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Consultant Focus: Meet Paul Cullen
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Consultant Focus: Meet Paul Cullen
over 1 year ago By Emily Harris
Within the Public Sector, there are many different departments and divisions that require very specific knowledge and skills. Which is why at Public Sector People we have a number of consultants who specialise on recruiting for these particular areas- whether Finance and HR or Construction and Engineering. By focusing on one or two disciplines, our consultants can absorb and develop an extensive knowledge on the market and know what organisations are looking for when hiring new talent. Our consultants can then utilise this knowledge to ensure their candidates have the best and most-up-to-date information when applying for roles as well as guiding them to roles that will best match their needs.
One of our key consultants for the Construction and Engineering space in Sydney is Paul Cullen. We’ve provided a little more information on what Paul does at Public Sector People below; how he manages the recruitment process, the relationships he builds with both clients and candidates and the current roles he has available.
Can you explain your role at Public Sector People?
I am a full 360 consultant, working across local governments in NSW.
What are the types of positions you recruit for?
While I work across a lot of industries my focus is technical roles. These can be Project Manager roles within both the construction and engineering space. Some of the roles I have recently placed in the engineering space would be design, drainage, traffic, assets and development.
Within engineering and construction, what are the key skills and capabilities you look for on a resume?
A lot of councils I work with will specify the software skills and experience a successful candidate must have- especially for contract work - so that they can easily transition into a role, so having software experience for a candidate is invaluable. Obviously, for project manager roles I recruit for, the more project experience a candidate can demonstrate - especially multidisciplinary projects- the better.
You’ve built some lasting relationships with both clients and candidates while at Public Sector People. Can you explain the key to maintaining and strengthening these connections?
I think the best way to build trust with your clients is through transparency and honesty. I always try and be honest with both my clients and candidates in regard to feedback, rejections or any job or market updates. I think it’s also important to get back to people regularly so they feel they can rely and depend on you. Finally, being able to check in with your clients and candidates, ask how they are, how their day’s been and showing a general interest demonstrates a level of care that I think people appreciate and can help foster stronger connections.
What commitment will you make to the active job seekers you choose to work with?
For my candidates, I will always have their best interests at heart and do right by them. I try to demonstrate this through letting them know of all suitable opportunities which might be of interest to them and assisting them to the best of my ability to secure the right role for them This will include providing tips and checking in with them before each interview, helping to format their resumes and providing general market advice.
How do you conduct the aftercare process in the roles you recruit for?
It’s important to ensure that the candidates you’ve placed are happy in their new role, as starting a new job can be a daunting process. I like to regularly check in with my candidates every few weeks after they start their role to make sure they are happy, they are enjoying working in the team and the workload is manageable. If the client is going well, I might extend these check-ins to every few months and if the candidate flags anything negative, I can identify these issues as they arise and act as a facilitator to both the candidate and the client to negotiate a best outcome for both parties.
Paul’s Current Opportunities
Project Engineer
Location: Sydney
Contract Type: Contract
Job Summary: A local council is looking for a Project Engineer to work with their Infrastructure Projects Engineer, Works Manager and Roads Work Crew in implementing operations, maintenance and renewal strategies and works programs for council’s road infrastructure assets.
Click here for more information
Design Engineer
Location: Sydney
Contract Type: Contract
Job Summary: A local Sydney government’s City Infrastructure and Traffic Operations (CITO) Unit is looking for a Design Engineer to join their team on a 12-month basis to provide technical, operational and business support to the unit’s core responsibilities.
Click here for more information
Contact Us
To Find out more about any of the roles listed above, or to reach out to Paul for a confidential chat about the job market within the public sector and his upcoming opportunities within the NSW construction and engineering space, you can contact him at:
Email: paul@publicsectorpeople.com.au
Phone: 0403 242 600
Linkedin: Click here
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Paul Cullen's Job
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Senior Project Manager - Civil Infrastructure
SydneyAbout The Role: Public Sector People are currently recruiting for an experienced Project Manager to join our local council client on a 12 month contract. The successful candidate will have extensive project management experience across civil infrastructure from design to construction. Key Responsibilities: Providing the delivery of high-quality civil infrastructure projects by effective and ongoing monitoring of the projects to ensure the projects are delivered as per the specifications, and desired quality, safety and environment standards are achieved, with in time and budget constraints that meets legislative requirements, grant conditions and customer expectations. Assisting in the achievement of “best value” investment in infrastructure assets by contributing to the development, implementation and maintenance of effective budget and project programmed and systems. The analysis, evaluation and planning of infrastructure project options and strategies. Achieving project and program delivery goals (encompassing quantity, quality, time, safety, environmental and cost) by actively coordinating and overseeing the planning, design, procurement, construction and hand over processes across the organization. Providing high quality civil infrastructure by monitoring the execution and completion of works to achieve required specifications, quality, safety and environmental standards, time and budget constraints, legislative requirements, grant conditions and customer expectations. Assisting in maximizing Council’s access to and use of grant funds for infrastructure projects by identifying sources and preparing sound grant submissions and applications. Developing strong relationships with relevant government agencies. Negotiate and manage complex multi-million-dollar contracts. Contributing to the development of “best practice” infrastructure solutions by considering political sensitivities, life cycle costs, safety, amenity, environment, access & user behavior, community expectations and other risk management issues. Key Skills: Tertiary qualifications in Civil Engineering or Construction Management, together with extensive experience in project management of design and construction of major civil infrastructure projects. Current Class C Driver's License If you meet the above criteria and are looking for your next contract opportunity please apply via the appropriate link with a CV attached. For a confidential discussion regarding this opportunity please contact Paul Cullen on 0403 242 600
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Senior Project Manager - Buildings, Parks and Recreation Assets
SydneyAbout The Role: Public Sector People are currently recruiting for a Senior PM to join our local government client on a 12 Month Contract. The successful candidate will have 10+ years experience across project management within building construction, parks and assets. Key Responsibilities: Assist in the achievement of “best value” investment in buildings, parks and recreation assets and infrastructure by contributing to the development and implementation of high standards for design, construction and maintenance Development, implementation and maintenance of effective budget and asset management programmes and systems. Achieve project and program delivery goals (encompassing quantity, quality, time, safety, environmental and cost) by actively coordinating and overseeing the planning, design, procurement, construction and handover processes across the organisation. Provide high quality buildings and recreation assets and infrastructure by monitoring the execution and completion of works to achieve required specifications, quality, safety and environmental standards, time and budget constraints, legislative requirements, grant conditions and customer expectations. Complete delivery of major building and infrastructure projects by project management of projects from concept to handover Effective grants administrations, where projects are funded by external grant, to deliver grant funded projects/ programs within grant guidelines, timeframes and agency expectations. Assist in a team approach to risk management by providing peer review, assessment and mitigation measures, of project risks of other project managers and project co-ordinators within the Unit. Contribute to the successful development, acceptance and implementation of projects and programs by ensuring effective liaison, consultation and communication and developing and maintaining effective working relationships with all stakeholders, both internal and external to the organisation. Undertaking pre-tender/quotation WHS project Hazard identifications and Risk Assessments of relative work activities Key Skills: Tertiary qualifications in Architecture, Building Construction, Project Management, or other relevant disciplines. Work Cover issued Construction Industry Induction Card. Class C Driver’s License If you meet the above criteria and are looking for your next contract opportunity please apply via the appropriate link with a CV attached. For a confidential discussion regarding this opportunity please contact Paul Cullen on 0403 242 600