Henry Lock – Graduate GROW Project Management Programme
What do you do at Arcadis?
I am an Assistant ECC [Engineering and Construction Contract] Project Manager in Resilience.
Why do you love working at Arcadis?
I love our company culture and our vision. I believe our vision is present in all the projects I have worked on. Additionally our office have organised various social events - something that I enjoy attending.
Can you describe a ‘typical day’ in your role?
In a regular day - I would normally have 1 or 2 catchup calls for a project - ensuring that actions are kept visible for the project team and the programme is running with minimal hinderances. Once a month, for each project, I will take the minutes for the meeting and distribute to the team. Once or twice a week I attend the project site and have a walkover with the site manager and liaise with the Contractor team. Moreover, I also manage Contractual communications on an online tool 'fastdraft' which regularly takes up 2 hours a day of time.
What has been your favourite project up to now?
My favourite role has been Shoreham Adur Tidal Walls scheme. It has been the first project in which I have been given the ability to manage the project [whilst maintaining support from a Senior ECCPM]. Having ownership of a project has allowed me to have greater input and involvement and I have felt an enormous amount of personal and professional success on this scheme.
What tips would you give to someone who is applying to Arcadis?
- Keep realistic on what you would like to achieve in the first 2 years of your career. I have found it a steep learning curve developing to a level where I am able to manage a small scheme.
- As our roles are often Client facing, emphasise your abilities in being personable and ability to develop professional relationships.
- Working in a team is incredibly important. Understand how you would like to be managed in a team and what you aim to achieve in a team.