Audrey Fosse

“It’s a True Source of Pride to See Our Work Meet a Real Need”

Audrey Fosse is a Site Manager at HRS. For over three years, she has been overseeing the construction of L’Orée in Crissier. This large-scale project, developed by HRS, includes 420 residential units across 13 buildings, as well as commercial spaces, office premises, and a school. As the project nears completion, Audrey has been involved from the very first excavation to the final landscaping. Between planning, site supervision, subcontractor coordination, and safety compliance, she shares her daily responsibilities, her passion for construction, and what keeps her motivated day after day.

Audrey Fosse, what does a typical day look like for a Site Manager at HRS?

There really isn’t a “typical” day, and that’s exactly what I love about this job! I’m never bored. While I enjoy the administrative and office aspects, they only make up a part of my day. I spend most of my time on-site, constantly communicating with teams, contractors, and project stakeholders. It requires resilience and adaptability, and that’s what makes the job so dynamic and engaging.

As a Site Manager, I’m assigned to a specific construction project—in this case, L’Orée in Crissier. I’ve been involved from day one, from the initial groundwork and utility installations to the exterior landscaping and planting even the smallest decorative elements.

What are your responsibilities on this site?

I was responsible for supervising the earthworks across the entire site and managing the structural work for half of the project. My role is to plan and coordinate the various contributors involved. Broadly speaking, while the designers prepare the plans, we ensure everything runs smoothly and safely on-site.

Each morning, we verify that work is being carried out correctly—for example, that excavations are made in the right place and that quality standards are strictly followed. We also conduct daily safety monitoring, which is essential since parts of the work I oversaw carried significant risks.

I’m currently wrapping up the exterior works, which require extensive coordination with designers and subcontractors. I played an active role in defining technical details, solving problems ahead of time, and regularly adjusting schedules and workflows. Weekly meetings with all stakeholders were key to keeping the project moving forward efficiently.

What has been your path to this position?

I always knew I wanted to work in construction. At a young age, I considered architecture but ultimately chose to pursue a construction engineering path instead. I was convinced it would be a field that would excite me every day, and it has proven to be exactly that.

I studied in France. After two years of preparatory classes, I joined an engineering school specializing in civil engineering and construction, where I spent the next three years. I then began working in the industry.

In 2021, I had the opportunity to move to Switzerland and join HRS. Since then, I’ve been working on the L’Orée project in Crissier—for over three years now—and we’re approaching the finish line.

What do you particularly appreciate about your work at HRS?

Trust. The trust that HRS places in me, and the trust I place in the company. I know that the projects I’m assigned will be interesting and meaningful, which is a constant source of motivation.

How does that trust show itself?

I joined HRS early in my career, but I was immediately given the opportunity to prove myself. I was trusted with significant autonomy and responsibility on a major project.

I’ve always felt well supported, which has allowed me to learn quickly and deepen my technical expertise. I’ve also been able to take on additional responsibilities, especially in financial areas such as invoice validation and managing subcontractor contracts.

The work environment is excellent, and upper management is approachable and supportive. At HRS, efforts are genuinely recognized, and contributions are valued.

One aspect I particularly appreciate is the company’s growing commitment to sustainability. This was highlighted in a recent quarterly internal meeting and is increasingly becoming a focus—whether it’s the origin of building materials, the selection of subcontractors based on proximity, or other environmentally conscious decisions.

The L’Orée project is nearing completion. How do you feel after these three years?

Proud, truly proud.

I’m incredibly proud to have accompanied a project like L’Orée from start to finish. I still visit the site regularly, and it’s deeply rewarding to see life taking root there: children heading to school and playing on the equipment we installed, residents walking their dogs, people dining at the restaurant we built, and employees working in the offices we delivered.

It’s a genuine source of pride to see our work meet a tangible, pressing need—especially when it comes to housing, which is such a critical issue in French-speaking Switzerland. It’s more than construction; it’s about building a foundation for everyday life.