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0 Management occupations > Construction Managers (NOC 0711)

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Construction Managers (NOC 0711)


Description

Construction managers plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the activities of a construction company or of a construction department within a company, under the direction of a general manager or other senior managers. They are employed by residential, commercial and industrial construction companies and by construction departments of companies outside the construction industry.

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Example Titles

  • commercial construction manager
  • construction manager
  • construction superintendent
  • general contractor
  • housing construction manager
  • industrial construction manager
  • pipeline construction manager
  • project manager, construction
  • residential construction manager

      >> View all titles

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Classified Elsewhere

  • Residential Home Builders and Renovators (0712)
  • Senior Managers - Goods Production, Utilities, Transportation and Construction (0016)

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Duties

Construction managers perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate construction projects from start to finish according to schedule, specifications and budget
  • Prepare and submit construction project budget estimates
  • Plan and prepare construction schedules and milestones and monitor progress against established schedules
  • Prepare contracts and negotiate revisions, changes and additions to contractual agreements with architects, consultants, clients, suppliers and subcontractors
  • Develop and implement quality control programs
  • Represent their company on matters such as business services and union contract negotiation
  • Prepare progress reports and issue progress schedules to clients
  • Direct the purchase of building materials and land acquisitions
  • Hire and supervise the activities of subcontractors and subordinate staff.

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Skills

Construction managers need the following skills and abilities:

Technical skills:

  • a solid background in building techniques, business, and management,
  • an understanding of engineering, architectural, and other construction drawings, and of legal contracts,
  • knowledge of construction methods, materials, and regulations,
  • familiarity with computers and software programs for job costing, scheduling, and estimating

Management skills:

  • flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances,
  • ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment,
  • good planning, organizational, analytical and decision-making skills.

Interpersonal skills:

  • respect for others,
  • tact, good judgment, and ability to establish and maintain effective personal relationships with tradespersons, union representatives, design professionals, and clients,
  • be a good team player and leader, able to delegate and motivate others,
  • negotiation skills.

Communication skills:

  • good listening skills,
  • ability to explain things clearly, verbally and in writing.

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Employment Requirements

  • In Manitoba Journeyperson status, or the equivalent in skills through several years of experience, in a construction trade is usually required in residential and renovation work, and in smaller firms involved in industrial, commercial or institutional or heavy construction.
  • Depending on the type of construction work being managed and the size of the employer, managers may need a university degree and professional licence in civil engineering, or a college diploma in construction technology.

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Terms & Conditions

Construction managers generally work in an office environment, often from a field office located at a construction site. Standard hours are rare, as deadlines and project demands usually determine the number of hours worked in a week. Most construction managers (94%) work full-time, and long hours during the project life cycle. Almost half (38%) are self-employed.

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Earnings

$46,300 per annum - starting

$61,400 per annum - average

$87,400 per annum - high

Earnings are reviewed annually or more frequently if new information becomes available.

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Education / Training

  • Apprenticeship training is available in various construction trades.
  • The University of Manitoba, Faculty of Engineering, offers degree programs in Civil Engineering.
  • Red River College offers a one-year Civil Technician certificate program. This certificate program is the first year of five diploma programs that are offered at Red River College: Architectural/Engineering, Environmental Protection Technology, Geomatics Technology, Municipal Engineering Technology, Structural Engineering Technology.
  • Assiniboine Community College and the University College of the North offer the first year of a three-year Civil /CAD Technology program in cooperation with Red River College. A one-year Civil Technician Certificate program is also offered.
  • There are also many part-time management and professional upgrading courses offered by community colleges and universities in Manitoba. Manitoba construction industry associations also offer certificate courses in supervisory skills.
  • Some high schools in Manitoba offer a program in Building and Trades Technology.

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Career Paths

Traditionally, persons advance to construction management positions after having substantial experience as a construction trades worker, for example, carpenter, mason, plumber, or electrician. They may have worked as a construction supervisor or as the owner of an independent specialty contracting firm overseeing workers in one or more construction trades.

Civil engineers or technologists may advance to construction management positions with experience.

Progression to senior management positions is possible with experience in junior management and supervisor positions.

Experienced individuals may establish their own construction management services, specialty contracting or general contracting firm.

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Outlook

Employment prospects for construction managers are expected to be good in the 2010 to 2014 period. The number of construction managers employed in Manitoba in 2010 is estimated at 1,415.

Employment prospects for construction managers are directly related to the volume of construction activity, which is sensitive to economic cycles and government funding. Construction levels declined in 2009 following a period of record growth, and some job losses occurred. However, low interest rates and government stimulus programs continue to encourage some new, residential, commercial, and institutional construction projects and provide opportunities.

There are a number of indications that the employment prospects will be better going forward. As part of Manitoba's Highway Renewal Plan, an estimated $366 million will be spent on major highways and bridges in 2010. There will also be government stimulus funds to support expenditures on schools, health facilities and water treatment plants. There are a number of other large construction projects planned or underway in Manitoba in the next five years including the expansion of the Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport and the nearby CentrePort inland port development that includes the Canada Post mail processing plant. Construction of the Canadian Museum of Human Rights and hydro electric dams in northern Manitoba is also underway.

Employment is fairly evenly distributed across the province relative to the population. The majority of Construction managers in Manitoba are employed in the Construction sector (80%), followed by Public Administration (5%), Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (3%) and Manufacturing (3%). Within the Construction industry, 63% are employed in Prime Contracting and 37% in Trade Contracting.

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Employment by Age Group

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Employment by Industry

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Employment by Region

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Employment by Gender

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Employment by Aboriginal Self-Identification

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Employment by Visible Minority

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Please Note - The source for above charts is the 2006 Census.



Professional Associations, Unions, and Regulatory Bodies...

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Service Canada Province of Manitoba