Construction Managers - What They Do

Construction managers plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the activities of a construction company or a construction department within a company, under the direction of a general manager or other senior manager. They are employed by residential, commercial and industrial construction companies and by construction departments of companies outside the construction industry.

Job duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate construction projects from start to finish according to schedule, specifications and budget
Prepare and submit construction project budget estimates
Plan and prepare construction schedules and milestones and monitor progress against established schedules
Prepare contracts and negotiate revisions, changes and additions to contractual agreements with architects, consultants, clients, suppliers and subcontractors
Develop and implement quality control programs
Represent company on matters such as business services and union contracts negotiation
Prepare progress reports and issue progress schedules to clients
Direct the purchase of building materials and land acquisitions
Hire and supervise the activities of subcontractors and subordinate staff.

Job titles

commercial construction manager
industrial construction manager
project manager, construction
construction superintendent
general contractor
housing construction manager
pipeline construction manager
residential construction manager
construction manager

Employment Requirements

This is what you typically need for the job:

A university degree in civil engineering or a college diploma in construction technology is usually required.
A master's degree in project management may be required.
Several years of experience in the construction industry, including experience as a construction supervisor or field superintendent, are usually required.
Extensive experience in the construction industry may substitute for post-secondary education requirements.
Professional engineering status or construction trade certification may be required by some employers.

Essential Skills

Management