Zam Kaderkutty, deputy head of programmes (private sector), Fujitsu
I did a sandwich year placement as part of my degree before starting a graduate role as an analyst programmer for Fisons in 1992. I then worked in a variety of project management and technology consulting roles for different companies, joining Fujitsu in 2008.
My initial role was as a programme director, in which I oversaw the outsourcing of IT infrastructure and support for the Police Service of Northern Ireland. I then set up a new internal team before starting my current role in 2010.
My job: ensuring outsourcing quality
My area of the business deals with outsourcing – we have numerous contracts to manage different organisations’ IT infrastructure and services on their behalf.
I assure the quality of the outsourcing programmes we implement for private sector clients and support the 300 project managers and programme managers who are responsible for delivering them. These staff members oversee the whole process, from bidding for contracts to planning the new operating model (for example changing locations or processes to improve efficiency) and ensuring that the service is delivered as promised.
It’s my job to take an overview of whether we are delivering successfully across the board and keeping within budgets. I assist staff with tricky problems on individual programmes, ensure that none are going off track and make sure that staff are kept up-to-date with what is happening in our business while they are working for clients.
I also consider future requirements for the team so that we have the right number of people with the right training and experience to do the work that is likely to be needed.
Travelling the UK
I spend the majority of my time working from home but also travel round the UK a lot to visit staff at our regional offices and on clients’ sites. I’m usually away for one or two nights each week – I combine several meetings into each trip so I don’t spend too much time away from my family. My wife also travels in her job so we need to co-ordinate our diaries carefully!
Skills I need to do my job
The biggest challenge is working with a large number of clients across diverse sectors. I have core project management skills that I can apply to any situation but need to adapt to different people and cultures.
Communication is also key. I deal with a range of stakeholders – for example customers, sales people, directors and technical staff – and must engage with them and build trust.
Career highlights
One of the highlights of my career has been receiving company awards that recognise my input into projects. I was awarded one for my work with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and another for a project for a previous employer, helping the Department for Work and Pensions to switch from Post Office passbooks for pensions and other payments to direct transfers into recipients’ bank accounts.
On a more regular basis, it’s great to finish a project successfully and celebrate with the relevant team, enjoying a glass of wine and saying ‘well done’.