and various jobs within the business. As well as a P.A. I am a Social Impact Manager, where as part of the Scape Framework, I ensure the delivery of social impact across all projects led by our Kier Workplace Services South team. This includes liaising with various public bodies and organisations to capture and evidence all activities, assist in implementing the apprenticeship programme, arrange work experience with locals schools across the UK, conduct Health and Safety talks in Schools and record all the professional development across the team.

I really enjoy the two roles I carry out as my duties and responsibilities are constantly changing and adapting creating a challenging environment which is something I thrive on and I find allows me to do the best I can. Working with a great team is a welcomed bonus as I enjoy working with them every day without a dull moment insight.

Lewis Scott

I joined Kier in August 2014 and I love it. I like that each day is differently and I’m constantly learning new things. I enjoy interacting with the different workers on site too – I look forward to coming into work every day.

A typical day for me on site involves managing our supply chain and materials, as well as ensuring health and safety standards are always being maintained.  I also spend time shadowing the site managers and giving inductions to visitors. I’m currently studying for my NVQ Level 3 in construction alongside my work on site. In the future I would like to become a site manager and maybe explore construction overseas.

Mica Latouche

I assist the development team in the evaluation and acquisition of sites. I also appraise and manage opportunities including the management of the development appraisal system throughout the bidding process. I regularly attend site for inspections and for site progress meetings with Project Managers and Development Managers.

I love my work because it is challenging, lucrative and it’s great to see final results of my work, particularly when every project is different. Additionally there are lots of networking opportunities to engage with other organisations.