Jessica Hunter

Redefining project management through
Consistency, Accountability, and Client-First Leadership.

Jessica Hunter has crafted a career that exemplifies leadership built on resilience, intent, and a deep commitment to redefining the project management consulting field. As the Principal, Project Management Consultant at Hunter Scott Projects Group (HSPG), she has dedicated more than twenty years to overseeing complex capital construction projects across Canada, gaining recognition for her exceptional work while revolutionizing the management of both projects and teams.

Throughout her two-decade career, Jessica has accumulated a series of milestones that collectively reflect both her technical expertise and her determination to grow in an industry that has traditionally presented challenges for women. Beginning in residential construction, she developed a strong foundation in project coordination and delivery before making a significant transition into commercial and institutional projects in 2012. This shift marked a turning point, exposing her to more complex, large-scale developments that required a higher level of strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement, and risk management.

In the same year, Jessica achieved her Project Management Professional (PMP) designation, a globally recognized credential that underscored her commitment to excellence. This exemplifies her ability to balance personal and professional responsibilities, a theme that would later influence the culture she sought to create within her own organization.

Her pursuit of professional growth continued in 2014 when she earned her LEED AP BD+C accreditation, further enhancing her expertise in sustainable design and environmentally responsible construction practices. This credential not only expanded her technical capabilities but also positioned her to contribute to projects with a focus on long-term environmental impact, an increasingly important consideration in modern construction.

Leading with Purpose
Transforming Project Management through Vision and Integrity

Success is not about managing more projects, it’s about creating greater value through consistency, accountability, and meaningful relationships.

Perhaps the most defining milestone in Jessica’s career came when she made the bold decision to leave a secure position at a large consulting firm and establish Hunter Scott Projects Group at the age of 32. This entrepreneurial leap was driven by both professional insight and personal conviction. Having witnessed first-hand the limitations of traditional consulting models, particularly the practice of overextending project managers—she recognized an opportunity to create a firm that prioritized quality, accountability, and client relationships.

The early years of HSPG required perseverance and strategic thinking, but the firm gained significant traction in 2019 when it secured its first major contract. This milestone marked its entry into large-scale healthcare projects, which are widely regarded as some of the most complex in the construction industry. These projects demand meticulous coordination, strict adherence to regulatory standards, and the ability to manage diverse stakeholder groups, all while maintaining operational continuity in critical environments.

Jessica’s leadership was further tested during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period that disrupted industries worldwide. Despite the uncertainty, she successfully navigated the challenges, ensuring that projects continued to progress while maintaining strong communication and support for both clients and team members. This ability to adapt under pressure reinforced her reputation as a resilient and capable leader.

In 2022, Jessica achieved another significant milestone by earning the Certified Management Consultant (CMC) designation and joining the board of CMC-Saskatchewan. This accomplishment not only validated her expertise but also allowed her to contribute to the advancement of the consulting profession, sharing insights and best practices with peers across the industry.

The establishment of Hunter Scott Projects Group was rooted in a clear and compelling vision. Jessica sought to address a fundamental gap in the consulting industry—the lack of dedicated, client-focused project management. In many large firms, project managers are assigned to multiple projects simultaneously, often resulting in delayed responses and diminished client support. Jessica believed that clients deserved better: a consistent, reliable presence who could guide them through every stage of their project.

Equally important was her desire to create opportunities for women in a field where they have historically been underrepresented and undervalued. Jessica recognized that many talented women were not receiving fair compensation or advancement opportunities, despite their capabilities. Through HSPG, she set out to build an organization that not only acknowledges these disparities but actively works to eliminate them.

Jessica’s approach to leadership is deeply rooted in inclusivity and flexibility. She envisioned a workplace that functions more like a community than a traditional corporate hierarchy—one where team members support each other and where personal responsibilities are respected. Whether it involves accommodating maternity leave, enabling remote work, or providing opportunities for career growth, HSPG is designed to empower its team members rather than constrain them.

Jessica vision is to build a firm that brings together a diverse group of professionals with expertise spanning multiple disciplines, including engineering, design, safety, IT, and change management. By integrating this breadth of skills, HSPG aims to position itself as a versatile consulting partner capable of delivering solutions across multiple sectors, extending beyond construction. Jessica is currently focused on strategically growing the team to bring this vision to fruition.

Geographically, the firm’s location in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, provides a strategic advantage. Positioned centrally within Canada, HSPG is well-equipped to serve clients across both Western and Eastern regions. This central location facilitates collaboration across time zones and allows the firm to effectively manage projects that involve stakeholders from different parts of the country—and even USA.

One of the key challenges Jessica identifies in project management is the risk of team burnout, particularly when organizations attempt to manage multiple projects without adequate resources. Overextended teams often struggle to meet deadlines and maintain quality, which can ultimately compromise client satisfaction. At HSPG, there is a strong emphasis on proactive planning and resource allocation to ensure that workloads remain manageable and that team members can perform at their best.

The Power of Perspective

Leadership is not solely about delivering results; it is about creating an environment where people feel empowered to grow, contribute, and succeed.

Balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders is another critical aspect of project management. Jessica emphasizes the importance of early stakeholder identification and the development of structured communication plans. Different stakeholders require different levels of information, and tailoring communication accordingly is essential for maintaining alignment and avoiding misunderstandings. By establishing clear expectations from the outset, HSPG ensures that all parties remain informed and engaged throughout the project lifecycle.

Her leadership approach extends to procurement and contract management, where clarity and transparency is the key. Whether leading procurement processes or supporting clients’ internal teams, HSPG provides structured recommendations that clearly outline the rationale behind each decision. This approach simplifies complex decision-making and enables clients to confidently move forward with their projects.

Risk management is approached with a similar level of diligence. Jessica advocates for identifying and assessing risks from the earliest stages of a project, using tools such as a comprehensive Risk Register to track potential issues and develop mitigation strategies. This process involves not only internal teams but also external stakeholders, including municipalities, utility providers and external consultants ensuring a holistic understanding of the project environment.

Communication, in Jessica’s view, is the foundation of successful project delivery. She believes that many project failures can be traced back to miscommunication or a lack of engagement. To address this, HSPG places a strong emphasis on creating detailed stakeholder engagement strategies and fostering a culture of open dialogue. Ensuring that all stakeholders feel heard and valued is critical, as disengagement can lead to overlooked issues and ultimately impact project outcomes.

Operating within the Canadian construction landscape presents a range of regulatory and compliance challenges, including navigating approvals, conducting consultations, and addressing due diligence requirements. Jessica emphasizes the importance of maintaining strong relationships with regulatory bodies to proactively incorporate review and approval timelines into project schedules, while ensuring consistent communication so that expectations are clearly understood by all stakeholders.

In recent years, additional pressures such as labour shortages and supply chain disruptions have further complicated project delivery. To address these challenges, Jessica works closely with consultants, designers, and builders to identify and mitigate risks early in the process. This includes strategies such as identifying long-lead items for early procurement and evaluating alternative materials that may be more readily available, helping to maintain project timelines and reduce potential impacts.

Technology continues to play an increasingly important role in project management, and Jessica has embraced digital tools that enhance collaboration and efficiency. Platforms such as Microsoft Teams and SharePoint have become essential for managing communication and documentation, particularly in a post-pandemic environment where remote work is more prevalent. These tools have enabled greater flexibility while reducing the need for travel, ultimately improving both productivity and cost efficiency.

As a leader, Jessica is deeply committed to mentoring and inspiring the next generation of women in the industry. She understands the challenges they may face, from proving their capabilities to overcoming perceived limitations. Her advice is grounded in her own experience: success requires resilience, self-belief, and the willingness to take action.

While artificial intelligence offers promising opportunities for automating routine tasks, its adoption in the public sector remains cautious due to concerns around data privacy and cybersecurity. Jessica recognizes the potential benefits of AI but also acknowledges the importance of ensuring that these technologies meet the stringent requirements of public organizations.

She challenges the concept of the ‘glass ceiling,’ suggesting that it is often a reflection of external perceptions rather than actual barriers. By focusing on their strengths and pursuing opportunities with confidence, women can break through these limitations and achieve their goals. Her own decision to start HSPG serves as a powerful example of what can be accomplished when one chooses to believe in their potential.

As Jessica Hunter continues to expand Hunter Scott Projects Group, her impact extends far beyond project delivery. Through her commitment to excellence, client-focused leadership, and dedication to creating opportunities for others, she is helping shape a more inclusive and accountable future for the consulting industry. Her journey stands as a testament to the power of resilience, vision, and purposeful leadership, proving that lasting success is built not only on what we achieve, but on the people we inspire along the way.

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