For award-winning civil engineer and businesswoman Drenka Andjelic, good management is about creating a supporting, trusting, and nurturing environment for staff and clients alike. She stands out for her unique and remarkable approach to business.

Drenka founded Construction Assignments in 2006, making her the first woman in Australia to found and solely own a client-side project management business. Her vision remains the same now as it was then – to “make good things happen” in development, design, and construction.

Construction Assignments provides a diversity of representation to investors and developers, managing both the detail and the big picture. Despite an established niche in the design and construction of new hotels, the business offers a broad range of project delivery experience across multiple property sectors.

Construction Assignments continues to grow under Drenka’s strong leadership and positive attitude. A vocal advocate for gender diversity in business, Drenka is open about her deliberate placement of women in leadership roles. She encourages women at every stage of their careers to challenge the status quo and back themselves.

Construction Assignments’ name comes from Drenka’s love of projects in primary school. In childhood, project work, organising others and teamwork were personal strengths rewarded with an array of awards and ribbons. Not much has changed; the recognition and rewards for being openly bossy, brutally honest and in-charge of good stuff continue. It’s enriching and contagious.

With over 30 years’ experience in property and construction, Drenka’s project management experience was amplified through roles at AMP Property Investments and Accor Hotels. Her strong business reputation, and that of Construction Assignments, has seen her receive industry recognition including:

• Chair of NSW Property Council of Australia’s Hotel Property Committee, 2015-2020.
• Served on Property Council of Australia’s NSW Divisional Council, 2015-2018.
• Occasional Address at UTS Faculty of Engineering and IT graduation ceremony, 2012 and 2019.
• UTS 2011 Alumni Award, Faculty of Engineering and IT, for her exceptional business leadership in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
• NAWIC, CB Richard Ellis Businesswoman of the Year, 2011.

Drenka is a powerful role model for work-life balance. Since the very beginning, she has defied industry belief in being a slave to the job. Drenka is an early proponent for the business serving as a vehicle for lifestyle. Drenka has work-life balance down pat and actively supports her team to live their best lives, offering extended leave for travel, personal development and life’s milestones.

A trailblazer from way back and an established industry thought leader, Drenka is openly proud of her impact.

Aligned by the core values of trust, truth and authenticity, Andrew was first choice for Construction Assignments when he joined the team back in 2008.

Andrew has over 30 years’ project management experience, gained through senior roles with global consulting firms and Construction Assignments.

As Associate Director, Andrew is a key member of Construction Assignments’ senior leadership and plays a vital role in business management and development. His steady leadership and pragmatic approach are invaluable to our small business. Andrew studied Civil Engineering alongside Drenka at University of Technology, Sydney, where they forged an enduring friendship. Together they have grown Construction Assignments to an enviable reputation.

Andrew adds value at Construction Assignments with his appetite for detail and capacity for thoroughness. His approach to leading project teams is considered, strategic, and team spirited. Being a civil engineer bolsters his problem-solving strengths, independent thinking, and construction knowledge fundamentals. He plays a primary role in developing Construction Assignments’ young leaders. Passionate about passing on knowledge, his excellent communication skills make technical explanations relevant, interesting, and effective.

Andrew has managed countless projects, in multiple sectors, during his time with Construction Assignments. A recent stand-out is the Little National Hotel Sydney, an 11-storey, 230-room development in the airspace over Wynyard Station in Sydney’s CBD. The project’s high complexity, and unique access and infrastructure demands, made it a challenge perfectly suited to Andrew’s comprehensive skillset.

Andrew also recently completed delivery of two luxury health and lifestyle clubs by Next Gen, in Melbourne and Canberra. Both clubs were lavishly appointed, boasting gyms, restaurants, bars, tennis courts, pools, sauna and steam rooms, and underground parking facilities. With one heritage restoration and one new build to navigate, Andrew did a superb job as Client-side Project Manager for both facilities.

It comes as no surprise that Andrew’s interests outside the office are all about teamwork. Andrew has a huge passion for sport and still enjoys playing soccer in the winter months. He is currently President of Little Athletics, Parramatta, and enjoys the responsibility of nurturing young athletes. In recent years Andrew has reignited his passion for kayaking, with regular weekend paddles as training for some epic kayaking events across NSW, VIC and SA.

Elizabeth brings over 20 years of industry experience to the Construction Assignments team. Her strong communication skills and collaborative approach are key strengths which resonate with Construction Assignments’ values and project delivery ethos. Elizabeth manages teams that are consistently focussed on unified outcomes.

Construction Assignments takes pride in the sector diversity Elizabeth brings to our expertise. In her previous senior role with a national not-for-profit organisation, Elizabeth successfully managed the conception and delivery of two, brand-new, residential aged-care facilities from capital funding application, and land acquisition, through to planning approval, construction, and occupation. Elizabeth also managed the delivery of a specialist youth detox facility in the Southern Highlands, a retrofit sprinkler upgrade in an aged care live environment, and the major upgrade of 25 childcare centres across Australia.

As Senior Project Manager for Construction Assignments, since 2017, Elizabeth is our resident next-generation boarding house and co-living guru. Introduced to Australia in 2010, the co-living market is uncharted territory for many, and Elizabeth has been at the forefront of planning and legislation in NSW. Having successfully delivered UKO properties in Paddington, Newtown and Marrickville, Elizabeth is a dab-hand at managing the complexities of combined developer and operator-driven investment.

Elizabeth is known for her collaborative approach and respect for all project stakeholders. She particularly excels at stakeholder management and engagement with complex planning approvals. She has developed an intuitive sense for when to apply pressure in the interests of a project.

Long-term industry relationships are a result of Elizabeth’s successful commercial partnering with clients, consultants, contractors, and authorities. Elizabeth’s considerable industry experience richly enhances Construction Assignments’ senior leadership offering and capacity. Great things prevail under Elizabeth’s project leadership.

Elizabeth and her dog, Agnes, are lifelong supporters of Celtic Football Club. When they’re not making friends at the dog park, Elizabeth can often be found working on her latest knitting project, while Agnes is usually chewing on her favourite ball.

“Elizabeth excels at stakeholder management and engagement.”

Jess Gould has been an integral member of the Construction Assignments team since joining us in 2017. Jess has a diploma in Civil Engineering and Architecture from NBCC, Canada. She combines her analytical mindset with an intuitive approach to project communication. Jess is big on cultivating team spirit and has highly accomplished troubleshooting skills.

Most recently, Jess has taken on the responsibility of leading our Adelaide office. Since early 2022 Jess has been rather busy with the delivery of some impressive projects in South Australia.

Jess is currently managing full delivery of a new Little National Hotel location in the heart of the Adelaide CBD. Boasting 23 storeys and a 240-bed offering, the project is truly on a grand scale. Jess is managing the full process, from concept design, planning and approval through to construction, fit-out and handover.

Since 2019, Jess has also been client-side project manager for residential renovation project and popular television series The Block. Most recently, 2022’s property in the beautiful Macedon Ranges featured in a nail-biting televised auction. Jess has been responsible for delivering the complex project each year, with great success.

Jess is enthusiastic about using her skills to help people. Co-chair of the Property Industry Foundation’s Future Leaders Committee since 2022, Jess frequently donates her time and energy to organising fundraisers and other events in the name of reducing youth homelessness through mindful property development. She is also an active member of the Australian Property Council’s SA Future Directions Committee.

Lateral thinking, insightful client focus, and an authentic approach to people are qualities Jess continually demonstrates across her projects.

Outside the office, Jess is passionate about the outdoors, positive human connection and being a good friend and family member.

“Jess combines her analytical mindset with an intuitive approach to project communication.”

Joining in 2021, Jay Spencer is the most recent addition to the Construction Assignments team. Jay has already proven himself an excellent project manager. His straightforward, level-headed approach is invaluable to clients, contractors, and consultants alike.

Jay has recently finalised extensive renovations and additions to Aspect Schools’ Corrimal location. During the project, he fully managed the concept design process, navigated planning consent pathways, and oversaw construction and project handover. Jay’s solution-focussed approach and his ability to stay calm and logical under pressure have served him well on this and other projects.

Jay’s project management experience is bolstered by having spent several years working on site as a tradesperson. This cross-disciplinary experience affords him a deep understanding of on-site processes. Jay is currently in his final year of a Bachelor of Construction Project Management with University of Technology Sydney, building on his already-impressive industry knowledge and technical ability.

Jay enjoys seeing the positive influence the built environment can have on communities. He has a keen interest in green energy and high-end sustainable design, and is a lover of all things contracts.

Outside work, Jay is also an accomplished rugby union player, having represented NSW Country Cockatoos at both junior and senior levels. Whilst in Sydney he has played successfully for Sydney University, making his Shute Shield debut in 2019, and winning 4 premierships across both Colts and Grade competitions.

“Jay’s straightforward, level-headed approach is invaluable to clients, contractors and consultants alike.”

Throughout Suahna’s varied career, the common thread has been a focus on supporting people to achieve great things. Suahna’s skills in business administration have been invaluable to Construction Assignments since she joined the team in 2021.

Suahna, who works remotely from her home in Brisbane, splits her time between project and business administration. She ensures our whole team have the support they need to consistently perform at the top of their game and deliver outstanding results.

Prior to joining Construction Assignments, Suahna honed her business administrative and support skills through roles such as executive assistant to a medical CEO, teacher’s aide, travel agent, and back-of-house manager for a family-owned retail business.

With such diverse experience, it comes as no surprise that Suahna thrives on the variability and unpredictability of the construction industry. A love of learning and fresh experiences has seen her embrace the challenges of entering a new industry with her usual enthusiasm and focus.

Since then, Suahna has become an expert in the administrative demands of a construction project. She tackles complex progress claims, document management and project communication with ease. Suahna also helps maintain and administer our business management system, and assists with the thousand and one tasks involved with keeping a business running.

Outside her home office, Suahna is passionate about keeping healthy and active with tennis, Pilates and HIIT workouts. She enjoys nothing more than spending quality time with her family.

“Suahna thrives on the variability and unpredictability of the construction industry.”