what is a site manager?
As a site manager, you supervise the construction of a project from start to completion. The role involves working with other construction workers to ensure the project is completed on time and within the stipulated budget. You conduct regular inspections to check for safety issues and ensure the building matches the structural drawings.
Site managers are responsible for an entire site or parts of a project in larger schemes. When you work on a construction project, you report to the senior site manager and coordinate with other site managers to ensure work continues as expected.
site manager jobs near youaverage site manager salary
It is safe to say that a site manager falls under the construction manager category. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2022 median pay of construction managers was $101,480 annually, or $48.79 per hour. It goes without saying that working as a site manager comes with a lot of benefits, especially in terms of the compensation package.
factors increasing site manager salary
Salaries depend on your location, individual qualifications, and level of responsibility. When you work in large cities like New York, your earnings are higher than site managers in smaller towns. Most employers adjust the compensation package to match the cost of living. The high demand for senior site managers in cities also increases your salary prospects.
The employer you work for determines your earnings. Working for a large construction company raises your salary expectations since they have greater resources and can pay more than smaller companies. You also earn more when you take on additional responsibilities in the company.
Wondering what you can earn as a site manager? Find out immediately with the salary comparison tool! You can quickly and easily see what the average salary of a site manager is.
types of site manager
The types of site managers vary depending on the construction projects they work on. Some include:
- residential site managers: As a residential site manager, you supervise and monitor the construction of residential buildings. That means you plan the construction process, find raw materials, and hire construction workers for the project. You ensure the architectural drawings are adhered to and conduct regular safety inspections.
- commercial site managers: As a commercial site manager, you oversee the construction of offices and industrial sites. Your job is to manage the workers and ensure the project meets the client's specifications. Commercial projects are large-scale, and you may be responsible for a small section of the entire project.
working as a site manager
Working as a site manager requires resilience and critical thinking to deal with any issues that occur on the construction site. Read on to find out site managers' daily activities, work schedules, and job outlook.
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site manager job description
Some of the tasks of a site manager include:
- supervising construction work: As a site manager, you ensure the construction site and the building work are well-managed. You monitor the construction project's progress by organizing daily work activities and weekly or monthly milestones. You evaluate staff performance based on the milestones set. You also make sure the construction site is compliant with safety regulations.
- acting as a client liaison: As a site manager, you report the project's progress to clients. You also relay any adjustments to the schedule or budget and ensure you have the approval to effect any changes to the construction plans. You communicate the changes to the construction team. As a link between the construction crew and the client, it is important to be informed about all aspects of the project to provide detailed reports.
- selecting materials and tools: As a site manager, you are responsible for procuring the materials and tools to be used. Your job is to find suppliers and ensure the materials delivered meet quality standards. Effective tools help minimize project delays.
- site inspections: Construction sites must follow building regulations to meet the required quality standards. As a site manager, you are responsible for site safety and compliance with building regulations. You conduct regular inspections to ensure the workers adhere to regulatory practices.
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site manager work environment
As a site manager, you work on construction sites. Sometimes, you perform administrative tasks and spend time in an office environment. However, you mainly work outdoors on the project site. You work in all weather conditions and on risky sites, so you wear protective clothing to avoid accidents. Expect to work at height, especially during roofing inspections. While there is minimal travel when a project commences, you travel between sites for different projects.
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who are your colleagues?
Site managers work in the construction industry. Therefore, your colleagues might include cost planners, quantity inspectors, and contractors. You also work with architects, mechanical engineers, building surveyors, and other specialists, including project managers, construction managers, and accountants.
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work schedule
The typical working hours of a site manager are 41 to 43 hours a week. You spend the whole day on the construction site until the crew leaves. You also spend a few hours in the office completing paperwork. Most site managers work full time, but short-term contracts and part-time work are also available. You cannot work from home since you closely monitor the projects' progress.
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job outlook for site manager
A career as a site manager provides exciting prospects and opportunities for growth. The site manager starts as a construction worker or an assistant site manager. With experience and additional qualifications, you progress to senior roles in the construction industry. For instance, site managers are usually promoted to project managers or construction managers. Some specialize in cost estimation to become quantity surveyors.
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benefits of working for randstad as a site 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 site 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!
site manager skills and education
To become a site manager, you need to obtain a bachelor’s degree in construction science, construction technology, or construction management. These courses are offered in most colleges and universities across the U.S. Additionally, these courses take between four and five years to complete. Most employers in the U.S. prefer to hire site managers with a bachelor’s degree because they cover all levels of construction projects. These include:
- working with architects, constructors, and other professionals
- pricing costs
- writing contracts
- reading plans
Bachelor’s degree programs also cover courses in building technology, construction safety, accounting, and legal issues. If you want to have an edge over other applicants, you should complete an internship to gain much-needed work experience. You should also develop strong computer skills since you may need to use various computer programs to carry out your job effectively. These computer programs will help you understand and know how to apply computer-aided design (CAD) software, business presentation software, and 3-D modeling software.
You should also consider gaining voluntary certification. Certification may not be necessary for construction site managers. However, it has been increasingly more important over the years; hence, it is recommended that you go for it to increase your chances of landing a job as a site manager. The Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) and the American Institute of Construction (AIC) offer certification designations.
skills and competencies
In addition to knowledge of construction practices, you require transferrable skills to excel in your role. Some of the qualities of a site manager include the following:
- communication skills: As a site manager, you work with various construction professionals, from general laborers and surveyors to designers. You also discuss budgets and construction plans with clients and rely on your communication skills to explain project details in simple language. Therefore, it is essential to communicate effectively to ensure the construction project proceeds as planned.
- decision-making skills: As a site manager, your primary role is to deliver a construction project within the stipulated time and budget. The construction process involves making various decisions, from the best materials to the construction methods. Good decision-making skills help you weigh the pros and cons of a decision and determine the best plan.
- problem-solving skills: Construction projects carry risks, and your problem-solving ability and critical thinking skills will be tested. Problem-solving skills help you find cost-effective and innovative solutions to problems.
- commercial awareness: As a site manager, you ensure the construction project sticks to the budget, so industry knowledge and commercial awareness are important. Commercial awareness helps you develop ways to cut costs and optimize the project schedule.
FAQs about working as a site manager
Here, you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about site managers.
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what is the difference between a site manager and a project manager?
One of the key responsibilities of a site manager is to ensure the project is technically sound and meets all the strict construction guidelines. The role of a project manager, on the other hand, is much broader and starts even before the construction phase commences. That is the key difference between a site manager and a project manager.
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how do I communicate effectively as a site manager?
The various ways to improve your communication skills as a site manager include holding weekly meetings, asking for and giving feedback, using the right communication tools, being open with your team, and holding regular and deep one-on-one conversations.
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what mistakes should I avoid as a site manager?
It is important that you learn these mistakes here, rather than first-hand, to save yourself all the trouble. You should avoid not giving feedback, being too friendly with your team members, not defining goals clearly, not having enough personnel/recruiting hurriedly, and not delegating/misunderstanding your role.
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who earns more between a site manager and a site supervisor?
A site manager earns more than a site supervisor because their responsibilities are much wider than a site supervisor. Ideally, a site supervisor reports directly to a site manager/project manager in addition to focusing on the daily supervision of workers.
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which roles are higher than a site manager?
As a site manager, you can progress to become a project consultant or contract manager. To excel as a site manager and put yourself in a better position to become a contract manager or a project consultant, ensure you become chartered, create meaningful connections, and apply for these positions.
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how do I find a job as a site manager?
Applying for a site manager job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our site manager 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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