From a LinkedIn message to leading talent strategy across regions: Meet Doaa

For International Women’s Day, we’re sharing stories from people across AtkinsRéalis. This is Doaa’s.

Four years ago, Doaa was working in marketing and graphic design. Then a LinkedIn message changed everything. She made the bold decision to relocate cities, step into a new discipline, and pivoted into talent attraction. She hasn’t looked back.

“That leap reshaped my career,” she says, “and it continues to shape how I approach talent and hiring today.”

Growing into strategic talent leadership

Today, Doaa is the Talent Attraction Manager for AMEA and GTC, leading hiring strategy across both regions from her base in Riyadh. She partners with senior leaders to translate business priorities into recruitment plans, builds sustainable talent pipelines, strengthens employer branding, and works to make hiring more data-led and inclusive. In four years she’s gone from Talent Attraction Specialist to managing increasingly complex, strategic hiring across multiple regions.

“I’ve fast-tracked my growth through hard work, creative thinking, and delivering results in challenging markets,” she says, “supported by the trust and belief my manager, Scott, has placed in me.”

Her role is anything but routine. Shaping workforce plans, reviewing pipelines and market insights, improving candidate experience, coaching recruitment teams, and collaborating with stakeholders across regions and functions. Right now she’s focused on building pipelines for future-ready roles, improving diversity outcomes, and making sure recruitment is proactive rather than reactive.
“Recruitment isn’t just about filling roles,” she explains. “It has to be aligned with long-term business growth.”

Driving impact through inclusive, insight-led hiring

The impact of her work goes beyond hiring numbers. For the business, she makes sure teams have the right people when and where they need them. For hiring managers, she brings clarity and market insight to a process that can feel overwhelming. And for candidates, she’s shaping how AtkinsRéalis is perceived as an employer.

I focus on creating fair, inclusive, and transparent hiring experiences,” she says, “and attracting diverse talent who feel aligned with the organisation’s purpose and culture.”

Beyond work: Art, animals, and authenticity

Outside of work, Doaa’s creativity continues. She’s a passionate rock music fan, TOOL, Chevelle, and Seether are her go-tos. She’s a portrait painter who uses art as a way to slow down and express emotion visually. She’s a dedicated animal welfare advocate. And she loves to travel, finding inspiration for her art and broadening her perspective along the way.

When asked what sets AtkinsRéalis apart, she points to the everyday realities: genuine flexibility, trust, and autonomy, and strong collaboration across teams, from marketing and social media to recruiters and hiring managers. “That flexibility doesn’t just support wellbeing,” she says. “It enables people to perform at their best, both professionally and personally.”

What International Women’s Day means to her

For Doaa, International Women’s Day is personal. “It represents how far women can go when they’re trusted, supported, and given opportunity. I’ve experienced firsthand the impact of having leaders who believe in you, encourage growth, and create space for you to step outside your comfort zone.”

She believes real inclusion isn’t about grand gestures. It shows up in everyday actions. Flexibility. Trust. Open conversations. Equal access to growth.
“When women feel empowered to be themselves, advocate for their development, and balance their personal and professional lives, they don’t just succeed individually, the entire organisation benefits.”

Her advice for anyone thinking about joining? “Come in with an open mind and a willingness to adapt. Be curious, take ownership, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. You truly lead your own growth here and the opportunities are there for those who are proactive and open to learning.”

From a LinkedIn message to leading talent strategy across two regions. That’s Doaa. Interested in building your career at AtkinsRéalis? Explore our opportunities and discover what’s possible.