From customer service and hospitality to construction and bidding, Sharon Garbutt’s career journey demonstrates the value of diverse experiences and the contribution that transferable skills can make to high-performing teams. Her progression at Ardmac reflects a combination of capability, commitment and continuous learning.
Sharon joined Ardmac in early 2024 as an Estimating Administrator and Document Controller, bringing experience from customer service, administration, hospitality and running her own freelance business.
Her first experience in construction came in the early 2020s as a Document Controller and Site Administrator, where she supported large projects and developed expertise in project documentation, subcontractor management processes, purchase orders and onboarding activities.
“I quickly realised that construction involves much more than what is visible on site,” Sharon explains. “Behind every project is a significant amount of coordination, planning, documentation, compliance and collaboration. Every role plays an important part in delivering successful outcomes.”
Building a Career at Ardmac
At Ardmac, Sharon supported the estimating team through tender administration, document control and reporting. During this time, she developed project hours reports that improved visibility of team workloads and created training materials to support future team members.
Her attention to detail, ability to manage complex information and commitment to delivering high-quality work quickly became recognised across the business. These strengths, combined with her growing sector knowledge, led to an opportunity to progress into the Bid Department.
In March 2026, Sharon was promoted to Bid Executive.
Today, she coordinates PQQs, tenders and bid submissions, bringing together knowledge and expertise from across Ardmac to produce accurate, professional and compelling submissions for clients.
For Sharon, the role draws on many of the skills she has developed throughout her career, including organisation, communication, project coordination and stakeholder engagement, while continuing to provide opportunities for growth and professional development.
The Value of Diverse Perspectives
Sharon’s experience highlights the breadth of opportunities available within the construction sector and the value that people from different professional backgrounds can bring to the industry.
Returning to full-time employment after raising her children presented an opportunity to apply her existing skills in a new environment while continuing to develop her career. Moving into construction required learning new systems, processes and technical terminology, but also demonstrated how transferable capabilities can create opportunities in a wide range of roles.
Rather than viewing her previous experience as unrelated to construction, Sharon sees it as a strength.
“The skills I developed throughout my career continue to be relevant today. Organisation, communication, attention to detail and building relationships are important in every industry, and they have helped me grow within construction.”
She also values working in an environment where people are trusted to develop, take on new challenges and progress based on their contribution.
“I’ve found construction to be a sector where people who are willing to learn, contribute and take on responsibility can build fulfilling careers. I’ve been fortunate to work with colleagues who value different perspectives and support professional growth.”
Sharon has seen increasing diversity across the industry, with more women represented in technical, commercial, leadership and specialist roles. She believes this diversity of experience strengthens organisations by bringing broader perspectives, fresh thinking and different approaches to problem-solving.
Advice for the Next Generation
For young women considering a career in construction, Sharon’s advice is straightforward: be open to opportunities, believe in your abilities and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone.
Construction offers a wide range of career paths across bidding, estimating, design, engineering, sustainability, quality, safety and commercial management, alongside many other disciplines.
“You don’t need to know everything before putting yourself forward. Technical knowledge can be learned over time, but curiosity, a willingness to learn, strong communication skills and a positive attitude can take you a long way.”
Looking ahead, Sharon is focused on continuing her development as a Bid Executive, achieving APMP accreditation and progressing towards a senior bidding role.
Her journey demonstrates how careers can evolve when people embrace new challenges, continue learning and apply their skills in different ways.
At Ardmac, we recognise that diverse experiences, fresh perspectives and continuous development help create stronger teams and better outcomes for our clients. Sharon’s story reflects what is possible when talented people are empowered to grow, contribute and realise their potential.
