At IPSL, we’re proud to have a reputation for delivering the highest levels of service for our clients, with the expertise and knowledge of our team being fundamental to our approach.
We understand our people are at the core of everything we do, and their passion and in-depth knowledge of the industry is what continues to drive our company forward. That’s why we are committed to delivering the best development opportunities for our employees, both personally and professionally, to aid their career progression.
We want to continually attract and retain the most talented individuals, so have built a company culture that is focused on our people.
Umed Rahman recently joined IPSL’s Construction Delivery Team as an Assistant Project Manager and has quickly become an invaluable member of the team. Here, Umed talks about his experience joining IPSL and what it takes to be successful in his new role.
Umed Rahman
Assistant Project Manager: Construction Delivery
What is your role at IPSL?
I assist in overseeing a variety of variation and lifecycle works across various PPP schemes and construction projects, starting at the initial planning phase up until completion and handover. As an Assistant Project Manager, I work closely with a Senior Project Manager to build a master programme that clearly outlines costs, timings, plans and contractors.
I provide support on a range of processes from co-ordination and issue of tender documentation to the production and execution of various forms of contract documentation and the undertaking of contract administration, management and works monitoring.
A huge part of my role centres around building relationships with all stakeholders, particularly contractors to ensure that work is delivered on time, in budget and to a high standard. This means taking a proactive approach, working closely with contractors on live sites and regularly assessing and reporting on project progress.
How did you get into the profession?
I always wanted to work in project management and studied Project Management for Construction at University. From the very beginning, I enjoyed everything the role encompassed.
After undertaking several placements during my time at University College London, I realised that once qualified, I wanted to find a job where I could be involved in the practical side of projects. My role with IPSL has allowed me to work with experienced project managers and contractors while also working on many live sites.
How did you hear about the company and what made you decide to apply for the job?
After graduating, I started looking for jobs within the industry. I heard about IPSL through a recruitment agency and was immediately attracted by the security and stability of the company. Having done a bit of research, I discovered that the firm worked on an impressive number of PFI projects and has a strong reputation for providing high-quality services.
From my experience, finding the right company is just as important as finding the right job. Company culture has a huge impact on your role and, with this being my first job in the industry, I wanted to find a company where I could learn and develop.
In the short time I’ve worked at IPSL, I’ve learnt a huge amount and the experience and knowledge I have gained has been invaluable. I’m given a huge amount of support from my manager and colleagues daily and have been involved in all aspects of project management from day one.
IPSL has a reputation for nurturing and supporting employee development and I was attracted by the potential for progression.
What are some of the unique aspects of your job?
Working on live sites, especially within the healthcare sector, has been a huge experience for me and is a very unique aspect of the job. As you can imagine, construction projects within live sites, such as essential works within hospitals, must be treated with a lot of care and attention.
Working within a hospital involves strict timescales and unique health and safety regulations to ensure work is carried out safely and causes as little disruption as possible. To facilitate essential works within this environment, you have to plan, co-ordinate and effectively communicate construction plans and tasks, while continuing to maintain clinical requirements.
It’s all about communicating with stakeholders, including contractors, clearly and continuously, while also reviewing processes throughout a project. It can be challenging at times, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I’m incredibly passionate about my job and truly enjoy every aspect of it. I like being able to build and maintain relationships with contractors and stakeholders and have had the pleasure of working closely with a huge number of highly experienced professionals.
My favourite part of the job is seeing proposed projects become a reality. A huge part of my role is the planning stage, so being able to see all of that come to life and knowing it will have a lasting impact as part of a PPP asset is incredibly rewarding.
I’m also very lucky to work with such a talented and supportive team. Working collaboratively with so many industry experts has been fantastic and I’ve been able to learn a huge amount in a short time frame.
If you’re interested in learning more about careers at IPSL, please contact our Business Development Manager, Laura Evans on laura.evans@imagileps.com.
