Jennifer O’Neil

Jennifer O’Neil

Head Project Management Office – TÜV SÜD Product Service UK

Tell us about yourself

I graduated from the University of Portsmouth in 2012 with a BA Business Studies degree. As part of my degree, I completed a 14-month placement at TÜV SÜD Product Service working as a Commercial Assistant. I started my placement in June 2010 and returned two years later in a permanent role as Project Coordinator. Currently, I’m Head Project Management Office.

Why did you choose to apply to TÜV SÜD?

I have a passion for business process change and improvement. Initially, I was attracted to TÜV SÜD after leaving university because they were a corporate division working with cutting-edge technology. They had a number of active test areas that I was immediately able to get involved with. I also had the opportunity to travel to other TÜV SÜD locations and meet international colleagues who were working in similar areas to me.

Where do you work?

I currently work in the Product Service division headquarters at Octagon House, Fareham, Hampshire.

What are your main areas of expertise?

My main focus is enhancing our customer experience by understanding our customer touch points and what our customers expect from TÜV SÜD as a service provider. I enjoy developing systems and processes to support our customers and staff to meet business expectations.

What does your role involve? What are your main responsibilities?

• Working with our in-house team experts to develop ways to track, monitor and deliver on action plans.
• Collate feedback, formulate project requirements, and assess business systems.
• Manage and record project risks, opportunities and dependencies.
• Provide visibility of ongoing projects status to our local programme board.

What most interests you about your role?

The variety of projects that I’m able to get involved in. They range from investigating new business tools, managing business investments, and working to address changes to support business growth and enhance our customer experience.

I've also had the opportunity to travel and experience other TÜV SÜD locations. I enjoy working with my colleagues on a global basis to share and build on how they also manage business change in their working environments. In 2018 I was involved in an international business/service line improvement project, which I found very insightful.

What exciting developments have you seen in the company since you started?

There have been many developments that have happened whilst I have been with the company. However, the latest exciting venture that TÜV SÜD is undertaking is a £1.65million investment in a brand new fully automated EMC and RF testing facility which will open in summer 2022 at TÜV SÜD’s Hampshire headquarters. The new facility’s three semi-anechoic EMC chambers will be in addition to five existing ones - significantly increasing test capacity.

WHAT FUTURE TRENDS DO YOU SEE DEVELOPING IN YOUR AREA OF WORK?

Enhancing our digital customer experience will be vital for future success. Investment in AI and automation will meet the future needs of our customers.

Development of our website and ability to complete virtual transactions will be essential in our future world. Our customer transactions are typically quite complex because of the nature of the services we provide. Providing easier ways for customers to share information, witness remote testing will be important.

What is your biggest challenge?

Managing business change is challenging. Changes can be received in different ways, often because when things change there are levels of uncertainty. Managing communication and the transition carefully is essential.

What do you see as the top perk of working for TÜV SÜD?

Working for a company that reinvests time, money and effort into their people.

How have TÜV SÜD supported you?

TÜV SÜD have supported my professional development to a senior manager in the business by encouraging me to undertake global training programmes. In 2019, I participated in the global ALP (advanced leadership programme).

How would you describe your fellow workers in five words?

Committed, enthusiastic, adaptable, innovative, competent.

What advice would you give to anyone thinking of applying for a role similar to yours?

When undertaking development training I was able to explore my natural strengths and how they complement my current role. I consider myself to be quite an organised person, both in my personal and professional life. I think that natural ability has helped me when planning and prioritising essential tasks in my current role.