Starting over, without starting from scratch - Jon Binalay's story

Discover how Jon Binalay’s return to AtkinsRéalis was shaped by collaboration, support, and the opportunity to contribute to projects across the Middle East from Hong Kong.

Returning to a familiar organization can often feel like starting a new chapter.

That was certainly true for Jon Binalay, who rejoined AtkinsRéalis as an Associate Principal Landscape Architect, based in Hong Kong and supporting landscape projects across the Middle East.

Having previously worked for AtkinsRéalis in Hong Kong, Jon was already familiar with the business. But stepping into a role that involved supporting teams and projects in another region gave him a fresh perspective on the scale of the organization and the way people work together across borders.

What stood out immediately was how connected everything felt.

Despite being based in Hong Kong while supporting teams in Dubai and across the wider Middle East, Jon quickly found himself involved in project discussions, collaborating with colleagues, and building relationships across offices.

"Even though I am based in Hong Kong and remotely supporting teams in the UAE, I quickly felt connected to both projects and colleagues," he says.

A smooth transition into a global role

Jon describes the move into his new role as seamless.

While his working arrangement was unique, being hired through the Hong Kong office while supporting the Middle East business, the support he received helped make the transition straightforward from the beginning.

From the hiring process through to onboarding, teams across the business were readily available to help, answer questions, and provide guidance whenever needed.

More importantly, the support didn't stop after the first week.

Whether understanding project requirements, learning new processes, or navigating systems, colleagues consistently made time to share their knowledge and help him settle into the role.

That openness allowed Jon to focus less on finding his feet and more on contributing to the work around him.

Building connections across borders

One of the most valuable parts of Jon's experience was the opportunity to spend time with the Dubai landscape team early on.

Working alongside colleagues in person helped him better understand the team's workflow, communication style, and ways of working before transitioning into a fully remote collaboration model.

It also reinforced something he quickly noticed across the business: collaboration happens naturally.

"People are approachable, willing to share knowledge and project background, and genuinely invested in the success of the project," he explains.

Working across offices, disciplines, and time zones could easily create barriers. Instead, Jon found a culture where people actively support one another and work together to solve challenges.

Learning through live projects

Rather than spending weeks on the sidelines, Jon was able to contribute to active projects from the outset.

His early responsibilities included supporting master planning and landscape projects in the UAE, giving him valuable exposure to regional planning, landscape, and public realm requirements.

Working alongside experienced colleagues not only accelerated his learning but also gave him opportunities to contribute his own experience and perspective to project discussions.

One particularly memorable moment came when he presented directly to a client during a masterplan project.

As it was his first time working with Middle East clients, the experience pushed him to adapt his communication style while collaborating across different time zones and project teams.

It was also a milestone that strengthened his confidence and reinforced the trust placed in him so early in his time with the business.

Growth through challenge

Like any new role, there was a learning curve.

Adapting to new systems, processes, and ways of working while supporting teams across regions required flexibility and a willingness to learn quickly.

For Jon, the key was staying curious, asking questions, and taking advantage of the support available around him.

Those experiences have helped him build a deeper understanding of how global teams work together and strengthened his ability to collaborate effectively across locations.

Looking ahead

Jon has had the opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects, build relationships across the business, and gain insight into how multidisciplinary teams collaborate at scale.

Perhaps most importantly, he has seen firsthand how a strong support network can make a new role feel welcoming from day one.

His advice for future joiners is simple:

"Stay curious, ask questions, and take every opportunity to connect with colleagues. The support network is all here, and engaging with it will help you get up to speed quickly and make the most of your experience from day one."

For Jon, returning to AtkinsRéalis has been more than a change of role. It has been an opportunity to grow, learn, and contribute as part of a connected global team.

If you're looking for a career where collaboration, learning, and support go hand in hand, explore our current opportunities and discover where AtkinsRéalis could take you.