Site Manager Anica: Juggling day-to-day life, the team and responsibilities in building maintenance.

What was your path into construction management like?

After completing my degree in civil engineering, I joined ZÜBLIN four years ago as a junior engineer. Given that my degree was rather theory-based, this was the ideal first step for me into the practical world of work. Following my interview in Essen, I ended up at TORKRET, which has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of ZÜBLIN Bauwerkserhaltung since 2012.
Through the junior engineer programme, I had the opportunity to get to know various departments, divisions and sites. This diversity gave me a comprehensive understanding of processes, interfaces and responsibilities within the group and enabled me to develop my specialist knowledge.
What I found particularly valuable was that, during this time, I was able to build up a network of colleagues that I can still draw on today.
After around one and a half years in the junior engineer programme, having gained broad insight into project management and the Group’s structures, I finally moved into site management in January 2024.
 
What particularly fascinates you about building maintenance?

Working on existing buildings is particularly exciting for me because every building has its own history and therefore presents its own unique challenges. No two buildings are alike, and you have to find bespoke solutions that both preserve the structure and meet today’s requirements and standards. 
Building conservation isn’t just about repairing damage, but about safeguarding existing buildings for the long term and ensuring they can be used sustainably. It’s not just about the technical aspects, but also about the history and character of a building. That’s exactly what makes it so appealing to me: 

What tasks characterise your day-to-day work as a site manager?

As a site manager, my role is to keep an eye on the construction project as a whole and to ensure that it can be successfully implemented from both a technical and a financial perspective. Working closely with the foreman or forewoman, as well as the entire site and project team, I manage the construction process and oversee the practical implementation – including planning staff deployment, carrying out quality controls and liaising with project stakeholders.

What skills should you have if you want to work in construction management or, specifically, in building maintenance?

In my view, the key requirements are, above all, a passion for the construction industry, a sound basic technical understanding and a enjoyment of working as part of a team. Added to this is a passion for the specific aspects of building maintenance – that is, for understanding and preserving existing structures.
One of the most important skills is clear and respectful communication. As a site manager, you act as the central point of contact and a reliable point of reference for the whole team. 

A structured approach to work is equally important. You coordinate deadlines, trades and processes, and – particularly in the case of existing buildings – situations often change at short notice. This calls for flexibility and the ability to maintain an overview and find pragmatic solutions.
Attention to detail plays a major role, particularly in building maintenance. Damage or its causes are often not immediately apparent, but only become evident upon close inspection and investigation. Anyone who enjoys analysing and tinkering will find many exciting challenges in this field. Everything else develops through professional and practical experience, curiosity and the desire to continually improve. 
 
What has personally helped you the most in settling into your role – both professionally and personally?

Professionally, what helped me most of all was taking on responsibility early on whilst at the same time being open about it when there was something I didn’t yet know. In construction management, you learn the most directly on the building site – by observing, listening and exchanging ideas with colleagues. I find the exchange with experienced colleagues particularly enriching: we learn from one another, complement each other’s skills and tackle projects hand in hand. Working closely with the foreman and the whole team has given me a great deal of confidence and helped me develop enormously professionally.

What motivates you day in, day out?

What motivates me most of all is the variety in my job. Every day brings new tasks, decisions and opportunities to learn. No two projects or situations are ever the same. I find it particularly motivating to develop solutions as a team and to see, at the end of the day, the progress we’ve made together.

Which projects or challenges have particularly stuck in your memory?

The first construction sites where I worked in a supporting role as a junior engineer had a particularly big impact on me.
 

As well as my first construction sites in Wuppertal and Gelsenkirchen, I also oversaw a smaller construction project in Wetter an der Ruhr. Although it was a small-scale project, it was nonetheless a very unusual and special one. We restored a memorial to those who fell in the Second World War, thereby helping to preserve a piece of culture and history.
One of my current projects is the Coal Tower at the Zollverein Coking Plant, a project in my home town and, due to its UNESCO World Heritage status, something quite special. I am also overseeing, in collaboration with two colleagues, the refurbishment of the multi-storey car park at the Ruhr University in Bochum, which is being carried out as a joint venture with ZÜBLIN Ingenieurbau and Bauen im Bestand. Due to its scale and complexity, this project presents a new challenge for all of us. I am very much looking forward to these new challenges and the personal and professional growth they will bring, and I am keen to see what projects and professional experiences lie ahead for me in the coming years.

What advice would you give to young women considering a career in construction management or building maintenance?

To be brave and forge their own path. It might take a bit of effort at first to hold your own in a predominantly male-dominated industry. But you’ll settle into it incredibly quickly if you stay true to yourself, believe in yourself and are open to new ideas. 

Construction management relies heavily on teamwork. Each individual has their own unique strengths, which complement one another within the group and contribute to our shared success. Respect, appreciation and openness are crucial factors in achieving the best possible results for the project and the team.

Thank you, Anica, for the interview, and we wish you every success with all your future projects!