Head of Strategic Growth & Partnerships
Name: Amy Williams
Career stage: Senior - 10+ years' experience
Working: Office
High School Subjects: Advanced Math, Biology, Modern History, Economics, English, HPE, Standard Math
Favourite: I loved Modern History and Economics. I was fascinated by the stories and events which have shaped the world we live in today. Economics sparked a similar curiosity and interest which I still seek to satisfy over twenty years later.
Further study: University
where and what: University of Queensland, Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Communications
“Look beyond the surface of what you perceive the construction industry to be and you will find an incredibly fun, exciting, diverse, challenging, rewarding, complex, collaborative, supportive, enjoyable, and relevant industry.”
THE INSIDE SCOOP…
What does a Head of Strategic Growth and Partnerships actually do? My focus is strategic business growth including identifying emerging industry sectors to pursue (as well as implementing realistic action plans to establish and grow our market share within these sectors), developing new business initiatives (including how we can be a more sustainable and community oriented business) and overseeing early engagement activities for prospective projects (this includes meeting clients for coffee and lunch as well as taking them for site-tours on our existing construction sites and regularly touching base to ensure we remain front-of-mind). Additionally, I seek to create long-term partnerships (and relationships) with clients, trade-partners, consultants and suppliers (for a mutually beneficial outcome). I oversee our marketing, communications, bid, estimating, and pre-construction teams.
What does a day in your life at work look like? No two days are the same, however on any given week I'm often between Head Office, our 16 live construction sites, in one (or many) of our client's offices, out to lunch, attending a variety of meetings, working on strategic plans or initiatives (at my desk) or sitting with my team members to help and support them with their tasks and priorities.
What's the best part of your job? I love the variety of activities that my role offers and the daily engagement I get to enjoy with a very diverse range of people (both within our company and also externally with clients and other stakeholders). I also enjoy implementing new company programs (such as a Women of Growthbuilt Charter) and adding to our company culture.
What made you realise construction could be for you? I had very limited exposure to the industry growing up. Following university, I worked for a local council in a marketing role and then transitioned to the Property sector a few years later. When working in Property, I started to build an understanding of the construction industry and made a number of friends working in this space (they loved it). It was a 'right-place-right-time' opportunity that lead to my first construction role (and I've never looked back).
What would you tell your high school self about working in construction? Look beyond the surface of what you perceive the construction industry to be and you will find an incredibly fun, exciting, diverse, challenging, rewarding, complex, collaborative, supportive, enjoyable, and relevant industry. Not only that, construction offers a vast number of roles and opportunities to suit any skill-set and interest. Are you creative? Tick (Design Manager, Marketing, Engineer). Do you like to problem solve? Tick (Project Manager, Construction Manager, Engineer). Do you like the thrill of negotiations? Tick (Construction Lawyer, Contracts Administrator, Business Development Manager). Are you great at Math? Tick (Estimator, Quantity Surveyor, Engineer, Financial Controller). Do you like using your hands and keeping active? Tick (Site Manager, Carpenter, Leading Hand, Safety Officer). Are you a people person? Tick (Client Relationship Manager, Project Manager, Administration). There is a job for everyone in Construction.
What's something that surprised you about working in construction? I am regularly surprised and impressed by the driven and motivated rising stars who are proactively sharing their insights and inspiring positive change. I'm also surprised by how the industry is constantly challenging the status quo with technological, sustainable, and community impacting advancements.
What's the best thing about working in construction? I love being able to look back and see the actual, physical work our company has accomplished. There is nothing like, walking or driving past a finished building, looking up with pride and claiming "We built that!"
Amy is open to engaging further via: Speaking at a high school.
If you'd like to enquire more, please fill out the form below with the subject name: "Amy Williams" and we'll pass your message on.