Construction Manager, COVA Cambodia Building Against the Odds: A Conversation with Benjamin Benjamin does not believe in shortcuts. With over 30 years of experience across Singapore and Cambodia, he has built a career on one principle: show up early, solve problems quickly, and deliver exactly what was promised. As Construction Manager at COVA Cambodia, Benjamin oversees projects from design to handover - managing teams, timelines, budgets and the inevitable challenges that come with building in remote locations with limited resources. We sat down with Benjamin to talk about leadership, proud moments, and what keeps him motivated after three decades in the industry. What does a typical day look like for you? I am on-site 30 minutes before the toolbox meeting. That early walk-through is critical, it is when I check readiness, spot potential issues and make sure everyone can start their day safely. From there, it’s meetings, inspections, progress monitoring, and solving whatever curveballs the day throws at us. Construction never goes exactly to plan, so staying ahead of problems is half the job.
What keeps you coming back to construction after all these years?
That moment when the client walks in and says “WOW”. We spend months turning renderings into reality, and when a client sees their vision come to life exactly as they imagined, that’s everything and it never gets old.
The 80-day Challenge Benjamin’s proudest achievement came from a 1,900 m² renovation in one of the most challenging conditions imaginable.
The site was 25 kilometres from the nearest town, resources were scarce and the timeline was tight - just 80 days. And other contractors were skeptical.
“ We had 80 days to complete a 1,900 m² renovation in a location so remote it was 25 km from the nearest town. Resources were limited. The team worked 14-hour days. We faced constant doubts and criticism from other contractors.
But we delivered on time. On handover day, every one of them gave us a thumbs up. That recognition meant a lot. “
Benjamin’s approach to leadership is refreshingly straightforward: there is no universal approach. How do you lead teams on challenging projects? Different folks, different strokes. Some team members need hands-on guidance and support. Others are ready to step up if you give them the opportunity. There’s no universal playbook. You have to understand each person and adapt your leadership to help them succeed.
It’s a philosophy shaped by decades of managing diverse teams across multiple industries - from fast food chains and retail to education facilities and construction materials. In every sector, the challenge has been the same: bring out the best in people, regardless of their starting point.
Engineering Better Lives For COVA, “Engineering Better Lives” is a daily commitment.
What does Engineering Better Lives” mean in your day-to-day work?
It’s about showing up with full commitment every single day. Paying attention to detail, delivering quality work and ending each day with the satisfaction that we moved one step closer to fulfilling the vision of the client. Then recharging so we can show up again tomorrow with the same commitment and passion.
Beyond the build site When he is not managing a construction team, Benjamin enjoys the simple things: coffee, exercise, a clean house and a well-stocked fridge. But he also dedicates time to something entirely different.
What do you do when you’re not on-site?
Coffee. Exercise. Keeping the house clean and the fridge stocked. And I volunteer as a Chinese language teacher periodically at a non-profit university here in Cambodia - it’s another way to give back to the community.
