Introducing: Flavia Rezende
Starting as an intern in Brazil in 2001, Flavia then worked in Brazil as a Project Engineer, in France as a Research Engineer and in the USA as an Offshore Manager. She has been Director of Operations since 2018—and her career shows no signs of slowing down.
Could you describe in a few lines your career path at BV? How did you get where you are?
I joined BV Brazil as an intern student in 2001 and was hired shortly after as a project engineer. I moved to BV France in 2006 as a research engineer and returned to Brazil in 2011 as Technology Manager. In 2016, I moved to the USA as Offshore Technical Manager. In 2017, I was promoted to Offshore Manager and in 2018 I also took on the role of Director of Operations for the Technical Center of Industry & Facilities Division.
What were you looking for when you applied to BV? Why did you choose BV at that time?
As a young engineer, I was looking for a company that would provide opportunities for my technical skills development and with an international footprint.
Could you describe your first days at BV? What was your overall impression/feeling?
I was coached by very experienced and talented engineers. I was excited by the opportunities to learn from them. I felt welcome in the team.
What is your greatest professional achievement at BV?
My greatest achievement: starting the R&D department for BV Brazil. In a short period of time, we managed to attract reasonable investment from the local companies which helped us to grow a team. This was achieved largely thanks to the communication strategy where I, inspired by my experience in France, conceived and initiated a Committee that gathered more than 30 large players, further raising the brand of BV in the country and contributing to the development of other technical services.
And the biggest challenge you had to face?
At my current job, I was tasked with coordinating a team of engineers outside my domain of expertise. This was particularly difficult in the beginning, since I have always worked on topics related to my technical background. I realized that the position did not require my technical skills but my leadership skills which even I had not recognized before. Finally, the team is achieving its objectives and we have enhanced collaboration with other groups in the company.
Were you expecting to be offered so many development opportunities at BV?
Honestly, yes. When I chose to work at BV, in the beginning, I was looking for a large company with an international footprint where I could develop my career and experience opportunities in different countries. That’s what I found.
Working at BV is choosing a company positively impacting the day-to-day lives of billions of people. How do you feel about that?
BV has a wonderful history and mission. We have so many businesses, but they are all linked by a common objective which is to assure safety for people and for the environment. I obviously feel good about that.
If you had to choose 3 words to describe your daily work, what would they be?
Collaboration,
Diversity,
Learning.
What would you say to a candidate considering a career at BV?
With a very diverse portfolio and a large geographic footprint, Bureau Veritas offers excellent opportunities for candidates to grow the career in the path that is best suited to them (technical or managerial). The company has a pool of very talented individuals which creates a continuous learning environment and helps to develop one’s specific skills.