Assistant Site Manager

As I am a part of the Build department for my company, it is our responsibility to 'deliver' the product, we interact with all departments within the business to ensure our customers move in to high quality, beautiful homes.

On a day-to-day basis I will be on site interacting with the tradesmen, managing the labour and making sure that there are no problems and if there is that they are quickly resolved, preparing the plots for any inspections and/or visits we have from the NHBC or customers.

I also make sure that all sub-contractors are following my company’s Quality Manual thoroughly, as it is the best way to ensure plots with a very high standard of workmanship.

I like everything about my job, but the most satisfying and rewarding part is seeing the customer’s happy faces when we hand over the keys. It shows that all the hard work that has been put into achieving the high level standard of work is appreciated and acknowledged.

I was previously employed by my company as an Apprentice Carpenter, where I completed my Level 3 NVQ Carpentry Qualification whilst getting hands on experience on site. When I finished I had to make a decision between applying for my company’s Site Management Academy and finding a job as a sub-contractor Carpenter.

I chose to apply for the Site Management Academy as it gave me the opportunity to further my learning and education and gain more knowledge in all aspects of the build. Additionally, I knew if I continued my career with my company I would get all the help and advice I needed to help me progress further in my career.

The qualifications needed to be enrolled on the Site Management Academy was a Level 3 NVQ or currently working on one of my company’s sites as a Site Operative Trainee or Tradesman.

The advice I would give to anyone who is looking for a career in the house building industry is to take as much information on board as you can from all trades in order to help you continue your learning, if you are not sure on why specific tasks have to be done in a certain way or time frame then make sure you find out why.

Showing an interest at work and being willing to continuously learn will have only have a positive effect, others around you will take you seriously giving you more responsibilities and opportunities, allowing you to excel and show that you are capable of managing lots of different assignments.

I left the Royal Navy on 12 July 2014 after 5 years service. I decided I wanted to change career while I was still relatively young at 24 years old. While serving my year notice period I complete a Prince2 course and a management and leadership course to broaden my CV. I was looking to enter “civvy street” in a junior management position, I was due promotion in the Navy and wanted to try and maintain my level of earnings and responsibility. My main concern was that a lot of my training and qualifications were not valid as a civilian.

I enjoyed the Prince2 course and began to research my options in the construction industry. During my research I found an article on construction management which looked like something I would enjoy. I also felt that I had transferrable skills which would suit the role. It was obvious that the industry was picking up as there were a number of advertisements for various roles within the construction industry.

My current employer’s advert for an apprentice site manager caught my eye on a job site, it looked a great opportunity and would allow me to start a fresh with no previous experience necessary. I sent my CV and managed to get an interview, the interview went well and felt much more relaxed than previous interviews.

I began my training at Manor Rise in Tidworth, my company took over as Principal Contractor on the day I start which was great as I could learn from the beginning instead of starting on a site that was partially complete.I learned about Health and Safety on site and policed my company’s policies, I also spent a large amount of time inducting and directing trades on site and learning to “snag” homes.

After approximately 7 months I was moved to a larger site in Andover to allow me to experience different approaches to site management. The site in Andover was 5 years in to a 10 year project, I was given more responsibility and taught how to call of materials and how to write a programme. Eventually I was given a number of homes to manage from first fix through to customer handover and conduct 7 day and 28 day visits. I also dealt with customer care on site. Eventually I was involved in the whole customer journey from “Meet the Builder” through to handover and aftercare, this was extremely rewarding as it allowed me to build a relationship with the customer and help them achieve their dream of living in one of our homes.

My company has allowed me to have an input into my training and are always flexible if I want to alter the training programme to aid my development. I am currently based at Head Office to increase my knowledge of all departments involved in building our homes before going back to site as an Assistant Site Manager.