Construction Manager

Typical Salary

£27,000 To £70,000

Typical Hours

41 to 43 a week

evenings / weekends away from home

How To Become a Construction Manager

You can get into this job through:

a university course
an apprenticeship
working towards this role
applying directly

College / University

You'll usually need a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building in a subject like:

building studies or building engineering
surveying or civil engineering
construction engineering
construction site management
estimating

1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma

2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

Apprenticeship

You may be able to complete a higher or degree apprenticeship in construction site management, or design and construction management.

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

You could move into this job if you're working as an estimator, building technician, surveyor or site supervisor and have several years' experience in the building industry.

You may be able to apply directly if you've got several years' management experience in a related industry like civil engineering.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

knowledge of building and construction
maths knowledge
the ability to organise your time and workload
leadership skills
knowledge of engineering science and technology
business management skills
the ability to use your initiative
excellent verbal communication skills
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day activities may include:

checking plans with architects, surveyors and engineers
hiring staff and buying materials
planning work schedules
monitoring building progress and costs
checking quality
reporting to clients
maintaining and promoting health and safety

Working Environment

You could work on a construction site or at a client's business.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers, at height and you may spend nights away from home.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career Path & Progression

With experience, you could progress into contract management or consultancy. With further training, you could move into support services like health and safety and building inspection.

You can improve your career prospects by getting chartered status, through an industry body like the The Chartered Institute of Building.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Registration

you'll need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent to train and work on a construction site

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a construction manager from Go Construct and The Chartered Institute of Building.

Restrictions & Requirements

You'll usually need a driving licence to travel to different sites.