Welcome to our In Focus series, where we shine a light on our Project Management team. This week we learn a little more about Mark Frame, Senior Project Manager in Savills Project Management.
- What is your current role and main responsibilities?
Senior Project Manager in Auckland where my key responsibilities are delivering projects within client expectations for time, cost and quality. I ensure stakeholders at all levels are engaged during the project to avoid surprises. - How did you get into this industry?
I started by studying architecture and didn’t like designing “pretty” shapes that had wasted unfunctional spaces. I quickly switched to Quantity Surveying to satisfy my numbers abilities which led to a contracts supervisor role which has progressed through to a Senior Project Manager position. - Tell us a little bit about your career
Starting as a junior cadet in a building material manufacturing business, I was able to work my way up through that company and eventually moved on to my first full Project Manager role with a developer/builder. That stepping stone introduced me to the right people who allowed me grow and develop until I started my own project management consulting company where I contracted to various builders and developers. Being able to work for myself for over 12 years allowed me to be involved in far greater opportunities both within New Zealand and internationally and eventually directed me to join the Savills Auckland PM team as they kicked off their first project. - What has been your hardest career decision?
Shutting down my own Project Management company and moving back to a salaried role in a tightening market. - What do you love most about your job?
Firstly, the people I get to work with and meet, be it colleagues, clients, contractors or consultants and secondly, the technical side and process of developing projects, managing the processes and delivering beyond client expectations. I love seeing things being developed and problems being solved. - What’s been your biggest challenge on a project and how did you overcome it?
Working semi-remotely on a large multi stage offshore project where local safety standards were significantly lacking. With the introduction of expat and local labour resources to toolbox talks, safety planning and safety awareness was able to be taught to the local workers and contractors. Although the training was continuous throughout the project, near misses were significantly reduced and there were nil serious harm injuries on the project over 3 ½ years of construction. - What motivates you?
Seeing ideas develop and making them a reality for the owners / key stakeholders. Simply, just getting the basics right so the process keeps moving forward. - What makes a great Senior Project Manager?
Knowing your own technical limitations so you are open learning new information and engaging with technical experts to ensure the best outcomes are achieved. - What is your most memorable moment of your career?
Being involved in the first New Zealand building demolition to use controlled explosives bringing down a 12 story earthquake damaged building. - What are some of the trends you are seeing in the industry?
Home based offices and workspaces. With the ongoing concerns of COVID-19 or other similar outbreaks, remote working tools and tech for interaction such as meetings, inspections and safety are developing quickly and being implemented widely. - Did you think you would end up in the role you are in now?
As a Senior Project Manager, yes, that was my goal from the beginning. Ideally semi-retired at 50 but I’m still working on that! - What do you do to keep learning and growing in your career?
Continually trying to work on unique projects. Being unique as a result of location, design, methodology or team / stakeholder involvement. - What do you do in your leisure time to de-stress?
Motorsports (cars, bikes and off roading), walking / hiking, ideally not on concrete and relaxing in the sun with a cold beer. - What is the single most important quality you need to possess to be in this industry?
The ability to adapt to change - this may come from the client’s brief, unanticipated local conditions, new technology/processes or a different perspective from stakeholders.
Learn more about Savills Project Management services.