Our People
Meet Justine Butler
Dublin, Ireland
-
Save to favoritesShare with your friends
-
As director of engineering in the U.K., Ireland and Nordics, Justine Butler is responsible for leading teams that design and deliver some of the most complex life sciences and pharmaceutical facilities in the world. With more than 19 years of experience, she takes a proactive approach, applies strategic thinking, and demonstrates a commitment to innovation to bridge the gap between technical expertise, organizational goals and continuous improvement.
Leading a growing team of about 500 engineers - accounting for roughly 50% of Jacobs’ total Ireland Operations - Justine oversees the engineering design on a project portfolio exceeding $4 billion (€3.8 billion). As the first woman to hold this position and one of the youngest members of our leadership team in the region, her accountability and technical expertise have contributed to Jacobs’ success in shortlisted and award-winning projects.
Justine joined Jacobs after studying chemical and process engineering at University College Dublin, earning a diploma in project management from Dublin Business School and gaining experience in pharmaceutical facility design and lecturing in biopharmaceutical design with Institute of Technology, Sligo. Her passion for leadership was evident early in her career when she became the first young engineer to serve on Engineering Ireland’s Council and Executive Committee after chairing its Young Engineers committee.
Throughout her career, Justine has prioritized relationship-building with peers, management and external networks. Justine is passionate about continuous education and talent development, always encouraging her team to embrace a constant state of intellectual curiosity. In particular, Justine is dedicated to supporting more women in pursuing management positions and overcoming imposter syndrome.
Justine’s talent and commitment were recognized with the 2024 Women in STEM – Engineering award by Engineers Ireland.
“As the Greek philosopher Heraclitus said, change is the only constant in life. Adaptability is essential and its key to know that no one has all the answers. I embrace new ideas, technologies and opportunities but recognize them as improvements rather than threats from both a business and personal perspective. ”
Justine Butler
Get to know Justine Butler
What excites you about your role?
I’m passionate about people, specifically understanding what makes them ‘tick’ and how best to develop their talent in an inclusive atmosphere. I use emotional intelligence to build relationships within my team through one-on-one meetings, collaborative group activities, 360 degree feedback and daily interactions to solve problems, review performance and create a positive trusted environment. Effective communication is key. My commitment to training over 1000 individuals in communication skills underscores its importance alongside technical expertise.
What have you found challenging?
Until five years ago, I thought I needed to and almost wanted to take my foot off my career pedal. As a mum of two young children, I used to focus more on what I couldn’t do than what I could do — and do well.
My career has accelerated without jeopardizing my important role as a mother. By adapting my mindset and working hard, I gained a new confidence that’s benefited both my professional and personal life. In the words of Rhonda Morris, former chief of human resources at Chevron, “Empowered women empower women.”
I’ve become an empowered woman, and I aspire to empower others. For women, men, and everybody, success can come in spades and the journey can be very enjoyable.
Can you share one piece of advice?
My leadership role requires me to bounce back from challenges while staying focused on market trends and business growth. Working in a highly competitive market, I’ve faced heightened pressure, but a positive attitude and growth mindset has strengthened my resilience. Challenges are inevitable in any role, but adopting a positive attitude beforehand allows for more effective execution, and as importantly, helps minimize stress afterwards.
What excites you about the future of this industry?
I’m excited about the future for many reasons. We continue to grow as a business and collaborate more with our global offices. From a design perspective, I look forward to seeing the continued sustainable design that has been achieved on multiple projects, as well as what’s to come on using AI as part of our project delivery. Our challenges and opportunities are different from those of five years ago, but I’ve no doubt we’ll adapt — as we always do —and continue delivering exceptional, complex industrial facilities.
When you aren’t working, what are we most likely to find you doing?
Spending time with my family. We enjoy quiet moments — reading or watching TV after negotiating what to watch. Other times, we look for any excuse to host a gathering, as we all love lively moments just as much.
What do you enjoy most about being part of #OurJacobs?
The sense of community in Jacobs is like no other. Despite being such a large organization, we are well connected and you’re never too far away from a high-caliber colleague.