Julia Barr

What do you enjoy about working here?

I enjoy the interaction with my brilliant and interesting colleagues and clients, knowing that my contributions are valued and making a difference. I appreciate that my role as a commercial manager plays a significant part in securing business for Mott MacDonald and I often look back and think "wow, I helped build/do that!".

Tell us about your specialism and why you chose it

I didn’t choose my specialism – my specialism chose me! I had been working in project management when a mentoring opportunity with one of our commercial directors led to the creation of a role that used my degree background and analytical skills. At the time, commercial management was largely unfamiliar to me. I didn’t for a second think I’d last long, but it turns out I really enjoy it and have done well in my role. I love engaging with different teams, helping them to understand contract and commercial risks, and ensuring we secure deals that appropriately reflect the work we are undertaking.

Describe what the Mott Mac Life means to you in three words

Flexibility, trust, fulfilment

What have you learnt while working at Mott MacDonald?

People come first. Look after your people, and they are then able to do a great job.

Empathy is important – putting yourself in your client’s or team members’ shoes helps you understand their point of view and contributes towards achieving optimal solutions. I think it really helps with client relationships that they know we want to make a positive difference to them.

Kindness goes a very long way towards job fulfilment. My colleagues have guided and mentored me, and I have felt very well supported when work or family life have presented challenges. I try and repay the kindness as much as I can.

What are your career highlights and achievements?

Highlights include getting promoted in my commercial management role after only a few months – it was new to me, but really suited me and my mindset. I’m also pleased to have driven negotiations on an important contract relating to small modular reactor rollout, and to have delivered contracts that help ensure the Royal Navy’s Continuous At-Sea Deterrence.

I’m proud to have achieved professional accreditation and the completion of a mini-MBA – there are so many ways in which I use these qualifications in my role, and to support my ongoing development.

Are you involved in any additional initiatives at Mott MacDonald, aside from your day-to-day role?

I sit on Mott MacDonald’s armed forces steering committee as the families lead. Military families face all sorts of barriers to career development and employment, and as a military family member myself I’m passionate about demonstrating what is possible with employer support, and recognising the generally unsung but often incredible contributions that military family members make in challenging circumstances – their resilience, creativity and determination are directly of benefit in the workplace. My colleagues and I attend military community employment and engagement events on behalf of Mott MacDonald, to highlight the company as an excellent employer and one that does the right thing by its people.