Job spotlight: document control manager, J Coffey

What was your route into construction?

In college I studied beauty therapy and then I went on to do theatrical media makeup. I’ve worked in retail, I’ve also worked in supermarkets, and I’ve worked for a roofing company, so I’ve taken many different avenues before working at J Coffey. 

I got into construction because my brother has worked in the industry since he left school. He’s a quantity surveyor and he thought I would enjoy the role of being a document controller because I’m a people person and like to be well organised. 

I started as a document controller in June 2022 and was promoted to J Coffey’s document control manager in January 2025. 

Working here is like working for one big family. Everyone is always very supportive and encouraging of people to learn new things and explore new avenues. It’s a very professional environment but we all like to have a laugh.

What are your day-to-day responsibilities?

At the moment, I’m based in the site office at Judd Street, which is one of our projects in King’s Cross. Being on site is a really good environment to work in because you work around people doing all different types of job roles, so you get to listen in and really absorb the information.

Day-to-day, I manage our document control team and assist with any training that they may need. I look after project design documents, so that’s all of our drawings, calculations and technical submittals. This includes managing the registers, which is keeping track of what designs are coming in, as well as [the] designs that we are issuing.

I’m responsible for ensuring the quality of the documents that we’re uploading is correct. If you upload something that is incorrect and you build that incorrectly, then you can only imagine the implications that that has. Designs are primarily online and digital, but we do oversee paper forms too, for example delivery dockets. 

I’m also responsible for the inductions, which means getting the necessary paperwork completed. It’s also very important that we file that paperwork correctly. 

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The best part of my job is working with people. I love getting to know everyone, from people in the office to the operatives out on site, from our subcontractors to our clients. 

I think it’s very important to get to know everyone and build relationships. 

To be successful in construction, do you have to join the industry at a young age?

I don’t think you have to get into construction at an early age. I’m 31, so it’s taken me a little while to find my feet in a career that I love. 

As long as you’re willing to learn and hard-working, I think you’ll thrive in the environment. 

Would you recommend construction to other women?

I think for women working in construction, you can feel a little bit intimidated [at first] because it’s seen as a male-dominated industry. But I think the times have changed. 

There are so many females that I know in the industry now, and I think that will only continue to grow. 

I would say to any females that would like to work in construction, just have a look at the roles available – there are so many to suit different skill sets. 

If there’s something that you’re interested in, then just go for it. You never know what might happen.