Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 1323
Construction manager
A construction manager is a person who plans and coordinates construction projects, and who answers for the way a build is organised from start to finish.
Check yourself in a minute: construction manager
Rate 5 of the 26 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
advise on construction materials
ensure compliance with legal requirements
oversee construction project
liaise with architects
calculate needs for construction supplies
About construction manager
The manager brings technical expertise into the design phase, where it improves cost estimates and the assessment of functional impacts. They take part in the bidding process for construction projects and then supervise subcontractors through each stage of the work. Every day they interpret technical requirements, turning drawings, specifications and standards into instructions that trades can follow. They plan the building of houses and other structures, communicate with construction crews on site, and liaise with architects.
The manager also handles cost management: they apply budgetary principles, track spending against the estimate and look for value in the project, both by improving efficiency and by creating value for the client. Energy conservation and environmentally friendly construction practices are part of that work.
Formal requirements for managing a construction site, including any professional licence or registration, are set by national building law.
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (26)
construction product regulationconstruction product regulationRegulations on construction products quality standards applied throughout the European Union.project managementproject managementThe discipline of project management, the activities which comprise this area and the variables implied in it, such as time, resources, requirements, deadlines, and responding to unexpected events.budgetary principlesbudgetary principlesPrinciples of estimating and planning of forecasts for business activity, compile regular budget and reports.cost managementcost managementThe process of planning, monitoring and adjusting the expenses and revenues of a business in order to achieve cost efficiency and capability.civil engineeringcivil engineeringThe engineering discipline that studies the design, construction and maintenance of naturally built works such as roads, buildings, and canals.quality standardsquality standardsThe 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 materialsconstruction equipment related to building materialsEquipment required for handling building materials in all stages of construction, from foundation work to external and internal finish.green building practicesgreen building practicesThe practices involved in the design and creation of building structures in an environmentally responsible, cost effective and resource-effective way. Green building practices such as using eco-friend...energy conservationenergy conservationThe practice of reducing energy consumption and using fewer energy services. As a sustainable process, energy conservation is done by replacing used energy with alternative sources, using more efficie...building materials industrybuilding materials industrySupplier, brands and types of products and goods available on the market of building materials.construction industryconstruction industryThe products, brands and suppliers active in the construction field.advise on construction materialsadvise on construction materialsProvide advice on and test a wide range of construction materials.ensure compliance with legal requirementsensure compliance with legal requirementsGuarantee 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 effo...oversee construction projectoversee construction projectMake 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 crewscommunicate with construction crewsExchange 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 cha...work in a construction teamwork in a construction teamWork 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 ma...liaise with architectsliaise with architectsFacilitate communication and understanding between architects and other parties such as constructors, clients, and contractors with respect to the design of construction projects.calculate needs for construction suppliescalculate needs for construction suppliesTake measurements on site and estimate the amount of materials required for the construction or restoration project.identify customer's needsidentify customer's needsUse appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.prepare construction documentsprepare construction documentsDraft, 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 blueprintsidentify construction materials from blueprintsIdentify materials defined by the sketches and blueprints of the building to be constructed.manage contractsmanage contractsNegotiate 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, ...apply safety managementapply safety managementApply and supervise measures and regulations concerning security and safety in order to maintain a safe environment in the workplace.interpret technical requirementsinterpret technical requirementsAnalyse, understand and apply the information provided regarding technical conditions.plan construction of housesplan construction of housesDraw 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 c...review construction projectsreview construction projectsReview 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 fro...
Optional (28) — show
project commissioningproject commissioningProcess of supervising the correct functioning of systems, buildings or plants during the final stages before deployment.contract lawcontract lawThe field of legal principles that govern written agreements between parties concerning the exchange of goods or services, including contractual obligations and termination.corporate social responsibilitycorporate social responsibilityThe 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 envir...building construction principlesbuilding construction principlesThe 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 legislationenvironmental legislationThe environmental policies and legislation applicable in a certain domain.nuclear energynuclear energyThe 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 ...energy efficiencyenergy efficiencyField 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 dem...total quality controltotal quality controlThe 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 compromis...quantity surveyingquantity surveyingThe process of estimating, planning and monitoring the costs of construction for buildings within large construction projects. It means the efficient and effective utilisation of resources and include...construction methodsconstruction methodsThe various techniques and methods for erecting buildings and other constructions.radiation protectionradiation protectionThe measures and procedures used to protect people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation.audit contractorsaudit contractorsExamine 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...ensure compliance with environmental legislationensure compliance with environmental legislationMonitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation....participate in governmental tendersparticipate in governmental tendersFilling out documentation, guarantees for participation in govenmental tenders.communicate with customerscommunicate with customersRespond 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.manage budgetsmanage budgetsPlan, monitor, report on the budget and prepare set production budgets.carry out tenderingcarry out tenderingPlace 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 projectsmonitor parameters' compliance in construction projectsMonitors progress in construction sites and the compliance of various parameters outlined in the design phase such as quality, costs, timeline, and contractors' responsibilities.follow nuclear plant safety precautionsfollow nuclear plant safety precautionsComply 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 systemsdesign power plant systemsModel 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 i...order construction suppliesorder construction suppliesOrder required materials for the construction project, taking care to purchase the most suitable material for a good price.consider building constraints in architectural designsconsider building constraints in architectural designsConceive the different types of constraints faced in architecture and building projects, including budgetary, time, labour, material, and natural constraints.integrate building requirements in the architectural designintegrate building requirements in the architectural designInterpret clients’ requirements for building projects and integrate them into the design of the construction while considering feasibility and budget constraints.manage construction archivemanage construction archiveMaintain and update the archive containing the construction documents of all the buildings that were approved by the building supervision.manage environmental impactmanage environmental impactImplement measures to minimise the biological, chemical and physical impacts of mining activity on the environment.monitor contractor performancemonitor contractor performanceManage contractor performance and assess whether they are meeting the agreed standard and correct underperformance if needed.review construction plans authorisationsreview construction plans authorisationsReview plans for conformance to codes and authorised approval for construction.integrate engineering principles in architectural designintegrate engineering principles in architectural designIntegrate engineering principles in architectural design under the guidance of engineers from different fields. Integrate electrical, civil, etc. engineering in architectural drafting.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a construction manager do?
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.
What skills does a construction manager need?
A construction manager needs 26 essential skills, including construction product regulation, project management, budgetary principles, cost management, civil engineering.
Will AI replace construction manager jobs?
The AI disruption score for construction manager is 60/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: quality standards, manage construction archive, identify construction materials from blueprints. Most resilient: construction equipment related to building materials, liaise with architects, work in a construction team.
AI Replacement Risk
60/ 100
High Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Skills most at risk from AI
Skills resilient to automation
This is the average for the whole occupation. The AI Career Shield test (about 10 minutes) shows the risk in your own work and what you can do about it.
Check your own AI riskQuick Facts
ISCO GroupProduction and specialised services managers
Essential Skills26
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