what is a construction project manager?
While managers are crucial in all projects, their significance increases with construction projects. Their oversight is essential for safely and efficiently creating crucial structures like bridges, hospitals, and office buildings. Construction project managers require a unique skill set beyond basic project management requirements. This includes industry knowledge and practical experience.
As a construction project manager, your main task involves coordinating and bringing together essential elements to complete a building. Unlike other projects, construction projects work on a mission-focused approach and deal with unique constraints linked to building designs. As a result, managing the progress of a residential building differs significantly from that of a commercial property.
The Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) states that the construction project manager's role involves collaborating with and overseeing the project's stakeholders.
In the construction project management role, you will guide a team of construction experts—proprietors, general contractors, architects, trade contractors, designers, subcontractors, and laborers—through a series of tasks to complete the project.
In addition to overseeing labor distribution and construction site management, you're also responsible for careful resource planning to ensure workers use resources wisely to prevent delays and shortages in the project.
Would working as a construction project manager suit your skill or interest? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a construction project manager role.
view jobs near youaverage salary of a construction project manager
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), professionals in construction project management earn an annual median salary of $98,890. To break it down, this translates to roughly $47.55 per hour, which is around $1,901 per week or $8,240 per month.
factors influencing project manager salary
In this industry, several factors influence your compensation. If you want to increase your earnings, consider the factors that affect your pay.
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education
Like other industries, higher education often comes with higher pay. Besides boosting your earning potential, a higher degree can enhance your competitiveness in the job market. Choosing a business-focused degree such as a Master of Business Administration can help you develop valuable leadership skills, which could open doors to moving into executive management positions.
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years of experience
In general, greater work experience corresponds to higher earnings. As a construction project manager with one to three years of experience, you should expect a competitor with over 15 years of experience to command a higher compensation than you.
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certification
Gaining a project management certification validates your expertise and can lead to higher pay. Among surveyed U.S. professionals by the Project Management Institute, those holding a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification reported a higher median salary than non-certified counterparts.
While most employers highly respect PMP certification, there are other choices available. You can also pursue certifications in methodologies such as Agile, PRINCE2, and Scrum or industry-specific credentials like CompTIA Project+ for IT project managers.
Wondering what you can earn as a construction project manager? Find out immediately with the Randstad salary checker! You can quickly and easily see what the average salary of a construction project manager is.
types of construction project managers
The types of construction project management roles vary based on the employer. You'll typically be stationed at the construction site if you work for a contractor. Your role involves overseeing site employees and handling resources for the contractor.
Alternatively, you might be a construction project manager hired by a company or client to lead a project. In this scenario, you answer to the client and oversee all project aspects. Managers sometimes require you to present project progress and expected completion time.
Based on your employer, you can be a project management specialist, project management consultant, portfolio manager, program manager, or director of project management.
working as a construction project manager
Construction project managers may only sometimes have a clear understanding of their responsibilities due to the overwhelming tasks and interactions with various stakeholders. As a construction project manager, you hold a central role in the project team, and the team's success heavily relies on you.
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construction project manager job description
What does a construction project manager do? As a construction project manager, you handle relationships with key stakeholders, set success criteria and deliverables (including budget management), and create task schedules that meet deadlines. You also consider possible budget or scope changes during contract execution.
Other everyday tasks that fall within your jurisdiction include:
- resources distribution: Working as a construction project manager requires acquiring necessary building resources and evaluating suppliers and contractors to ensure timely material delivery. Once materials are on-site, allocating them on time is crucial to prevent shortages. If changes occur to the original plans, adjust them accordingly and confirm adequate materials for project completion.
- planning: As a construction project manager, you ensure tasks are within budget and on time. For you to achieve this, it helps to develop stage-specific plans with milestones and timelines. Working with architects and engineers can assist in elaborating these plans based on building designs.
- budget management: You commence a project with your budget, and it's your task to formulate the financial plan. Keeping a close watch on expenses and avoiding overspending the budget is crucial. Being ready to adjust for changes in the financial plan is equally essential. A strong budget helps you effectively manage any challenges that come up.
- staff management: As a construction project manager, you employ skilled workers for the entire project. Your duties go beyond hiring; they also involve arranging team schedules and assigning tasks. Once the project begins, you offer extra guidance for any plan changes.
- report writing: As the one overseeing the entire project, it's your responsibility to create reports detailing project progress. Additionally, you provide a summary of expenses and report milestone accomplishments.
- establishing benchmarks: Indeed, creating benchmarks is a fundamental task for a construction project manager. They serve as checkpoints to assess and oversee the project's well-being. Benchmarks are vital for project managers to stay informed about project status and advancement. Benchmarks primarily evaluate project efficiency, timeline, and budget.
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construction project manager work environment
As a construction project manager, you operate from the office and the construction site. Your employer or company tasks you with overseeing projects, where you divide time between these locations. Fortunately, most construction firms establish on-site temporary offices to reduce travel.
Since you work at construction sites, exposure to dust and working in the sun or rain requires you to wear personal protective gear and follow safety protocols. Your work environment changes depending on the projects. For example, working on buildings is different from infrastructure.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer and industry, your colleagues might include project owners, subcontractors, general employees, and suppliers. You might also be working in close proximity to designers, planners, and consultants, as well as other specialists that could include, but are not limited to, engineers, quantity surveyors, and architects.
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work schedule
deadlines approach, you might need to work overtime during evenings and weekends. There are instances when you'll need to work at night or on public holidays, especially for projects like railway repairs or station work that require non-operational hours.
Your role requires frequent travel between the site and the office. You usually have international travel only if you work for a multinational construction company. While part-time positions are scarce, you can handle multiple projects simultaneously within the same company.
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job outlook for construction project manager
As you begin your journey as a project coordinator, you start as a trainee, but the good thing is that this field offers various career opportunities. As you undertake more duties and accumulate experience, you can advance to senior project director, project manager, or consultant roles.
On the other hand, you can specialize and become a contracts manager or step into managerial roles such as leading operations. Another avenue is self-employment, where you work on a contract basis. However, success in this path demands considerable experience acquired from major company roles.
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benefits of working for randstad as a construction project manager
Working through Randstad offers you a range of benefits:
- being paid weekly
- flexibility
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
Want a permanent contract? But you wonder why it would be interesting for you to work with a staffing company? A temporary job as a construction project manager is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad, too!
construction project manager skills and education
Most construction project managers hold academic backgrounds in fields like construction engineering, construction science, building science, or broader areas like engineering, mathematics, and architecture. As mentioned earlier, having a master's degree in construction can enhance career prospects. But if you lack these degrees, don't worry.
You can pursue courses in project control and management, building codes, design, construction methods, materials, and related subjects. These courses offer insights into the construction industry and its requirements. The construction industry requires you to have the following:
- undergraduate degree: Certain companies consider an associate degree in construction management and work experience a strong foundation. For those without academic degrees, work experience is crucial. Other employers value apprenticeships, where you go through various project management roles to advance your career.
- certifications: These documents also contribute to becoming a competent construction project manager. For instance, in the United States, certificates in construction project management from recognized institutions come in handy when searching for a construction project management position.
If you wish to progress in your career, it helps to take extra courses in fields like cost estimation, accident prevention, plumbing codes, and civil construction. However, these programs' availability depends on the school and program and typically requires a bachelor's degree.
skills and competencies
Developing additional skills and competencies enhances your capabilities as a project manager. Some of these skills include:
- communication: Effective communication is vital when leading a team. Skillful communication ensures that you relay goals and provide clear instructions. Written communication is valuable for creating schedules, assigning tasks, and drafting reports.
- leadership: As a construction project manager, you motivate and inspire fellow workers, guiding them toward project objectives. This involves setting an example through dedication and proactive adherence to safety and quality standards.
- interpersonal skills: As a construction project manager, listening to team members and incorporating their input into your plan is essential. Proficiency in team management also bolsters your leadership prowess.
- risk management: Given project uncertainties, readiness to handle potential issues is crucial. Proficiency in risk management aids in anticipating problems and devising solutions.
FAQs about working as a construction project manager
Here, you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about construction project managers.
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what attributes contribute to a successful construction project manager?
An effective construction project manager should excel in written and verbal communication. Clarity and conciseness are essential in all communication.
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what are the responsibilities of a construction project manager?
Construction project managers oversee the planning and execution of construction projects. They ensure timely and budget-compliant completion, manage logistics, delegate tasks, and monitor expenses.
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what are three qualities that define an efficient construction project manager?
Effective communication, strong leadership, and proficient problem-solving skills are vital for an individual to thrive as a capable project manager.
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how does a construction manager differ from a project manager?
A construction manager focuses on on-site operations involving contractor and material management. A construction project manager takes charge of all project phases.
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what are the phases of construction project management?
You can break down this process into five phases: planning/design, pre-construction, procurement, construction, and post-construction.
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how do I find a job as a construction project manager?
Applying for a construction project manager job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our data engineer jobs for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV. If you do not have a resume, no worries. Just check out our resume builder. This state of the art tool will help you to create your own resume. Need help with your application? Check out all our job-hunting tips!
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