Although I'm not in the same industry my secret is/can be universal:
I am a professional shrew with a generous dose of negotiator and advocate thrown in.
I help whomever enlists (translated: pays) me and my services to get things done.
I attempt to:
- make start up easier (research & do legwork to make preparing proposals easier)
- prepare documentation (packages for customer, compliance docs for regulations, monthly reports, etc)
- keep people updated (monthly reports, phone calls, meeting coordinator, email queen)
- prod folks who seem to be unaware or inattentive to what they're supposed to be doing & when or where
- make managers look good by giving them nice pieces of paper to look at and hand out (it keeps them from dabbling)
- assist with problem resolution
- assist with administrative wrap-up on projects
- assist with (dabble in) process improvement
