Construction manager

Construction managers are responsible for the planning and coordination of the construction projects. They provide expertise in the design phase of construction projects by facilitating a better estimate of the costs and the functional implications. They participate on bid processes for construction projects and handle subcontractors to deliver the different stages of the construction process from beginning to completion. They strive to enhance the value of the projects both improving efficiency and creating value for customers.

The following job titles also refer to construction manager:

construction cost consultant
quantity surveying consultant
construction project manager
quantity surveyor
development project cost consultant
construction project cost consultant
development project cost manager

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as construction manager. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Construction manager is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to construction manager.

quantity surveyor
construction general contractor
construction engineer
dismantling engineer
installation engineer

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of construction manager. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of construction manager with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of construction manager.

Construction product regulation: Regulations on construction products quality standards applied throughout the European Union.
Project management: Understand project management and the activities which comprise this area. Know the variables implied in project management such as time, resources, requirements, deadlines, and responding to unexpected events.
Budgetary principles: Principles of estimating and planning of forecasts for business activity, compile regular budget and reports.
Cost management: The process of planning, monitoring and adjusting the expenses and revenues of a business in order to achieve cost efficiency and capability.
Civil engineering: The engineering discipline that studies the design, construction and maintenance of naturally built works such as roads, buildings, and canals.
Quality standards: The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.
Construction equipment related to building materials: Equipment required for handling building materials in all stages of construction, from foundation work to external and internal finish.
Building materials industry: Supplier, brands and types of products and goods available on the market of building materials.
Construction industry: The products, brands and suppliers active in the construction field.

These skills are necessary for the role of construction manager.

Advise on construction materials: Provide advice on and test a wide range of construction materials.
Assess construction compliance: Determine whether a construction complies with laws and regulations.
Ensure compliance with legal requirements: Guarantee compliance with established and applicable standards and legal requirements such as specifications, policies, standards or law for the goal that organisations aspire to achieve in their efforts.
Oversee construction project: Make sure that the construction project is carried out in compliance with the building permit, the execution plans, the performance and design specifications, and the relevant regulations.
Communicate with construction crews: Exchange information with the construction crews or supervisors to ensure smooth progress of the construction project. Obtain updates on the progress and any obstacles, and inform the crews of any changes in the schedule or procedures.
Work in a construction team: Work as part of a team in a construction project. Communicate efficiently, sharing information with team members and reporting to supervisors. Follow instructions and adapt to changes in a flexible manner.
Calculate needs for construction supplies: Take measurements on site and estimate the amount of materials required for the construction or restoration project.
Identify customer’s needs: Use appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.
Prepare construction documents: Draft, update and archive documents concerning the planning and implementation of construction or renovation projects including information about security systems and accounting documentation.
Identify construction materials from blueprints: Identify materials defined by the sketches and blueprints of the building to be constructed.
Manage contracts: Negotiate the terms, conditions, costs and other specifications of a contract while making sure they comply with legal requirements and are legally enforceable. Oversee the execution of the contract, agree on and document any changes.
Apply safety management: Apply and supervise measures and regulations concerning security and safety in order to maintain a safe environment in the workplace.
Interpret technical requirements: Analyse, understand and apply the information provided regarding technical conditions.
Plan construction of houses: Draw up blueprints for the construction of houses and other types of buildings. Calculate and estimate the required materials and coordinate and supervise activities of workers executing the several construction techniques needed for the building process.
Review construction projects: Review the documents and applications for building projects, discuss necessary changes with the contractors, and forward the documents to the building authorities if needed. Document any deviation from the original plans and inform the authorities.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of construction manager. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Project commissioning: Process of supervising the correct functioning of systems, buildings or plants during the final stages before deployment.
Contract law: The field of legal principles that govern written agreements between parties concerning the exchange of goods or services, including contractual obligations and termination.
Corporate social responsibility: The handling or managing of business processes in a responsible and ethical manner considering the economic responsibility towards shareholders as equally important as the responsibility towards environmental and social stakeholders.
Building construction principles: The component elements and principles of building construction such as types of wall construction and foundations, defects in walls and roofs and ways to address such defects.
Environmental legislation: The environmental policies and legislation applicable in a certain domain.
Nuclear energy: The generation of electrical energy through the use of nuclear reactors, by converting the energy released from nuclei of atoms in reactors which generate heat. This heat subsequently generates steam which can power a steam turbine to generate electricity.
Energy efficiency: Field of information concerning the reduction of the use of energy. It encompasses calculating the consumption of energy, providing certificates and support measures, saving energy by reducing the demand, encouraging efficient use of fossil fuels, and promoting the use of renewable energy.
Total quality control: The quality control philosophy that expects each part to be of top quality, without any tolerance for subpar materials or methods. The mindset of striving to deliver top quality work without compromises.
Construction methods: The various techniques and methods for erecting buildings and other constructions.
Radiation protection: The measures and procedures used to protect people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of construction manager. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Audit contractors: Examine and document different industry contractors, in order to determine whether they comply with regulations and standards in relation to safety, environment and quality of design, construction and testing, etc.
Ensure compliance with environmental legislation: Monitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation. Ensure that the processes are compliant with environment regulations and best practices.
Participate in governmental tenders: Filling out documentation, guarantees for participation in govenmental tenders.
Communicate with customers: Respond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.
Carry out tendering: Place the request for a quotation to the organisation requesting a tender, then perform the work or supply the goods agreed with them during the tendering process.
Monitor parameters’ compliance in construction projects: Monitors progress in construction sites and the compliance of various parameters outlined in the design phase such as quality, costs, timeline, and contractors’ responsibilities.
Ensure compliance with construction project deadline: Plan, schedule and monitor the building processes in order to ensure completion of the project by the set deadline.
Follow nuclear plant safety precautions: Comply with nuclear power plant safety procedures, policies and legislation to ensure a safe working environment for all employees, and to ensure the safety of the public.
Design power plant systems: Model and plan the conceptual design of the specific systems in a power plant and their main components. The various operation modes of the plant, such as normal, failure, and emergency are included in the design.
Order construction supplies: Order required materials for the construction project, taking care to purchase the most suitable material for a good price.
Consider building constraints in architectural designs: Conceive the different types of constraints faced in architecture and building projects, including budgetary, time, labour, material, and natural constraints.
Integrate building requirements of clients in the architectural design: Interpret clients’ requirements for building projects and integrate them into the design of the construction while considering feasibility and budget constraints.
Manage construction archive: Maintain and update the archive containing the construction documents of all the buildings that were approved by the building supervision.
Manage environmental impact: Implement measures to minimise the biological, chemical and physical impacts of mining activity on the environment.
Monitor contractor performance: Manage the performance of the contractor, assess whether they are meeting the agreed standard and correct underperformance if needed.

Review construction plans authorisations: Review plans for conformance to codes and authorised approval for construction.
Integrate engineering principles in architectural design: Integrate engineering principles in architectural design under the guidance of engineers from different fields. Integrate electrical, civil, etc. engineering in architectural drafting.

1323 – Construction managers

 

 

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References

1. Construction manager – ESCO