An even better future: How Hannah Cotterell found the tools, experts and growth to achieve in her career and beyond
Hannah Cotterell is on the cusp of an exciting time. She’s got big plans: first home, a family, and a successful, sustainable career. At Mainbrace, she knows it’s possible to experience all this and more. Hannah is already achieving incredible outcomes as a driven Contract Administrator, and with the backing of mentors and leaders who are invested in her future, there’s so much more growth to come.
A great place to progress
After five years in high-rise construction, Hannah Cotterell was ready to take her career to the next level. Interested in becoming a Project Manager, this driven Site Engineer saw a role as a Contract Administrator with Mainbrace as the ideal stepping stone.
Little did she know that she’d find a new, rewarding career goal and a connected team culture that values people for who they are, not just what they build.
“The biggest thing is Mainbrace’s culture,” Hannah says. “They’re just really good people. The leaders want you to grow with the company. A lot of people have been here for over 20 years, and in construction, I think that really says something.”
Hannah’s first retail build with us, Coles Schofields, opened her eyes to a different, more sustainable way of working. She also gained incredible hands-on experience, knowledge and skills from some of the best in the industry.
“I was lucky to join Mainbrace right at the start of this project, so I got to see it from start to finish. I was mentored by people who had been with the company for a long time and learned the Mainbrace way of doing things. I shadowed the Senior Contract Administrator at the time – everywhere he went, I went. Being with him every day, being able to ask, ‘Hey, can you show me how to do this?’ was fantastic for my learning.”
Since joining Mainbrace in 2020, Hannah has been a key player in several significant retail builds, including Bankstown Central and Warrawong Plaza. She’s learned all there is to know about Contract Administration, as well as many other aspects of retail construction. Although her career goals have shifted, at Mainbrace, she’s supported to make her dreams a reality.
“I thoroughly enjoy Contract Administration, so now my goal is to work towards becoming a Senior Contract Administrator. Mainbrace has been really supportive of this – one of my senior managers said, ‘You can choose which way you want to go; we will support you either way.’ My partner and I are also looking to buy a house, and we’re not too far away from having a family. I feel I can have a career and family at Mainbrace, and it’s totally acceptable.”
A culture that really means something
As a Contract Administrator, Hannah oversees entire projects to ensure their successful completion. Based in Sydney, she works closely with each build’s Project Manager, overseeing detailed designs, drafting the scope of work and procurement schedules, processing progress claims and certification, and so much more.
“I love that each day is different, and I’m always learning new things. My goal coming into the refurbishment project I’m on now at Warrawong was to do the project without a Senior Contract Administrator above me. I’ve worked under one for two years, which has been great training, but I wanted to step up. I want to experience each individual step of the project and be the person to report to. Mainbrace was like, ‘Go for it, we’re all here to help if you have any questions.’”
For someone completely new to Contract Administration when she first joined us, Hannah has progressed in leaps and bounds – and she’s done so without having to put her life outside of work on hold.
“When I was in high-rise construction, I worked Monday to Saturday, 6am to 6pm. I wasn’t prepared for those big hours, but it was the norm. I don’t regret that experience because I learnt so much from it, but it’s very different at Mainbrace. Here, it’s much more family-oriented. Some days can be longer, depending on what stage of the project you’re at, but Mainbrace is really good with work-life balance. My mental health is so much better working here.”
Hannah also values being part of a culture that really means something, with people and leaders who are invested in her career and wellbeing.
“I like that at Mainbrace, it’s a decent-sized company, but you can go to any of the directors and they know who you are. More importantly, they ask how you are – they genuinely care. It’s never forced; it just feels personable. I think that’s pretty unique.”
Creating a better balance
Construction is still a male-dominated industry. Although we’re taking steps at Mainbrace to create better diversity, inclusion and balance, we know there’s still much more work to do. Yet, Hannah says she’s been given every opportunity to build her successful career with us.
“There are always opportunities, no matter your gender. Working with like-minded people, having opportunities to try new things and show what you can do has brought out my confidence. Some of the guys here say women are a lot better at some of the tasks we do, so I think being female is seen as a positive.”
And if you’d like a career where you can feel fulfilled at work, home and in all areas of your life? Hannah says you’ll get the support, opportunities and growth you need at Mainbrace.
“I want to have a great career and to one day have a family. I don’t want to sacrifice one or the other. I know balancing both will be hard at times, but I feel it is achievable at Mainbrace. I’m so grateful for that.”
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