Building your role and career

Pippa Bunker is enjoying a hugely rewarding working life with OfficeTeam in their Milton Keynes office.

40% of her time involves working as Executive Assistant to Phil Sheridan, the UK District Director for OfficeTeam, whom we featured in the Careers section recently.

The other 60% involves being responsible for both a team of five in OfficeTeam’s Milton Keynes office, and also for the lead administrators in the company’s 14 northern offices. This can involve a fair bit of travel.

Pippa worked as a Marketing Manager previously, but was made redundant.

“I saw an advert for OfficeTeam and went in to register,” she explains. I then actually started working for them, and shortly thereafter for Phil Sheridan. I’ve always given 110% to every job I’ve had, and I know I can really make a difference at OfficeTeam. When I come to work, I’m representing Phil and the business, so I am very professional but I like to inject some fun into the day. I’ve been told my enthusiasm is very infectious!

“Since I started and my role has evolved I’ve put a several initiatives in place with our District Admin Co-ordinator Charlotte Clear which I’m really proud of.

“In July, for example, we launched a Sales Support Recognition Programme – recruitment is very sales oriented so we wanted to run an initiative to promote the great work being done every month by our super sales support teams. We announced our first winner last week, this programme has been very well received and we will continue to develop and evolve it.

“We have also created a lead administrator in each of the 14 offices in Phil’s district. We are involved in training and appraising them all. We meet quarterly and have conference calls monthly. We as a team can contribute at Phil’s Senior management meetings so this forum allows us to discuss any issues which I can then voice on their behalf. In short, we’ve established ourselves as the senior administrative team, which enables us to shape that function of the business.”

Phil Sheridan also works hard to raise the profile of the support function across the District that is headed up by Pippa and his District Admin Co-Ordinator Charlotte Clear. “We are leading the way to achieve best practice across all of our District Offices, ” Pippa says.

So how can you expand your role as Pippa has?

“Work hard to raise your own profile and be vocal about your successes,” Pippa recommends. “Do it at the right time and in the right way, but do it”. Raise your profile and make it your business to get to know the business inside and out and grab every opportunity with both hands; become indispensable!”

“You can make your role as big or as small as you want it to be,” Pippa emphasises. “At our senior management meetings, first I simply made sure everything was organised, and did the agenda and took notes. But then I made the choice to take a stance and get involved, and I’m a different person because of that choice. I bring something different to the meeting. Now I contribute throughout the day and give a different viewpoint to discussions.”

“I sit down with Phil weekly, go through his schedule and commitments, and see what I can take off him,” Pippa says. “I don’t necessarily do everything myself; I may delegate it to someone else, such as another manager.”

“Make it clear to your boss what you can do for him or her,” Pippa says. “If they are honest, bosses just don’t know, so steer them and show them. Make time to meet with your boss - schedule it your diaries. Be pro-active; take the lead and make it happen. Find out if they are happy with what you’re doing and if there’s anything else you can do for them.”

What key skills has Pippa developed? “Time management because I’m so busy,” Pippa says. “And I’ve learned to deal with people at every level, senior included. Even Phil’s managers come to me before they go to him before they run something by him on paper. My confidence has grown too. Before, I used to say “yes”, but now I’m honest with Phil and I tell him if I don’t think something will work. I know my opinion counts. We have a tremendous trust in and respect.”

Pippa arrives in the office at 7:30am every day to make the most of some quiet time. She leaves about 6pm. “The hours are long, but that’s my choice,” she says.

So what advice does Pippa have for those of you aiming to further your career?

“Don’t set any limits,” Pippa says. “Be open and honest about what you want; have a vision and make it happen. Take opportunities with both hands and position yourself to achieve your career goals. Work hard to gain everyone’s respect and raise your profile. Develop a thorough understanding of the business you’re in. Be prepared to go the extra mile to solve any problem you’re given and come up with a solution.”

I asked Pippa where she sees her own future going. “I’d love to work abroad for OfficeTeam, probably in the US,” she enthuses, adding “it’s a fantastic company to work for.” With her ambitious, enthusiastic nature, here at DeskDemon we’re sure it won’t be long before we’re interviewing her there!