How Senior Project Manager within JLL’s Project & Development Services team, Jana Gharazeddine, found her calling in project management
Employee story
Making the leap from design to project management
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After years as an architect and interior designer in the UAE, Jana Gharazeddine found herself increasingly curious about the business side of design. By 2022, that curiosity led to a pivotal career shift towards design management, where she collaborated with JLL on several fit-out projects. What she discovered challenged her perceptions entirely.
"There's a widespread misconception that project management is a 'dry' field, especially in comparison to the vibrant world of design," Jana reflects. "But my experience has been quite the opposite—very challenging, yet rewarding and empowering."
In 2024, after many coffees with industry professionals, Jana took the leap and joined JLL as a Senior Project Manager in the UAE Fit-Out team. Now, she manages clients' fit-out projects from bidding through to handover, serving as their single point of contact whilst coordinating between designers, engineers, cost managers, contractors, and suppliers.
One project stands out vividly—a client office fit-out in Dubai that she started on her very first day. "The project was incredibly challenging as it had an extremely aggressive timeline," she explains. With over 25 different stakeholder groups to manage and ambitious sustainability aspirations to achieve with minimal waste, the project demanded careful planning, efficient communication, and maintaining high team morale under pressure. "And lots of late nights and coffee!"
Successfully delivering that project marked a significant career milestone, packed with lessons she continues to carry forward.
What makes JLL special for Jana comes down to people. "I've always been a believer that great people make great work environments, and JLL is no exception. I joined because I knew the people, and I knew they were great."
Being at JLL has given Jana a broader perspective on what happens behind the scenes of fit-out projects—exposure she wouldn't have gained in the design world alone. "The work culture here is contagious, and I'm really grateful to be a part of the team."