What does a Construction Project Manager do?
Construction Project Managers organise and monitor building projects. Their primary goal is to complete the projects on time, on budget and to an acceptable standard. They receive project briefs and source necessary staff and equipment. They also supervise the construction process. They resolve building site issues and provide project reports during the construction phase. Construction Project Managers promote health and safety standards on their work sites. They also monitor workers to maintain these standards throughout the construction process.
Construction Project Manager skills and qualifications
A successful Construction Project Manager candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications that typically include:
- Understanding construction processes and guidelines for effective planning and site management
- Proficiency in mathematics for determining building material quantities and costs and operating site within budget
- Leadership skills for motivating workers and maintaining positive and safe work environments
- Organisational skills for ensuring multiple building projects are completed on time and on budget
- Great attention to detail for effective safety and construction work checks
- Problem-solving skills for devising solutions to site challenges, such as weather delaying construction
- Verbal communication skills for explaining projects to site supervisors and providing project reports to stakeholders
Construction Project Manager experience requirements
Construction Project Managers must have several years of experience working in the building industry. They should have worked as Estimators, Surveyors or Building Technicians. Having a prior managerial role as a Site Supervisor also makes them a good candidate. Some employers accept candidates who have some experience managing projects in related sectors, such as civil engineering. Other employers require candidates to have an apprenticeship, higher national diploma or degree. Apprenticeships in construction site management or design and construction management can provide valuable job experience for aspiring Construction Project Managers.
Construction Project Manager education and training requirements
Most building firms employ Construction Project Managers with standard degrees, foundation degrees or higher national diplomas recognised by the Chartered Institute of Building. Qualifications in construction site management, building studies, building engineering, surveying, civil engineering, construction engineering and estimating can all help aspiring Construction Project Managers.
Like all construction workers, Construction Project Managers need Construction Skills Certification Scheme cards or equivalent licenses to work on job sites. They also need a full drivers’ licence to travel between sites.
Construction Project Manager salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Construction Project Manager is £49,980 per year. This figure varies depending on factors, including the experience, location and company.
Job description samples for similar positions
The leadership skills and building knowledge of Construction Project Managers suit many construction sector roles. Reviewing job descriptions for these similar positions may help you develop your Construction Project Manager job description: