#MySkillsStory: Sam

As a leading tech employer in the East we want to showcase some of the diverse roles and routes into tech. Today we meet Head of Projects and Strategic Change, Sam Notley.

What is your role at Epos Now and what does that involve?

I am accountable for the portfolio of projects across the business, this includes 4 programmes (Innovation & Technology, Change, Commercial & Marketing). I am accountable for introducing lightweight project structure to the business. My day to day role is to reduce risk that business changes can introduce and add business value or efficiency with the projects we deliver.

What previous education/work experience helped hone your skills to get you where you are now?

I was a Special Police Officer for over 3 years so am able to keep a cool head amongst chaos, this is an important skill for Project Managers. I have been lucky enough to deliver projects globally so have been exposed to different business cultures which teaches you that you need to tailor your approach based on your surroundings. Lastly technology has always been prominent in projects I deliver, either delivering a technical project or leveraging technology to make your delivery smoother.

Have you picked up any new skills in your role?

Absolutely, only this year I gained Agile Practitioner qualification, I am also working more closely with Salesforce so am gradually picking up new insights.

What skill is most critical and why?

Communication: Courses and qualifications get you in the door but to really make a difference you need to have the ability to communicate effectively with your key stakeholders and project teams. Project Managers are typically not line managers so you are looking to deliver business change through influence.

Can you offer any advice to someone starting out?

This sounds strange coming from a person who spends every day avoiding risks but the advice I would give is...Do not be afraid of taking a risk, even if it doesn't work out you probably gained some experience. Be heard and if you cannot achieve your ambitions where you are, make a change. Do not look at the unknown as uncertainty, see it as an adventure!

If you would like more information on the #MySkillsStory movement, check out City and Guilds. If you'd like to see if your skills are a good fit for the roles we have, check out the Epos Now career pages.