Develop Your Passion

Develop your passion, don’t just follow it. That’s exactly what Azileen Zuhanna did in starting her career as an Architect. “Finding your passion” presumes that interests and passions are permanent, rather than adaptable and evolving as we gain wisdom and experience. This career trajectory shows what a flexible mindset does when faced with obstacles.

My career started in 2008 as an architectural assistant with Architects 61, Kuala Lumpur as a graduate. The experience of being in this architectural consultancy firm encouraged my desire to develop my understanding of property. This led to the decision to further my knowledge base by doing of my Masters in Real Estate through the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur.

The Real Estate Developer field enabled new skills and expanse. It helped my designs as I could see new grounds from the correlations of property values, construction to sales from a client’s perspective.

Project Management has provided for even more scope and growth working within renown international corporations. The role fulfils my enjoyment of managing across the disciplines including coordinating stakeholders, clients, local council/city hall, consultants, hotelier, contractors, subcontractors and vendors. Once you build an understanding for the complexities of communication between these groups, you strengthen and improve your skills.

Given my steps thus far, I had not purposefully aimed to be a Project Manager. AECOM provided the opportunity while I was five years as an Assistant Development Manager however, wanted to develop my understanding for construction and contracts. 

As Project Manager, I admire all my deliverables with my most recent being the McKinsey Kuala Lumpur Office Fit Out and the Anantara Resort Hotel, Desaru, Johor projects. I believe that in facing challenges on a project there are no shortcuts. It comes down to pure dedication, untiring, diligent effort throughout the project life - from inception through to handover. When knowledge becomes an obstacle, it’s your opportune moment to restructure your own learning and develop your understanding. I believe in going ‘the extra mile’ as much as I believe in awarding yourself time to unwind once you’ve delivered on those milestones.

A successful project is brought together with the combined hands of the project consultants, contractors, builders, the client’s vision as well as a pragmatic and driven Project Manager. I believe it is important that a successful Project Manager needs to have the right aptitude and take on any extra requirements to ‘bridge the gap’ in assisting the client and key project stakeholders in providing resolutions wherever and whenever is needed.

My colleagues have characterised me a very conventional person. As a Project Manager, my training and experience have led me to understand that perseverance and passion truly helps in challenging times.

Attention to detail is crucial in managing the design and consultants on the projects through continuous review and checking of drawings. I make this habit a routine through regular meetings with the Architects and Engineers prior to project tender. The key is to allocate your time to coordinate these meetings ensuring, the client is included through the multiple design review in the prior to project tender and tendering phases. During the construction phase, ensure consistent site inspections and design discussions with all project consultants and builders are maintained and upheld.

If you’re wanting a career in construction and property - always think of the end goal. Try to create your own niche and find your interest to develop your own expertise. Keep acquiring new knowledge, push yourself to greater heights, don’t be afraid to break boundaries and never give up. Fall seven times, stand up eight!

I believe in sustaining your interest and hobbies. No matter where you work, keep doing what you enjoy the most outside of work. On weekends, I enjoy doing small renovation and retrofitting apartments and offices for family and close friends. I have also been given the chance to be a part time lecturer in the University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur (school of Real Estate). Whatever your ‘thing’ is, get involved.


Azileen Zuhanna

Project Manager

Arcadis, Kuala Lumpur

Bachelor Science in Architecture

Masters in Real Estate

Azileen Zuhanna is an experienced Project Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the construction industry. Her strength is Development Management and Project Management.

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A Towering Mindset