A ‘pivot’ is never a

A ‘pivot’ is never a backwards step

LUCY SIMMS (OGC 2002)

Lucy Simms is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is currently a Non-Executive Director of Bellarine Community Health and Committee member of Cottage by The Sea Rippers. Lucy recently completed her Certificate IV in Real Estate through the REIV. We asked Lucy to share the story of her career to date.

I certainly would not profess to following a ‘standard’ career path, and I have recently just made a third career pivot since leaving university 15 years ago. When I was at school, I had no idea what I wanted to do or be, but I knew it had to be in property. Fortunately, I was blessed with solid skills in maths, and after a year of travelling overseas following school I commenced Civil Engineering at the University of Melbourne. If I’m completely honest, I didn’t love the course, but the incredible friends I made were reason for me to return every year! I spent five years working for a global consultancy in engineering, starting in structural engineering and very quickly shifting to project management, business development and strategic transport planning (all people focused roles!). It was a great foundation in my early years as a consultant, as I consolidated the tools of engaging with clients, and learnt the financial fundamentals of corporate business in Australia.

Through my strategic planning work, I gained exposure to developers, and this reaffirmed my love of property. In 2012 I got a ‘lucky break’ as an Assistant Development Manager (ADM) with an emerging Melbourne based property developer (thanks to my engineering background). At the time, it was a backwards career step to any outsider looking in – particularly as I was doing well in engineering; my ‘title’

had dropped a level, my pay was diminished, and my responsibilities were less (I thought!). It was the best decision I could have made.

I spent the next eight years working for that same developer and over that time shifted from an ADM, DM to SDM (Senior Development Manager). The business grew enormously in the time I spent there, and my projects progressed from small residential buildings to major mixed-use urban renewal projects. I travelled to Singapore and Hong Kong, to research how we could ‘do it better’ and was incredibly fortunate to work with a developer that prioritised community and sustainability through their design. Being a Development Manager is one of the most diverse roles I have had throughout my career. It requires a core understanding of commerciality, design, buildability, sales and marketing, risk, people management and always keeping in mind your future occupants. Every hour of your day is different, and I have created so many wonderful ongoing professional relationships and friendships with individuals I have worked alongside. By the end of 2019, I was ready for a change and jumped back into consulting, in landowner advisory, assisting private, Government and Not-for-Profit clients in development feasibilities and transactions.

Shortly into this new role, I became an advisor to Women’s Property Initiatives (WPI). A Community Housing organisation whose mission is to create new beginnings for women and children at risk of homelessness by providing permanent and affordable homes, access to support networks and ongoing advocacy. When I connected with WPI, I had an immediate shift in my career focus, and for the first time experienced what it was like to work with a ‘for purpose’ mindset. I reflected daily on how lucky I was to have the family, home and education I had.

Not surprisingly, early this year, I joined WPI as their Fundraising and Partnerships Lead. Similar to when I jumped into development, to an outsider, the pivot may seem strange, but to me it feels right. WPI currently has 105 homes they own and operate, whilst on any given night, 49,000 Australian women are homeless. Now is the time for me to utilise the skills I’ve gained through engineering, property development and running my own small businesses to forge strategic partnerships across the property sector, to help us deliver more homes, and to house more women and children.

I never look very far ahead, particularly career-wise, I know there will be another shift in time. But right now, I’m committed, passionate and ready to make change.

Long live the side-hustle!

Throughout her career, Lucy has always enjoyed a ‘side-hustle’. These ventures have included:

• B’totties, an apparel business she co-owned with Amanda Cordner (fellow alumni) for seven years. • Salty Days Art, her own art brand that is now six years strong and this year will see her release her first illustrated children’s book “I’m a Nipper Now”. • Queenscliff Trader a boutique shop she co-owns with her mother, Lyn, in Queenscliff. Lucy is a strong advocate for always following your passion. ‘If you do, good things will come,’ she says. Lucy has lived between Melbourne & Point Lonsdale since finishing school and had a yearlong stint living in Noosa, where she adopted the ‘work from home’ a few years ahead of the rest.

Look out for Lucy’s illustrations in the children’s book ‘I’m a Nipper Now’, due for release later this year.

Reach out to Lucy:

Women’s Property Initiatives

www.wpi.org.au @wpi_homes lucy@wpi.org.au

Salty Days

www.saltydaysart.com @_saltydays_ lucy_simms@live.com.au

Queenscliff Trader

www.queensclifftrader.com queensclifftrader@outlook.com