A project manager is a professional responsible for leading a project from inception to completion.
On the contractor’s side, a construction manager, sometimes referred to as a project manager or site manager, is a construction professional concerned with the programme, safety and planning of the works. Put simply, a company appoints a construction manager to oversee a project safely and make sure it is completed on time and on budget.
A typical day for a construction manager may include:
- planning and coordinating the project from start to finish, including organising the programme of work
- recruiting and managing staff for the project
- managing the construction site day to day, including supervising the labour force, monitoring subcontractors, checking materials, inspecting work and overseeing quality control
- making sure the project is delivered on time and on budget by setting benchmarks, agreeing budgets and monitoring progress
- checking design documents with architects, surveyors and engineers
- promoting and maintaining health and safety, including site inspections to check that safety rules are being followed
- keeping in regular contact with the client and their representatives and attending meetings to report progress, often described as stakeholder management
- communicating with consultants, subcontractors, supervisors, planners, quantity surveyors and others involved in the project
- dealing with any unexpected problems that arise during the project
The title is also used for a client side role. Under NEC contracts, the Project Manager is a named contractual role appointed by the Client to manage the contract on its behalf, including accepting the programme, issuing instructions, assessing compensation events and certifying payment.
