Some of us head off to university knowing exactly what we want to do with our lives and have our career paths carefully planned out.
Others, like Account Manager Amanda Morton, are less sure what they want to do but throw themselves and their considerable passion into any opportunities that come their way.
Amanda, who currently works in Ventia’s Property team on the Whole of Australian Government contact, says when she chose to study Health Sciences at Sydney University she was partly following in her mum’s footsteps.
“My mother passed away when I was 18, so it was right around the time I was deciding what was next,” she explains. “I knew mum had done health sciences, although she ended up in nursing which I wasn’t planning to do!”
First professional role
Fast forward five years and it was time for Amanda’s next decision – where to find her first professional role.
“I was applying for grad programs with the big banks and consulting firms, and quite frankly I expect they were looking at my degree and thinking there was no value in that for them,” Amanda says.
„ I am lucky that through a mutual connection, I was put in contact with a former senior leader at what was then Broadspectrum, who after a coffee catch up offered me a part time role whilst I finished my degree.“
Whole of Australian Government facilities management contract
Amanda worked in Ventia’s Social Infrastructure business and then moved into the Whole of Australian Government (WOAG) facilities management contract.
“The move into the WOAG contact was great timing for me as I’d just moved back to Canberra from Sydney to be closer to my dad before he passed,” Amanda explains. “My role at the time was Reporting Manager, ensuring that all the reports we prepared and delivered to the client met all the requirements.”
Not long after being promoted to the role of Commercial Manager on the contract, Amanda fell pregnant, and says she was concerned about losing ground after having worked hard to build her career. However, she says she needn’t have worried as the leadership team, including Mick Kirk and Martin Grounsell, were incredibly supportive.
Jumping straight in
“When I came back from parental leave, I moved straight into my new role,” she says.
“Honestly it was a role I’d hoped to move into in 4 or 5 years, so there was some apprehension,” she says. “But I am really proud of the work I’ve done so far; I feel like I’m killing it!”
Amanda’s manager, Contract Lead Mick Kirk, says he’s always impressed with her output.
„The work Amanda has always produced is of the highest quality. This, coupled with her work ethic and desire to exceed client expectations, made her the ideal candidate for the Account Manager role.“
Whilst Amanda says she’s still learning to be a mum, never mind an Account Manager, the support she’s received from the team has helped ensure her success.
General Manager Property, Martin Grounsell says that giving team members the opportunity to move into roles they may not be obvious candidates for is something he is passionate about.
“Property was a new area for Amanda five years ago,” he says. “But look at what she’s achieved since then. The results speak for themselves.”
Constantly learning and growing
Although many would argue a full-time job and a small child is enough of a workload, Amanda also leads 12 people on a subcommittee for CoreNet Global as a young leader executive. Through this role she encourages industry education for young employees in the property sector. She also ensures she keeps up her own further learning, having done a Harvard Business School leadership course, Contract Management Certification and Corporate Real Estate accreditation over the last few years.
Amanda explains that as the youngest, and only female Account Manager, she can tend to stick out a but.
„But I use it to my advantage. I am not shy about speaking up and asking questions if I don’t know something, and I find that my questions often open up some quite frank conversations with our client.“
Recognised as a finalist for Women in Business Award
Amanda has also been recognised for her work externally, as a finalist in the 2020 Telstra Women in Business Awards for the ACT.
“That was definitely a highlight for me. You can see in the photos I took on the night how happy I was, I was grinning from ear to ear!”
We’re sure Amanda will go far, and we’re proud to be there to support her journey.
Working at Ventia
Ventia is always looking for new talent. Learn more about Ventia and find your next role here!
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