Site Manager (GS Wohnbau GmbH)
11/2016 - 09/2019
Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany
Projects: $1M - $3M
My First Job: Learning Through High-Quality Residential Projects
(2 minutes reading time)
Starting my career at GS Wohnbau, a family-run company in Augsburg specializing in the turnkey construction of high-quality single-family and multi-family houses in the region, was an incredible experience. GS Wohnbau is known for its commitment to top-notch quality execution, acting as a general contractor.
This role threw me into the deep end, but I loved every moment of it. Fresh out of university, I managed projects including detached, semi-detached houses, townhouses, and apartment buildings. It was a thrilling challenge that taught me so much in such a short time.
I was responsible for supervising turnkey construction projects, ensuring everything complied with building permits and specifications. Cost control and invoice verifications were part of my daily tasks, along with coordinating construction schedules. I also led negotiations with homeowners, handling their special requests with care and precision.
One of my proudest achievements was completing the turnkey construction of over 20 single family and multi-family houses during my time at GS Wohnbau. Acting as the site manager for all finishing trades was a massive responsibility, but it was incredibly rewarding to see the finished homes.
Another highlight was overseeing the fit-out of a kindergarten and an emergency operations center for the German Red Cross. These projects were special and meaningful, and I was honored to be a part of them.
Being thrown into such diverse and demanding projects right after my studies meant I had to learn quickly and often figure things out on my own. This experience was invaluable, teaching me resilience, problem-solving, and a deep understanding of construction management.
Project Manager (Jaeger Ausbau GmbH)
10/2019 - 10/2020
Munich, Bavaria, Germany
Projects: Up to $8M
Interior Fit-Out Projects at Jaeger Ausbau
(2 minutes reading time)
After my first role at GS Wohnbau, I transitioned to the side of a subcontractor by joining Jaeger Ausbau. This shift allowed me to gain valuable insights into the role of a contractor. Jaeger Ausbau is a nationwide company in Germany, specializing in various trades of interior fit-out.
At Jaeger Ausbau, I absolutely loved working on interior fit-out projects for office buildings. Managing tasks like drywalls, partition walls, inner doors, painting, flooring, and carpentry was both challenging and rewarding. Supervising on-site construction was one of my favorite parts, seeing everything come together.
I also learned to calculate and draft proposals, further expanding my knowledge. Seeing raw spaces transform into usable, beautiful environments has always been a driving force in my career.
Coordinating communication between clients, architects, surveyors, authorities, and suppliers was a significant part of my job, ensuring everyone was on the same page. It was crucial to make sure all work followed quality and safety guidelines. Negotiating with various parties and tracking project success monthly was essential, as was planning personnel and equipment deployment.
One of my proudest achievements was leading the gutting of an existing office building and coordinating the interior work to meet tenants' needs. Managing all subcontractors and ensuring smooth integration of different trades was a rewarding proecess. Additionally, I managed the interior construction of a luxury multi-family residential building in Munich, delivering high-quality finishes and ensuring client satisfaction.
Senior Project Engineer (DB InfraGO AG)
11/2020 - 04/2024
Munich, Bavaria, Germany
Projects: $1M - $8M
My Journey with Munich's New S-Bahn Route
(4 minutes reading time)
The Deutsche Bahn, which operates most of Germany's rail network and railway traffic, was commissioned to build the second core S-Bahn route in Munich. Working for such an important infrastructure project was an incredible experience that I absolutely loved. From the start, I was deeply involved in planning and executing a section of this huge project.
One of the parts I enjoyed the most was negotiating with landowners and authorities. Building these relationships was key, and it felt great to lead stakeholder management and see everyone working together towards our common goal.
I took pride in making sure we met all our targets for quality, cost, and schedule. As the deputy team leader, I got to handle project management, coordination, and technical consultations with architects, engineers, and planners. It was amazing to work with such talented people and tackle challenges together.
Getting the necessary approvals and clearances was also on my schedule. I developed legal planning documents and managed site clearance measures, including demolition work, utility relocations, exploratory drilling, and unexploded ordnance surveys, ensuring our sites were cleared safely and efficiently. It was a lot of work, but knowing we were making the site safe and ready for construction was incredibly satisfying.
Some of my proudest achievements include negotiating neighbourhood agreements with various stakeholders, like nearby construction projects, private individuals, and authorities. These agreements were vital for keeping everyone happy and the project moving forward.
Lastly, I supported the implementation of a new contract form (IPD), which brought a fresh and innovative approach to our project management. Being part of something new and effective was thrilling.
Overall, this job was a fantastic journey, and I’m proud of the contributions and progress I made. It was a truly rewarding experience.
