Before joining Oxford PharmaGenesis, I had just graduated from university with a BSc in Psychology. I was unsure what career options were really out there for me. Before, during and after my university studies, I mainly worked in customer service roles, and I had never heard of project management. That was until I was approached by Oxford PharmaGenesis – who were looking for someone with a life sciences degree and customer service experience. That was me!
After joining as a Project Assistant, I was given so many opportunities to hone my skills in financial, project and client management. I have been here just over 2 years and I have already been promoted from my Assistant role to Project Coordinator, and then to Project Manager.
Here in the PharmaGenesis Cardiff office, we work on a wide variety of projects, ranging from classic publications, meetings and events, communications planning and strategy, videos and other digital materials … you name it – we do it! I help to manage several accounts in many different therapy areas, so no two days are the same for me. I make sure projects are delivered on time, to budget, and that our clients feel well informed on progress. Project management is more than this though. You might be pitching for new business one day, helping your clients facilitate a meeting the next – you don’t just work behind the scenes in project management. You are an integral part of the team, and someone who your clients rely on to be their envoy to other external stakeholders.
There is constant encouragement from my colleagues to develop my skills and push myself. This really makes me feel valued in this role. Everyone is appreciated and heard, no matter their level of seniority. It’s the collaborative environment at Oxford PharmaGenesis that stops you feeling pigeon-holed into a certain role or remit – we all work together on everything to make our day run smoothly. I can’t wait to see where the next few years take me and the rest of the team!
