Director Of Project Management

Job Description

• Construction managers have a responsible role, ensuring safety standards and procedures are met and that build projects are delivered on time and to budgetAs a construction manager or site manager, youll be responsible for ensuring that a building project is completed safely, within an agreed timeframe and budget. Managing the practical side of every stage of the build, youll work closely with architects, surveyors and other building professionals in planning and delivery.Youll also supervise and direct a range of operations on a construction site and ensure that all tradespeople and contractors are working together to an agreed plan and that progress is being made. You may oversee a whole site, or a big part of a large-scale complex project.Types of construction managementYoull typically work in one of the following five project groups:
  • residential
  • commercial
  • industrial
  • infrastructure
  • environmental.
  ResponsibilitiesAs a construction manager, youll need to:
  • plan and coordinate a project from start to finish, including organising the schedule of work, costings and budget
  • plan the work and oversee the buying of necessary materials and equipment
  • hire and manage staff for the project
  • manage the construction site on a day-to-day basis, including supervising the labour force, monitoring subcontractors, checking materials, inspecting work and overseeing quality control
  • ensure the project is delivered on time and on budget by setting benchmarks, agreeing budgets and monitoring progress
  • check design documents with architects, surveyors and engineers
  • promote and maintain health and safety, including site inspections to ensure safety rules are being followed
  • write reports
  • maintain regular communication and attend meetings with clients and their representatives to inform them of progress on the project, i.e. stakeholder management
  • communicate with any consultants, subcontractors, supervisors, planners, quantity surveyors and others involved in the project
  • deal with any unexpected problems that may occur during the project.
  QualificationsMost new entrants to construction management will hold an HNC or degree in a relevant subject, such as:
  • construction management
  • building management
  • building studies
  • project management
  • engineering - including civil engineering
  • surveying.
  Entry with an HND, foundation degree or BTEC is also possible.Courses accredited by the CIOB are preferred. A postgraduate or professional qualification isnt usually necessary at entry level, though as a graduate or trainee construction manager its likely that youll work towards gaining chartership with the CIOB (or another professional institution) during your first few years on the job.It can still be possible to become a construction manager if youve studied an unrelated degree, either by studying a postgraduate qualification or professional diploma such as the CIOB Graduate Diploma Programmed (which your employer may sponsor). In this case, having relevant work experience will help to show employers your genuine interest in and suitability for the field.Alternatively, its possible to work your way up to this position by gaining experience in other roles in the industry, such as site supervisor, surveyor or building technician, or by completing atraineeshiporapprenticeship.CITBis the industrial training board for the construction industry. You can find more information about standards, courses and qualifications on its website.According to recent research from the Construction Skills Network, the UK construction industry will need an additional 4,310 construction project managers to meet demand every year from 2017 until 2021 (Go Construct, 2017). However, you should still expect to complete targeted job applications to a high standard, and be prepared for a rigorous recruitment process.Skills
  • strong communication skills - for liaising with a wide range of clients, professionals and workers on site
  • leadership skills and an ability to motivate your team to ensure a high standard of work
  • excellent planning and organizational skills - for writing and monitoring project plans and schedules and utilising time and resources effectively
  • resilience and problem-solving skills - in order to overcome unexpected challenges during the construction process
  • an ability to make decisions under pressure, so that the project can progress
  • strong attention to detail for conducting site inspections and managing complex contracts
  • an awareness of health and safety procedures and legislation - for running a safe construction site
  • sound commercial awareness - to allocate and manage your budget effectively and to understand client concerns
  • numerical and IT skills, including knowledge of relevant building methods and project management software to manage information and finances during the project.