Find real world jobs you could do to Shape Your World

Terri Baker

My role involves preparing tender documents to a high standard, co-ordinating with the Framework/Bid Manager and wider design team. Co-ordinating and managing KPIs across all Kier offices for a major client, providing training and guidance and being a main point of contact. Writing, creating and editing documents for internal and external use, including marketing brochures, newsletters, presentations and case studies.

I enjoy my role as not only do I love writing and editing, but I also love learning new things and every week I am given new opportunities to learn.

Andy Boutle

My role involves a very wide and broad range of activities and functions. BIM is about modernising project delivery and cultivating more collaborative integrated teams, using technology and improved processes to harness efficiencies. The focus of BIM is more in data and better information management, which requires a cultural and behavioral change to the way we work traditionally, as industry shifts into the digital world.

My role is incredibly challenging as it involves winning hearts and minds working towards a collaborative BIM environment. The successes along the way are incredibly rewarding. In this role you are always looking ahead at the cutting edge of technology, processes and behaviors.

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.

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.

Craig Garood

Construction contracts managers oversee projects from the start through to completion, ensuring that work is completed on time and within its budget. A contracts manager is sometimes in charge of a single scheme, or may look after several smaller ones.

Every day is different and every project is unique.Which means that I am actively problem solving and being creative.

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.

Ben Castle

I’ve been working as a carpenter at Kier Living since November 2015. My favourite part of the role is getting the chance to carry out a wide variety of jobs on site.

While I do prefer some tasks more than others, it’s great that I’m getting the opportunity to develop and learn valuable new skills, which will help me in my career as well as outside the workplace. I’ve had great support from my colleagues, which has really helped me settle in as an apprentice. If I ever needed help or assistance, they are always more than happy to help.

Ian Brumskill

I joined Kier as an apprentice when I was 20 and I’ve been working on our project to redevelop Chester Theatre since February 2016.

My main responsibilities on site consist of supervising subcontractors on site, making sure the work is on schedule, and making sure all required materials are available when needed.  I also carry out quality assurance on the project and carry out site inductions for visitors. I supervise a number of site tours every week in addition to walking round with my mentors to identify which jobs need to be completed. Kier has invested a lot of time in helping me develop and I’m extremely appreciative of that.

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.

Ian Warren

I oversee the Design Management role in Kier’s Birmingham office which covers the West Midlands area. I also deal with the various consultants needed on our projects including Architects, Civil and Structural Engineers, M&E Consultants, Fire Consultants, Acoustic Consultants and more. I am involved at both at the pre-construction stage and construction stage of a project, so I get to see it starting and finishing.

I enjoy my role because we work locally and therefore we impact local communities. Also everyday is different, we work with different people, we work on different projects and sometimes we manage different challenges.

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!

Morgan Scale

My role involves ensuring the company is compliant with all banking and joint venture requirements. I support the development team on new transactions and acquisition. Also I monitoring and report on our key performance indicators (KPI’s), new business analysis and investments.

I enjoy my role because it allows me to gain a financial understanding across the whole business as well as on individual projects. Managing financial programmes helps me to be able to identify risks and key elements and help contribute to the overall success and profit of the company.

Chris Saunders

I’m always looking for a better way; that could be how we deploy our network in the ground or the way our architecture is located, and its functionality distributed between the different elements.

Though I have a technical background and studied Engineering, I can’t be a specialist in all fields, so knowing who to go to for expert advice and building relationships with people is very important; there are lots of things to consider, so being organised is also vital to avoid overlooking something.
It is a creative role, so I love asking ‘what if?’ and ‘how will that affect what we are doing now?’, anticipating outcomes and modelling ideas before taking them to the wider team, to see if the results are as anticipated, and we get the competitive edge or avoid a problem we foresaw.

Robert Toon

I manage the design process from inception of a project to completion. I work with and manage consultants to ensure a project is designed to client’s expectations, the correct building regulations and within the client’s budget.

I love working in a team and having a physical output to my work. From looking at a drawing on a page to seeing it built and transform the local area and peoples lives. Leaving a legacy is also a big plus!

Andrew Freeman

Paul Leadbitter

I am responsible for managing a team that puts together all of the Housing Maintenance bids that we submit across the country. I coordinate activities, manage processes and make sure we constantly strive to be better at what we do.

There are different challenges in my role every day, and on every bid with no two days being the same. I am passionate about winning work for Kier and being able to put together solutions that satisfy the objectives of our clients.

Rhys Edwards

As a Finance Graduate, I am really allowed to thrive and improve as a young professional, both inside and outside of the role, which is what attracted me to the scheme the most. I’ve been part of the Mobile Management Accounts team for 3 months now and have been given responsibility and freedom to perform my role from day 1. Right now I am in control of the month-end accounting for a type of mobile phone contract we offer, and have been given the chance to really make the process my own. Away from this I have been busy allocating different costs to their relevant cost centres, creating balance sheets, and preparing a £50 million pound journal.

Another great part of the finance graduate scheme is that you get to experience a real social aspect to work. I’m 1 of 13 Virgin Media and Liberty Global graduates in my office, with many more spread across the country and Europe. The company encourage us all to mingle, and I’ve already had the chance to go to graduate events in Manchester, London, and Amsterdam. With all this happening so far, I’m really looking forward to seeing what the next 9 months bring, and beyond that the next 2 rotations on offer.

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.

Robert Stocker

As a trainee engineer, my job role varies depending on the situation i am in. As a part of the Kier Foundation Degree programme we are recommended to move around various departments in order to gain a better understanding of the company and how it operates. Currently i am working in pre-construction BIM at Tempsford where my role consist of supporting a number of departments within a project by setting up design documents, creating scopes, working with consultants and producing 3D models to provide visual aid. Prior to this i worked as a site engineer at Farringdon where i was exposed to a number of different jobs and activities, some of which were setting out, training apprentices, working with contractors and more.

I do what i do because i have an interested in learning new skills and having responsibilities. It allows me to gain a degree while gaining vital experience to help me push my career further. It also gives a sense of pride and achievement when you have worked on a project and have seen it grow from a design into a functional building. i also enjoy it because i have the opportunity to travel with my work and see and experience new things that i would not have normally had the opportunity to see, whether that be with university or travelling on a work basis.

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.