Shami Kaler
- Job Title: Senior Design Manager
- Business Area: Living Space
Introducing Shami
Shami is a senior design manager for our affordable housing business, Living Space. Shami is responsible for overseeing the design function for a number of our projects.
Personal Statement
I have been in construction for around 20 years. I started in site management, then moved into design and worked my way up through the ranks to my current role. I joined Wates about five years ago, I had a number of offers at the time but Wates appealed the most. I wanted to have the opportunity to work on bigger and more complex projects but also company culture was important. Wates expects high standards and has a real respect for people, I also think the Wates family is a very successful brand.
My Week
I am responsible for the operational side of design for a number of projects. This can either be for projects on-site or at the planning or tender stages. So I split my time between being on-site and in the office. I ensure that we mitigate design risk and support the design teams as well as manage our relationship with consultants. Another key part of my role is to coach and bring on the design managers and teams so they reach their full potential.
You need technical expertise for this role as well as being commercially and risk aware. I am passionate about design but I realise that not everyone will share my view, so you need to patient and be able to coach people. Because seeing the actual end product, the finished building which you’ve helped contribute to, is always rewarding.