Most Common Tasks Involved in a Construction Project Manager Job

A constructor project manager, also referred to as a general contractor or a project manager, is the main point of contact for all aspects of any kind of construction project. This could be anything from commercial and residential buildings to roads and bridges.

Although many of these managers have a formal office setting to work in, construction project managers spend most of their days on the site of their current project(s) in what’s known as a “field office”. This allows them to closely monitor the project in person to make any necessary decisions and changes as it’s being worked on in real-time.

Construction project management is no easy feat. It’s a full-time job, with many working more than 40 hours a week. Construction projects often have deadlines to meet. If the project manager foresees an issue with meeting that deadline under normal work circumstances, additional hours of work may be required to finish the project on time.

The project manager is essentially on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in case of an emergency on the construction site or with any part of the project in general.

The majority of construction project managers are hired as independent contractors by clients. These clients want an educated, experienced manager to be in charge of all of the details regarding the construction project, including managing quality control and costs, ensuring the safety of everyone involved, and fulfilling all contract requirements.

Although having several years of relevant work experience in the construction field may qualify you for the position of a construction project manager, postsecondary education is important too, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

There are various bachelor’s degree programs available that can prepare you for this type of construction work. These include construction science, construction management, architecture, and engineering. You’ll learn to be proficient in topics like project control and management, construction methods and materials, building codes and standards, design, cost estimation, statistics, and mathematics.

Additionally, there are industry certifications that can further increase your qualifications for the job. Examples of where to obtain these certifications include the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) and the American Institute of Constructors (AIC).

To succeed in the role of a construction project manager, you must possess the skills needed to oversee an entire construction project from start to finish. This means handling all of the planning, coordinating, budgeting, and supervising a team of construction workers.

The right candidate for a construction project manager job has a unique balance of analytical, business, and customer service skills, decision-making and leadership abilities, initiative, technical knowledge, writing and speaking expertise, and time management proficiency.

Although every construction project is different, there are specific tasks that remain the same for all construction project managers. There are some aspects of each task that could be delegated to other team members, but ultimately, it’s up to the project manager to ensure that each of these things is properly completed.

Key tasks of a construction project manager job include:

• Estimating the cost of the project and preparing a budget
• Creating a work schedule with guidelines as to how the project will be executed
• Communicating, collaborating, and coordinating with all parties involved in the project, including stakeholders, architects, engineers, construction workers, etc.
• Explaining the details of the contract and any technical information to those working on the project
• Supervising the construction team and reporting back to the client with updates, progress, concerns, etc.
• Assessing any project risks and ensuring you are complying with all legal requirements, building and safety codes, and any other regulations specific to that particular project

Let’s take a closer look at these common tasks.

Before any kind of construction work can begin, the project manager is responsible for putting together the plan of action. The project management process follows a pattern, no matter the construction job. It all starts with the project manager bringing the concept of the project to life by covering all the basics — the overall project idea, the location, design and quality standards that must be met, and the completion time.

Now is the time to estimate costs and determine a project budget. Project managers can use special planning software to ensure the project is done as efficiently and effectively as possible. This software can help construction project managers figure out how to allocate the right amount of time to certain tasks and designate the right amount of money for equipment and materials.

Budgeting doesn’t end here, however. You must stay on top of costs throughout the entirety of the project. Change is inevitable, and you will need to be able to make adjustments to the budget as needed.

The planning phase also includes the hiring of a team, including architects and engineers, making sure everyone on the team knows all of the necessary information about the project and developing a risk management plan that can easily be referred back to should something go wrong. Contracts are written up, and everyone involved is ready to get to work.

As a construction project manager, you are responsible for selecting and collaborating with all project players. Once you have your team in place, it’s time to prepare the project schedule, including assignments and activities for everyone involved.

You will be the point of contact for all team members. This could include stakeholders, architects, engineers, construction workers, foremen, electricians, carpenters, stonemasons, landscapers, lawyers, city inspectors, and other local government officials.

It is also up to the project manager to keep an open line of communication between all members of the project team at all times, including keeping the client well-informed of everything going on with the job.

In some cases, one main construction project manager may hire multiple project managers to oversee specific parts of a particular project. In this situation, the main manager in charge must be able to coordinate with all of the construction managers to ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Throughout the duration of the project, you are the one in charge of every team player. You are the one to delegate tasks and give clear, concise orders and directions. You need to make sure tasks are being completed on schedule and must be ready at a moment’s notice, should there be any kind of delay or emergency to take care of.

You’ll also be responsible for making sure everything has been completed to the proper protocol and standards. This means testing systems and equipment, fixing any errors that come up, and, if applicable, educating both the client and their staff about all maintenance and operational guidelines for the building moving forward. It’s also important to keep a record of this training for yourself and your client.

Once you’ve finally reached the end of the project, all that remains is the tying of loose ends. You’ll complete a post-construction project assessment, archive documents, and prepare reports to review with your team, including lessons learned and things to improve on moving forward.

With each successful construction project completed, your strength as a construction project manager will increase and help you excel in future projects.

If construction project management is a career path that you are interested in pursuing, Joblist can help you find your dream job.

Simply click on the "Building and Construction" category listed under “All Departments” in our job openings list, and you’ll see options for “Construction Project Manager,” “General Contractor,” and many other construction-related careers. You’re just a few clicks away from gaining access to all the construction project manager jobs available for you to apply for.