How to Become a Construction Manager

Want to know How to Become a Construction Manager?

Below you will find out everything you need to know about how to pursue your ideal career as a construction manager. Do you dream of a career where incredible rewards and long-term job security come as standard? Do you have creative vision, total commitment and the strongest leadership qualities? Do you like the idea of contributing to the construction of impressive buildings, both at home and internationally? If so, a career in construction management could be just the ticket.

What Do Construction Managers Do?

The primary role of the construction manager is to bring together the multitude of interconnected services, tasks and responsibilities involved in a construction project. For a construction project to be successful, each and every element and process must work seamlessly and flawlessly with every other, from beginning to end. While construction managers don’t necessarily play a hands-on role in the construction process, it would be impossible for the project to succeed without them.

Construction managers generally work as part of a wider management and supervisory team, which oversees the workforce, administration duties, the physical construction itself, site health and safety standards and so on. Typical duties involved in construction management include:

• Initial planning and organisation of construction projects
• Estimation of construction work costs
• Scheduling, time planning and deadline-setting
• Material management and equipment management
• Workforce management and deployment
• Supervision of health and safety across the site
• Quality control
• Budget management and cost control
• Establishing and maintaining relations with vendors
• Contract management and administration

Am I Right For the Job?

In order to succeed in construction management, you have to be extremely ambitious and be prepared to work as part of a team. It is rare for anyone to simply walk into the industry and immediately attain a high position. As there are so many different yet equally important aspects to construction in general, a successful construction manager must know and understand each of them inside out. A recognised qualification will always prove invaluable, though on-the-job experience is also essential.

Just a few of the most important traits and qualities required to succeed in construction management include:

• Natural leadership qualities
• Flawless attention to detail
• Extreme ambitiousness and drive
• Self-motivation and dependency
• Impeccable communication skills
• A naturally-critical, problem-solving persona
• The ability to work under extreme pressure
• The desire to work hard for a rewarding lifelong career

Ongoing Progression

A recognised qualification in construction management can prove enormously helpful in seeking entry-level positions within the industry. Those starting out for the first time can expect salaries in the region of £20,000, though this can increase beyond £50,000 with sufficient time and experience. For those who own and operate their own construction management companies, there are no limits to how high earnings can reach.

Professional Lifestyle

Working as a construction manager means living under constant and often extreme pressure from all angles. From budgets to deadlines to targets to clients’ expectations and so on, it is the kind of balancing act that should never be underestimated. It is not uncommon for construction workers and construction managers alike to work on a 24/7 basis throughout the year, in accordance with the requirements of the project. Flexibility, tenacity and a hardworking attitude are all fundamental requirements to succeed in this industry.

“The transition from construction worker to site manager was so much bigger than I ever expected, but so much more rewarding and enjoyable too. My job instantly became less physical and more office-based, while giving me the opportunity to take on so much more responsibility than before. There’s really nothing more satisfying than watching a building project reach completion, knowing that you played such an important role getting the job done.” – Andrew Peace, Site Manage

Taking the Next Step

Whether already working in construction or looking to secure your first position within the industry, a recognised qualification could make all the difference. Likewise, if you are considering setting up your own construction company from scratch, it is important that you first arm yourself with the essential theoretical and practical teachings you will need to succeed.

Construction Project Management Courses

Here at Brentwood Open Learning College, we are committed to offering only the market’s most outstanding distance learning opportunities, for anyone interested in a career in construction management. Courses include:

Diploma in Construction Management (level 4)

For the best possible start to your long-term career in construction management, our highest level Diploma is packed with incredible industry insights.

Certificate in Construction Management (Level 3)

Our intermediate Construction Management Certificate is ideally-suited to anyone in pursuit of a rewarding construction management career – including existing workers in pursuit of promotion.

Construction Management Course (Level 1)

Or for an introductory exploration of construction management at a lower level, our foundation Construction Management Course comes highly recommended. 

For more information about our Construction certificate/diploma courses and Free Construction Courses, get in touch with the Brentwood Open Learning College admissions team today.