National sustainability manager
Name: Clare Gallagher
Career stage: Senior - 10+ years' experience
Working: Hybrid 75:25 office:home
High School Subjects: History, chemistry, calculus, design, classics
Favourite: History
Further study: University
where and what: Auckland University, Bachelor of Architectural Studies (3yrs), Bachelor of Architecture (2yrs) (hons)
"The best part of my job is it aligns with my values to make the built environment more sustainable, respecting resources and the communities we work within. "
the inside scoop…
What does a National Sustainability Manager actually do? I work horizontally across almost every part of the business to set, communicate and educate on Built’s sustainability targets and strategy. From new business and tendering, to learning and development, marketing and communications, delivery, corporate strategy and reporting.
What does a day in your life at work look like? It’s never the same, I make a plan each week to ensure I fit it all in! Some days I have project specific workshops and focussed tasks like embodied carbon studies or design for dissassembly plans, other days I’ll be working on a tender, reviewing documents and brainstorming and researching with my colleagues on how we can extend the sustainability aspirations further. Recently we have been working on our corporate emissions accounting and working closely with the finance team which has been something new for me and very interesting to learn.
Tell us about a favourite project you're working on: My favourite project is Built’s head office at Substation no. 164 which we developed and constructed. It’s rare to get to work on a project from development, through construction and then get to occupy it. It’s an adaptive reuse project with WELL, Green Star and NABERS ratings and perfect example of how a very sustainable project can also be incredibly beautiful and achieve excellent performance outcomes.
What made you realise construction could be for you? I ended up working for a construction company straight out of uni as a development assistant doing all sorts of random but interesting jobs. I really enjoyed the culture, it was fun, people were real and I was treated with respect and trusted to take on a wide range of task, I learnt so much in that role. I went back to architecture for a few years but missed the influence I had when I worked in construction, when an opportunity arose to work at Built I knew I would enjoy working in construction again based on that early experience.
What would you tell your high school self about working in construction? I don’t think my high school self ever even remotely considered working in construction. I didn’t even realise there was an ‘office’ based role to construction, I thought it was all working on the tools on site and I wanted to be an architect and wear nice clothes to work. I would tell my high school self to speak to someone working in construction and find out more about the career pathways it offers and how they might actually be more exciting, lucrative and aligned with what your goals are.
Tell us about your journey starting a family whilst working in construction: I’ve had two children while at Built at that’s been another big learning curve of how to juggle little kids and a busy role at work. My direct boss is extremely supportive and we have a ‘flex up and flex down’ understanding that works for us. My husband and my family are a huge help and make it possible for me to travel when needed, I couldn’t do it with out them.
What are you excited about in terms of sustainability in construction? It’s an area where you see constant innovation, I’m really excited about the innovations in materials that are driving a more circular economy. We are seeing hard to recycle materials being converted into beautiful and high performing building materials.
Clare is open to engaging further via: Speaking at a high school, Mentoring a student
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