Construction Manager

A construction manager is essentially a high level manager who focuses on the coordinating the different needs of a project on a large scale. In particular, the construction manager is responsible for maintaining the relationship with all the contractors and subcontractors to ensure the smooth and timely completion of a project.

The most important aspect of the position is that of defining the structure of the project management team and assigning responsibilities to each member. Beyond this, the construction manager arranges and maintains project relationships with the trade contractors and designers associated with particular aspects of the project, including setting timetables for the completion of certain sections and resolving conflicts as they arise.

Beyond coordinating the internal workings of a project, the manager must develop plans to handle external concerns. These include handling equipment and materials suppliers, developing plans with local emergency and fire departments for on-site safety, and risk management.

Coordination is a main focus of a construction manager’s job. In particular, the manager is charged with arranging the timing and working relationships between subcontractors. These responsibilities include organizing bids for specific parts of a project, signing off on subcontractor work, quality control, and monitoring time and costs.

This particular responsibility weighs heavily on the budgeting phase of a project. Construction managers work closely with owners and designers to make sure that a project is not only feasible from a physical standpoint, but also from a budgetary one. Once decisions concerning the direction, processes, and time constraints of project are set, the construction manager implements the plans.