Staff Spotlight: Jack Harris, Senior Engineering Project Manager

From international rugby pitches to global sustainability projects, Jack Harris brings energy, precision and passion to everything he does. With over 50 caps as a Touch Rugby referee including officiating at the World Cup and European competitions, Jack’s commitment to excellence extends far beyond the field.

Since joining Projective two and a half years ago, Jack has channelled his enthusiasm into helping clients navigate the complex world of Net Zero Master Planning and utilities design. His work is driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact, not just for businesses, but for the planet. Whether he’s developing strategies to cut carbon emissions or travelling to Japan, the US and across Europe to support clients, Jack’s role is as dynamic as it is rewarding.

In this spotlight, Jack shares what drew him to Projective, the challenges and triumphs of his role and the advice he’d give to anyone looking to follow in his footsteps.

What’s a fun or surprising fact about you that most people wouldn’t know?

I’m an international referee for Touch Rugby, with over 50 caps to my name. I was at European competition a few weeks ago and I was at the World Cup last year. This is my biggest hobby outside of work.

What inspired you to join Projective?

I joined Projective 2 1/2 years ago. After working in operations engineering for a number of years since graduating university, I was getting more and more drawn to energy, sustainability and future technologies for Net Zero. I wanted an opportunity to travel a bit more and work with a wide variety of clients.

Luckily, I found a job advert for Projective who’s head office was already quite near where I lived. I loved seeing the wide set of clients that Projective had worked with in its 25 year history, and that the clients were based across the globe.

I feel like I was very lucky to be interviewed and hired by Projective. It’s given me the opportunity to be working in a sector I love, developing solutions that will not only help businesses but the planet as well.

What’s something people might not know about your role?

On a day-to-day basis, my role encompasses supporting and building relationships with our clients across a wide range of projects from Net Zero Master Planning to utilities design. I enjoy doing the Net Zero Master Planning the most, helping our clients understand and navigate their journey towards a more sustainable future is really rewarding.

It can sometimes be a challenge, but once we find that optimal solution, it’s great to see that collaborative approach really pay off. It gives a lot of purpose to my career.

Additionally, I do get opportunities to travel more often than people expect and thanks to this role I have been to Japan, the United States, another many countries in Europe. I hope to get to travel more in the future.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part is helping our clients navigate what can be a very busy and confusing space. Considering how their operations and utilities can work profitably and effectively in a more sustainable world can be a real challenge. But helping them achieve that goal of having a master plan that the business can get behind, that feels like the right thing to be doing, but also crucially helps them operate more cost effectively as well, is really fulfilling.

Working for Projective is very rewarding. We really strive to do the right thing for our clients and when we continue to receive projects from customers who have trusted us for many, many years, it tells me that we’re doing the right thing by the them. It’s great to see they want to continue working with us.

Can you describe a recent project you’re proud of?

So one of the most recent pieces of work that we’re proud of, is one where we’ve supported a flagship research and development facility for a global consumer healthcare brand with a Net Zero Master Plan.

We scoped and developed a pathway, a strategy that supports with their OPEX cost protection, whilst also achieving their ambitious Net Zero goal of 2030. We were able to develop around 20 projects which will all play a part in that journey.

The Master Plan outlines how the projects will support the reduction their current Scope 1 & 2 carbon footprint by 98%. Eliminating almost 5,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. And critically, it shows how they can do it by saving nearly $150,000 USD (roughly 10%) of their energy costs per year as well.

Any advice you’d give to someone starting in your field?

If anyone is interested in the field of utilities, asset management, engineering and net zero planning, my advice would be to be stay inquisitive, keep asking questions.

A lot of new technologies are being developed in this space and to be good at this job, you need to want to understand how they work and how they work best.

I also believe that being good at working collaboratively with your colleagues, clients and stakeholders, is really important. Keep developing those skills that make you a great team player. Who knows, one day you could be a true leader in this space!