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- Requires good leadership and communication skills, knowledge of building and construction, and the ability to organise your time and workload
- With further training, move into support services like health and safety and building inspection
- Your work may involve working in all weather and wearing protective clothing, and may involve working at height
As a construction manager you'll usually be employed by building companies and specialist subcontractors. You can also work for local authorities, government departments, and other organisations like utility and engineering firms.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Check plans with architects, surveyors and engineers
- Hire staff and buy materials
- Plan work schedules
- Monitor building progress and costs
- Check quality
- Report to clients
- Maintain and promote health and safety
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You'll be the main point of contact for subcontractors and the public. As a senior manager, you may need to oversee several projects at the same time.
You may work evenings or weekends to meet deadlines. You'll spend some of your time travelling between sites and meeting clients and contractors. You'll work in all weather, and may also work at height. You'll wear protective clothing.
You'll need
This role requires good leadership and communication skills, knowledge of building and construction, and the ability to organise your time and workload.
You'll usually need a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building in a subject like building studies or building engineering, surveying or civil engineering, construction engineering, construction site management or estimating. Courses are likely to include project management, economics, IT and accounts skills.
You may also be able to complete a higher or degree apprenticeship in construction management.
You could move into this job if you're already working as an estimator, building technician, surveyor or site supervisor and have several years' experience in the building industry.
You will need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent to train and work on a construction site.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience, you could progress into contract management or consultancy. With further training, you could also move into support services like health and safety and building inspection. You can improve your career prospects by getting chartered status, through an industry body like The Chartered Institute of Building or the Chartered Association of Building Engineers.