01. Who are you, and what is your role?

My name is Rhian Jones, and I am a Design Coordinator.

I am the interface between the site team, commercial team, subcontractors, design team and client, making sure the design progresses in a buildable and affordable way. I drive the build from tender through to completion. In parallel to all of this, I run other sustainability processes like BREEAM, WIRED, and WELL, and other procedures such as building control, building safety act that need to be considered and managed, as well as bringing the client along the way, ensuring their approval.

02. What has your journey been to get to SDC?

I completed a BSc (Hons) Architectural Engineering & Design Management at Loughborough. While at Loughborough, I met Simon Morrall [Head of Estimating] at a career fair. Following our discussion, I applied to work for SDC and after two interviews, got the job. I had a gap year after my second year at university where I worked at SDC in the Design department, and then SDC sponsored my final year at uni before I came to work for the company full time once my degree was complete.

03. What projects are you currently working on?

I am currently working on the Merlin Place project in Cambridge. Now that work has begun on site, I am working closely with the site team because there’s certain elements of the design that need to be tailored to conditions found on site. Managing the design on site, I have to work on current issues as well as have an eye on the horizon for what is coming up. There is a lot of managing change, coordinating information release, and managing the quality of information involved in my role.

04. What motivates you?

I enjoy learning about other aspects of the build process; I love working shoulder to shoulder with other members of the team with niche knowledge. I feel like I can do my job better if I know what other people’s roles involve, and what they’re trying to achieve.

I have worked in the Special Projects department in the past and enjoyed the challenge of working on multiple projects at once, working closely as a team to deliver them on time and on budget. I now work on Main projects and am really enjoying working on larger projects.

I feel it is important that I do my role to the best of my ability, learning as much as I can along the way. The benefit of SDC is I feel confident in asking for opportunities to expand my knowledge; when I have found my workload is lighter in the past, I have been supported in working with different specialisms to learn more about them.

05. What does working at SDC mean to you?

From as early as the interview process, I preferred SDC to the ‘bigger’ construction companies as it felt more personal. My interviews were with people as opposed to computer-based. I came away feeling like this was a place I would like to work.

Since working here, I have found the ethos of the company to be more about the individual. The proximity you have on a daily basis to the directors and managers at SDC is a huge benefit. They know us, we are not just a name, and take an interest in our achievements; we do not have to ‘fight’ for promotions or recognition.

Because of this way of working, we are also welcomed into meetings relating to our projects by the Directors, which means we understand decisions that may be made; we are involved in the discussions. The Directors and Department Managers also mentor us to progress in our careers.