I elected to join Manidis Roberts in 2007 because it is a dynamic organisation full of committed people, with a fantastic atmosphere and real opportunities for professional and personal growth.

Prior to joining I worked in research and development for the rural sector on projects ranging from genetics and genomics, to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from cattle. Before that I was with the commercialisation arm of a university. I am currently completing a degree in Agricultural Commerce. Manidis Roberts gave me an opportunity to test my skills whilst continuing my career development in the commercial sector.

Since being with Manidis Roberts I have yet to experience two days the same – my work spans financial reconciliation, budgetary forecasts, contract review and development, client liaison and project related research. Being involved in major projects has enabled me to create a role that is an essential part of our business and a model that we can use within our Alliances teams. Working for Manidis Roberts has delivered more than I expected.

In 2000 I graduated from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Resource and Environmental Management and a Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Education. Subsequently I worked in environmental education for Warringah Council and waste management contracting for Baulkham Hills Shire Council.

After five years’ experience in local government I was keen to broaden my environmental management, communications and education experience in the private sector. In 2006 I joined Manidis Roberts as a consultant in the communications practice group, a role which has really allowed me to broaden my skills base and experience. I have conducted community consultation, education and engagement programs for a range of clients including Rio Tinto Coal Australia, Incitec Pivot, Transpacific Cleanaway, Yates and the NSW Department of Planning.

My normal workday can encompass anything from writing community engagement plans, preparing media statements and devising community newsletters to facilitating community workshops, coordinating public briefings, and developing and conducting community research.

Manidis Roberts is a great place to work if you want to apply your knowledge and experience to a broad range of projects and if you are looking for an opportunity to develop your skills within a motivating and supportive culture. Manidis Roberts provides a friendly and sociable work environment; one that encourages teamwork, collaboration and learning from each other.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science from Macquarie University I was looking to work in the environment and sustainability areas, but outside of the research fields. I had heard about Manidis Roberts at university – its work record and unique culture was unlike that of any other company with which I’d come in contact. I am now part of the environment practice team and can find myself immersed in anything from inspecting compliance measures on construction sites to writing environmental assessments to drafting sustainability strategies and policies.

Since joining Manidis Roberts I’ve had the opportunity to work on some significant construction and sustainability projects, such as the Ripley Valley sustainability strategy, the Lower Hunter Lands project for Rio Tinto Coal Australia, several sustainability strategies for Australand, the Cockle Creek environmental assessment for Incitec Pivot, the Glendale Rail Station development application for RailCorp and the North Head PARR Alliance with Sydney Water. Manidis Roberts provides me with the opportunity and flexibility to be involved in projects I have a passion for, and to work in an environment where I can both learn and contribute.

The aspect I most enjoy about Manidis Roberts is the unique culture, which affords the freedom to thinking innovatively. I would recommend Manidis Roberts to anyone who enjoys working with fantastic mentors and wants the experience of being involved with large infrastructure projects.

Being somebody with an energy for writing I kick started my career with a BA of Communications majoring in print journalism. My working life began with a short stint in consumer PR and then settled into four years as a magazine editor and eventual managing editor in the wacky world of children’s publishing. Along the way I spent some time as a semi regular kids TV presenter and have been known to take a cream pie or two to the head. Following this I travelled the world and ended up in London as a communications officer in one of former PM Tony Blair’s highly contentious Academies – a scheme to rejuvenate education in the UK’s most deprived areas.

In May 2007 I found myself sat in front of a panel of Manidis Robert’s finest. Manidis Roberts offered everything I was looking for: a great team environment, large projects and people enthusiastic and passionate about what they do. I was looking to develop and learn and here were people willing to nurture and teach! People with brilliant experience no less. With my experience in stakeholder management and negotiation I joined as a consultation leader with the SewerFix Wet Weather Alliance (SWWA).

The world of engineering and sewers was one entirely foreign to me, but applying my well honed communications skills I quickly learnt the language of engineers and of water. I now love sharing and consulting on this with the rest of Sydney. SWWA is tasked with reducing the frequency of wet weather sewage overflows in a number of catchments in Sydney and the Illawarra. It is rewarding to work on a project that will ultimately deliver great environmental and health benefits to a number of communities – a project which those communities have helped shape through their involvement from the initial planning stage.

In 1992 I graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Economics (Social Science) degree, focused on government and geography. I decided to further my education, completing a Masters of Urban and Regional Planning degree in 1997. I am also a member of the Planning Institute of Australia and a Certified Practising Planner.

Whilst at university I worked for three years with GHD, a large engineering firm, undertaking work in environmental assessment, strategic planning and on various transport projects. I’ve worked in development assessment for local government and for the NSW Transport, Infrastructure and Planning departments on the development of transport projects from concept stage to funding stage.

After eight years in government I wanted to move into the private sector. I previously had been a client of Manidis Roberts and was impressed by their professionalism, collaborative approach, attention to detail and quality of product. I was also attracted by the company’s commitment to environmental and commercial sustainability. In 2006 I joined Manidis Roberts as a consultant, working primarily in the project development area on transport projects.

Since joining I’ve worked on a range of projects, from writing overview reports for RailCorp and preparing project plans for major transport infrastructure for TIDC, to project managing the early stages of new and significant transport projects for the Ministry of Transport. The common element of these projects has been that they are complex, contentious, challenging and therefore extremely rewarding.

Manidis Roberts has offered me the opportunity to work with a range of outstanding people, diverse clients and on genuinely interesting projects in a dynamic and supportive environment.

In 2004 I graduated from the University of Wollongong with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in geography. I felt my degree wasn’t specific enough and wanted to learn more about the environment, and so decided to begin a Master of Environmental Management at UNSW.

I joined Manidis Roberts in late 2005 on a casual basis, as an assistant to the consultants. After two years on the team I’m now a consultant working on a variety of projects. I am part of the project development team and my job varies greatly; it can involve writing bid and tender documents, writing strategic planning documents for local government, project management, subconsultant management, environmental assessment, and any other specific tasks that a client might require.

I was new to this industry when I started working at Manidis Roberts and I’ve learned a great deal about practical things such as planning, project management, the transport and water industries, property development and project development. However, I’ve also learnt about the importance of relationships; this is something you can’t learn at university. I think Manidis Roberts is the best place to work to develop your business and communications skills, and to build strategic relationships with relevant groups.

I have spent a lot of time working on the Edmondson Park project, for Landcom. It’s very satisfying to work on a large and ongoing job. Looking back on how far we’ve come over the past two years gives me a great sense of achievement.

I’d recommend working at Manidis Roberts because of the fantastic environment and staff. Everyone is friendly and always willing to share their knowledge or expertise. There’s also a huge variety of projects to work on at any time. The company will go out of its way to ensure you work on something you enjoy and can learn from at the same time. There is also a really strong culture which revolves around food, coffee and enjoying yourself while doing a good job. I’d recommend it to anyone.

Prior to joining Manidis Roberts in 2006 as human resources manager, I worked for a large national and international transport and global supply chain management organisation.

My previous roles were in generalist human resources’ management, focused on developing and implementing coherent HR strategies, improving internal processes and procedures, implementing and auditing certified quality systems and developing strategies to raise awareness around occupational health and safety.

I joined Manidis Roberts because of the commitment to continuous improvement across the business. We are always encouraged to look at innovative ways of doing things. I find it extremely rewarding to work in an environment where your ideas and opinions are recognised and valued.

Manidis Roberts’ strength lies in its appointment of outstanding individuals. My role requires me to source and screen candidates. It is challenging and exciting to be part of appointing such talented and energetic professionals.

I have found a real sense of camaraderie at Manidis Roberts; we work as a team to achieve a common goal. There is no shortage of talented people around willing to share their knowledge and experience with others and I feel very fortunate to work in such a supportive and fun environment.

After graduating in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) (Honours) from UNSW, I embarked on a career in human resources and organisational development. I spent a number of years working on culture change and leadership development programs at the Commonwealth Bank. Becoming more and more interested in communications, media and public affairs, I made a career change within the bank and went back to uni to complete a Diploma of Communication Management at UTS, Sydney.

After a stint in the bank’s corporate relations team, focusing on community relations, sustainability, and corporate reputation, I worked in London for a couple of years in the property industry and ended up at Stratton & Reekie, a boutique public relations firm specialising in architecture.

Arriving back in Australia I wanted to continue in the communications discipline, and was particularly eager to join an organisation with a credible commitment to sustainability. Manidis Roberts was exactly what I was looking for. Unusually for a consulting firm, it seemed to (and does!) have a collaborative, collegiate culture.

I work in the project development practice area and since joining Manidis Roberts have worked on a range of projects; this has included writing and project managing a major competitive property tender for ING Real Estate (the Panthers Partnership) and developing the sustainability strategy for Woolworths Limited. I’ve also organised and co-facilitated two major, intensive multi-day community consultation workshops for Rio Tinto Coal Australia (the Lower Hunter Lands project charettes). All these projects have been complex, contentious and challenging and therefore extremely rewarding and worthwhile.

It’s hard to describe a typical day at Manidis Roberts – it adds to the enjoyment if you’re happy with a fair bit of ambiguity and change. But what are consistent are the culture, the fantastic colleagues and clients we work with. In fact what really struck me when I joined was the calibre of our people. They’re energetic, friendly and committed, without being arrogant or selfish. The work environment is great and the company is serious about properly supporting its people to provide outstanding service to clients, and providing genuine opportunities to grow and develop along with the company.

I worked in finance and funds management for the first 18 years of my working life, gaining tertiary qualifications in economics along the way. At that stage the idea of changing careers became attractive, and the prospect of moving to an organisation where the team has a common wish to deliver projects professionally while striving for improved social and environmental outcomes was both appealing and challenging.

I joined Manidis Roberts in 2006 after obtaining post-graduate qualifications in urban and regional planning, with an emphasis on planning for sustainable outcomes.

Since that time I have worked on several large property development projects in NSW, blending previous commercial and project management skills with a wish to make urban developments better from a triple bottom line perspective. Not surprisingly in today’s society this goal aligns closely with the goals of our clients.

Proponents of urban development now need to take responsibility for providing improved social and environmental outcomes in addition to infrastructure to sites. These added requirements complicate the strategy and delivery for large developments. A core service of Manidis Roberts is helping clients meet this challenge in a pragmatic and commercially viable way.

I would recommend people consider joining Manidis Roberts because they don’t shirk from the large difficult projects; instead they tackle them head on.