Meet the people behind DE&S

Why did you choose to pursue a career in DE&S?

I love being a Project Manager (some say I’m naturally bossy and good at nagging!) and I wanted to work in an environment where I felt I was making a difference, enabling the front line with capability is fulfilling and four years on I remain as motivated and passionate as I was on my first day.

What are you looking forward to in your role over the next 12 months?

I moved to the Lightning Team at the beginning of the year after working on the delivery of the Harris T7 bomb disposal robot for four years. The project was delivered on time and my amazing year was topped by Secretary of State announcing contract award September 17 at DSEI. It was then nominated for a Military Award December 17 which meant we got to attend a red carpet event and have a nose around Downing Street.

The next year for me is about getting to know and understand my new customer and to deliver.

What does your role entail?

I am delivering the modifications that need to be made to the F-35 between Initial Operating Capability and Full Operating Capability. The main aspect of my role is stakeholder management. I have a diverse range of stakeholders from the Joint Programme Office in USA to Scrutiny and Approvals based in MoD Main Building. I am currently focused on getting to grips with the Category A project approval process.

What support have you been given to develop and progress?

The Project Management team facilitated my move from Land to Air last year. They recognised that a move would develop me further as a PM. I only have positive things to say, I’ve just put in for a training course too for further development. It’s great to have the chance to move around, learn and grow.

What do you most enjoy about your job?

I love the diverse nature of being a Project Manager. I often have to think on feet, I get to meet so many people and I love selling the strategy of a project to get stakeholders buy-in. There is of course a perfect text book answer I should give you about what I enjoy about my job and what a PM role entails. In reality we sell the project for approval and bring everyone together to enable us to deliver. I get a real high from succeeding and meeting milestones.

What’s your ambition?

In work terms I don’t think past the next level, I wait until I’m there to see if I want more and then focus from there. I’m now ready for the next level and my ambition in the next reporting year is to be promoted. On a personal level I want a Chanel handbag and a dishwasher because then I will have really made it!

How do you build a successful career at DE&S?

I think that building a successful career is each individuals own responsibility. There are loads of great opportunities at DE&S to discover yourself and pursue the career path you want to follow. We work with so many great people and that’s what has allowed me to develop so much in the last four years. I value so many people I work with opinions and guidance.