Why did you choose to join Mott MacDonald?
Prior to joining Mott MacDonald, I spent many years as a derivatives trader in Chicago. While the work was captivating and the competitive atmosphere addictive, the rewards were purely financial, and the work failed to fulfil a longstanding desire to work for a company making a lasting positive impact on society. I was presented with an opportunity to join Mott MacDonald in a role that put me in the middle of a cutting edge research project striving to close student educational achievement gaps in the US. It was exactly the type of project and company I wanted to work for after my years as a trader. As I learned more about the Group’s portfolio of work over time, I realised that Mott MacDonald’s reach and impact were greater than I initially knew. I quickly began to discover that the services that Mott MacDonald delivers in various sectors add real value to the communities, governments, and people it serves across the globe, and I felt even more strongly that a position here would fill my growing desire to be with a company adding value to society.
What is the best thing about your job/role?
The best thing about by job is the opportunity to interact with great colleagues in my home office and across the globe. Intracompany collaboration and communication is an essential and enjoyable aspect of my role at Mott MacDonald. We rely heavily on support from resources across the Group. I greatly appreciate and enjoy reaching out to colleagues from across the globe for support, advice, or to collaborate on a project. I also truly enjoy the team atmosphere in my home office and supporting others in their projects and careers. These interactions are a very rewarding necessity in my role.
How would you describe the culture of Mott MacDonald?
Mott MacDonald feels like a small company with a big reach to do big things. Even though the company has around 16,000 employees and delivers projects across the globe in around 12 sectors, the day-to-day feel is that of a small company/organisation. People know one another and recognise the importance of each other’s work even if they operate in completely different sectors. Communicating daily with colleagues across the globe and across sectors has helped embed a culture of pride for the diversity of work we do.
How have you been supported during your career development?
A few years back, I began taking a more active role and interest in the management accounts of my division, and more importantly helping management understand the story behind the numbers. For my professional (and personal) development I wanted to formalise and expand my understanding of the levers that drive our business, and the strategies management can implement to improve results. I therefore pursued backing from Mott MacDonald to support my pursuit of an executive master’s in business administration. Both divisional management and unit management helped support my application to the Mott MacDonald Charitable Trust, which I received, and which enabled me to attend the program of my choice. My divisional manager, unit manager, and I were confident that this degree would be a worthwhile experience for both me, and for Mott MacDonald. The experience proved to be incredibly valuable, and I bring what I learned to my work, and to my colleagues on a daily basis.
When you’re not in the office where can you be found?
If not off on some adventure or hanging around with my four year old daughter and my wife, I can be found on a surfboard in the ocean in the summer or on various ski hills or ice hockey rinks in the winter.
What would your perfect day consist of?
My perfect day would include waking up on a cool fall New England day with my family and checking the surf conditions while sipping some dark coffee (filtered, US style) on a deck. My daughter, wife, and I would head to the beach and paddle out for some waves. We would get out of the water and home just in time for a 1 o’clock kick-off for some American football and my favorite team the Cleveland Browns.
