When a building goes up, construction managers handle the big questions: who’s doing what; how long will it take; how much will it cost; and what happens if there’s an accident or work delay. They plan and supervise all types of construction projects— buildings, roads, bridges, and more— from beginning to end. Construction managers work closely with architects, civil engineers, and a variety of trades workers. They frequently call in city inspectors to ensure that all regulations are met, and may consult with lawyers and local officials for large projects. They use cost-estimating and planning software to develop budgets and schedules, which they must maintain while also fulfilling design specifications. Construction managers work in both commercial and residential construction. Many are self-employed, while others work for specialty trade contractors. They typically have an office, but spend most of their time onsite to monitor construction activities and make on-the-spot decisions. Long hours are common, as is being on call around the clock. While almost all positions require extensive construction experience, formal education needed ranges from a bachelor’s degree for the biggest projects, to an associate’s degree or high school diploma for smaller projects.. Some managers earn general contractor credentials and work for themselves. A new construction manager typically trains as an assistant under an experienced manager.
What they do:
Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.
On the job, you would:
Plan, schedule, or coordinate construction project activities to meet deadlines.
Prepare and submit budget estimates, progress reports, or cost tracking reports.
Interpret and explain plans and contract terms to representatives of the owner or developer, including administrative staff, workers, or clients.
Engineering and Technology
building and construction
product and service development
Business
management
customer service
Arts and Humanities
English language
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Basic Skills
keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Resource Management
selecting and managing the best workers for a job
managing your time and the time of other people
Verbal
communicate by speaking
listen and understand what people say
Ideas and Logic
order or arrange things
notice when problems happen
Visual Understanding
see hidden patterns
quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things
Math
add, subtract, multiply, or divide
People interested in this work like activities that include leading, making decisions, and business.
In the military:
see titles from the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, or Navy.
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