What does a Construction Manager do?
Construction managers plan for, budget, and supervise construction projects from start to finish. Construction managers coordinate and supervise various construction projects, which includes the building of all types of public residential, commercial, and industrial structures in addition to roads, memorials, and bridges.
Construction managers oversee the construction phase of a project, but they may also consult with a client during the design phase to help refine plans and control project costs. They are responsible for the oversight of specialized contractors and additional personnel. They schedule and coordinate all construction processes so that a project meets the client's design specifications. They ensure projects stay on time and within the allotted budget, and interact with lawyers and local government officials where appropriate. They work in tandem with other building specialists including an architect or civil engineer and various trade workers including electricians or carpenters. They create and manage a budget for each project which keeps supplies, materials, and labor in mind. They are responsible for maintaining a line of communication with their clients throughout the process. Construction managers need a minimum bachelor’s degree, relevant experience and on-the-job training.
- Maintain construction file and update notes on project files.
- Manage project execution to ensure budget and schedule compliance.
- Coordinate and perform actual construction work on lab sites.
- Manage all aspects of the build: pre, during and post.
- Provide accurate status information on the progress to project management.
- Attend and participate in all safety meetings and training.
- Obtain approval and documentation of field and design modifications.
- Able to oversee 4-5 projects simultaneously.
- Report any and all injuries, accidents, and/or incidents immediate supervisor.
- Lead a team of program managers and support personnel.
- Inspect areas to determine new construction, repair and maintenance needs.
- Coordinate plans, specs, and bids to finalize subcontractor scopes.
- Order building materials, manage community assets and site budgets.
- Assemble contractor bid list and solicit and manage the bid process.
- Provide continuous improvement of customer service, quality, efficiency, and safety.
- Educate site workers on construction safety regulations and accident protocol.
- Perform all project management duties as required per project and project team.
- Prepare regular interval progress reports as required by the project.
- Ensure purchase orders are sent in a timely manner.
- Provide detailed project cost reporting, scheduling, vendor coordination, etc.
- Reconcile total project budget(s) with all project related costs.
- Responsible for the training, development, and performance management of staff.
- Coordinate workers engaged in plumbing, electrical, welding or related trades.
- Ensure associates and subcontractors are in compliance with company safety standards.
- Management training and experience working in the construction industry.
- Prior experience as a consultant.
- Fluent in OSHA rules and protocols.
- Comfortable drafting project plans that include budget, buildout, and cost estimates.
- Experienced at processing change orders.
- A leader and problem solver with sound attention to detail.
- Demonstrated strong work ethic.
- A team player and collaborator.
- Experience with Swpp, AutoCAD, P6, MEP, and BIM software and systems.
How much does a Construction Manager make?
Base Pay
Additional Pay
$118,015
/ yrConstruction Manager Career Path
Learn how to become a Construction Manager, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Construction Manager Insights
Myco Mechanical“I was there for almost 2 years and never received an increase even though my reviews were good.”
7-Eleven“There is no career growth unless you know someone in the company or worked with them previously”
VFive Group“Good exposure & career development for fresh graduate as you can explore to learn & experience new things.”
Carnegie Custom Homes“It’s been great learning experience working on one of the best luxurious homes in houston.”
American Electric Power“Great schedule and fun job”
Hughes Group“Great place to work and everyone is helpful”
Adecco“Strong and good support work and team work”
D.R. Horton“All walk throughs and anything not done at closing you will get done before you get your bonus.”
Frequently asked questions about the roles and responsibilities of a Construction Manager
When working as a Construction Manager, the most common skills you will need to perform your job and for career success are Cost Estimates, Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft Outlook, Reviews, and Quantity Surveying.
- Carpenter
- Foreman
- Construction Worker
- Construction Superintendent
The most common qualifications to become a Construction Manager include a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree and an average of 0 - 1 years of experience not including years spent in education and/or training.