Construction manager

Construction managers ensure that a building project is completed to specification, safely and within an agreed timeframe and budget

As a construction manager, you'll be responsible for managing the practical side of every stage of the build. This will involve working closely with architects, surveyors and other building professionals in planning and delivery.

You'll also supervise and direct a range of operations on a construction site and ensure that all tradespeople and contractors are working together to an agreed plan and that progress is being made. You may oversee a whole site, or a big part of a large-scale complex project.

Construction managers are also commonly known as site managers.

Types of construction management

Typically, you'll work in one of the following five project groups:

• residential
• commercial
• industrial
• infrastructure
• environmental.

Responsibilities

As a construction manager, you'll need to:

• plan and coordinate a project from start to finish, including organising the schedule of work, costings and budget
• plan the work and oversee the buying of necessary materials and equipment
• recruit, supervise and manage staff and subcontractors assigned to the project
• manage the construction site on a day-to-day basis, including supervising the labour force, monitoring subcontractors, checking materials, inspecting work and overseeing quality control
• ensure the project is delivered on time and on budget by setting benchmarks, agreeing budgets and monitoring progress
• check design documents with architects, surveyors and engineers
• promote and maintain health and safety, including site inspections to ensure safety rules are being followed
• write reports
• maintain regular communication and attend meetings with clients and their representatives to inform them of progress on the project, i.e. stakeholder management
• communicate with any consultants, subcontractors, supervisors, planners, quantity surveyors and others involved in the project
• deal with any unexpected problems that may occur during the project
• use project management software and digital tools (such as Building Information Modelling - BIM) to support planning, coordination and reporting
• consider sustainability, environmental impact and compliance with building regulations in all project stages.

Salary

• Starting salaries for construction managers typically range from £30,000 to £35,000.
• Experienced construction managers can earn between £45,000 and £60,000.
• Senior and chartered construction managers can earn in the region of £65,000 to £95,000.
• Salaries vary considerably depending on the location, sector, scale of the project and employing organisation.

Employers usually provide a company car or travel allowance and a mobile phone, as you'll frequently need to travel between sites. Larger companies may also offer extra benefits like private pension schemes, discounted health insurance, and gym or leisure memberships. It's also common for employers to pay for your membership of professional bodies and support you in working towards chartership.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Most construction managers work around 40 to 45 hours per week, with longer hours common during project deadlines. Overtime is sometimes paid.

Certain projects may require you to work at night or over public holidays - for example, when rail sites are closed.

 A small number of highly experienced managers operate as ²õ±ð±ô´Ú‑e³¾±è±ô´Ç²â±ð»å consultants, offering higher earning potential but less job security.

Part‑time roles are rare, although some may split their time over several concurrent projects.

What to expect

• As a key point of contact on the project, managing competing demands from the client, the public and a range of other professionals can sometimes seem overwhelming.
• Your time will be split between working on‑site work and office-based tasks, which may be in temporary premises on the site or may be a client's office. Travel between sites is frequent and long-distance trips and overnight stays are sometimes required.
• On-site work requires high-visibility and protective clothing, which will be provided by your employer.
• Construction manager jobs are available across the UK, with larger infrastructure projects concentrated in London and other major cities. With enough experience, working abroad is possible.
• The Office for National Statistics and Construction Today both report that women currently make up around 15% of the UK construction workforce, which equates to approximately 340,000 people.Organisations such as the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), The Association of Women in Property (WiP) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) are working to address this.

Qualifications

Most new entrants to construction management will hold an HNC or degree in a relevant subject, such as:

• construction management
• building management
• building studies
• project management
• engineering - including civil engineering
• surveying.

Entry with an HND, foundation degree or BTEC is also possible.

Courses accredited by the CIOB are preferred. A postgraduate or professional qualification isn't usually necessary at entry level, though as a graduate or trainee construction manager it's likely that you'll work towards gaining chartership with the CIOB (or another professional institution) during your first few years on the job.

It can still be possible to become a construction manager if you've studied an unrelated degree and the CIOB's Graduate Conversion Certificate (GCC) offers a suitable pathway through to chartership in three years. For more information, see the CIOB Become a Member.

Alternatively, it's possible to work your way up to this position by gaining experience in other roles in the industry, such as site supervisor, surveyor or building technician, or by completing a traineeshipÌý´Ç°ùÌýapprenticeship.

CITB is the industrial training board for the construction industry. You can find more information about standards, courses and qualifications on its website.

The construction industry continues to grow, in spite of some economic difficulties within the UK. According to recent research from the Construction Skills Network, an additional 225,000 construction workers need to be recruited by 2027, with around 1,100 of those being construction project managers.

However, you should still expect to complete targeted job applications to a high standard and be prepared for a rigorous recruitment process.

Skills

You'll need to be equipped with:

• strong communication skills for liaising with a range of clients, professionals and workers on site, calmly and effectively managing any conflicts and disputes that may arise
• excellent leadership skills and the ability to motivate your team and get contractors coordinating with each other when carrying out works
• excellent planning and organisational skills for writing and monitoring project plans and schedules and utilising time and resources effectively
• resilience and problem-solving skills to overcome unexpected challenges during the construction process
• an ability to make decisions under pressure, so that the project can progress
• strong attention to detail for conducting site inspections and managing complex contracts
• an awareness of health and safety procedures and legislation for running a safe construction site
• strong commercial awareness, with the ability to understand client needs and manage budgets effectively
• good numerical and IT skills, including knowledge of building methods and project management software to handle project data and finances.

Work experience

While not all employers of construction managers ask for previous construction experience, gaining practical, hands-on experience is highly recommended. Many larger employers in this sector offer structured work placements, including industrial placement years, summer internships and vacation opportunities.

It's acceptable to contact employers directly to ask for work experience or shadowing, provided you can demonstrate enthusiasm and a good understanding of the industry. Keep an eye out for opportunities to visit active construction sites, such as through the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)'s annual Open Doors programme.

Building a network of industry contacts early on can significantly improve your chances of finding experience. Consider becoming a student member of a relevant professional body, such as CIOB or the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Eligibility usually depends on your current or previous course of study. Student membership is often free and provides access to networking opportunities, events and industry insights.

Getting involved in extracurricular activities such as university societies, planning and managing your own events, or participating in competitions like CIOB's Global Student Challenge, can also help you develop relevant skills and stand out to employers.

Employers

A significant proportion of opportunities for construction managers are found in the private sector, within large, global employers and local SMEs. Typical employers are construction companies and contractors, specialist sub-contractors, property development and house builders.

Some construction managers work for consultancies and may be brought in to oversee specific areas of expertise such as health and safety, sustainability or project delivery.

A smaller number of opportunities exist within the public sector, for example with local authorities, housing associations, and infrastructure providers in sectors such as water, energy, transport and defence.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Careers in Construction
• Career Structure
• CITB
• Construction Manager Jobs - CIOB recruitment site.

Professional development

It's usual to start your role with an induction period, which typically involves meeting key staff members, learning about company-specific systems and processes, and receiving training in legislation, compliance and reporting requirements that are relevant to your project. You'll train on the job and may attend some external short courses.

Most principal contractors and clients require construction workers to hold a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card. If you don't already have one, usually obtain it by completing health and safety training and passing the CITB Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) test, which is often funded by your employer.

If you don't have a qualification in construction management, your employer may sponsor you to complete one. Continuous professional development (CPD) is essential in this role to keep up to date with legislation and technical information, particularly when moving between projects or roles in different sectors. CIOB is the most relevant professional body for this role - it offers a range of training and networking opportunities.

Becoming chartered with a relevant body is strongly encouraged and will improve your career prospects. CIOB offers a Professional Development Programme (PDP) for graduates who want to work towards chartered status. This usually takes between two and three years to complete and involves building up a portfolio of work to show that you meet certain criteria. When you complete the programme, you'll become a fully chartered member (MCIOB).

Depending on the course you've studied and the nature of your employer you may become chartered with an alternative body, such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStrucE) or the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).

Career prospects

Most graduate training schemes last around two years, and on completion you'll usually be given more responsibility and a broader range of work to manage. After this, progression depends on the size and nature of your employer. Broadly speaking, you can progress by increasing your level of responsibility and expertise within a single field, such as housebuilding, or by broadening your experience through working on projects of a different nature or size.

Construction managers working on large, complex projects typically have a minimum of ten years' experience. Assistant construction managers, or employees with a similar job title, may oversee a particular area or component of a project.

Being geographically mobile and able to relocate to change employers or projects can be an advantage for progressing your career. Working for a large global firm may present opportunities to work overseas, particularly if you develop expertise in an area in where there is strong demand, such as transport infrastructure.

With substantial experience as a construction manager, you could progress to become a project manager, contracts manager or a senior manager/department head. With additional training, you could move into specialist fields such as building inspection or health and safety.