What is your current role in the S&SHIS?

Project Manager

What do you do in your role?

As a Project Manager, I provide efficient and effective management and coordination of a number of IT projects that S&SHIS are either delivering directly or contributing to as part of wider customer projects. The main projects I am currently managing are the wireless improvement project for inpatient wards on behalf of MPFT, the implementation of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Microsoft Azure Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR) for the 20,000 staff we support over our customer organisations.

I am also a Change Manager, which means I am responsible for managing the S&SHIS Change Management function via requests for change (RFCs) through internal and customer advisory boards (CABs) for approval.

Have you always worked in this role?

No. This is my seventh role within S&SHIS in over 10 years. I have been in this role since May 2022.

What other roles and departments have you worked in during your career?

• Administration Assistant – Business Support
• Project Administrator – MPFT IM&T
• Administration Officer – System Support & RA
• 1st Line Technician – Service Desk
• Project Support Officer – Change Assurance
• Junior Project Manager – Programme Team

What motivated you to move roles?

Although I enjoyed working on the Service Desk, I couldn’t envision a career path down the technical route within S&SHIS, so when the secondment role within the Change Assurance Team was advertised, I took the opportunity to explore the project route and have been fortunate enough to progress within this team.

What support helped you to make this change?

As well as the support and encouragement from my manager and colleagues, I had previous experience within a project role whilst on secondment as a Project Administrator within the SSSFT (now MPFT) IM&T Team a few years prior, which helped me to move into the Change Assurance team. Working hard to prove myself within the Project Support Officer and Junior Project Manager roles, by showcasing my organisational skills, always being prepared to go above and beyond what is required and gaining the trust of the Project Managers in my abilities, helped me to progress to the Project Manager role.

What do you value about progressing your career in S&SHIS?

I joined the S&SHIS in 2011 as an Administration Assistant on a 3-month contract from an employment agency. I never could have imagined that over 10 years later I would still be working here, with such a varied progression path behind me! I value the support and encouragement I have received from management within S&SHIS to go for the opportunities which have been available.

I also really valued the support the S&SHIS allowed me to study for a Masters degree, even though it was in an unrelated subject to the organisation. Each team that I have worked in has allowed me to work flexible hours to accommodate my studies and placement hours and were supportive of my ambition to qualify in this area alongside building my career within S&SHIS.

What would be your best piece of advice to others seeking a career in the S&SHIS?

You don’t have to be technical to progress within S&SHIS. Keep challenging yourself and don’t be afraid to take any opportunity you’re interested in. I recommend applying for secondments – I have been on four secondments within the organisation – because even if the posts don’t become permanent, the knowledge and experience you gain within these roles are invaluable in helping you to progress within S&SHIS.