What is your current role?
My role is Senior Commercial Manager. I am working with clients to help them to manage the contract of their projects in the best way possible. Key to my role is to understand the cost, the clauses in the contract to allow or disallow emerging changes, and the impact of those changes in terms of the project schedule. I regularly liaise with contractors, stakeholders, planners and project managers to manage either the contract set-up, contract close-out or the whole project lifecycle.
What do you like most about working at CPC?
With a more level management structure than other companies, I really like that CPC enables me to work directly with the senior team. This also me to learn from experienced and knowledgeable senior staff, as well as getting to know them on a more personal basis than you will typically find within the cooperate world.
How did you get started? In CPC?
I am a civil engineer by trade. I studied and worked in my home country (Venezuela), building my career to site engineer for real estate projects. Then I moved to the UK, learned the language doing different jobs, starting as a project control engineer, then cost engineer before moving into commercial services.
What achievements are you most proud of, since joining CPC?
The biggest achievement of my career so far, is delivering Woolwich station on the Elizabeth Line whilst working for Crossrail. Every time I have the opportunity to take that Line, I feel so proud of what we achieved as a team for the whole project, over the last 20 years. I am also proud of becoming a Mental Health First Aider at CPC, so I can help other people, not only colleagues but family and friends, as well.
What’s your biggest career lesson learnt to date
Different people require different management styles. People’s home life will always influence their work life, so it is important to know how and when to approach people from a managerial perspective to maximise productivity. Invariably a positive and supportive management style helps any team in any environment.
What advice do you have for those who are thinking about a similar career to you?
Be patient. It is a steep learning curve but if you stick with it, it’s an extremely interesting and rewarding career.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I am from the Caribbean so seeking the sun as much as I can is a hobby. In other words, traveling, meeting new people, learning their culture and of course, food.
If you had an alternative career, what would it be?
Swimming instructor.
“With a more level management structure than other companies, I really like that CPC enables me to work directly with the senior team.”
Want to work in a stimulating environment with other talented, energetic, friendly people?
We employ over 300 talented professionals from a variety of disciplines to deliver infrastructure and capital projects across the UK and Ireland. We have ambitious growth plans for the future - visit our careers page to find out more.
