Construction Manager Job Descriptions, Average Salary, Interview Questions

What Does a Construction Manager Do?

Construction managers plan, organize, budget, and supervise construction projects from beginning to end. Responsibilities include managing all tasks, finances, time, contracts, quality, and safety. 

Construction managers work on residential projects, commercial projects, infrastructure projects, and specialty projects, such as oil refineries, nuclear power plants, and steel mills. These individuals will need to have excellent communication skills, attention to detail, enjoy learning new construction concepts, be good at solving problems, and they need to remain calm under pressure.

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National Average Salary

Construction manager salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. To explore salary ranges by local market, please visit our sister site zengig.com.

The average U.S. salary for a Construction Manager is:

$84,370

Construction Manager Job Descriptions

Example 1

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

Example 2

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

Example 3

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

Sample Interview Questions

  • What actions would you take if the project you are supervising was falling behind schedule or exceeding budget? 
  • What are the skills that a construction project manager must possess?
  • How would you handle a situation where some of your workers were not using the necessary safety equipment? 
  • What types of construction projects are you comfortable with?
  • How would you resolve a conflict on your construction site?
  • What would you do if a subcontractor tried to alter the terms of their contract to increase compensation?
  • How would you respond to a worker who disregards your instructions? 
  • What factors would you consider before negotiating contracts or rates?
  • What are the steps that are involved from the beginning of a project to the end?
  • How do you ensure a safe working environment on a construction site?
  • What licenses are needed to begin a construction project? How would you obtain them?
  • Which project management tools do you prefer and why?
  • How do you measure quality control?
  • What is your approach to leadership?
  • How do you negotiate the budget for a construction project? 
  • What is the most successful construction project you have directed? Why was it successful?
  • Tell us about a project that you planned. Include details about budgets, processes, and deadlines. What actions did you take to receive approval? What was the result?
  • What are the biggest obstacles you’ve faced during a project? How did you resolve them?
  • Have you ever managed two or more projects simultaneously? How did you make it work?
  • Have you ever experienced conflict with clients? How did you handle it?

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