Construction Project Manager Job Description

The construction industry is booming like never before, and anyone who is a part of this industry knows what tremendous satisfaction can be derived, when a structure is complete. To have played a role in creating world-class structures is something any engineer would be proud of. The management of construction projects requires knowledge of modern management as well as an understanding of the design and construction process. Here is an overview of the job description of a project manager, which succinctly lists out his roles and responsibilities.

Construction Project Manager Job Overview

Job Title:

Project Manager - Construction

Helicopter View:

The incumbent is responsible for overall project planning and scheduling, resource allocation, project accounting, and control, while providing technical direction and ensuring compliance with quality standards. The construction project manager responsibilities span a broad spectrum, covering all the areas of project management like - Project Planning, Cost Management, Time Management, Quality Management, Contract Administration, and Safety Management.

Roles:

• Charting out the project objectives and plans, setting performance requirements, and selecting project participants.
• Bringing about optimum utilization of resources- labor, materials and equipment, and ensuring their procurement at most cost-effective terms.
• Implementation of various operations through proper coordination.
• Development of effective communications and mechanisms for resolving conflicts among the various participants.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee the construction project from start to finish.
• Perform a key role in project planning, budgeting, and identification of resources needed.
• Create the teams, develop the objectives/goals of each and assign individual responsibilities.
• Project accounting functions including managing the budget, tracking if team expenses and minimizing exposure and risk in the project
• Ensure that construction activities move according to predetermined schedule.
• Devise the project work plans and make revisions as and when need arises.
• Communicate effectively with the contractors responsible for completing various phases of the project.
• Co-ordinate the efforts of all parties involved in the project, which include the architects, consultants, contractors, sub-contractors and laborers.
• Monitor the progress of the construction activities on a regular basis and hold regular status meetings with all the sub-teams.
• Maintain strict adherence to the budgetary guidelines, quality and safety standards.
• Periodic inspection of construction sites.
• Ensure project documents are complete.
• Identify the elements of project design and construction likely to give rise to disputes and claims.
• Serve as a key link with the clients and review the deliverable prepared by the team before passing onto client.

Knowledge and Skills Required:

• A four-year Bachelor's degree in civil engineering. A postgraduate degree in construction management is an added advantage.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in construction projects.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Good understanding of MEP building systems.
• Thorough knowledge of legal issues and safety standards is essential.

Qualitative and Other Attributes Required:

• Ability to plan and organize a team effort.
• Good client management and goodwill building ability.
• Capacity to motivate, lead and boost morale of the teams.
• Effective time management and logical decision-making ability.
• Capacity to handle pressure.
• Willingness to travel extensively across the construction sites.
• Physical and mental fitness is a given.
• Strong focus on quality.

Compensation:

The annual salary of a construction project manager can be in the range of USD 55,000 - USD 95,000. As per survey reports, a candidate who has 5-9 years of work experience can earn around USD 65,000 annually. Compensation, to a large extent, depends on the personal credentials, competence, relevant work experience and qualifications. Job description may vary and so would be the compensation based on them.

In essence, the project manager acts as the backbone of the entire project. It is a position of great responsibility, requiring complete and thorough technical knowledge of the construction process and also, strongest possible focus on quality. He is the leader who conceptualizes the construction project, and is responsible for its smooth organization, implementation and completion, to the satisfaction of the clients. The construction project manager job description aims to highlight the multi-faceted role of the person managing a construction project.