March brings two moments to celebrate, International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day. In that spirit, we’re profiling Samantha Monk, a Project Manager in our Fibre team, on thriving in a traditionally male industry, and how her perspective as a woman and mother supports the way she leads.
Q: Samantha, tell us a bit about your role, and what a typical day (or night) looks like in Fibre
Our Fibre team runs 24/7, and I’m currently on an out-of-hours shift supporting employees and clients while works continue overnight.
That covers fault call-outs, access issues and troubleshooting, plus managing my 16 direct reports, scheduling works, completing RAMS (Risk Assessment Method Statements), and overseeing fault reporting.
Q: How did your career path bring you to Project Manager?
I joined JSM 3.5 years ago as a Fibre team administrator and quickly realised it was a role where I could add value and keep learning.
I moved into Project Co-ordinator after a year, then became Project Manager in February 2026. I’ve built confidence through on-the-job learning and training across engineering, streetworks and SMSTS (Site Managers Safety Training Scheme).
I’m lucky to work with colleagues who’ve helped shape the department from the start. I try to add fresh eyes and a data-driven approach when we’re improving processes.
Q: Fibre and engineering can still feel like a male-dominated space. What’s your experience been like?
I’m currently the only woman in the Fibre team, and the other four Fibre managers are male. It’s made me very intentional about being prepared, communicating clearly, and keeping decisions rooted in outcomes.
Being a woman in this space can be a strength: it pushes me to bring a different perspective, build trust through consistency, and lead collaboratively – skills that match well with the resilience you build as a working parent.
Q: March also includes Mother’s Day. How do you juggle leadership at work with everything at home?
For me it’s about prioritising and staying organised. The planning mindset that helps at work also helps at home, and the out-of-hours pattern means I can support the team when it matters.
Q: What advice would you give to other women considering a role in this industry?
Know your value and don’t be afraid to speak up. You don’t need every technical answer on day one – stay curious and build credibility through how you show up.
Q: What are you most excited to be working on right now?
Right now I’m focused on improvements that make life easier for the team including an operational tracker to streamline client queries, digital timesheets, and making sure engineers have the best tech to do their jobs.
Q: Finally, what do you want people to know about succeeding in this industry – especially women and mothers?
You don’t have to change who you are to succeed. Bring your perspective, keep learning, and back yourself. There’s real opportunity here, including for women and mothers.
Thank you, Samantha, for sharing your story.
This March, we’re celebrating the women across our business who are helping move our industry forward.