The person behind the experience: How Zita helps create moments that matter at AtkinsRéalis

Most people attend an event, join a workshop, enjoy an Ice Cream Day, or take part in a graduate programme without thinking too much about what happens behind the scenes. For Zita, those moments are the highlight of her job.

As part of the HR team at AtkinsRéalis, she spends much of her time creating opportunities for people to connect, learn, and feel a sense of belonging. Whether it's supporting graduate development programmes, organising engagement activities, or introducing new wellbeing initiatives, her goal is simple: create experiences that make a positive difference to someone's day.

And for Zita, that's exactly what makes the role so rewarding.

A career inspired by people

Interestingly, Zita didn't begin her career in HR. After graduating from the University of Hong Kong, she spent a year working in public relations, supporting events, communications, and stakeholder engagement initiatives. It was a role that taught her how to build connections and understand different audiences. But as time went on, she realised what she enjoyed most wasn't the communications itself. It was the people.

I realised I enjoyed creating meaningful experiences and building connections between people, she explains.

That realization led her to HR, where she could have a more direct impact on employees' day‑to‑day experiences and help foster a positive workplace culture. More than a year after joining AtkinsRéalis, she's doing exactly that.

Seeing people grow is the best part

One of the areas Zita is most passionate about is supporting early careers programmes. Over the past year, she has worked closely with graduate engineers, helping coordinate development opportunities and working alongside the Learning, Development & Talent team to support their growth. What she enjoys most isn't the planning behind the scenes. It's seeing the transformation.

Some graduates arrive quiet and reserved. Months later, she watches them confidently present their ideas, speak in front of colleagues, and showcase everything they've learned. Those moments remind her why the work matters. Seeing people gain confidence, develop new skills, and grow into themselves is one of the most rewarding parts of her role.

The small things that make a big difference

Ask Zita about the biggest lesson she's learned since joining AtkinsRéalis, and her answer isn't about systems, processes, or policies. It's much simpler than that. "Small gestures can make a big difference.

It's a lesson she saw repeatedly through people‑focused initiatives, particularly programmes that encourage appreciation and recognition. Sometimes it's a thank‑you message. Sometimes it's positive feedback after an event. Sometimes it's hearing that something you've organised made someone's day a little better. The impact might seem small in the moment but often reaches much further than people realise.

More than just organising events

While popular initiatives like Ice Cream Day, wellbeing activities, workshops, and engagement events are certainly memorable, what motivates Zita most is what those activities create: connection.

She loves seeing colleagues from different teams come together, meet people they wouldn't normally work with, and take a moment away from busy schedules to recharge.

One recent highlight was introducing several new workshops that attracted strong participation from colleagues across the business. The positive feedback that followed reinforced something she already suspected: people genuinely value opportunities to connect, learn, and engage with one another.

Those moments continue to inspire her to explore new ideas and create even better experiences in the future.

A culture built on support

When describing AtkinsRéalis, one word comes up repeatedly: supportive. Whether she is working with colleagues in Hong Kong, India, the Middle East, or South Korea, she consistently finds people willing to help, share ideas, and support one another. That support becomes especially visible during large initiatives.

A standout example was the Graduate Orientation Camp, which brought together colleagues from HR, Learning & Development, early‑career networks, and senior leadership to create a memorable experience for new graduates joining the business. The success of the programme wasn't the result of one team. It was the result of people across the organisation contributing their expertise towards a shared goal. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants made all the hard work worthwhile.

Growing through trust

Over the past year, Zita's role has evolved considerably. What began as supporting activities and projects has grown into taking ownership of key initiatives from start to finish. That growth didn't happen by accident. It was made possible because managers, teammates, and colleagues trusted her to take the lead while providing support whenever needed. She's been encouraged to contribute ideas, experiment with new approaches, and manage projects independently, which has shaped her view of leadership.

For Zita, great leaders are approachable, encourage different perspectives, and create an environment where people feel heard. Most importantly, they trust people to succeed.

Looking ahead

After just over a year with AtkinsRéalis, Zita has already helped shape experiences for hundreds of colleagues across the business. But what continues to motivate her isn't the events themselves. It's seeing people smile, build new connections, gain confidence, and feel more connected to those around them. Because sometimes, creating a great workplace isn't about one big initiative. It's about creating lots of small moments that make people feel like they belong.

If you're looking for a place where your ideas are welcomed, your growth is supported, and you can make a meaningful difference to the people around you, explore our current opportunities and discover where a career at AtkinsRéalis could take you.