Jessica Saunders: promoting open communication, trust, and empowerment at Mott MacDonald

Taking on a new challenge for 2026, talented principal consultant and now British Columbia portfolio manager, Jessica Saunders provides her take on why relationship building is the foundation of success.

What do you do at Mott MacDonald and what are you currently working on?

I’m our British Columbia (BC) portfolio manager but I also can’t help but dabble in projects as a principal consultant in our infrastructure advisory team. While portfolio managers typically serve an oversight role for our proposal and project delivery, I see the role more as an opportunity to support continuous improvement and reinforce the basics of consulting; great people delivering work that we are proud of.

What does a typical workday look at Mott MacDonald?

A typical day is in an office, either our downtown Vancouver office or in a client office. I like to work with people and find communication is better when I can turn around or walk to a desk for a quick five-minute discussion. My day is a balance between project work and my operational role as a portfolio manager. This is a new role for me in 2026, so I’m working on identifying where I can have the most impact and add the most value, meaning I’m spending a lot of time asking questions, reviewing data, and listening to conversations. Then on the project front, I’m a planner and problem solver. I like to understand problems and help plan paths to solutions, often helping teams align on what needs to be done and planning scopes of work.

What opportunities have you had to grow your specialism or develop your career here?

Having spent 10 years with Mott MacDonald, I have seen the business grow significantly in Canada, resulting in countless opportunities to get involved and develop my career. I’ve been fortunate to have various opportunities over the last few years. Returning from maternity leave, I took on the role of consulting services group lead in Canada, which was a people focused role supporting the growth of our teams and development of our staff. This year I have moved into the BC portfolio manager role, which has a closer link to day-to-day business operations. Given the numerous roles I’ve taken on during my career here, I’d say pursue what you’re interested in! You have the support of our teams.

At work, how do you manage your well-being and safety?

My role is largely office based, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have a lens of safety in everything that I do. Taking on leadership roles means not only managing my safety and wellbeing but also managing the safety and wellbeing of others. The main way I do this is by showing an interest in others and the work they are doing, asking questions and clarifying that processes and plans are in place, and then proactively reporting and escalating where necessary. For me, building relationships with the people I work with is so important when managing my wellbeing. With two young kids, life can be a bit of a circus and having trusting, respectful relationships mean I’m not having to pretend I have it sorted. I know my colleagues are always willing to help out and step in if I need it.

What does it mean to you to be trusted to do brilliant things at Mott MacDonald?

For me, being trusted to do brilliant things means being heard and having my ideas and contributions count. It also means a safe space to do my best work and make decisions with the right intentions while also recognizing I won’t always get it right. The safety of the environment that I work in, and the trust that my leadership has in me, means I’m empowered to seek opportunities and share ideas without a fear of failure.

How do you collaborate with colleagues to achieve common goals?

A common goal, regardless of the work that we are all doing, is technical excellence and quality delivery. I’m always prepared to roll my sleeves up and help, and I prioritize the time to provide review and feedback to enable colleagues to have the time for final polish and improvement. It’s also about consistently setting expectations, both in process and outputs, and not settling for mediocrity.

How does Mott MacDonald create an environment where you feel empowered and supported?

Mott MacDonald empowers and supports me by creating an environment where my voice is genuinely heard and my ideas matter. I’m trusted to make decisions with the right intentions, even knowing I won’t always get everything perfect. That trust, combined with a safe and supportive workplace, gives me the confidence to pursue opportunities, contribute openly, and share ideas without fear of failure.

What advice would you give to someone looking to start their career with Mott MacDonald?

What sets us apart from other firms is our people and our culture. Take the time to meet people informally and find out what it is like to work at Mott MacDonald, particularly people who have recently joined. Then once you get here, prioritize building an internal network to make the most of our collaborative way of working.

The United Nations’ theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.” How does this theme resonate with you personally as a leader?

I feel privileged that where I work, and the community where my husband and I are choosing to raise our two daughters, rights for women and children aren’t something we need to fight for. I’m most drawn to the theme of ‘Action’ and to me this is about continual progress and leaning into challenging conversations with the ultimate goal of building a workplace that best reflects the community in which we live.

What role, if any, does International Women’s Day play in your perspective on leadership or workplace culture?

I look at the team around me and I’m now surrounded by amazing females, from team leads and project managers to new graduates. In fact, in our Canadian Infrastructure Advisory team, we are at least 50% female! That has changed in a relatively short space of time. International Women’s Day creates a space to recognize that balance and progress matters to our culture. I’m proud to say that it is more a rarity rather than a norm where only one female sits in an internal meeting. It’s a sign that we’re making progress in building belonging and encouraging contribution.

As we recognize International Women’s Day, is there a moment or influence that stands out as shaping how you lead?

Relatively early on in my career, once I had left my previous company and moved overseas, a female graduate that I had worked with reached out to thank me for the support and impact that I had had on her career. It surprised me that I, through my daily interactions, had had that impact. It made me realize that I have a role in advocating for others, especially those who may struggle to do it for themselves. The irony is I hadn’t recognized the impact that moment had on the way I lead until answering this question!

Is there anything else you’d like to add about your experience with us?

The people are what makes Mott MacDonald an amazing place to work. We spend so much time at work, and beyond being challenged and engaged in the projects we are delivering, doing it with people that you connect with and enjoy spending time with is a must. I feel fortunate that I have found both professional challenges, as well as a great team, where I can turn up every day as myself and feel appreciated for doing so.