Construction Manager Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a construction manager. Feel free to use our construction manager job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a construction manager.
Who is a Construction Manager?
Construction management is a specialized field of study that focuses on all aspects of the built environment’s construction process. It typically includes commercial and multi-unit residential development sites, but not typically single-family residential development sites. The site may be managed by a general contractor or a separate entity, with the personnel or firm reporting to the developer and overseeing all aspects of the project from start to finish.
While many people in this field hold an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, a person with extensive experience may be certified as a construction manager without any formal education. Additionally, certain fields may require a Master’s degree in construction management for specific projects. Advanced mathematics, design and construction law, architecture, estimating, accounting, and business are all areas of study. Construction is one of the largest industries in the United States, and career prospects are favorable. Job opportunities exist in both the private and public sectors.
Construction managers are responsible for supervising each phase of construction and resolving any discrepancies between the original blueprint design and the actual implementation. Additionally, they are accountable for the project’s cost and must maintain control over material and labor costs. They frequently work in both an office and a hardhat environment concurrently with one or more project managers, architects, and site-specific superintendents. Along with supervising the physical construction phases of a project, construction management must be familiar with design and construction laws — such as OSHA regulations and US building codes — and act as a point of contact for all issues. Equally critical is completing each phase of a project on time and within budget, all the way to the completed building or buildings.
Construction management firms come in a variety of sizes, and some specialize in working with smaller general contractors. Generally, large construction firms employ their management personnel. Earning potential varies by region, but can easily reach six figures for those with experience and a reputation for managing large, multimillion-dollar projects effectively.
The construction manager performs manual labor and frequently oversees multiple projects concurrently. His job typically entails regular contact with the development’s owners and investors to provide status updates and answer questions.
If only one project is underway, the construction manager frequently maintains an office on-site. If he is working on multiple projects at the same time, he typically works from a centralized office location. If the projects span a large geographic area, he may conduct business from hotel rooms and airports.
When a construction manager is hired to supervise a project, the first task is typically to create a timeline, either manually or with the assistance of a computerized program designed to efficiently schedule each phase of the project. This stage is frequently used to define labor and material requirements for each phase of development. If an adjustment to the initial budget is necessary, it is frequently made at this point.
To ensure that all aspects of the project are addressed properly, a construction manager frequently uses checklists to ensure that everything is completed on time. The first list typically includes site excavation, the installation of drainage and sewage systems, and the construction of access roads. Following completion of these tasks, the next list typically includes laying the building’s foundation and constructing the frames for the walls, ceilings, and roof. The final checklist typically includes steps for finishing work such as plumbing, heating, fixture, and electrical system installation.
After the initial stage of the job is completed, the construction manager is typically a frequent visitor to the site. He supervises workers, ensures that design guidelines are followed, and resolves any material or equipment issues. Typically, the construction manager is also responsible for ensuring that all necessary permits for building and safety compliance are completed and current.
Another critical aspect of the construction manager’s job is tracking expenses as the job progresses. He typically compares cost estimates to invoices and labor time sheets several times a week to ensure the figures remain within budget constraints. A construction manager frequently requires daily reports from project supervisors detailing labor, material, and equipment rental costs.
A candidate for this position should typically possess a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, building science, or a closely related field. Coursework in construction management, accounting, and architecture may be beneficial. Typically, applicants with experience in any construction-related job are considered an asset.
Construction Manager Job Description
Below are the construction manager job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a construction manager job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a construction manager include the following:
- Ascertaining that the construction team adheres to the proper procedures and work methods
- Reporting to clients on all project-related developments and keeping them informed of work progress
- Communicating with all members of the building and construction industry, such as engineers and architects, to ensure that everyone works well together and is focused on the result
- Coordination of all activities and personnel on-site
- Employing and training all necessary employees and subcontractors
- Assuring that all legal requirements, such as safety codes and environmental regulations, are met
- Developing strategies for efficiently completing a construction project
- Hiring employees and subcontractors for various project-related roles
- Resolving work delays caused by adverse weather, material shortages, or personnel shortages
- Creating and adhering to project deadlines
- Assuring that the project adheres to all applicable safety regulations
- Arranging for material delivery
- Client-facing work reports
- Creating budgets and ensuring that the project adheres to financial constraints
Qualifications
Education
A bachelor’s degree in construction science, construction management, engineering, or architecture is typically required to become a construction manager. Graduates will acquire critical knowledge in critical areas of construction management, such as developing and controlling a building project, construction methods and required materials, design, cost estimation, and code compliance.
Alternatively, many colleges and universities offer two-year associate’s degree programs in construction management and technology. If you want to work exclusively on small projects, an associate’s degree and a few years of relevant experience may qualify you to become a construction manager. If you want to advance your career further, you can also pursue a master’s degree in construction management.
Training
Typically, an aspiring construction manager will begin his or her career as an assistant to an established construction manager. Working for several years under the supervision of an experienced professional will give you a better understanding of all aspects of construction management.
Certifications
Construction professionals can use certifications to demonstrate their qualifications to current and prospective employers. Although certifications for construction managers are not typically required, they serve as additional evidence to the client that they possess the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to manage a large construction project. As a construction manager, you can earn the following two certifications:
- Certified Construction Manager (CCM)
Awarded by the Construction Management Association of America, this certification demonstrates to prospective employers and clients that a construction manager possesses the necessary education, experience, and knowledge to oversee a construction project, stay within the agreed budget, and complete the work on time.
- Associate Constructor Certification
This certification, offered by The American Institute of Constructors, is an excellent way for recent graduates of four-year Construction Management college programs to demonstrate their abilities and knowledge.
Essential Skills
- Communication skills
Construction managers can apply their verbal and written communication abilities to a variety of stakeholders, including clients, outsourced suppliers, and subcontractors. Because successful project completion frequently requires collaboration from all parties involved, your communication skills can assist you in securing the necessary paperwork and ensuring that everyone understands the project’s timeline.
- Adaptability
As a construction manager, you must be adaptable to unforeseeable changes and plan accordingly. Understanding your projects and the factors that may affect their timelines and overall plans can assist you in making timely and informed decisions. When you make these changes to a project, it’s critical to communicate to your entire team the reason for the changes and how you arrived at your decisions.
- Industry expertise
Construction managers must stay current on new building materials and techniques. Knowing this information enables you to employ innovative strategies and procedures to accomplish your construction objectives and ensure the success and efficiency of your construction project.
- Risk management
Construction managers can leverage their risk management expertise to plan their projects, create contingency plans, and quickly resolve issues. For instance, if a construction manager anticipates that building supplies will be late for a project, he or she can identify solutions ahead of time and prepare their team accordingly.
- Negotiation skills
Construction managers frequently possess strong negotiation skills, which enable them to communicate with stakeholders effectively. You may need to negotiate budget allocation, create employee schedules, or make order changes, for example. Knowing how to negotiate effectively can assist you in reaching agreements that benefit your projects and employees.
- Delegation
Construction managers frequently require assistance from others to complete all project tasks, and they frequently use their delegation skills to delegate tasks to team members. Understanding how to delegate effectively can assist you in completing your tasks on time and ensuring that the project continues to progress with the assistance of your team. Additionally, it is critical to understand your team’s strengths and weaknesses so that you can assign them to tasks that best suit their abilities.
- Team management
Construction managers can leverage their team management skills to ensure that team members collaborate effectively on a project. Managers can also leverage these abilities to assist their teams in achieving a common goal. Construction managers must leverage their team management skills to resolve issues collaboratively, professionally, and expeditiously.
- Organization
As a construction manager, you must possess strong organizational skills to manage multiple responsibilities concurrently. Possessing this ability can assist you in reducing stress and concentrating on your most critical tasks. Additionally, organizational skills can assist you in developing a work routine that will ensure that you complete all of your daily responsibilities.
- Financial management
Construction managers can use their financial management skills to develop a budget plan for a construction project, create financial forecasts, and track project spending. Additionally, they may use this ability to look for alternative sources of funding for a project. In general, strong financial management skills can assist you in maximizing the efficiency of a project’s resources.
- Self-confidence
Construction managers may use their assertiveness to implement changes to projects, such as implementing new crew plans that they believe will benefit the project. Apart from asserting your authority, assertiveness can be used to assist others in comprehending your reasoning and engaging with them to reach an agreeable solution.
- Technology
A firm grasp of technology can assist construction managers in identifying and implementing cutting-edge technologies for their projects. The right technology can help you improve communication within your crew, as well as the efficiency and overall quality of your project. Due to the rapid advancement of construction technology, it can be critical to identify technology that can add value to your projects.
- Feedback receptivity
Openness to feedback enables construction managers to be receptive to constructive criticism. Apart from being firm and assertive, a good construction manager is receptive to the views and opinions of others. It is critical in this role to be receptive to corrections from clients and colleagues. This includes conveying to them their freedom to share their observations with you. After they’ve provided feedback, you can express gratitude and reassure them that you’re taking their concerns seriously.
How to Become a Construction Manager
- Pursue an educational degree
A bachelor’s degree is frequently the bare minimum requirement for becoming a CM. These four-year collegiate programs typically focus on various aspects of design, structural science, engineering, materials management, and economics. Taking extensive mathematics and statistics courses is also advantageous. Although some colleges offer construction management degrees, the majority of aspiring construction managers earn degrees in building science, engineering, or architecture.
Certain employers will hire you as a construction manager if you have a two-year associate degree in addition to relevant work experience. Although the majority of employers require some form of college education, you can succeed as an independent contractor with only a high school diploma.
- Obtain a license
While employers in the construction management field may not require specific licenses, earning credentials in addition to your degree can demonstrate your expertise and help you stand out in the applicant pool.
- Consider pursuing a graduate degree.
Along with a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree in construction management or a closely related field can aid in career advancement. These degrees typically last two years and are offered by some universities across the country.
- Conduct job searches and submit applications
After obtaining the necessary education and credentials for construction management, seek employment in the field. Consider the geographic areas in which you wish to work, your salary requirements, and your specialty. You’ll want to create a strong resume that highlights your contracting training and experience. Numerous employers may require a cover letter, which you should tailor to each organization to communicate the specific benefits you can provide in the CM role.
After securing an interview, consider practicing interview questions to impress the hiring manager and differentiate yourself from the competition.
Where to Work as a Construction Manager
Construction managers typically work on construction sites in non-office settings. Many of them manage multiple projects concurrently, necessitating frequent travel between different construction sites. Since many available projects are not necessarily located in the construction manager’s hometown, the position frequently requires temporary relocation to another city, state, or even country.
Construction Manager Salary Scale
The average salary of a construction manager in the United States is $96,659 per year.