Suzanne loves problem solving, and finding solutions is where she thrives. Whether that’s identifying an innovative way forward to address a challenge a client is facing, or how to improve the end-user experience — taking a client’s vision and working collaboratively to bring a solution to life is a real buzz for Suzanne.
Suzanne challenges today and reinvents tomorrow by embracing change, innovation and new and emerging technologies.
“I love seeing the finished product. When you meet a client for the first time, they will have a vision of what they want. Taking that vision, finding solutions and making it real is a real buzz for me. There’s nothing quite like walking into a newly opened venue or building that you have been a part of creating.”
Suzanne currently leads on operational delivery of Jacobs’ European portfolio of major programs and projects in the built environment. Now developing our Cities & Places approach across Europe, Suzanne is looking to the future of urban design and infrastructure integration with better technological interconnectivity.
“My focus is on how to take a programmatic approach to how cities or major developments are undertaken,” says Suzanne. “I firmly believe taking a holistic programmatic view enables and accelerates achieving net zero, allows efficiencies in delivery such as Design for Manufacture and Assembly and Modern Methods of Construction, and better manages value and time through good supply chain management.”
Suzanne initially chose a STEAM career because she loved mathematics, physics and technical drawing at school and wanted to apply this to her passion for architecture. Having started her career with an apprenticeship as a draftsperson, she decided to study for a degree in Architectural Technology at Strathclyde University. Suzanne started by working in small- to medium-sized architectural practices where, traveling between the U.K. and Australia, she designed hospitals, offices, police headquarters, hotels and sports stadiums.
Her work on sports stadiums became a defining point in her career in Major Programs. Following a secondment at the London 2012 Olympic Delivery Authority, Suzanne worked on stadiums in Glasgow before moving to the Middle East in 2013, initially as the precinct lead for 2022 FIFA World Cup QatarTM and then deputy program director at the Dubai Expo 2020, where she was instrumental in transforming the site into a new urban space. A major component of her role was managing the program team, external consultants and contractors through the complex delivery of the site.
#OurJacobs is Suzanne’s employer of choice because she sees it as a family — all of our leaders are accessible and hugely supportive and we truly live our values.
Watch: Suzanne's career story
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6
cities lived in
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years working on Expo 2020 Dubai
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major international programs and events worked on
More from Suzanne
Infrastructure Intelligence: London 2012 – 10 years on - Suzanne reflects on how working on the Olympic and Paralympic Games developed her major programme mindset. Turn to page 24 (13 on the PDF) to read.
Daily Record: Glasgow 2014: Expert transforming Hampden reveals how athletics track will be built 6ft ABOVE the pitch
Watch: What can major programs learn from the London 2012 legacy?
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London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
CLM, a consortium of CH2M (now Jacobs), Laing O’Rourke and Mace, was appointed by the Olympic Delivery Authority to deliver the Olympic Park and associated infrastructure for London 2012.
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Expo 2020 Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Expo 2020 Dubai (Expo), the first World Expo in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, transforming a 4.38km2 site into a lasting urban legacy.
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Q&A: Talking with Suzanne McCormack, Vice President, Executive Program Director, Europe
In this Q&A, we connect with Vice President, Executive Program Director, Europe Suzanne McCormack, to talk about what inspires her and her career working on some of the most exciting programs in the world.