Paul Brogan is Contracts Director for John McQuillan (contracts) Limited who have been responsible for providing expertise in the construction of the Giro Team Paddocks for the Giro d’Italia in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter. In just two and a half weeks they transformed the Titanic Slipway area into a world class paddock area where 22 of the world’s leading pro cycling teams will be based during the Belfast stages of the race.
What’s your job?
I am a Contracts Director for John McQuillan (Contracts) Limited. Our companies range from Civil Engineering and Roads Maintenance work through Quarrying, Specialised Waste Management to the provision of Outdoor Services and Facilities Management.
How did you get there?
I joined the company in March 1995 after five years working in London as a Quantity Surveyor with Edmund Nuttall Limited. My first role was a Quantity surveyor but I moved through the company and progressed to a Director in 1999 and haven’t looked back since.
Do you have a typical working day?
My typical working day can start with phone calls from 7am to and from the team of Contract Supervisors we employ to check on the progress of schemes, through the day meetings with our primary clients, analysis of commercial and financial reports, dealing with sub-contractor and suppliers issues and also managing our role as technical partner for the Giro d’Italia ‘Big Start’ in Belfast. I also take an overview on the Bid Management Team.
Between the board members we also share responsibility for HR issues. It is a wide and varied role but one which presents different challenges every day given some 120 direct employees and as many sub-contractors. McQuillans is also a fourth generation family owned business so it is great that everyone does have responsibility across different areas of the company.
I am also involved in the Quarry Products Association NI which is the trade association representing our industry. I am the recent past chairman of the Asphalt and Aggregate’s Committee 2012 -2014. This was a significant involvement given the challenges that have faced our industry in relation to lobbying for Government Expenditure, changes to procurement and technical changes to specifications driven by European Legislation of the past few years.
What qualifications do you have?
An honours degree in Quantity Surveying from the University of Ulster in 1990 and I qualified as a Chartered Quantity Surveyor (MRICS) in 1992.
What’s the best thing about your job?
The variety the Construction Industry throws up each day from scheme to scheme never fails to keep you interested.
And the worst?
In construction everything works on programmes and deadlines, so before you know another year is gone!
What other skills do you need in your role?
Apart from the profession skills which would be intrinsic with the role, the majority of the skills revolve around dealing with people. The industry stands or falls on how people interact, so the skill set needs to include the ability to understand other peoples viewpoint, the ability to persuade and negotiate and not least patience as sometimes it takes a little longer than anticipated to get people around to your way of thinking!
What do you think are the greatest challenges/pressures of the job?
Securing works at sustainable levels to ensure the successful continuity of the business and continuity of employment for the directly employed workforce and staff and the many sub-contractors and supply chain partners we work with.
What advice would you give someone considering a career in your profession?
The profession of Quantity Surveying is an excellent one for grounding in the skills required for a position like mine. It brings with it the ability to think commercially and contractually about the tender and construction processes. There is also an understanding of the financial reporting requirements necessary to run a business.
What did you want to be when you were at school?
Apart from an astronaut, I guess I always wanted to be a Quantity Surveyor.
What’s the most common question people ask when they find out what you do?
Apart from was it you who surface dressed our road, or why are there so many potholes, people sometimes question the pressure everyone in the industry places on themselves and why we do it. The answer is always the same, no matter what; we wouldn’t do it if we didn’t get the satisfaction of another scheme completed successfully and on time.
What do you look for on a CV?
Apart from the initial technical or professional ability we look in our company for the personality to come through. Being a fourth generation family company we strive to keep the less corporate feeling within the business. This relies on a certain type of characteristic to relax into the business. So I would be looking for evidence of adaptability and flexibility to deal with different situations in previous roles.
When you interview someone what qualities are you looking for?
A demonstration of a technical knowledge of the skills required for the role being interviewed for, then I would be moving onto to find out more about the person, their interpersonal skills, and the potential for them to fit into our working environment.
Do you have a killer interview question and if so what is it?
Not into killer questions, apart from scoring the responses to the technical side I will develop an opinion on the person in relation to how I believe they would fit into the family environment and whether both they and the business would benefit from offering them a position.
How do you like to relax outside work?
Ironically with the Giro in town, I have been a keen cyclist for 12 years ever since the dog ate my boots (under my wife’s instruction) to give me the non-verbal cue to give up hurling. I have really enjoyed being involved with the Giro d’Italia given its global appeal- it’s a fantastic event for Northern Ireland to be involved with. Ravenhill on a Friday night would also be a keen interest albeit I never played the game!
NIJobs.com has been helping people climb the career ladder since 2000. Our team is brimming with tips, guidance, ideas and inspiration, seeking to bring you closer to your dream job.