Russell R.
About me
| Russell R. | |
| Chemistry | |
| Chemistry | |
| Taught Postgraduate | |
| Alcuin | |
| 1995 | |
| United Kingdom |
My employment
| Structured Contracts Director | |
| ENGIE | |
| United Kingdom | |
| Environment and energy | |
| Large business (250+ employees) | |
| 2015 |
Like this profile?
Add this profile to your favourites so you can return to it later from your account.
A day in the life of a Structured Contracts Director in the United Kingdom
Renewable Industry Manager
My career goals when I graduated
To earn £30k per year and have a company car within 3 years of graduating.
My career history
I joined Yorkshire Electricity in 1996 as an analyst, pretty much straight out of university. I spent about 18 months learning how the world of work "worked" and about the industry. After that I moved into a more customer facing analytical role. This had real scope for me to make the area my own as it was in a new and fast moving area (demand response). I took the area on and built up a significant business in the area, becoming recognised as an industry expert in the process. This led to promotions (and more responsibility), eventually to management level.
Following takeovers, I moved (with others) and we set up a new energy business backed by RWE. I was continuing in a similar role, but again building things up from nothing. Eventually RWE sold this business to GDF SUEZ.
I took 2 years out and worked in York for one of the Business Link organisations. This was a change of role as I managed Finance, Audit, IT and Contracting Teams and was part of the board. Following shake-up of funding, Business Link had to close, (which I helped do), then moved back to GDF SUEZ this time managing Pricing and Costing. Following this I moved to Structured Contracts which is all about green energy.
What has helped my career to progress
I think the things that helped my career are:
- Hard work (well I would say that)
- A belief in what I was doing and an enthusiasm for it (enjoy what you do and believe in it!)
- Learning something every day
- Not being afraid to take things on and not ignoring things you know need to be done.
- People - whether it's friends, colleagues, network or customers. Get on well with people. Value and support your team and your friends and they will appreciate it and support you!
Courses taken since graduation
Diploma in Finance
Certificate in Management
Certificate in Securities and Derivatives
Advancing Negotiation Course
How to Win Friends and Influence Course
GDF University Course on Leadership and Change Management and "Challenger".
Many many internal courses!
How my studies have helped my career
My postgraduate studies gave me the theory that might help you in real life situations (but you have to remember to practice and apply it). Sometimes the courses give you confidence to tackle things and others, they just make you think about things and maybe do something differently.
My Chemisty course really gave me the discipline and enquiring mindset to approach challenges (I don't use my chemical knowledge that much outside pub quizzes these days). It taught me how to learn, and how to work in a methodical and logical way - which always helps!
What surprised me about my career so far
It was nothing like I expected! When I left uni I knew I was ready to work, but had no idea what I wanted to do.. Sometimes I look at myself and think "I'd never have imagined I would/could do that a few years ago".
You never know where your career will take you - enjoy the ride!
Where I hope to be in 5 years
Retired? That would be nice, but in reality I'd like to take on something bigger - maybe running my own business unit as a CEO!
My advice to students considering work
I suppose the key thing is to try and find something that you enjoy or that motivates you - if you are interested and enthusiastic that goes a long way initially!
Do some prep for interviews. Employers don't like to feel you're "carpet bombing" (sending out lots of applications with little preparation).
I found I had best results when I put some real effort into applications that is:
- Check there are no mistakes on CV
- Get the job advert and pick out everything they say they are looking for and anything you think they are looking for and write them down.
- Then go through your CV find something in it that addresses each thing on the list you just wrote. If it's not there consider changing your CV to cover it (clearly don't lie).
- Next write a covering letter and again make sure it addresses everything they are looking for (I've got jobs on the basis of a good covering letter) and tick them off. If you can't cover something off explain how you can learn / are willing to learn and become what they need.
- Be enthusiastic and do some research if you get an interview - it goes really well if you know something about the company, it's products/what it does etc.
- Sell yourself - always know how to answer "so why should we choose you" in 30 seconds with a strong pitch.
- If you don't know the answer to a question, say "I don't know, but I know how to find out" and then explain how you'd get the answer.
- Highlight anything you've done that shows employers you have some experience of what the world of work is like.
- Find a job you love the sound of - you'll naturally come across better. If you can't, then convince yourself if you can!
My advice about working in my industry
It's very specialised so don't expect to be able to join with all the knowledge - it's all about transferable skills.
Other advice
Keep your chin up. It can be tough to get a job even when you've got one already. It isn't a reflection on you - sometimes it's just luck. If you don't get a job don't be disheartened - the right one for you just hasn't come up yet so keep trying.
Contacting me
Happy to take questions on pretty much anything and offer mentoring (you ask at your own risk though) on any subject I can help with. I can probably provide insight into the energy industry and management in general, but I've seen all sorts of things over my career so happy to try and answer if I can.
What I do
I lead a team who purchase green power/gas for customers. We work with local generators and producers to take their output and deliver this to our customers.
I have to define strategy create a vision and then lead a multi locational team to deliver it!!!
I need to balance the usual commercial pressures with environmental and social responsibility as well as delivering excellent customer service, within the team and across all areas of the business that interact with customers.
Skills I use and how I developed them
The key skill is managing people - this skill has developed through a combination of training and experience (of both the good and bad parts of managing people - everything is a learning opportunity, honestly!)
In addition it's useful to understand finance (I did a postgraduate diploma in Finance).
What I like most
It's very varied and I enjoy having the freedom to pursue strategic goals by deciding how I want to achieve them.
I also have a brilliant team working with me.
What I like least
Larger organisations can sometimes be restrictive (eg policies and processes).
Next steps...
If you like the look of Russell’s profile, the next steps are down to you! You can send Russell a message to find out more about their career journey. If you feel you would benefit from more in-depth conversations, ask Russell to be your mentor.