project manager

tester

taxi driver

Ashton Woods Homes

To be fair, I think AW is a good employer, overall but my experience wasn't a positive one. 
I was hired as a Sales Consultant from outside the building industry, though I have over 25 years experience in senior level professional sales.
Their sales training program is very good but is 13 weeks long(!) and in my opinion was "overkill" and more applicable to someone with no sales experience.  
I was assigned a "mentor" who was 30 years younger than me and though she was good at her job, took no personal interest in me, my interests, past experience...nothing.  It was all business.  There was no camaraderie between us.  I was never given any feedback on my progress unless I solicited it.  
Worse, was my direct manager who in the 4 months of my employment NEVER spoke with me, called me, e-mailed me, let me know if I was doing well in my sales training.  Nothing.  In fact, she went out of her way to avoid/ignore me.  I never felt like I was part of the team, even at our bi-monthly sales meetings. Quite the opposite.  I found this to be very odd and contrary to the culture they preach as well as she being one of my initial interviewers. 
At a company dinner we had in the Biltmore area, she came to the table I was sitting at and struck up a 5-6 minute conversation with the person sitting next to me but never even acknowledged me. This is my boss and she won't even say hello to me?  I found this highly insulting and extremely unprofessional and I promptly got up and left. 
Being new in any business, there is the "you don't know what you don't know" until you are taught or experience it.  I found that with AW, you're on your own, particularly if you're not "on the team."

Ashton Woods had an organized and timely vetting process for construction managers. In addition, the "Welcome mat" was rolled out professionally at the corporate office upon hiring, and was warm and inviting.

After the honeymoon phase of about 6 months was over, the ensuing chaos and deeper issues between management and field operations were revealed. Many trades confided that they were very unhappy with the way they were treated, primarily from upper Management and estimating. Not good for builders!

The estimating team had an " us against them" mentality in regards to their relationship to the field builders. Terrible attitudes that made life impossible in the field. 

Management fired experienced good builders in the field left and right in response to managements own failing.

They cut the warranty department and piled that responsibility on the builders to shoulder, stating that if the houses were tighter, they wouldn't need a warranty department! Consequently reducing bonuses, increasing workload, and reducing build time requirements. 

All factors of a management team that fails to man their territories properly. They brag about work-life balance which is only lip service. Corporate greed is alive and well here.  

Keep looking, there are better places to hang your hat...

While I have been here under a year, I will say it has been one of the most refreshing experiences as an employee. From my first day I was given access to all the technology I could ask for to do my job successfully. The training program is rigorous, but in a good way. With starting a new role, there can be uncertainty, but there is a lot of effort and time being put forward by the training and management team to be sure you have learned everything you possibly can before getting underway in your role. Everyone in my division has been kind, helpful and willing to share their own knowledge. I have felt well managed, without being micromanaged which has been empowering. More companies should take note of how AW treats its employees because if it stays this way, I am looking forward to a long future here!

The project management position required a lot of organization and multitasking. One would have to oversee several new construction projects which included; scheduling, recruiting new contractors, meeting deadlines, passing private third party and city inspections, quality control, and much more. This position also had a warranty, customer service side which required the project manager to inspect any issues the customer may have had with their home/appliances if still under warranty and schedule the appropriate vendor or service representative to repair and defects found. The project manager reported directly to area managers and division president about closing dates and deadlines. Communication with the companies sales representative and purchaser happened on a weekly basis, and often times more if there were questions or concerns that needed to be addressed.

Ashton Woods is the best company in the industry to work for as far as I'm concerned - I have 20 years of experience and have worked for a few other home builders. Work/life balance is a good as it gets, excellent benefits - lots of holidays and PTO, amazing company culture - many team building type events,  very professional work environment however also very fun/upbeat, compensation is slightly higher than industry average, flex schedules often offered & management is the best in the industry...many have done your job and worked their way up so have a tendency to listen to employees. Hardest part of job, I would say workload if anything...everyone at Ashton Woods works extremely hard to get the job done. Most importantly, Ashton Woods builds a beautiful quality home and takes care of their customers - truly just a great company all around!

Pros: I worked there for almost 9 years and the people were the best thing about AW by far! These were people you wanted to work with, grow with, laugh, and sometimes cry. We were family and you were excited to come to work every day knowing your family has your back and support. 

Cons: Under new management team. People from Lennar have come in and cleaned house with any mangers from the previous regime. One by one they fired them. Others like myself jumped ship and are working for the competition now. Moral is at all time low. People don’t talk to one another. People are leaving one by one. They are laying in large numbers, not because we are in a recession but simply because AW took a loss in profit last year. The people who are left are now doing the work of 3 with the same pay. All conferences, parties, and social events have been canceled.

I have only worked for Ashton Woods for about 5 weeks but I was immediately welcomed by EVERY member of my division. They want everyone to feel like they are a part of the family/team and the warm welcome from all of the current employees made it very apparent that this is a great place to work. They work hard but understand that a happy employee who feels valued is one that will stay long term with the company and give their best work at all times. Ashton Woods has a vision to enrich people's lives and I can tell already that they truly pride themselves in that. They have great pay and promote from within when possible. Everyone is works as a team and has great communication along the way. 

Ashton Woods really focuses on maintaining a good culture at the work place and strives have have multiple teambuilding events a year. The only setback is the lack of training programs and in-experienced management (a few of which are first time managers). There is also a growing turnover rate in multiple departments due to veterans being overlooked for promotions and being surpassed by others with less experience. Aside from those aspects, this is one of the few companies that I have worked for that has a genuine "family" feel.

Been here for 6 months now, and have loved what I've learned about this company so far! People are helpful and welcoming. The Corporate office has a positive environment and you know they care about their employees. They encourage good work and ethical behavior and will provide you with what you need to be efficient and effective. They also offer resources outside of the office to encourage that well balanced life we all need! Hardest part can be the hefty work load but like any place some weeks are busier than others, however the team will work together and help each other out to get the job done!

I have been in the workforce for 26 years, holding roughly 12 different positions in similar industries, but my current employment has been my longest-running and most successful.  This is the best company I have ever worked for, and I hope I never have to leave.  Each position I have held at Ashton Woods has made me feel like a contributing team member.  Management listens, and everyone around you works like a team.  Efforts are made every day to make sure you have the resources to excel.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Project manager 3 salaries reported	$81,667 per year
Tester 1 salary reported	$19.00 per hour
Taxi driver 1 salary reported	$31.65 per hour

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