Stefan Baumann started out as a facilities maintenance specialist at Hallwyl Castle. After completing his apprenticeship and military service, he quickly took on greater responsibilities at Livit FM and later at ISS. His story shows that with dedication and courage, you can achieve great things!
Stefan, you began your career as a facilities maintenance specialist at Hallwyl Castle. What attracted you to this training program?
Hallwyl Castle is truly a magical place steeped in history, and the opportunity to work in one of Switzerland’s most beautiful moated castles was very appealing to me. The tasks were varied: from maintaining, inspecting, and cleaning the buildings to monitoring the building systems and maintaining the green spaces. This variety and the idyllic setting made the training particularly exciting.
What happened after your apprenticeship?
After that, I completed my military service, rising to the rank of sergeant. There, I learned a lot about presentation skills and dealing with people, which has been very helpful to me to this day. Then I received a job offer from Livit FM and began managing 15 properties in Aargau. My responsibilities quickly expanded to 25 properties, and I was promoted to deputy manager for another 25 properties - covering the entire canton of Aargau.
Another step up the career ladder.
That’s right. After two years at Livit FM, I began training as a maintenance specialist in 2019. In the fall of 2022, I received an offer to work as interim head of technical services. I accepted this role even though I was still in the middle of my training. But then, a month later, I made the switch to ISS.
What changes did that bring about?
After the integration into ISS - which wasn’t always easy for any of us, since we first had to develop a sense of belonging - I had two options: to go to Aargau or Lucerne as a property manager. It quickly became clear to me that I wanted to stay in Aargau - not least because of Roger Fricker’s approachable nature. As Facility Services Director, he showed me the unique features of the properties and was very supportive.
What happened next for you?
In April 2023, the properties were reorganized, and I was assigned to the banking division in Aargau. I got to know more properties and had time to settle in. The challenge for me was that, in my new role at ISS, I had to hand over the operational side of things and trust that everything would continue to run smoothly and that the clients would be satisfied.
At the same time, you’re also still training to become a “Head of Facility Management & Maintenance,” right?
That’s right - I started in May 2022. Then, in the summer of 2023, Roger offered me the position as FSM in IFS 1, one of the largest departments in Aargau with numerous contracts and a diverse range of clients. Although I was in the middle of my training and had relatively little experience, I accepted the offer and, within a very short time, took over a department with 20 full-time and 50 part-time employees.
That sounds like a huge career leap!
Yeah, you’re right. When you get the offer to take over one of the departments with the most employees and the highest revenue, it’s definitely something special - after all, at 29, I’m one of the youngest in my department. Although I didn’t feel quite ready yet due to the short handover period, I accepted the challenge and still find a lot of joy in it to this day.
What were your first steps?
First, I established a broader management structure. Today, as a team - consisting of property managers Alessandro Costanzo, Djordje Rajkovic, and Matthias Steffen; administrative project manager Manuel Spina; and cleaning team leader Milos Lentic - we manage various properties and accounts.
How do you ensure that your employees remain satisfied and motivated?
It’s important to recognize people’s potential - just as others recognized mine - and to place the necessary trust in them. I like to take the time to explain things: Why do we do what we do, how do we do it, and why? My goal is for all employees to understand at all times why they’re doing something and to enjoy doing it at the same time. And when challenges arise, we work together to find solutions.
How do your experiences shape your future goals?
My journey in facility management so far has been marked by challenges, successes, and a steep learning curve. I’m grateful for the opportunities that have come my way: from property manager to interim technical team leader to property manager and finally to FSM - all within a year. The organizational structure is now in place, but I still need to continue familiarizing myself with the role - the cost centers, in particular, are complex and require my full attention. It’s a constant learning process, but I can see the progress and look forward to becoming even more efficient. My goal is for us to pass every audit with ease at all times and for my employees to be satisfied and motivated. After all, none of this would have been possible without the support of my team.
As the saying goes, “No one can whistle a symphony. It takes an entire orchestra to play it.”
Yes, I can certainly confirm that. My team is the key to success. I’m well aware of that. They’re in direct contact with the operational staff and organize the bulk of the work. My role mainly consists of making decisions, coordinating, monitoring, and weighing the potential consequences - but that’s also incredibly important. (laughs)