In Focus with Amanda Beutel

1. What is your current role and main responsibilities?
   I was recently promoted to Project Director and am responsible for stakeholder management both externally & internally.  Externally focused on maintaining client relationships & business development responsibilities and team delivery for our clients.  Internally focussed on guiding and providing peer assistance to team members both within my immediate project teams and the wider team.
   
   
2. How did you get into this industry? 
   Creative passion led me to study interior design at university. After initially working in architectural firms, I diversified to project management roles always with a focus on design management.  
   
   
3. Tell us a little bit about your career
   After drafting for design firms predominantly in the retail and hotel sectors I quickly diversified into D&C roles for retail fit-outs. I discovered my personal satisfaction with assisting clients from leasing inception through to handing over the key for a completed project fitout.  This gave me the invaluable experience of ‘getting dirty’ working with the contractors on site, joiners in factories and in construction management roles. This provided me with a broad understanding of all the varied stakeholder drivers. Whilst the design background provided a solid basis, I discovered I favoured the diversity that the project management aspects of my roles afforded me. Working with projects from inception to completion ensured continual growth in diversified stakeholder management.
   
   
4. What has been your hardest career decision? 
   Having a family.  Balancing the long standing enjoyment and satisfaction I get from my work achievements with the responsibilities and joys of family life.
   
   
5. What do you love most about your job?
   The sense of achievement through all phases of a project.  The positive acknowledgement from clients when expectations are exceeded.  
   
   
6. What’s been your biggest challenge on a project and how did you overcome it? 
   Working remotely from my young family for many nights a week for many years.  As a family unit we worked together to set the routine and boundaries.  Huge support from my partner and my project team.
   
   
7. What motivates you?
   Exceeding stakeholders’ expectations & knowing that even after 20 years in the industry I still have a lot of experiences to look forward to.
   
   
8. How can clients, consultants and contractors work together better?
   Communicate clearly from the beginning of each project.  Acknowledge that as a team we each have our part to play and consider the importance of everyone’s role in achieving positive outcomes.
   
   
9. What are some of the trends you are seeing in the industry?
   Having consideration for using traditional spaces for alternate uses (particularly in the ever changing landscape of retail) & the forge ahead of flexible working across the industry.
   
   
10. How do you manage stakeholders?
    First listen. Understand stakeholders’ drivers.  Meet their requirements. Acknowledge what is in and out of your control and provide positive influence where possible.
    
    
11. Did you think you would end up in the role you are in now?
    I have had no expectation throughout my 20 year career.  I have purely let my gut instinct and evaluation of the enjoyment and satisfaction guide me throughout my career progression.  
    
    
12. What do you do to keep learning and growing in your career?
    Listen to the experiences of all the varied stakeholders I deal with daily from up and coming PM’s to clients, contractors and consultants.  We are all part of a greater puzzle and all bring different perspectives to the teams we work in.
    
    
13. What advice would you give to someone starting in the industry?
    Understand that the industry is broad. There is no right answer for where to start so start within elements that you enjoy and always be inquisitive and open to where the industry leads you rather than focused on where you think you want to be from the beginning – I guarantee you will end up somewhere you could never imagine. Don’t have a pre-conceived idea for where to start or you will close yourself off to opportunity.  I ended up client liaison in a factory setting 20 odd years ago – as a female at that time it was a very rare opportunity that I am pleased I didn’t shy away from.
    
    
14. What advice would you give to someone wanting to get in to Project Management? 
    Try and ‘get dirty’ first.  Through the eyes of the contractor or sub-consultant it assists in bridging the gap of understanding when dealing with the client side clientele whilst also understanding the perspective of the contractor.
    
    
15. What is the single most important quality you need to possess to be in this industry? 
    Soft skills for varied stakeholder management – everyone you deal with on a day to day basis has a different perspective and goal – listen. 

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