Senior Project Manager Review

As a Project Manager I am responsible for delivering projects into the business, ensuring that these are delivered on time, on budget and to a high level of quality. My day-to-day activities are wide ranging and can include creating project plans, facilitating risk workshops, forecasting required budgets, writing progress reports, stakeholder management across all levels of the organisation and problem solving.

I am six months into an MBA Executive Apprenticeship and so far have covered operations management and organisation strategy. These modules have provided me with a greater understanding of the strategic importance of operations management and practical techniques to evaluate operational performance to support decision making. They have also taught me the full strategy planning process from identifying the strategic opportunities through to selection and implementation.

It has been very enjoyable to date. Whilst it is very intensive to study for an MBA alongside a full time job, it is also incredibly fulfilling. I have learnt tools and techniques that I have been able to practice in the workplace, and I have been able to network with different people from a wide range of companies and industries.

The MBA Executive Apprenticeship is very well organised. I have been provided with details of all the modules, including dates for webinars and campus days for the next 2 years so that I can effectively plan my time. I have also been provided with the requirements of the Senior Leader Masters Degree Apprenticeship.

I have a formal quarterly review with our apprenticeship leader to discuss progress and any issues or concerns that I may have. They are also available outside of this review if I require any support. I am also supported by my senior management team and am provided adequate study time within the working week and have fortnightly check-in meetings to ensure that my wellbeing is also being supported

The support of the Programme Director and module leaders has been invaluable and they are available via several different channels if I need to reach out for support. The one area that hasn't been as good is the allocation of our apprenticeship coaches. Your coach is there to provide you with that support and guide you on the apprenticeship requirements, however we have yet to be assigned a coach despite having completed two module assignments and being nearly 6 months into the programme.

The MBA Executive Apprenticeship is providing me with a wide range of tools and practical techniques that widen my breadth of knowledge and that I can apply in my role, rather than just being taught the theory. Having access to a wider network group is also valuable to understand differing points of view and leadership styles.

There aren't many opportunities for social activities at the moment due to the global pandemic, but pre-covid there were a number of activities that I have either been involved with or led. These have included charity bake sales, family fun days and fitness challenges. There are also many opportunities for supporting our local communities and we are offered two volunteer days per annum. Alongside this, there are also opportunities to get involved with our Diversity and Inclusion network groups and I personally chaired the Physical and Mental Wellbeing group for 12 months, which was extremely rewarding.

Yes

Wesleyan is an exciting place to work and there are lots of opportunities to grow both professionally and personally. The best thing for me at Wesleyan is without a doubt its culture - you are actively encouraged and recognised for achieving stretch targets whilst being provided flexibility to balance work and home life. The people at Wesleyan are what make it a truly fantastic place to work, and it sounds very cliche, but it has almost a family feel amongst colleagues.

Be your true and authentic self as diversity is actively encouraged. Understand the company strategy and blueprint and identify what part you can play in its implementation. Embody the companies behaviours - care about the result; back up your proposals or views with data and evidence; make decisions with sound reasoning; and finally actively listen and talk straight.