Project Manager

Project Managers work with general contractors to understand the goals, needs and project schedules. Project Managers oversee the entire construction process to ensure successful completion of the projects. To support this, some responsibilities include, updating job reports, weekly job costs, conducting regular site checks to review project progress and proper safety procedures.

Who reports to a Project Manager? 

The crew typically report to the Foreman’s and Superintendents for tasks. The Foreman’s and Superintendents report to the Project Manager to provide updates on the project to communicate any needs or obstacles the team is facing. The Project Manager then works to resolve the issues. 

Project Manager skills and qualifications 

The following are important skills that the Project Manager should have, to be considered for this position: 

• Communication with Superintendents/Foreman and General Contractors. 
• In depth coordination with jobsite team to properly build and update project schedules
• Leadership in coordinating projects with Superintendents, Foreman and subcontractors  
• Communication skills are important to give clear orders and process complex information 
• Time management skills are needed in construction, deadlines have to be met. Each part of the construction process has to be completed on time and within budget. 
• Technical skills to interpret construction methods, contracts and project documents. 
• Dedication and commitment.  “Riding for the brand”

Project Manager daily duties and responsibilities 

Project Managers are responsible for the following: 

• Actively communicating with Managers
• Preconstruction meetings 
• Weekly coordination meetings with general contractors
• Collaborate with General Contractors, engineers, architects and sub-contractors 
• Support personnel with training 
• Submittal coordination 
• Responsible to manage schedule, delays, emergencies and challenges the project may be facing  
• Comply with OSHA and Contractor safety standards 
• Understand and comply with building codes  
• Write, review and uphold contracts  
• Input weekly job costing
• Monthly billing reports
• Updating job cost projections weekly
• Coordinate and review CAD files  
• Collaborate with Project Superintendent for material management 
• Job site logistics
• Manage finances and budgets 
• Manage warranty work and punch list items on projects  
• Build and update accurate project schedules 
• Able to communicate in a professional manner
• Generate and distribute quarterly reports 
• Leading by example 

The Project Manager is responsible for the financial aspects of the project. Superintendents are responsible for the building aspect. Project efficiency and production comes from a collaboration between the Project Manager and Project Superintendent. 

Project Manager experience requirements 

Project Management experience is required from potential candidates especially since this is an upper management position. Opportunities such as internships, hands-on education and/or previous construction work are keys for this position. Candidates have years of experience in the construction specialties such as carpentry, formwork and Superintendent roles before applying for Project Management positions. 

What makes a good Construction Project Manager? 

A great Project Manager is a natural leader and effective at task delegation, regularly motivating the team to stay on schedule. Strong Project Manager candidates often have experience working on construction sites to more accurately project how long certain projects may take and to understand which tools and equipment crews will need for different projects. Project Managers need great organizational and time management abilities as they are building schedules and reports for different projects on a daily basis and must hold themselves and the project team accountable for staying on task.  

Project in crisis  

Improperly managed, difficulty in constructability, over budget, behind schedule, lack of coordination, lack of onsite involvement, poor quality, poor daily job duty performance, lack of personnel accountability, poor leadership and lack of communication can all lead to a project in crisis.

Steps to recover a project in crisis. 

• Identify the problem 
• Coordinating with other managers to develop a plan 
• Allocating resources 
• Hold onsite accountability 
• Pull out all the stops to minimize damages 

Full time onsite involvement, hands on leadership, setting and accomplishing aggressive goals, until the project is out of crisis or finished.  

Preventing future crisis. 

• Postmortem meeting discussing highlights and pitfalls of each project
• Recognizing potential problem and taking preventative measures 
• Constructive criticism 
• Self-reflection and accountability 

What's the difference between a Project Manager and a Project Superintendent? 

Though both the Project Manager and Project Superintendents responsibilities involve managing construction projects, there are some key differences. A Project Manager handles the financial aspects of the project. A Project Superintendent manages onsite day to day operations. The project schedule is built with a collaboration between the Project Manager and the Project Superintendent. The Project Superintendent provides time frames in which they foresee the on-site crews accomplishing tasks taking into account weather, location, and other difficulties the project may face. The Project Manager provides bid time frames for each task. By cross referencing the two, Project Managers and Project Superintendents adjust and build a schedule that is aggressive yet realistic to maximize efficiency and company revenue. 

Who does a Project Manager report to? 

Project Managers primarily report to the Chief Operations Officer 

Project Manager Reviews and Incentives  

Reviews typically will be held every 12 months, this will give the Project Manager a chance to communicate concerns, or growth goals they may have and want to achieve. It also is a chance to view the growth in this position for raises or to discuss potential problems and consequences. Reviews also help us as a company to get insight, ideas and potential growth ideas from the Project Manager's standpoint. Raises and promotions typically are based on the growth of this position, consistency in doing your duties and what skills are obtained. 

Consequences if Project Manager position is not upheld 

For any position there must be expectations in order to progress, and consequences if expectations are not met. 

Offenses would include; 

• Being late to work 
• No call, no show 
• Frequently leaving early 
• Failure to perform daily outlined job duties 
• Failure to motivate the team 
• Showing up intoxicated 
• Use of illegal drugs 
• Safety violations
• Poor quality in work 
• Project in crisis through negligence 

Consequences; 

• First offense written warning and acknowledgement. 
• Second offense written violation and acknowledgment.  
• Third offense written violation and position demotion and or pay decrease.  
• Fourth offense: another demotion and or pay decrease or termination.  

Salary : $90,000 - $100,000