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Construction Managers

Overview

Construction managers are like the directors of building projects, overseeing everything from skyscrapers to shopping centers from the first blueprint to the final inspection. They create budgets, coordinate teams of architects and engineers, and use project management software and mobile apps to track progress and solve problems on-site. This career combines leadership, problem-solving, and technical skills, and you can enter the field through construction management degrees, engineering programs, or by working your way up from construction jobs. Many construction managers work both in offices and on active construction sites, collaborating with diverse teams to bring amazing structures to life.

Did you know?

Most states require construction managers to obtain specific licenses or certifications, with requirements varying significantly across different jurisdictions.

At a Glance

$108,853.40 Avg/yr

Median Wage

Fast Growing

Growth

Repairing

Top Skill

Key Responsibilities

  • Plan, schedule, or coordinate construction project activities to meet deadlines.
  • Determine labor requirements for dispatching workers to construction sites.
  • Secure third-party verification from sources, such as Leadership in Energy Efficient Design (LEED), to ensure responsible design and building activities or to achieve favorable LEED ratings for building projects.
  • Plan, organize, or direct activities concerned with the construction or maintenance of structures, facilities, or systems.
  • Investigate damage, accidents, or delays at construction sites to ensure that proper construction procedures are being followed.
  • Study job specifications to determine appropriate construction methods.
  • Contract or oversee craft work, such as painting or plumbing.
  • Interpret and explain plans and contract terms to representatives of the owner or developer, including administrative staff, workers, or clients.
  • Implement new or modified plans in response to delays, bad weather, or construction site emergencies.
  • Develop or implement environmental protection programs.
  • Inspect or review projects to monitor compliance with environmental regulations.
  • Evaluate construction methods and determine cost-effectiveness of plans, using computer models.
  • Prepare contracts or negotiate revisions to contractual agreements with architects, consultants, clients, suppliers, or subcontractors.
  • Perform, or contract others to perform, pre-building assessments, such as conceptual cost estimating, rough order of magnitude estimating, feasibility, or energy efficiency, environmental, and sustainability assessments.
  • Apply green building strategies to reduce energy costs or minimize carbon output or other sources of harm to the environment.
  • Prepare and submit budget estimates, progress reports, or cost tracking reports.
  • Develop or implement quality control programs.
  • Confer with supervisory personnel, owners, contractors, or design professionals to discuss and resolve matters, such as work procedures, complaints, or construction problems.
  • Develop construction budgets to compare green and non-green construction alternatives, in terms of short-term costs, long-term costs, or environmental impacts.
  • Inspect or review projects to monitor compliance with building and safety codes or other regulations.
  • Requisition supplies or materials to complete construction projects.
  • Direct and supervise construction or related workers.
  • Direct acquisition of land for construction projects.
  • Implement training programs on environmentally responsible building topics to update employee skills and knowledge.
  • Apply for and obtain all necessary permits or licenses.

Career Considerations

State Licensing and Certification Requirements

Most states require construction managers to obtain specific licenses or certifications, with requirements varying significantly across different jurisdictions.

OSHA Safety Compliance and Liability

Construction managers must maintain strict adherence to federal safety regulations and bear significant legal responsibility for workplace accidents and violations.

Economic Sensitivity and Market Volatility

The construction industry is highly sensitive to economic cycles, interest rates, and government infrastructure spending, affecting job stability and project availability.

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New York

25 Kent Ave, Suite 401
Brooklyn, NY
11249


North Carolina

204 N Person
Street. Raleigh, NC
27601

Australia

Level 4/80
Wentworth Ave,
Surry Hills,
Sydney, 2010