Within the project manager job description lie roles of overseer, liaison, contract administrator and construction professional. Project managers, considered by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to be construction managers, fulfill these functions to ensure the safe, efficient and quality construction of homes, buildings, roads and utility systems. Education and experience help prepare project managers for employment or, when required, licenses.
Job Overview: What Does a Project Manager Professional Do?
The project manager job description entails duties and the ability to anticipate, lead and respond during construction projects. In the course of the project, the manager will deal constantly with a broad array of people interested in the project. These include clients, upper-level supervisors, regulators, inspectors and also employees. The project manager ultimately ensures the project is completed according to parameters set by finances, time considerations, permits and needs of the end-user of the project.
Project Manager Job Duties
- Estimate the costs, budgets and time for completion of a project or phases.
- Present estimates and interpretations of contract and technical specifications to clients and professionals.
- Participate with other professionals, managers and end-users in forming and finalizing contracts and job specifications.
- Schedule delivery of supplies and performance of particular phases of the project.
- Assign workers and other personnel to tasks.
- Allocate supplies and equipment for various tasks.
- Insure that project proceeds according to budget and timetable.
- Respond to work delays, accidents, emergencies and other challenges.
- Report the status of work, incidents and changes to estimates or schedules to clients.
The project manager job description may also include monitoring compliance with safety, security and other laws and regulations.
Project Manager Job Essential Skills
Communication. Team members need clear instructions of their job duties, while vendors, suppliers and subcontractors need to know when to report to the site. Communication also involves preventing misunderstandings by clients and upper-level managers as to challenge a and expectations. Project managers must explain technical concepts in understandable terms.
Analytical. Project managers need to analyze facts, conditions and needs in planning execution of the project and responding to problems. Software helps project managers analyze various facets of the project o next strategy and performance.
Interpersonal. The project manager job description involves interacting with clients, inspectors, engineers or other professionals and managers. With interpersonal skills, project managers can effectively respond to orders to stop or correct construction, receive requests from clients and handle subcontractors and workers.
Leadership. As head of a team, the project manager must be able to instruct, delegate and monitor the work of personnel. The ability to guide team members, convey goals of the project and phases, and resolve conflicts also constitute essential leadership skills
Becoming a Project Manager
In the project manager job description, education in construction-related fields plays a valuable role. Project managers can become qualified through experience as well as education, depending on the needs of the particular program. In many jurisdictions, those who go the self-employed route will need to meet standards to become licensed.
Qualifications and Training
Normally, project managers need at least a bachelor’s degree. The type depends on the particular field. In construction, project managers enter construction science, building science or construction engineering programs. Coursework may include project management, design, math, some business classes such as management accounting and contract management. Depending on the employer, project managers may qualify with an associate’s degree and work experience to handle smaller projects. On the other hand, some project managers may hold master’s degrees. However, as a new hire, a project manager will likely work under the supervision of a more experienced project manager.
Self-employed project managers may be considered by their states to be general contractors and, therefore, must hold a general contractor’s license to practice.
Experience
Project managers generally obtain experience through training and supervised work. Especially where a project manager does not have a college degree, employers prefer the applicants to have prior construction experience. In these cases, the project manager likely has worked in construction. Prior jobs may include masonry, plumbing, carpentry, electrician or other construction specialties. Depending on the state, prospective contractors licensees must log experience in construction or a certain specialty thereof.
Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, hiring of project managers should increase by six percent through 2024. This translates to 17,800 new positions. The BLS also reports nonresidential construction ranks first among industries in employment levels, at 57,930. For the residential construction sector, employment of construction managers stood at 37,400, while the building equipment industry was responsible for 32,100.
Job prospects for project managers will depend on the demand for construction. In areas that experience population increases, project managers will be needed to oversee construction of homes, apartments, stores, other retail space and schools. Also, needs for new and upgraded roads, bridges, utilities and other infrastructure will spur new projects that need management. With increased emphasis on energy efficiency and environmental protection, project managers can enhance their opportunities with skills and experience in renovation projects.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction managers earned on average $97,510 per year as of May 2015. Moreover, the top ten percent of earners made over $155,200.
Conclusion
To conclude, project managers will find job opportunities as businesses and public agencies fill needs for new or improved buildings and infrastructure. However, to occupy these positions, project managers will need education and experience in construction or related fields. Skills in leadership, communication and also analysis will aid project managers in forming and executing construction plans, solving problems and keeping clients informed on the status of projects. You can also read about the job description for general managers if you want to know more about managing positions.
