A career with a future: interview with sustainability manager Verena
Verena, please introduce yourself briefly. How did you come to STRABAG?
Verena: I'm Verena and I've been working on the staff of the STRABAG Lower Saxony/Saxony-Anhalt Directorate since June 2023. I had already known the directorate for many years from my previous professional collaboration as a customer. Even then, I associated STRABAG with great professionalism, commitment and a very appreciative working relationship. When the opportunity arose to become part of the company myself, I took the step.
What has your career path been like so far?
Verena: I studied civil engineering. The combination of technology, creativity and responsibility appealed to me. I wanted to pursue a career in which I not only applied theoretical knowledge, but also created visible results that people could use in their everyday lives. After my studies, I initially worked as a construction manager. I then worked for many years in various sales and management positions in the asphalt and building materials industry.
I started as a sales engineer at STRABAG. Due to the growing importance of the topic of sustainability and the increasing number of corresponding tasks, a change of role presented itself after about a year. I consciously took this opportunity, as sustainability is a clear future topic for me.
What motivated you personally to become more involved with sustainability?
Verena: Sustainability has been a topic close to my heart for a long time - not least since I became a mother. I want to contribute to leaving a future worth living for future generations.
In addition, the construction industry as a whole is responsible for around 40% of global CO₂ emissions. This is a huge responsibility, but also an enormous opportunity. We have one of the longest levers to effect real change.
What does your day-to-day work as a sustainability manager at STRABAG look like?
Verena: My day-to-day work is very varied and combines strategy work, project consulting and communication. My main tasks include helping to shape sustainability goals in the project teams, coordinating certifications, liaising with internal departments and monitoring ongoing projects.
I am currently working on the use of alternative fuels and drives for construction machinery, the installation of photovoltaic systems on our own properties and sustainability concepts as part of large infrastructure projects such as the SuedLink.
What makes your work at STRABAG special for you?
Verena: Sustainability is not a peripheral issue at STRABAG, but a strategic component of our actions. It influences decisions on materials, construction methods and processes and combines ecological responsibility with economic thinking.
It is particularly important to me that sustainability is not seen as an add-on, but as an integral part of our daily activities. I want sustainable construction to become a matter of course - not an exception.
What advice would you like to give young people who want to enter this profession?
Verena: Sustainability is more than a profession - it's an attitude. Stay curious, network and think in an interdisciplinary way. Build up your knowledge not only in environmental issues, but also in business, communication and change management.