Construction Manager Job Descriptions, Average Salary, Interview Questions

The construction manager’s primary role is to oversee the progress of their community by managing trade partners, vendors, and consultants in a professional manner with the expectation of high-quality standards and customer satisfaction. The ideal candidates are extremely organized and detail-oriented team players with excellent customer service skills and a can-do attitude!

Typical duties and responsibilities

• Meeting regularly with engineers, architects, and contractors regarding project objectives and progress
• Dispatching workers to construction sites and supervising site foremen and workers
• Requisitioning equipment, supplies, and materials needed to complete construction projects
• Managing budget costs for wages, contractors, materials, and equipment
• Ensuring the construction process is on schedule on a daily and weekly basis
• Conducting ongoing health, safety, and quality inspections
• Clearly explaining plans and contract terms to staff, workers, and clients
• Negotiating revisions, changes, and additions to contracts
• Securing all necessary permits and licenses 
• Determining appropriate construction methods based on site plans
• Preparing budget estimates and tracking costs
• Dealing with delays, bad weather, or emergencies at the construction site
• Investigating damage and accidents on the construction site

Education and experience

• A bachelor’s degree in a construction-related field 
• Three years related experience

Required skills and qualifications

• Proficient in MS Office Word, Excel, and Projects
• An effective communicator, motivator, and team builder
• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities
• Risk management
• Complex problem solving
• Excellent at managing financial and material resources 
• Outstanding negotiation, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Strong leadership skills

Preferred qualifications

• 5+ years of construction experience 
• Proven management experience
• Working knowledge of construction management processes
• Experience with construction management software packages
• Skilled in conflict and crisis management
• Good time-management skills
• Ability to multitask
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Duties and responsibilities

• Manage Electrician, Service Crew, Service Crew Leads, and Construction Administrative Assistant directly
• Work with crews on job sites as needed
• Work on job sites as needed
• Substitutes as Crew Lead as needed
• Assure all apprentices and journeyman are properly licensed and up to date with their CEUs
• Maintain a 4.8-star customer rating
• Assure all crews are able to meet capacity requirements
• Hold an active 01 or 02 journeyman card
• Assure all safety measures are followed
• Hire and train new crews based off of need. Communicate hiring and recruiting needs with the Human Resources Director.
• Hold weekly meetings with direct reports
• Responsible for supervising and developing direct reports
• Manage budgets through Divvy
• Approve direct report timecards and assume responsibility for the accuracy
• Other duties as assigned

Required skills and abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Supervisory and leadership skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software

Education and experience

• Highschool Diploma or GED
• College degree preferred; experience accepted in lieu of degree
• Industry experience is required
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable motor vehicle record required

Responsibilities

• Manage homebuilding construction through all phases to ensure the delivery of a quality home
• Schedule subcontractors and delivery dates for materials
• Ensure all building codes and standards of quality are met
• Conduct walk-through inspections and other scheduled inspections with the homeowner
• Communicate safety standards to laborers and sub-contractors; enforces safety regulations on all job sites
• Maintain a clean and organized jobsite and subdivision
• Interact daily with various departments of company, subcontractors, customers, and city inspectors
• Attend Construction, monthly and quarterly meetings

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required. College degree in Construction Management preferred
• 4-10 years construction experience with supervisory or project oversight experience
• Advanced training in one or more trades within the residential building industry strongly preferred
• Knowledge of homebuilding and construction systems/processes, building codes and Register of Contractor Standards (ROC)
• Must be able to read blueprints to maintain quality control and inspect all aspects of construction including framing, stucco installations, electrical, plumbing, etc.
• Excellent customer service skills
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel. Knowledge of Hyphen a plus
• Knowledge and use of a wide range of hand and power tools
• Ability to explain complex issues to others in a manner easily understood by both associates in the industry and customers with limited knowledge of construction processes or terminology
• Excellent problem/conflict resolution skills, ability to handle and diffuse difficult situations and customer concerns in a positive manner

Job responsibilities

• Oversees the hiring, management, and development of Construction team members within their communities
• Assures the Builder/Construction Superintendent team delivers a quality product built to company standards on budget and on time
• Walks product to ensure quality standards are being met at various stages of progress
• Accountable for Homeowner customer delight results of the construction team
• Assists Builder and Warranty team with problem solving
• Coordinates Builder loading and start timing
• Assures compliance with safety standards, governmental requirements, and company policies and procedures
• Consistently conducts team and individual meetings with team members
• Work effectively with developers, government agencies, and Architectural Review Boards along with internal Division and Support teams
• Maintain visibility in the home building business, actively participating in promoting our communities
• Approves weekly payroll

Requirements

We’re looking for a servant leader who works well with others, is enthusiastic, motivated, has a high level of integrity, and professionalism

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree is strongly preferred
• A minimum of 2 years previous people-management experience, preferably within the home building industry

The ideal candidate

• Considerable initiative and drive. Self-starter/motivated
• Able to balance multiple and competing priorities simultaneously
• Possesses an unwavering commitment to Customer Delight
• Previous experience with budgeting, general operations and legal documents
• Driven to push for results
• Able to see the Big Picture while maintaining focus on the day-to-day details that result in a successfully developed community
• Problem-solving skills are a must
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as the ability to listen
• Positive attitude
• Team player and team builder
• Detail-oriented
• Strong organizational skills
• Resourceful and innovative