Sarah Davidson

NAME Sarah Davidson
JOB Project manager
AREA OF WORK Project management
EMPLOYER Cyril Sweett Group Plc
QUALIFICATIONS BSc psychology, University of Nottingham (2004)

Choosing my employer

I don’t have a construction background, but an advert for a health consultancy project management post interested me so I researched the area and applied. I was assessed on my response to a Department of Health document and interviewed to ascertain whether I had the desired skills and enthusiasm. Working for a smaller company suits me – I feel like my ideas are listened to and that I can make things happen. I also like the idea of helping improve people’s lives through my work.

My job

I work in a team that advises clients – mainly the NHS – on the planning of new buildings. We’re involved at every stage of the process and produce reports for clients. I liaise with quantity surveyors (for information about costs), health planners, architects, and specialists in areas like risk and sustainability to keep up to date with progress.
Completed projects need to be reviewed against initial client objectives, and I’m currently working on the post-project evaluation of University Hospital, Coventry. I’ve set up discussion workshops, organised questionnaires for staff and patients, and, while my work is mainly office-based, visited the hospital to see first hand how things are operating.
As in many jobs, when deadlines are imminent things can feel chaotic. But as a consultant you have to be prepared to adapt to whatever work comes your way, and enjoy having lots on the go.