Career as Construction Manager

A construction manager manages the staff of workers involved in the construction project. He or she coordinates and supervises a wide variety of projects that includes building all types of residential, public, commercial and industrial structures as well as roads, bridges and memorials. A construction manager provides consultation to clients during the design phase, refining construction plans and controlling costs. He or she guides throughout the construction including design, use of materials and ensures the construction completes on time. 

Planning

A construction manager provides support to the client in planning of the project concerning its specifications and best standard of the trade. He or she makes crucial decisions such as the selection of tools and materials. 

Supervision

A construction manager is responsible for supervising the construction site and assign tasks to workers. He or she conducts regular safety checks and ensures the work is in progress. He or she reports the day to day activities to the project manager.

Coordination

 A construction manager has to coordinate with the other construction professionals including workers, quantity surveyors, building services engineers, architect, supervisor and subcontractors.

Documentation

A construction manager is responsible for the documentation of construction activities. It includes a record of accurate timesheets of labour. He or she is responsible for the paperwork of all activities such as liaison with other professionals, materials and specifications used in the construction, the progress of each day,  cost, allotted budget and deadline.

Maintenance

A construction worker holds the responsibility of maintaining strict quality control procedures which involve regular testing of materials, inspection of the site and oversee the progress of the project. He or she maintains schedules and ensures project compliance with the standard laws.

There are types of construction managers in the industry with varying roles and responsibilities. We have mentioned below several types of construction managers with varying job titles. 

Building Control Surveyor: A construction manager is responsible for ensuring federal and local building regulations are met as per the state laws. The laws and rules are applicable to all types of construction including those which are getting newly renovated, altered or converted. 

Building Services Engineer: A building services engineer utilises his or her analytical skills to keep a building up and running. He or she ensures the maintenance of various different services. It includes maintaining acoustics, escalators, power, safety, security, heating, health and safety and other services. 

Quantity Surveyor: A quantity surveyor is a professional responsible for calculating costs involved in building and civil engineering projects. He or she oversees the expenditure involved from beginning to end of the project and calculates the final figures. A building project requires to be specific to easily predict the budget accurately. 

Several construction managers work in an office environment. But most of the time is spent at construction sites. They monitor the construction activities and make decisions on a daily basis analysing the progress in the project. Working hours of construction managers are often stretched. Construction managers are assigned a whole building or civil project. On such projects, they are accountable for assigning tasks to workers and coordinate with other construction professionals to ensure the timely completion of the project according to plan and allotted budget. They may often be called at any time in 24 hours depending on the requirements.

Does Construction Manager require travelling?

Likely

Construction managers who manage multiple projects are required to travel on a frequent basis from one site to another. 

Employment Shifts

Full Time

Construction managers work on a full-time basis. He or she is assigned to the building or civil project. A construction manager works from planning phase to completion. His or her working hours often are stretched to ensure timely completion of the project. 

Employment Nature

Contractual, Permanent

A construction worker may find employment on contractual as well as permanent basis. Construction firms are required to hire specialised management personnel on contractual as well as a permanent basis to oversee construction activities and ensure timely completion of a project as well as meeting the clients’ needs.

Work Place

Office, Field

A construction manager usually has a main office, but they’re required to spend most of their hours on the construction site to supervise and assign activities to workers and coordinate with other construction managers. 

Presence in Geographical Area

Semi-urban, Urban

New Delhi and Mumbai are rapidly growing and developing cities with the consistent construction of new projects and renovation of older ones. These cities provide construction managers with higher pay than the national average. 

Time Pressure

Likely

Yes, a construction manager is accountable for completion of the project before deadlines. He or she holds the responsibility of avoiding delays and complete the project within the allotted budget. 

Overtime Details

A construction manager who works on a contractual basis with independent clients is assigned the complete responsibility of the project. He or she must ensure the timely completion of the project. It is common to work stretched hours in a career as a construction manager. 

Weekly Hours of Work

Min 40 Hours

Construction managers are responsible for meeting deadlines. In order to avoid delays, they are required to work overtime. Several construction managers work more than 40 hours per week. 

 Do you know about the requirements to become a construction manager? There are several skillsets required to become a construction manager. Let's know more about construction manager skills. 

Analytical Skills: A construction manager is responsible for planning strategies for the project, handle unexpected issues and solve other problems arising in the construction project. He or she estimates cost, materials and time to complete the project. 

Business Skills: Business skills are crucial for a career as construction manager. A construction manager is required to address budget matters, coordinate and inspect the construction activities of workers. He or she must be able to negotiate on cost matters and establish an effective relationship with staff. 

Customer Service Skills: A construction manager must possess excellent customer service skills. He or she should stay in contact with the owners, inspectors and the general public. Effective relationships with them help in generating more business opportunities by ensuring their needs are met. 

Communication Skills: A construction manager must be able to clearly communicate with construction workers and explain them complex information. He or she has to discuss technical details with other building specialists as well. Communication skills play a great role in self-employed construction managers who sell their own projects. 

Leadership Skills: A construction manager is responsible for managing the staff of workers. He or she effectively delegate tasks to construction workers, other managers and sub-contractors. A construction manager is responsible for taking initiatives and make effective decisions concerning the needs of the project and communicate the same to workers. 

 Also read - Career as a Civil Engineer

We have mentioned below major certification courses that aspiring individuals can opt to upgrade their skills to perform efficiently in a construction manager’s role.

Construction Manager: A construction manager is a senior-level role generally offered to candidates possessing more than 15 years of work experience. He or she is responsible for managing the planning, building, materials and budget of the project. 

Construction Project Manager: A construction project manager is responsible for planning, coordinating and overseeing the project including maintenance of building systems, roadways, and other facilities. 

The employment opportunities for construction managers are expected to grow 8 per cent over the next decade. Construction firm hires construction managers to ensure the timely completion of the project. The construction processes and building technology are turning more complex, increasing the demand for specialised management personnel.  Construction activities are rapidly increasing concerning the needs of the developing country India. With the expansion in the construction activities, the demand for construction workers has also been increasing. Depending on the population and business growth the need for the developed infrastructure is also increasing. Roads, bridges and sewer pipe systems are upgraded or replaced from time to time.