XTEL’s Post

Some gorgeous blooms from my neighbourhood to cleanse your timeline this Friday! As a project/program manager currently seeking a new role, here’s some of what I’ve experienced in the last few weeks: • I live in London…being chased down for jobs in Bristol, Portsmouth, Manchester, Abu Dhabi. 🌍 • Recruiters insisting you’re a perfect fit for something that, at best, is at least in my sector I suppose? 👀 • Being screened out for jobs because I don’t speak Japanese/Norwegian/German. Like, I’m sorry, I guess. 🤷🏻♀️ • HR portals that force you to manually re-enter your entire work history including dates because I’ve yet to see ANY that can successfully pull this info from either a LinkedIn profile or a CV document. 😫 • A recruiter who seems desperate to speak to you about a relevant role who then just ghosts. 👻 • Insisting on extensive experience with every last one of a specific list of tools/software…some of which are very recent/niche. 🦄 If you’re also in a similar position right now, I encourage you to go & enjoy your weekend! Let’s all dive back in on Monday. ☀️

Reflecting on My Journey: Lessons from Each Role Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of wearing many hats—from being a Project Coordinator to an Executive Assistant, a Receptionist, and even a Metro Assistant of the Station Master. Each role has taught me something valuable: 🎯 Project Coordinator: I mastered the art of juggling multiple tasks, ensuring every detail is accounted for while keeping the bigger picture in focus. It’s all about turning chaos into a well-oiled machine. 🗝️ Executive Assistant: Here, I learned the importance of anticipating needs, staying two steps ahead, and maintaining confidentiality. Supporting leadership isn’t just about managing schedules—it’s about being the backbone that helps drive strategic decisions. 🌟 Receptionist: As the first point of contact, I honed my skills in creating positive first impressions and managing inquiries with grace. It’s about setting the tone for the entire organization, one interaction at a time. 🚇 Metro Assistant of the Station Master: This role taught me the significance of safety, efficiency, and customer service in a high-pressure environment. Ensuring smooth operations and helping passengers navigate their journeys was both challenging and rewarding. Each of these roles has shaped me into a well-rounded professional, equipped with a diverse skill set and a unique perspective. It’s amazing how much you can learn from different experiences—and how those lessons can make you an asset in any team.

These days you see job titles like Director of Projects or Manager of Projects more familiar in the Middle East job markets, the reason behind this is a simple one and this change from the conventional job titles of project director or project manager came about around 17 years ago when employees complained with the conventional job titles, when asked to run several projects simultaneously, that they are employed to manage a single project at a time as it says in their job titles Project Director or Project Manager and the easy answer to fix the problem was to call it Director of Projects or Manager of Projects.

Q3 showed a steady and continued need for Project Management professionals in London. Here are some of the key takeaways and what to expect moving into a busy Q4. * A continued slowdown in the Residential Markets (BTR/PRS) * Increasing demand for Technical Project Managers with experience in new build Data Centers. * A very high demand for CAT A & CAT B experienced Project Managers who have worked across Co-Working, Legal and Professional Services client bases. Candidate activity has mostly been between Project Manager through to Associate Director levels with very few Director / Board level vacancies surfacing. What's our prediction for Q4 ....................... * Continued demand in the Occupier Fit Out Market * An increase in demand for Hotel experienced Project Managers who have worked on 5* Hotels (There are a lot of project wins happening in this space) * Continued demand in both Life Sciences and Data Center markets. * More firms collectively moving back to 4/5 days in the office. * More senior leadership opportunities opening up I'm interested in hearing your thoughts, comments, and predictions from those who are in the #builtenvironment space.

Opportunity

Operations = The Chief of Staff. The Administrator. The Project Coordinator. The Assistant. The Event Planner. The Office Manager. These are "catch all" job titles for the person that does the "catch all" duties to keep an organization running. In every successful enterprise someone is working behind the scenes making sure the program/product/project is running smoothly, processes are efficient, performance is tracked, new hires and clients are onboarded, reporting and meetings are organized. And making sure everyone is communicating with everyone. If you are running your own business and have not hired an "Operations" person - take a look at how you're doing. p.s. Moms make great Operators.

What are the most difficult executive assistant tasks and why? It's no news that being an executive assistant is not "a walk in the park." The success of someone else's life and business relies heavily on your performance. This is why most senior executives fear onboarding an executive assistant on their team. We are more like their right-hand man and even shadow them in their absence. The most difficult executive assistant tasks often involve these; 1. Managing complex schedules and priorities. 2. Handling sensitive information with discretion. 3. Communicating on behalf of the senior executive. These are my reasons for choosing these 3 tasks out of many. These tasks require; 1. Excellent organizational skills 2. Attention to detail 3. Ability to multitask while still maintaining professionalism and confidentiality. You would also need to be able to anticipate the executive's needs and proactively solve them. While being an executive assistant is challenging, it can be fulfilling seeing that smile on the lips of your executive each time they say "well done" or "thank you" to you for exceeding their expectations on certain tasks. PS: Which are the most difficult executive assistant tasks, for you? I am your amazing executive assistant and project manager. More like your "Kent Clark" or "Merlin". 🤣 🤣 Let's kick those tasks on their butts!

🔍 Exploring Entry-Level Project Management Roles! 🔍 I recently sought advice on potential entry-level project management positions based on my resume, and I’m excited to share the valuable insights I received! Here are some roles that align well with my skills and experiences: ✅ Project Coordinator: This role will allow me to manage various projects, coordinate resources, and ensure smooth operations, which aligns perfectly with my organizational skills. ✅ Facilities Coordinator: Working in facilities coordination will enable me to oversee facility-related projects, handle ticket requests, and collaborate with vendors, utilizing my communication and multitasking abilities. ✅ Event Coordinator: While I haven't coordinated events professionally, I have planned family trips, which has given me valuable experience in logistics, resource coordination, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. ✅ Operations Coordinator: This role focuses on supporting daily operations, which resonates with my experience managing front desk operations and tenant communications. ✅ Assistant Property Manager: My current role has involved overseeing daily operations, managing tenant communications, and ensuring compliance with property regulations, all of which provide relevant experience for project management. ✅ Junior Project Manager: A stepping stone to more advanced roles, this position would allow me to assist in managing projects and contribute to successful outcomes. I'm continuing to be open as I pursue these opportunities and continue my journey in project management. If anyone has additional suggestions or insights, I would love to hear them! #ProjectManagement #CareerDevelopment #CareerPath #tammiashares

I continue to bring you along on this journey of merging three historical buildings in the heart of Paris for the new premises of a major financial player. As the forefront of this groundbreaking transformation, my role extends far beyond the basics of project management. 🏗️🏢✨ On-site, there’s a different kind of energy—in the dust and the buzzing sounds of construction, there’s promise. Representing both the Assistant to the Project Owner and the local eyes and ears for our Anglo-Saxon client, my task is not just oversight—it's about ensuring their vision translates perfectly into every brick and mortar laid. 🕵️♂️🔍 Achieving flawless delivery and meeting strict deadlines aren’t just targets, but my commitment. Being a part of such a distinctive project isn't just a job; it's about crafting a piece of Parisian heritage into a modern masterpiece. 🌟 Stay tuned for a behind-the-scenes look in my next post, where I'll take you inside these evolving edifices. 🚪🔧🧱 #tertiaryfitout #projectmanagement #clientrepresentation 👷♂️ Professional spaces project manager, turning your office into a reflection of your business, where employees thrive. 🌱