Ten Years in the Making

Career journeys From The Philippines and beyond,
as told by our people

James Weekley

It’s ten years since our first colleague in the Philippines sat down at her desk in Manila. Since then, the team has grown to nearly 4,400 people providing essential services across the whole of RELX globally. Helping the business drive efficiency, process improvement, innovation, research and customer service.

There’s a vibrancy about our Philippines team. It’s energetic, creative and optimistic. Bound together by an indomitable commitment to its communities. Its employee engagement and advocacy scores are some of the highest anywhere across RELX.

With colleagues now spread over two sites in both Manila and Iloilo, we tell the story of some of our people’s career journeys over the last decade both within the Philippines and beyond, as some move overseas within the RELX family.

We call our team in the Philippines REPH; some of our people there, call it home.

Leaving Paradise

If you can make it in REPH, you can make it anywhere. While many colleagues have developed their careers successfully in-country, some have gone a step further and moved within the RELX family and into new geographies, leaving the Philippines.

Alex Montoya, now senior financial analyst for Asia corporate in Hong Kong shares his story. ‘I started as part of the pioneer team for the finance and accounting hub in 2013. I was the third hire in finance. We migrated onshore processes and established a strong team across the three key pillars of finance by the end of the year. In 2016, I had the opportunity to be part of the business and relocated to Malaysia to join LexisNexis Southeast Asia as a finance manager. And in October this year, I have moved to Asia corporate joining the team in Hong Kong. My career journey in RELX has been remarkable and that’s because REPH believed in me nine years ago. It helped me lay the foundation and gave me the opportunity to grow within the company. I will be forever grateful and thankful to REPH.

'My approach has always been to have a clear goal, determination and perseverance to navigate the struggles that will come along the way. You've got to have the passion and the love for what you are doing. And most importantly, enjoy the ride.

It’s a similar story for Eunice Nuyles, senior director for the customer experience office at LexisNexis Risk Solutions in the US. ‘I joined REPH as a manager in 2011, eager to build our first customer support team for LexisNexis Legal & Professional. In just a few months, I was promoted to director, with responsibility for expanding our footprint to include building teams for Elsevier and Risk. We grew from about 28 people to over 400 people by the end of 2015. I believe that being a perpetual learner and always willing to extend help to others is what drives personal success.'

'My dream is to help our organisation become a true expert on our customers and the markets we serve. Building insights, delivering customer intelligence and contributing at the commercial level make me feel alive at work. I am fortunate to have recently moved to a role that allows me to do all this and more.’

Sherryl Sacay, knowledge and continuous improvement manager at Elsevier in the US, relocated from REPH after only a year and a half. ‘I started as a continuous improvement manager in customer services. I had the opportunity to work with wonderful and talented REPH colleagues and I helped them prioritise and lead numerous initiatives. I relocated to St. Louis where I extended my role as a continuous improvement lead.'

'I just celebrated my sixth year working anniversary and I’m currently leading knowledge management and continuous improvement in global customer services. I am also co-chairing an Employee Resource Group advocating for employees with Asian heritage here in the US.’

Judy Dorotan, manager of fulfillment operations, LexisNexis Legal & Professional is now based in Australia. My time with REPH and now LexisNexis has been a journey of growth and learning. I joined as an operations supervisor and was promoted a year and a half later. Another year and half in, and an opportunity in Australia opened up and I leaped, and moved down under.'

'I often look back and think that REPH has been both a ladder and a door for me. It has further equipped me with the tools I needed, opened doors of opportunity and paved the way to get me to where I am today. Open-mindedness, perseverance and passion are the keys to success. One of my former mentors and an executive I really look up to once told me the last two combined is called “grit” and that he admires me for it. That is something I will always hold dear to me.’

A Second Family. A Second Home

**Zhaie Concepcion**

**Zhaie Concepcion**

For many of our colleagues in REPH, the business has felt like a second home or even a second family, the ties are so strong.

Pipo Narsolis, customer support operations manager in Manila, is one of them. ‘I consider REPH as my second home where I am able to build genuine relationships and connections. It provides numerous opportunities for people of all levels and all walks of life to develop skills and reach their full potential. REPH promotes community building and giving back through RELX Cares which, for me, is a very important part of my work-life. In 2014 I was fortunate to have been chosen to take part in the RELX Recognising Those Who Care trip to the Cameroon, where we helped build a library and other RELX Cares work in partnership with Book Aid International. I joined REPH in July 2011 as a quality analyst for LexisNexis US. After several moves and promotions within REPH, I am now an operations manager for the LexisNexis UK customer support team. I have worked across many teams and have been heavily involved in REPH’s community engagement effort. For me, success starts with a growth mindset. When you are presented with an opportunity to grow, don’t hesitate to take the risk.’

Sheng Prado, publishing and editorial operations director, based in Manila agrees. ‘Two things I have learned in REPH that helped me grow my career, firstly take risks and secondly, involve others in your development. I have taken every opportunity that REPH has given to expand my learning from an operations supervisor to director in eight years. Keep in mind that you want to choose a company that will feel like a family and give you support in growing your career. That’s exactly what I did.’

For Zhaie Concepcion, operations manager in the finance and accounting hub in Manila, her first day was her best. ‘My best day was the day I got hired. It was the start of a great journey with people I now consider my second family. I joined REPH in 2013 to start the order-to-cash process for LexisNexis Asia Pacific. The scope expanded and extended to our site in Iloilo in 2015 expanding my role to cover Asia Pacific and UK. It was an exciting experience to be in a new location. After two years in Iloilo, I moved back to Manila expanding my role even further to oversee the Elsevier, Risk and RX order to cash teams. In REPH we continue to improve and evolve. My mentor once said to me: be humble, be human and be hungry for growth - it has served me well in my journey.'

The Best Day

It seems it's not easy for people to pick out a 'best day' at REPH, as for most, there are many.

AJ Silva, human resources manager in Manila has never stood still. ‘I started as a quality analyst for LexisNexis in 2011, then joined human resources as a recruitment specialist through an internal job posting. I got promoted as a talent acquisition supervisor a few months later and even had the opportunity to have a short-term assignment in Iloilo prior to its official start of operations. I returned to Manila as an organisational development and communications supervisor before being promoted to HR manager for talent sourcing, branding and corporate communications. I even went to the UK for a week to work with the RELX corporate communications team to help with financial results communications.'

'I couldn’t single out the best day because I’ve had so many happy moments in REPH. But one thing that consistently warms my heart is seeing people I have worked with gain a promotion or recognition for their achievements. I feel happy seeing them grow.’

Vic Conte, is operations manager based in Iloilo and she agrees the best days are seeing others succeed. ‘I’ve had so many best days at REPH but the ones I value the most are when I see members of my team gain promotions to new roles. I have benefited from many promotions and moves across REPH so I know how it is to feel valued and recognised.’

For AJ Romero, primary law operations manager in Iloilo every day has the potential to be the best day. ‘It’s a journey that has tested my courage and led me to step-out of my comfort zone; a journey that is worth every step as it gives me the opportunity to discover my purpose and to grow as a whole person. I started as a data analyst for the pioneering team in Manila. In 2015, I embarked on a leadership journey and transferred to Iloilo where I work today.'

'Every single day in REPH has the potential to be the best day ever simply because we always encounter something new and we work with engaged and dynamic people.’

Unlimited Growth

**Gladdy Mangente**

**Gladdy Mangente**

With all the colleagues we spoke to in REPH one theme rang out loud and clear in terms of career development. Personal growth. Gladdy and Richie tell us why.

For Gladdy Mangente, sales and marketing operations director in Manila, it's all about growth - personal and professional. ‘Personal growth has always been important to me and I have grown as REPH has grown. I joined REPH in 2013 as a senior campaign specialist in the first ever marketing team here for LexisNexis Pacific. I have been promoted several times across different areas of the business and now I will be taking probably the biggest milestone in my REPH career - taking on the RX director role.'

'Purposeful growth is the key. I made the mistake of just going with the flow early on in my career. I am so glad I did something before it was too late.’

It's the same for Richie Moneza, technology operations manager in Manila. ‘There are unlimited growth opportunities in REPH and you need to have a growth mindset to take the best advantage.'

'I joined REPH in Oct 2012 as one of the first middleware engineers when LexisNexis transitioned roles to Manila. I have been promoted three times. I have been fortunate to lead teams across three different RELX business areas. This also means exposure to so many senior leaders and highly-skilled individual contributors, all of whom got to where they are because they were willing to learn something new.’

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Career opportunities at Reed Elsevier Philippines