Jon, Project Director for our water team, discusses his experience joining MKO as an experienced professional. He discusses how his extensive experience gained from working abroad has been invaluable to his current role.
Can you share a little about your background and what brought you to MKO?
My career has been a diverse journey through various sectors, including mining, geophysics, tiny fluid bubbles in mineral grains, business development, client relationship and team management, and leadership. Through the many and varied projects that I have been involved with, I’ve had the privilege of working in many different parts of the world. Living and working for periods outside Ireland has provided me with career development opportunities, as as well applying learnings from other countries to projects in Ireland. As a senior consultant, changing jobs was a significant decision, especially given personal and family commitments. However, after discussions with the directors at MKO, a new and exciting opportunity emerged to lead and manage the Water team. I was drawn to the company’s clear vision and strategy for having a positive impact on environmental and societal challenges. This dynamic environment and compelling purpose ultimately led me to my current role as Project Director for the Water team at MKO.
How does cross team collaboration with our in-house multidisciplinary teams enhance your work?
Many of our water projects require collaboration with other environmental disciplines, such as ecology and landscape assessment. Our in-house capabilities allow us to form short and long-term teams to meet project and client needs. This integrated approach, with teams working together in a common office environment, ensures seamless collaboration. Our clients particularly value this direct access to our multidisciplinary teams, as it allows them to receive specialist advice on demand.
As a senior team member, how do you contribute to the growth and development of more junior team members at MKO?
I have always cherished the opportunity to mentor and be mentored. This forms a key part of my role at MKO and I enjoy the challenges of working with and developing a team that often works in different locations, as projects demand. Establishing and maintaining clear communication lines and opportunities helps the team to feel engaged with each other, their projects and with the others in the company. Frequent updates and discussions and an open environment to question and discuss ideas makes for a rewarding experience for all. Part of my role is focussed on providing opportunities for more junior staff to take on more responsibility through people and project management. Identifying and nurturing our future leaders is an aspect of my role that I find particularly rewarding.
How does MKO offer exposure to different types of projects and clients?
As a Project Director, I am involved in almost all projects of the water team and in doing so I am exposed to a variety of projects – small to large, internal and external, etc. One day I might be involved with our projects on fish barrier mitigation and re-balancing river ecosystems for state bodies and local authorities while working with our environmental, ecological and planning specialists. On another day I might be involved in decision making with clients in terms of climate change effects on groundwater in Ireland.
How does the variety of projects at MKO contribute to real-world environmental solutions and sustainable development in Ireland?
Many of the projects we are involved in require considered and careful approaches from our specialists to provide appropriate environmental solutions. Local and national scale projects often require consent and the inhouse combined environmental and consenting process is quite unique and offers clients the opportunity to progress their projects in a timely and efficient manner.
How does MKO’s environmental led focus shape the types of projects you work on?
The water team’s projects align very well with meeting many environmental challenges in Ireland, including re-balancing river ecosystems through fish barrier mitigation, forecasting groundwater level changes in response to climate change and assessing potential impacts to water course/bodies in the development of critical infrastructure.
For someone looking to build a long-term career at MKO, what opportunities does MKO offer?
Being part of the strategic journey and having opportunities to influence it is a continual rewarding experience at MKO. Listening to others’ opinions and being listened to is a critical engagement factor in long term career aspirations.
Outside of project work, how does MKO contribute to a positive and supportive work culture for experienced professionals?
MKO understands the commitments of senior personnel outside of the work environment and it actively supports and trusts us to manage and balance the juggling act. This support and trust allow me to feel engaged and perform my role effectively. In addition, there are many opportunities for experienced professionals to meet, discuss and find solutions to common challenges in our work environment. This provides further support in meeting the challenges of everyday project demands and affords us tangible opportunities to work and grow a team of experienced professionals.