Betriebswirt/Betriebswirtin (Hochschule) für Bauwirtschaft

Key media sources in this field include Allgemeine Bauzeitung ABZ, Bauen aktuell, Baugewerbe, Bericht zur Lage und Perspektive der Bauwirtschaft 2025, BFuP - Betriebswirtschaftliche Forschung und Praxis, BIM im Hochbau - Technisches Positionspapier, Build-Ing. - Die Plattform für BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING, BundesBauBlatt, Der Betriebswirt, Fraunhofer-Informationszentrum Raum und Bau IRB, Kompetenznetzwerk Bau und Energie e.V., planen bauen 4.0, THIS - Tiefbau Hochbau Ingenieurbau Straßenbau, UnternehmerBrief Bauwirtschaft UBB, and wiwi-online - Der Begleitfaden für Studium & Karriere.

The New European Bauhaus and the renovation wave are significant trends in this field. The European Commission launched the 'New European Bauhaus' in September 2020, aiming to develop new, sustainable, and climate-neutral construction methods and design forms. Technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data increase resource efficiency. The goal is to improve the quality of life and transition to a sustainable circular economy. The existing building stock is also to be made more climate-neutral and energy-efficient. The EU aims to at least double the renovation rate by 2030, creating up to 160,000 additional green jobs in the construction sector. Specialists and managers from relevant disciplines will address the resulting opportunities and fields of activity. Sustainable urban development is also a focus within the German Sustainability Strategy. Goals include converting buildings instead of demolishing them.

The following interests are important and helpful for success in this field of study. The interests are listed in order of their importance. Activities are mentioned for each interest area to illustrate. Interest in commercial-organizational activities includes, for example, creating market analyses for construction projects, conceiving offers for a construction project, and taking over project management for a new construction project. Interest in administrative-organizational activities includes, for example, organizing and coordinating construction projects, documenting project steps, and writing the final report.

Business administrators (Hochschule graduates) for the construction industry primarily work in offices and meeting rooms. Additionally, they may also work on construction sites, potentially outdoors, in a home office, or remotely.

Core competencies acquired or deepened during the Studium (university studies) include: Tendering, awarding, performance description; construction operations; construction financing; construction and architectural law; business administration; controlling; purchasing, procurement; facility management; financial economics; real estate buying, real estate selling; real estate management; cost and performance accounting; marketing; market research; human resources; location analysis; residential construction (planning, supervision). Further competencies that may be significant for practicing this profession include: Barrier-free construction; building technology; bookkeeping, accounting; Building Information Modeling - BIM; energetic building insulation; Building Energy Act (GEG); land registry law, real estate law; real estate business administration; real estate valuation; real estate management; real estate law; sustainable building materials; sustainable insulation materials; ecological construction; project management; tax law; Environmental Product Declaration for construction products; contract law; sales; housing industry. Other relevant skills and knowledge include the 'Construction Process Management' competence group.

The ongoing digitalization of the working and professional world can change task areas and requirement profiles. For business administrators (Hochschule graduates) for the construction industry, opportunities may arise to deal with the following technologies, procedures, or systems: Algorithmic Decision Making - ADM (e.g., planning algorithmic decision-making processes to support the purchase of real estate as an investment); Augmented Analytics (e.g., analyzing automatically prepared data regarding the advantages and disadvantages of certain locations); Construction Robots (e.g., planning the use of autonomous construction robots); Building Information Modeling - BIM (e.g., organizing the introduction of BIM systems for a construction project); Connected Buildings (e.g., planning and monitoring the use of networked building technology in a commercial area); Digital Topographic Maps - DTK (e.g., using topographic maps for site analysis); Document Management Systems - DMS (e.g., managing construction concepts, market analyses, and budgets).

Business administrators (Hochschule) for construction economics independently plan, organize, and control business processes. If they lead a team, they motivate their employees and coordinate their collaboration. This requires communication skills and assertiveness, and negotiation skills in customer discussions. They use their analytical and organizational skills, for example, when preparing cost calculations to monitor construction projects or improving work and business processes. When developing financing concepts, they think in terms of business economics. Foreign language skills and intercultural competencies are required, for example, when collaborating with customers and business partners from other countries. They primarily work in an office on a computer but also travel for external appointments, for example, to visit customers or service providers for consulting and negotiation discussions. They might also monitor progress on construction sites.

Business administrators (Hochschule) for construction economics can work freelance, for example, as consultants or experts, or with their own service company in the construction industry.

Example gross basic monthly salary according to collective agreement: 7,145 € to 7,961 €. Source: Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis), Collective Bargaining Database. Note: This information is for orientation only. No claims can be derived from it.

Interior finishing, roofing and carpentry, other building installation (e.g., stucco work, flooring, tiling and slab laying), building construction, concrete and reinforced concrete construction, furnace and chimney construction, civil engineering, road construction, hydraulic engineering, construction of utility facilities, construction of roads and railway lines, other civil engineering (e.g., asbestos removal), supply, installation (gas, water, heating, ventilation and air conditioning installation), demolition, construction site preparation, scaffolding (preparatory construction work, scaffolding, demolition work), electrical installation, real estate, building management (management of land, buildings and apartments for third parties, e.g., facility management companies), development of land; property developers, engineering services (engineering offices for overall construction-technical planning of engineering structures and traffic facilities, e.g., construction management), other engineering offices (e.g., offices of construction expert witnesses).

Those who wish to work in this profession typically need a completed undergraduate Studium (bachelor's degree) in construction business administration or construction management. Leadership positions or specialized tasks usually require a Masterstudium (master's degree). Activities in science and research often require a Promotion (doctorate) or Habilitation (postdoctoral qualification).

Construction Business Administration, Construction Management (undergraduate); Construction Business Administration, Construction Management (postgraduate)

Business economists specializing in construction economics can find employment in companies within the construction industry, real estate and building management companies, property development companies, and civil engineering offices.

The German professional title is Business Economist (University of Applied Sciences) - Construction Economics. Another common professional title is Construction Business Economist. The French equivalent is Economiste (m/f) de la construction.

To practice this profession, certain key characteristics are required. These include performance and commitment (e.g., recognizing bottlenecks in calculation and cost control of construction projects and willingly taking on additional tasks to overcome them), perseverance and goal-orientation (e.g., planning long-term new construction and renovation projects and sticking to their implementation despite temporary setbacks or changed priorities), diligence (e.g., carefully preparing offer calculations and financing plans for construction services), and a sense of responsibility (e.g., taking responsibility for efficient and economic management).

Business economists specializing in construction economics plan, organize, and monitor business activities for construction projects such as new builds or renovations, or for building management.

Job and applicant exchanges for this field include archinoah.de, Bau.de, bauen aktuell, Baujobs.ch, BauNetz, bau-stellen.de, Bauverlag BV GmbH, Competitionline.com, ingenieur.de, salesjob, and SciTechCareer.

Relevant associations and organizations for this profession include: Akkreditierungsverbund für Studiengänge des Bauwesens (ASBau) e.V., BG BAU - Berufsgenossenschaft der Bauwirtschaft, Bund Deutscher Baumeister, Architekten und Ingenieure e.V. (BDB), Bundesministerium für Verkehr (BMV), Bundesverband Deutscher Volks- und Betriebswirte e.V. (bdvb), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen - DGNB e.V., DVP Deutscher Verband der Projektmanager in der Bau- und Immobilienwirtschaft e.V., Hauptverband der Deutschen Bauindustrie e.V., and Industriegewerkschaft Bauen-Agrar-Umwelt (IG BAU).

This profession involves responsibility for people (e.g., guiding, motivating, and leading employees) and for assets (e.g., developing financing plans, setting sales targets). It also includes customer contact (e.g., advising clients on suitable properties or construction measures) and screen work (e.g., performing analysis, conceptualization, and planning tasks). Work is conducted in office environments (e.g., calculating or discussing construction projects) and on construction sites (e.g., monitoring construction progress). Exposure to cold, heat, wetness, humidity, and drafts (e.g., during shell construction inspections) and irregular working hours (e.g., before submitting bids or completing a construction project) are also part of the job.

Professional deployment opportunities are structured according to fields of activity. These include construction planning and management (construction and project manager), purchasing and procurement (purchaser, head of purchasing), facility management (facility manager), and finance and accounting (construction accountant, construction cost estimator, cost accountant, head of finance and accounting, head of cost accounting). Additionally, roles in appraisal and expert activities (real estate appraiser), real estate management (real estate agent), warehouse, materials management, and logistics (head of logistics, head of materials management), teaching at universities (lecturer at universities and academies, study program coordinator), and management, corporate leadership (department head, commercial operations manager, project engineer, group/team leader) are possible.

Working materials include documents such as project and financing plans, land use or development plans (possibly BIM-based), tender documents, cost calculations, expert opinions, and legal regulations (including construction and procurement law). Data and software, such as statistical data (e.g., population figures, business statistics, commuter flows), project management, and construction planning software, are also utilized. Office equipment and software like PCs, internet access, and telephones are part of the daily work tools.

Business economists for the construction industry support economic decision-making processes in construction and real estate projects. They conduct analyses, execute projects, and evaluate their success. They also assess locations and properties for new construction projects, renovations, maintenance, or repurposing, as well as the utilization and management possibilities of buildings. In doing so, they consider their company's goals, the market, preferences of real estate stakeholders, or concepts of competitors in the construction industry. Subsequently, they plan construction or management projects, clarify financing and legal requirements, and negotiate contracts. During the project, they monitor the construction venture, check progress, organize defect rectification, and procure materials on schedule.

Continuing education for adaptation helps keep professional knowledge current and adjust to new developments (e.g., in business administration, construction project management, construction law, or real estate economics). Furthermore, the trend towards sustainable and climate-neutral construction methods, combined with new design forms and digital technologies, can become an important continuing education topic for business economists in the construction industry. The trend towards serial and modular construction also offers further training potential, as does the planning and development of Smart Cities and Smart Regions.

Bachelor graduates can enhance their professional and career opportunities through further Studium (advanced studies), for example, in construction business administration, construction management, business administration, business administration, or real estate economics. A doctorate (Promotion) is generally required for an academic career at a university; an Habilitation (postdoctoral qualification) is usually needed for appointment as a university professor. A doctorate may also facilitate access to higher professional positions in the private sector, research, and public administration.

Construction economists are involved in analysis and concept development processes. They identify the initial situation, describe construction economic possibilities, and analyze building locations and design options. They determine current market conditions and customer preferences, for example, through market research, customer surveys, or complaint rates. They evaluate construction concepts through competitor observation and formulate goals and benchmarks for their own company. They design offers within the framework of a project plan, including cooperation agreements between construction companies, architects, and investors. They assess implementation possibilities, conduct cost-benefit analyses, for example, estimating timelines, legal frameworks, budgets, and goals. They discuss concepts and adjust them if necessary. In the implementation and control phase, they organize construction projects or building management, coordinate subtasks, and monitor interim goals. If necessary, they develop concepts for the use of BIM (Building Information Modeling) methods and standards and implement them in project management. They also manage processes related to real estate and land.

The following additional employment alternatives are available for construction economists: In the field of management, corporate leadership: Business Administrator (Hochschule - university) (Corporate Leadership), Master of Business Administration, Business Administrator (Hochschule - university) (Real Estate), Business Administrator (Hochschule - university) (Crafts Management), Economist, Industrial Engineer. Commonalities: Planning, monitoring, and organizing business processes; supporting economic decision-making processes; negotiating with business partners and customers. Note: The mentioned job alternatives may require a longer training period or additional qualification, depending on the specific case.

What is it about? Construction economists plan, organize, and monitor business activities in construction projects such as new constructions or renovations, or in building management. They prepare decisions: Is the vacant inner-city industrial area an interesting property to buy? Are there attractive sales opportunities for the terraced houses currently under construction on internet real estate portals? Should experiential shopping aspects be given more consideration in the management of the inner-city shopping center? Construction economists know their own company and the competitive situation and are always up-to-date on interesting real estate properties as well as current marketing concepts and sales channels. This allows them to assess the advantages and disadvantages of different locations and usage concepts. Due to their contacts with potential cooperation partners such as architectural firms or construction companies...

The following abilities, knowledge, and skills are required for performing possible activities in this academic profession. Abilities: Numerical (calculating) thinking (e.g., performing budget calculations and cost-benefit analyses), observational accuracy (e.g., assessing and evaluating real estate and building design possibilities; checking construction projects or management), memory (e.g., remembering people, numbers, financing models, and structural peculiarities such as renovations or changes in use), adaptability (e.g., quick and frequent switching between administrative tasks, customer contact, and on-site inspections under time pressure), technical understanding (e.g., understanding technical defect reports and complaints; incorporating construction machinery, equipment, tools, or building materials into construction planning and management), commercial aptitude (e.g., determining current market situations and customer preferences; obtaining and designing offers).

The exercise of this profession may involve the following physical requirements. This information does not necessarily apply to every activity profile or every professional application. Robust health (e.g., inspecting shell constructions and monitoring construction progress under adverse weather conditions), unimpaired speech ability (e.g., discussing concepts with affected departments and decision-makers; advising investors on suitable properties), near vision - even corrected (e.g., performing analysis, conceptualization, and planning work on screen; reading plans for assessing building locations and real estate), hearing and speech comprehension (e.g., understanding feedback from employees even in construction site noise; understanding statements from investors regarding construction measures). Note: This information does not form a basis for legal action and should not be understood in the sense of a medical fitness assessment. The actual physical fitness...

The following professions or activities show similarities to the initial profession. These professions represent a possible alternative for applicants who cannot find a vacant position in their learned profession. Furthermore, employers can consider specialists in these professions as alternatives for filling a position in the initial profession. Some alternative professions only include partial activities of the initial profession, while others require an induction period, which can vary in length in individual cases. The following immediate employment and staffing alternatives are available for the profession of construction economist: For partial activities and professional deployment possibilities (with/without induction): Construction and Project Commercial Clerk, Construction Accountant, Construction Estimator. In related professions: Business Administrator (Hochschule - university). At a lower qualification level: Construction Specialist.

Working as a business economist for the construction industry does not require recognition of a foreign qualification. No professional recognition is necessary to work in this profession with a qualification acquired abroad. However, there is the possibility to apply for an individual certificate evaluation for foreign university degrees through the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB). This can be helpful for applications in the German labor market. Further information on living and working in Germany: Hotline Working and Living in Germany - central information hotline of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and the Federal Employment Agency (BA); For people from abroad - an information service of the Federal Employment Agency; Central International and Specialist Placement Service of the Federal Employment Agency; Make it in Germany - The welcome portal of the skilled labor offensive for international skilled workers.

The following health limitations could lead to problems when performing this profession. The information does not necessarily apply to every activity profile or every professional deployment possibility. Increasingly, there are also ways to compensate for limitations, for example, through technical aids. Susceptibility to infection, chronic infectious diseases (e.g., inspecting shell constructions and monitoring construction progress under adverse weather conditions); Speech impediment, speech defects (e.g., discussing concepts with affected specialist departments and decision-makers; advising investors on suitable properties); Uncorrectable visual impairment for near vision (e.g., performing analysis, conception, and planning work on screen; reading plans for evaluating building locations and properties); Hearing impairment, hard of hearing, deafness, hearing disorder, chronic ear ailments (e.g., understanding feedback from employees even with construction site noise; understanding statements from investors).

From an employer's perspective, the following alternative occupations are available for the profession of business economist for the construction industry: Field of activity Management, Corporate Management; Business Economist (university) for Corporate Management, Master of Business Administration; Business Economist (university) for Real Estate. Commonalities: Planning, monitoring, and organizing operational processes; supporting economic decision-making processes; negotiating with business partners and customers. Note: The mentioned alternative occupations may require an induction period, which can vary in length in individual cases.