Fibrus Build Manager Q&A
As our contracts and our teams have grown at a rapid speed, so to has the responsibility of our Build Managers. Overseeing the day to day operations on the ground and being the connection between contractors and the internal team at Fibrus is paramount to our success.
One of our Build Managers, John McEvoy has taken some time out to tell us a little bit about himself and how he got into networking building with Fibrus.
Tell us a little about your career to date...
I have been working in the civil engineering/utility sector for over 25 years at various levels ranging from site engineer through to contracts manager.
Over the years I have been involved in a variety of contract works ranging from sewer and watermain design and installation, road contracts, watermains rehabilitation, electricity supply and more recently, telecommunications.
What was your favourite subject at school?
Physics - I've always loved building things!
Did you go on to further/higher education? If so, what did you study and where?
Yes, I went to the University of Ulster in Jordanstown to study Civil Engineering. I made sure to thoroughly enjoy all sides of student life!
How did you get into your area of work?
After my degree I went straight into utility installation contracts before moving to installation and maintenance on the Virgin Media network within Northern Ireland, and the experience gained there led me to Fibrus.
Is this what you always wanted to do
I’ve always known I wanted to be involved in creating and building and particularly have enjoyed working within telecoms constructing new networks.
Were there any particular qualifications, or experience needed
My particular role doesn’t specifically require any formal qualifications but relies heavily on experience gained in similar utility works particularly fibre network builds. A good knowledge of Streetworks and NIRAUC requirements are really important to ensure a safe and high quality network build.
What are the main skills your job requires?
- Patience
- Ability to plan out town network builds
- Good communication skills
- Ability to interpret construction packs and change designs where required
What does a typical day entail?
- Communication with Fibrus supervisors and Head of Network Delivery
- Build meetings with our main contractor to determine the current build progress in each town
- Build meetings with our network designers to plan upcoming town builds
- Resolution of site issues
- Planning and maximisation of build releases for monthly handovers
- Site design changes
- Co-ordination with sales and installations department
What are the best and most challenging aspects of the job?
Best – being able to work within a fantastic team to a quality build
Most challenging – to co-ordinate a network build that is spread across the whole of Northern Ireland, ensuring that Fibrus receive the highest quality of build.
How has COVID-19 impacted your business/role?
Covid-19 has reduced the amount of face to face meetings and interaction between the build team, contractor and designers. Online meetings are now the norm for build meetings. Other than that it’s business as usual for us as we follow all government guidelines and are deemed as essential workers.
What adjustments have you had to make?
More working from home has required setting aside a dedicated space where I can focus on my work. It has also meant less travelling which gives me extra time to manage my workload.
Why is what you do important?
The build manager’s role is to co-ordinate the everyday activities of the contractor, designer and supervisors to ensure a best value product with the minimum amount of disruption to the general public who are, ultimately, potential customers for Fibrus.
What advice would you give anyone looking to follow a similar career path?
The telecoms industry is a growing industry and offers fantastic opportunities for the future. Experience gained in other utilities is a good base for the telecoms industry and can be expanded upon in your career.
What is the one piece of advice you would give yourself on your first day?
Be prepared to listen to everyone on the team.
If you are interested in joining Fibrus, on the build Team or across our other departments, check out the current vacancies at www.fibrus.com/careers.
