Please can you tell us a little bit about your professional background and career so far?

I’m an HR professional with more than 20 years’ experience working in the U.K., Middle East and my home country of Australia. My area of specialism is learning and development, specifically focused on culture change, approaches to enhancing project delivery and developing an engaged workforce. A constant responsibility throughout my career has been developing and delivering bespoke training programs to employees across all levels – from interns and graduates through to senior leaders.

I first joined AECOM in January 2011 as a senior organizational and employee development advisor based in Melbourne. Three years later, a promotional opportunity arose in AECOM’s Qatar business, so in 2014 I relocated there with my family. We had an excellent quality of life in Qatar and lived there for almost three years, whereupon we relocated to Dubai with a different company and eventually back to Melbourne.

How did you end up in Saudi Arabia? What inspired you to move?

While living in Melbourne, I received a call from a former AECOM colleague from my time in Qatar, who was setting up a project team in Saudi Arabia which required a training manager. Initially, I was reluctant to move as it would mean leaving my family in Australia – we’d only just moved back 10 months earlier and I didn’t want to disrupt my children’s education again so soon. However, I’d always enjoyed working for AECOM, so I didn’t take much persuading.

How do you find life in Riyadh?

I’ve lived in Riyadh for almost a year now and the role and country have both greatly exceeded my expectations.

The cultural dynamic of the project team is a definite highlight. Saudi nationals, Australians, Arabs, Americans, British and South Africans all collaborating to deliver the best outcome for the project and client. It really is a great bunch of people. Reflecting on the last 10 months, I’m immensely proud of the team’s HR-related achievements to date; mobilizing a project team, implementing HR policies, and establishing a talent management framework and graduate recruitment program. We’ve come a long way in such a short time.

Outside of work, the country continues to reform. In December 2018, I attended a Formula E race at which the Black Eyed Peas performed to a non-gender-segregated crowd. I’ve also experienced amazing warmth and hospitality from Saudis. At a local football match, one of the home supporters gave me his scarf in celebration of his team’s victory. I was really touched by this gesture.

I’ve also been pleasantly surprised by the abundance and accessibility of archaeological sites. As a history buff, there’s plenty in the country and just beyond its borders to keep me occupied.

How do you manage without your family?

It’s important to have strategies in place for maintaining contact. I Skype my family daily, usually during my lunchbreak. Likewise, I fly home during national holidays, like the week-long public holiday we received for Eid Al Adha, or during my paid time off.

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched a Saudi Family Visit Visa meaning my wife and children can now easily visit. We’re currently planning a family trip to Jeddah on Saudi’s west coast to sample the snorkelling. We might also travel to Egypt.

Do you live on a compound? What’s it like?

I live on a small compound comprising 20 villas that’s within walking distance from the project office. It’s child-friendly and very comfortable. Onsite amenities include a gym and pool. A few other AECOM employees live there too so it’s easy to socialize.

What advice would you give to someone considering a move to Saudi Arabia?

The career opportunities in Saudi Arabia are no longer a ‘hardship’ posting of years gone by. They present an opportunity to get very concentrated exposure and culturally-rich experience that can accelerate career progression. If you’re looking for a change and have a sense of adventure, Saudi Arabia should be number one on your ‘go to’ list.