How to become A Construction Project Manager

• Construction Project Manager 

• Construction Superintendent

• Construction Project Superintendent

• Construction Site Manager 

• Construction Project Coordinator

• General Contractor

What do Construction Project Managers do?

A Construction Project Manager would typically need to:

• Oversee the various aspects and steps of the building process from planning to delivery; manage project deadlines, budget, staff, materials, equipment, logistics, and liaison with other professionals

• Meet onsite with clients, engineers, architects and contractors regularly to ensure project practicality, discuss goals and review progress

• Oversee and motivate site foremen and teams; organise the labour schedule and tally talents with tasks

• Set out and discuss project estimates with clients; prepare cost estimates, budgets and work timetables and ensure that work abides with them

• Approve purchase requests; negotiate with vendors, suppliers and subcontractors

• Ensure the availability of equipment onsite, the timely beginning of construction process and the fulfillment of daily and weekly deadlines

• Ensure compliance with health, safety, building and other legal requirements 

• Understand and convey contract content and technical information to other  professionals

• Monitor projects; report progress and budget matters to the construction firm and clients

• Conduct quality checks; tackle work delays, emergencies and other issues

• Facilitate mediation for the client; ask and resolve questions as per requirements

• Supervise details regarding obtaining permits and design evaluations; process change orders

Most Construction Project Managers work from the main office or a field office located on the construction site. Staying onsite makes it more feasible to supervise work and make day-to-day decisions.
If you manage multiple projects simultaneously, you may need to travel frequently.

Most Construction Project Managers work 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Depending on deadlines, you may need to work on evenings and weekends.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. A Construction Project Manager can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

Construction Project Managers are generally employed by:

• Speciality Trade Contractors

• Non-residential Building Construction Firms

• Residential Building Construction Firms

• Heavy & Civil Engineering Construction Firms

• Contractors & Specialist Sub-Contractors 

• Property Development Companies

Professional associations and organisations, such as the International Association of Project Managers (IAPM), are crucial for Construction Project Managers interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• The need to be on call 24 hours a day to respond to project emergencies

• Staying away from home overnight 

• Working outdoors in all kinds of weather

• Working indoors in loud, hot, dirty and dangerous conditions

• Working overtime to meet deadlines and respond to emergencies

• Exposure to hazardous chemicals, such as strippers or sealers

Any academic program that a potential Construction Project Manager takes up typically requires a period of supervised experience, such as an internship. 

Internship programs may fulfil the credit requirements for the program and give you a deeper insight into the on-field demands. It will also give you an idea of the management aspects of the job and may be instrumental in obtaining employment upon graduation. 

Having experience in construction is vital for individuals who do not have a bachelor’s degree. Try to find weekend or holiday work or apprenticeships with construction companies or work with a relative who is a project manager. It is necessary to have a strong background in carpentry, masonry or other construction specialities. 

Read about the profession and interview or job shadow experts working in construction project management to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers. 

A Construction Manager must typically earn a bachelor’s degree in construction, engineering, construction management, building management, building studies, project management, engineering, surveying or a related field. Coursework includes project control and management, design, construction methods and estimation of materials and costs. Also opt for coursework in business, communications and mathematics to build your business acumen or you may choose to major in business management or IT. 

Although not mandatory at entry levels, a master’s degree in a construction-related field may significantly increase your chances of progress.

Earning an associate degree or higher national diploma (HND) in construction technology or management along with work experience may be typical for small project supervisors. If you can supplement your high school diploma with considerable on-field experience, you may be qualified to work as a construction manager.  

Take high school courses in physics, chemistry, mathematics, IT and business to prepare for a career as a Construction Project Manager.

Certification demonstrates a Construction Project Manager’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination. When acquired Certification from an objective and reputed organisation, it can help you stand out in a competitive job market, carry a significant salary premium of up to 18 per cent, increase your chances of advancement, and allow you to become an independent consultant. Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.

The International Code Council (ICC) offers inspection certifications such as the Commercial Building Inspector (CBI) certification, which prepares individuals to inspect commercial structures. The topics of focus are project administration, plan reading, building materials, fire resistance ratings, safety, accessibility and other regulatory topics.  

Some locations mandate Construction Project Managers to be licensed. You can contact your state licensing board to get more information. Individual government entities conduct the licensing process. It typically requires the passage of an examination in addition to the fulfilment of eligibility requirements, such as a minimum level of education, work experience, training, or the completion of an internship, residency, or apprenticeship.

Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive career progression. Employees with consistently high levels of performance may be eligible for promotion every two to three years. 

A Construction Project Manager starts as a craftsman in a particular trade. With experience in managing small projects, you can study part-time and become qualified in project management, which can land you a job in a construction project support team. 

After completing a two-year graduate training scheme, you will receive more significant and broader work responsibilities. The nature of progression depends on the employer. You can advance in this career by increasing your expertise and accountability in a single field such as housebuilding or broadening your experience on diverse projects.

Construction Project Managers with experience of a minimum of ten years may work on large and complex projects. 

Geographical mobility and the ability to change employers or projects may prove to be beneficial in career advancement. You will also get opportunities to work for large global firms located overseas if you are an expert in an area of skills that are in demand, such as transport infrastructure expertise. 

With increasing experience, you can become a Project Manager, Contracts Manager or Senior Manager/Department Head or Company Director.

Self-employment in specialist areas is also possible. You can also explore academics and research and support services such as health & safety.

Candidates with a bachelor’s degree in a construction-related field coupled with the necessary skills and experience have the best job prospects.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Construction Project Manager build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. It allows you to upskill continually, regardless of your age, job, or level of knowledge. 

If you do not possess the required qualifications in construction management, your employer may sponsor you to acquire them. Continuous professional development is essential to stay updated with relevant legislation and technical information, especially in between projects or roles in various sectors. 

After completing a bachelor’s degree, Construction Project Managers can undertake continued education by joining courses in building code compliance, cost estimation, accident prevention, civil construction and plumbing codes.

Depending on the firm, newly hired construction managers usually work under the mentorship of an experienced manager for up to a year or more. You will typically start your job with an incubation period during which you would be introduced to key personnel and the systems and procedures specific to your company. You would also learn about relevant legislation, such as health & safety, and your project’s compliance and reporting protocols. Most of the training is done on the job along with some external short courses. 

The Five Stages of Construction Projects

Whether they fall into the residential, commercial, industrial, infrastructure or environmental category, construction projects typically go through five stages.

Deciding well in time whether or not to launch a project forms the crux of the planning and development stage, as cancelling a project once it takes off proves costly. What helps to make this critical decision is a combination of feasibility studies, capital budgeting, pro-con lists and detailed inputs from stakeholders. 

Creativity is the essence of the design phase, which takes the project from the initial sketches to the detailed blueprint of the final design, keeping it within time and cost constraints.

The process of preconstruction creates a roadmap to guide the various parties involved in the construction process. It gives a detailed plan of the responsibility of each individual and the costs involved, the premise being that following the roadmap will help the project meet its goals on time, abiding by quality targets and budgetary allowances.

Sourcing, purchasing and transporting the materials and services required to complete a project are all part of the procurement stage. Unexpected cost overruns are usually kept at bay with efficient preconstruction planning. Although some volatility is inevitable, try to factor in the risk as much as possible. 

Construction is the goal and the final stage of construction project management. As the plan is executed, regular monitoring and evaluation help it stay on course. 

Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment

Freelancing Construction Project Managers have more flexible work schedules and locations. They have full ownership of the business and can select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.

A full-time Construction Project Manager, on the other hand, has company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety.

When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.

Drones provide sharp, detailed images which help in tracking construction progress and make accurate decisions based on real-time data and detailed reconstructed site maps.

Whether the planned outcome of a construction project is a shopping mall or an individual home, the complexities of coordinating the various components and people involved are numerous. Construction Project Managers skilfully tie together work and workers across multiple disciplines, such as architecture, engineering, public works and city planning, to deliver the outcome while abiding by time estimates and budgetary guidelines.

Be aware that risks exist and have a thorough plan in place to handle anything that goes wrong. Stay updated and well versed with construction methodologies. You must also foster teamwork amongst a multidisciplinary group of professionals to achieve common goals while maintaining an analytical mindset and exercising excellent time management and organisational skills.