Construction manager Job Information | National
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Lifelong
Learning Account
Construction
manager
- Hours
40 per
week
- Starting salary
£27,000 +
per year
If you are experienced in
construction, and you can lead and motivate a team, this job could be ideal for
you.
Construction managers, also known as
site managers or site agents, supervise and direct operations on a construction
project to make sure it is completed safely, on time and within budget.
In this job you will need to be a
'people person'. You will need to be a creative problem solver. You will also
need to be good at organizing and planning.
To get into this job you would
usually need to have a relevant foundation degree, BTEC HNC/HND or degree, or
several years' experience in the building industry. You could also come into
this job from a background as an estimator, a building technician or a site
supervisor.
The
work
As a manager on smaller sites, you
might have full responsibility for the whole project. On larger sites, you may
be in charge of a particular section and report to a senior site manager.
Your duties would typically include:
- discussing plans with architects, surveyors and buyers before building work starts
- planning work schedules for the job, using project management software
- preparing the site by hiring staff, installing temporary offices and taking delivery of materials
- working closely with the site workforce once building is underway
- monitoring progress, costs and checking quality
- making sure the work meets legal requirements and Building Regulations
- reporting regularly to the client.
You would also be the main point of
contact for subcontractors and the public. As a senior manager, you could
oversee several projects at the same time.
Hours
You would work around 40 hours a
week, Monday to Friday, possibly with some evening or weekend work to meet
deadlines. Some of your time would be spent travelling between sites and
meeting clients and contractors.
Site work would be in all weather
conditions. You may sometimes have to work at heights, for example when
inspecting roofing. You would wear protective clothing on site, including safety
boots and a hard hat.
Income
Construction managers can earn from
£27,000 to over £45,000 a year, depending on experience. Senior managers can
earn more than £70,000.
Figures are intended as a guideline
only.
Entry
requirements
To work as a construction manager
you would need the following skills and knowledge:
- building studies and building engineering
- surveying and civil engineering
- construction engineering management
- building management.
You could gain these skills by
completing a relevant foundation degree, BTEC HNC/HND or degree, or through
several years' experience in the building industry.
Entry requirements vary, so you
should check with individual colleges and universities for details. Courses are
likely to include management skills, practical project development methods,
economics, IT and accounts. To search for colleges and universities offering
these qualifications, visit the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service
(UCAS) website.
You may be able to get sponsorship
from an employer to help you with the cost of studying. Once you complete your
course, the sponsoring company would usually take you on full-time. Contact
companies directly to find out about sponsorship opportunities that may be
available.
You may also be able to get into
this career after gaining industry experience as an estimator, building
technician or site supervisor (clerk of works). See the related profiles for
more details about these roles.
Visit the ConstructionSkills website
for more information on construction careers and qualifications. The Know Your
Place campaign aims to promote the construction trades as a career choice for
women.
Training
and development
If you were starting on a large
construction company's structured training programme, you would gradually gain
experience in a number of work areas such as estimating, planning, buying and
assisting a site engineer. With experience, you would take on larger projects
and more management responsibility.
If you are working in the industry
and hold a degree unrelated to construction, you may be able to gain the
knowledge you need for construction management by taking the Chartered
Institute of Building (CIOB) Graduate Diploma Programme.
- Chartered Institute of Building – Graduate
Diploma Programme
You may also be able to complete
relevant NVQs, including:
- Construction Site Supervision Level 3
- Construction Site Management Level 4
- Construction Contracting Operations at levels 3 and 4
- Construction Senior Management Level 5.
Contact CIOB, the National House
Building Council and the Association of Building Engineers for more details
about their training programmes.
The CIOB also has information on a
range of short courses covering all aspects of construction management,
including project management, contracts, construction law and regulations.
Skills
and knowledge
To be a construction manager you
should have:
- excellent people skills to work with staff at all levels
- a creative approach to problem solving
- the ability to motivate your team
- excellent organisational and planning skills
- the ability to take on responsibility and make decisions
- good maths and IT skills
- an in-depth knowledge of building methods
- awareness of health and safety.
More
information
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