2019 Women in Construction: Jennifer Morris, Project Manager, Retail at Shawmut Design and Construction

How many years have you been in your current field? 10

What are you doing differently in 2019 that has had a positive impact on your career? I’ve begun delegating more to increase my team’s opportunities to grow and challenge themselves, which in turn allows me to do the same. I used to do everything myself– which didn’t really help anyone–and now we’re able to lean on each other for support as we continue to develop our skills. 

What was your first job and what did you learn from it? I was an intern working on a huge hospital project in New Hampshire, and I learned so much from my fantastic team. I appreciate how much time they spent teaching me how to manage different deliverables and understand all the processes in project management. These skills are critical building blocks for a career in construction, and this experience laid the foundation for my future growth.

Which project, deal or transaction was the “game changer” in the advancement of your career during the last 10 years? The first was making the switch to Shawmut and focusing on smaller retail projects, managing a complete project cradle-to-grave on my own. This allowed me to fully understand construction management, and repeat the process on each project more frequently than if I had stayed on larger-sized projects. The second was deciding to work on the Harry Winston Rodeo Drive flagship across the country right when I came back from maternity leave. Although it was challenging balancing this career opportunity with my family, it gave me the platform to showcase and grow my skillset, setting me up to take on bigger projects in the future.