Career Path: How to become a Construction Manager

Although industries and economies can slow, one thing is for sure: everyone and every business needs a space to operate from. Construction managers make these spaces happen.

A construction manager is a specialization that is similar to, but not the same as, the more general project manager role. They’re responsible for the control, execution, and planning of a construction project or civil engineering project, from inception to completion.

A construction manager’s skills are defined by an ability to work with a variety of people, an aptitude for organization, and knowledge in property and construction principles. Whether it’s a large- or small-scale construction project, you’ll be required to navigate clients, risks, and challenges. It’s essential you gain the right skills to ensure a successful and safe project.

With the estimated growth for South Africa’s construction industry dropping from 6.2% to 4.6% due to the effects of the global pandemic, more than ever before, professionals will need the skills to navigate industry complexities and fierce competition. ¹

What are the requirements for a construction manager?

Successful construction managers need to be able to:²

• Manage work sites for both new construction and existing projects, coordinating the various site activities
• Oversee and provide direction to general contractors, subcontractors, and vendors, ensuring quality standards are met
• Liaise between engineers, architects, and others working on the project
• Prepare and manage estimates, budgets, timetables, and resources
• Proactively identify, mitigate, and track recurring construction issues
• Adhere to legal regulations, building and safety codes, and other requirements

What are the key responsibilities of a construction manager?

They don’t differ widely from a project manager’s, but they do have a more specific focus on the following tasks:³

Project management

A construction manager oversees the planning and delivery of construction projects to ensure the work is completed to specification, on time, and within budget. By enlisting a project manager, risk is managed more effectively. With so many facets to consider in both pre- and post-construction, the PM works closely with engineers, architects, and others to drive the best outcome.

Leadership and team management

• Manage detailed daily communication with internal and external project stakeholders
• Be comfortable dealing with both senior executives and a range of personalities
• Strategic planning and delegation of tasks across teams of sub-contractors

Budgeting and cost management

• Deliver consistent, high-quality work within budget and time constraints, with the skills to calculate costs
• Allocate resources efficiently; this refers to both manpower, building materials, and machinery

What is the career path for a construction project manager?

With more than 120 expanding cities and a population exceeding 1.3 billion, Africa is a continent that consistently needs more housing and stronger infrastructure.⁴ For developing economies like this, the construction of roads and the installation of reliable electricity transform citizens’ lives and their business prospects.⁵

As a construction manager, your job is not limited to a single location. You possess the types of skills that’ll allow you to collaborate with many industries, around the world. Knowledge and experience within this industry will expose you to other careers too, such as an architect, engineering manager, civil engineer, property developer or investor, or a health and safety officer.

The green property movement

In more developed economies, keeping up with demand and building new and sustainable infrastructure is key to increasing economic growth.⁶ This is a demand construction managers need to manage in many countries – one which offers great career growth.

The green movement continues to gain traction in both the residential and commercial property sectors, mirroring consumers’ growing tendencies to consider how they can cut costs through more energy-efficient approaches and lifestyles. Expertise in the field of green construction and property development is one way to safeguard your position in the construction industry of the future.

What is the potential salary for a construction manager?

Salaries for construction managers vary extensively, depending on their level of experience and the country that they work in.

You can assess your worth through the GetSmarter Salary Navigator, which gives you your earning potential as a construction manager in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore.

What are the education and qualification requirements for a construction manager?

To enter the construction management industry, you can follow two general routes:

1. A degree or short course

Some individuals will start their path by acquiring a degree that enables them to enter the construction field. Education in civil engineering, construction science, architecture, and property are options for those with the right resources and time. Short courses are another route – and offer on-the-job skills, gained in a short amount of time. Construction is a job and industry that places practical capabilities way over tertiary qualification.

The UCT Construction Management online short course will also allow you to upskill while you are employed full-time.

2. Work experience

In an industry like construction, experience plays a decisive role in securing you a job and determining both the seniority of your role and salary. If you’re new to the industry, you’ll start as an assistant and work your way up to managing your own projects. If you’ve finished high school but already have experience, you can still be successful in the industry, but you’ll likely perform better as a self-employed construction manager.

If you’re looking for a precise and practical insight into the South African construction industry, the UCT Construction Management online short course provides both entry-level individuals and experienced professionals with the essential tools to become an impactful construction manager.