Perfect Circle People | Dave Jones
With more than 35,000 experts across our industry-leading partners, there’s no shortage of amazing people behind Perfect Circle. In the third feature of our series, we catch up with Dave Jones from AECOM- one of our founding partners - to hear about his journey, his passions and what keeps him inspired.
Name | Dave Jones
Job Title | Senior Project Manager
Perfect Circle Partner | AECOM
A little bit about Dave
I started working in civil engineering in public transport within local authorities and my career quickly focused on project management. Over the last thirty years, I have enjoyed a diverse portfolio working in various sectors, including building, hospitality, office fit outs, aviation, museum and art gallery fit outs and IT systems design and development to name a few.
Career Highlight
It would be very hard to choose just one! I have enjoyed so many of my projects as completing each milestone and project provides a lot of satisfaction, having overcome the challenges to arrive at an excellent product at completion.
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
Our cat, Roxy, normally needs feeding well before any ‘normal’ alarm time.
What does a typical day look like?
I enjoy a wide range of activities that take my time outside of work. A typical day sees me starting work quite early and working through the day on my portfolio of projects. Before dinner I then check on domestic admin and admin for a sailing club where I am a volunteer co-director.
In any spare time, I am doing hands-on maintenance at the Bartley Sailing Club, participating in or teaching water sports and in field archery at a local club.
Whilst I am proficient at sailing, kayak, canoe and paddle boarding, I have been teaching RYA Level 2 powerboating since 2011 and have trained over 200 people. The course is like teaching someone to drive and them taking their driving test over a two-day period. It’s pretty intense.
I recently took some AECOM colleagues to the sailing club as part of a team building day. I gave a brief training session, and we went out on the water.
Dave and AECOM colleagues on a recent team building day
How much of your workload includes Perfect Circle commissions?
Currently around 50%. Recently I have been leading the Warwick County Council School project which is increasing capacity at six schools in the county.
What do you like most about your role?
A project manager’s role is never static, and you are constantly being challenged and having to learn or adapt skills.
If you could switch jobs with someone, who would it be?
I have thought long and hard on this over the years and never quite found a suitable alternative that would bring long-term gratification. Although recently I have been involved in a project with the Forestry Industry, something like woodland management might be an option.
Tell us a guilty pleasure that others would be surprised to find out?
I love ice cream, probably more than is normal!
