Construction managers

Strong job outlook

Overview

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

This group performs 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 company on matters such as business services and union contracts 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.

Job titles

  • bridge and building construction manager
  • bridge construction superintendent
  • building construction general contractor
  • building construction superintendent
  • building materials branch director
  • commercial construction manager

Employment prospects

Source: BC Labour Market Outlook 2023 edition

Annual salary

Low

$62,568

Median

$93,247

High

$137,128

Job openings

Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.

Strong job outlook

British Columbia

3,552

expected job openings (5-year forecast)

Education and training

Employment requirements

  • A university degree in civil engineering or a college diploma in construction technology is usually required.

  • A master's degree in project management may be required.

  • Several years of experience in the construction industry, including experience as a construction supervisor or field superintendent, are usually required.

Additional information

  • Progression to senior management positions is possible with experience.

Certification requirements

Mandatory: You need the following certifications to practice as Construction managers in B.C.

  • Construction Manager Red Seal Certification
  • Engineers and Geoscientists BC Registration - Construction Managers

Construction Manager Red Seal Certification

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

This career is eligible for Red Seal endorsement. When all levels of your trades training are complete, you can write an Interprovincial Red Seal exam. A successful result demonstrates you have met the national standard for your trade in Canada will allow you to practice your trade outside of B.C. in provinces and territories covered by the Red Seal certification.

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Engineers and Geoscientists BC Registration - Construction Managers

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To work as a construction manager with an engineering background in B.C., you must register with Engineers and Geoscientists B.C. Eligibility is achieved through graduation from an accredited program, 4 years of work experience as an Engineer-In-Training, and successful completion of the National Professional Practice Examination.

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Work Experience

Work experience required

Post-secondary programs in B.C.

Explore programs related to this career offered at post-secondary institutions in B.C.

Beneficial post-secondary programs (not required)

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