To celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, which takes place on 8 March, BE News is running a series of interviews with inspirational women who work across the built environment sector
Name: Marie Molenat
Job title: Project manager, Legendre
What I do: My job is to lead a construction site team of site managers, labours and subcontractors, and to put tools in place to achieve the project deadlines, costs and quality.
Why I got into the construction industry: What was important for me in my future job was to be able to see the impact of my daily job on progress. This aspect led me straight into construction, and I still love seeing the daily changes on site.
How I did it: I graduated from a French engineering school with a mechanics of materials and structures degree combined with a few internships.
My first proper job: My first site was the refurbishment and extension of a building in the centre of Paris, maintaining some features of the existing building such as facades while creating new office spaces. I was then put in charge of monitoring the progress of the internal trades.
My first big break: My first big break was my second building site where I was the site manager in charge. I took my first steps in project management, meeting with the client and the architects, handling the production of the entire site and starting to take charge of the costs of a project.
My inspiration(s): I take my inspirations from managers that have helped me through the years, combining transmission of their knowledge with efficiency and a sense of responsibility.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: Dealing with people who took advantage of my age and/or gender to enforce ideas.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: My proudest moment has been to reach the position of the people who inspired me for so many years and to be able to teach young people myself, pass on my knowledge and experience.
The biggest misconception people have about the construction industry: That it is just about building brick walls and pouring concrete. There is so much more to it than that: discussing with clients, architects, specialists, manging health and safety, building and monitoring programme, developing various tools to control the works, and so on.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: Going towards more green and sustainable methods of construction.
Why I’m so passionate about DE&I: I believe it is important for everyone to be fulfilled at work and DE&I is an important way of breaking down barriers.
Why I’m so passionate about ESG: ESG is important for improving social responsibility and sustainable development, at company level as well as getting employees involved.
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time career-wise: I would like to continue working in construction and keep progressing in my job, perhaps getting more involved in training younger people and beginners.
What I do in my downtime: Nature is important to me and I enjoy spending time outdoors, going for walks and visiting. When at home I like to knit.
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: Maybe I’d be a teacher or doctor.
My advice for someone just starting out: Keep being curious and willing, but above all, believe in yourself.
My motto/mantra: Make your own luck.
Why IWD is important to me: I believe in equality for all and that everyone should be able to pursue a career regardless of gender. International Women’s Day is a great opportunity to promote this idea.
