Site manager

Site managers are in charge of the day-to-day organisation of a building site. The work involves checking health and safety regulations are being met, recruiting staff and organising sub-contractors.

Also known as:

Construction manager
Construction site manager

Work activities

Site managers supervise, control and co-ordinate the construction of building, civil engineering, engineering and architectural projects on-site. Because they work on-site, site managers are sometimes known as construction site managers or construction managers.

Site managers might have to carry out some or all of the following tasks:

Recruit local staff or sub-contractors when required.
Order materials and machinery at appropriate times.
Write statements of how each job on-site is to be done.
Arrange vehicle access for construction sites.
Write health and safety procedures for the construction site.
Work with people at head office.

Site managers work from a site office that is usually a portable cabin. On a large site, section or assistant site managers may support senior site managers. You will have to work outside some of the time and wear all appropriate safety clothing.

Being able to read, write and speak Welsh may be an advantage when you’re looking for work in Wales.

Personal qualities and skills

To do this job well, you’ll need:

Knowledge of the construction industry.
Good communication skills, as you’ll have to deal with a wide variety of different people.
To work well within a team, but also have the confidence to lead the people within that team.
Excellent planning skills and the ability to spot problems before they occur.
To feel comfortable working under pressure.
Awareness of all the health and safety regulations related to the industry.
IT skills.

Pay and opportunities

Salary rates for site managers vary depending on the company and the size and type of project. The pay rates given are approximate. Site managers earn in the range of £27,000 a year, rising to up to £65,000 with experience.

Site Managers work a basic 41-43-hour week. However, you may have early starts, late finishes and you may need to work at weekends.

Employers are general building firms and building and civil engineering contractors. Opportunities for site managers occur on construction sites in towns, cities and rural areas throughout the UK.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on all the major job boards, and on the Government’s Find a Job or Find an Apprenticeship services.

Entry routes and training

Many site managers enter the job with a degree in construction management, or a closely related subject. If you have an HNC/HND or a foundation degree in a subject such as building studies or construction management, you could enter construction management at higher technician level.

An apprenticeship is a great way to enter this career path. A level 6 (degree) apprenticeship is available in the role of construction site manager and the following related apprenticeships are also available:

Construction site manager (level 4/higher)
Building services site manager (level 6/degree)
Civil engineering site manager (level 6/degree)

Qualifications

To take a higher or degree apprenticeship, you will need:

Two or three A-levels.
GCSEs in English and maths.

Other qualifications are often acceptable as alternatives to A-levels, for example:

Edexcel (BTEC) Level 3 National qualifications.
International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.

However, entry requirements for different courses vary, so check university prospectuses for more details.

To enter a relevant HNC, HND or foundation degree, you will usually need:

One A-level.
GCSEs at grades 9-4 in your A level subject.
A further 3/4 GCSEs at grades 9-4, including English and maths.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Entrants with skills gained in the construction industry, including those who enter as craft apprentices, can work their way up to construction management posts.

If you don’t have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course could be the way in. These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges.

The Chartered Institute of Building offers routes into this career for those with relevant skills and abilities, but who lack formal qualifications.

A range of colleges and universities offer courses in construction management. Study can be part time/flexible or via distance learning. Courses have been developed in partnership with industry.

Postgraduate degrees in construction management are available from numerous institutions, by part-time/flexible and distance learning.

Sponsorships are available from the larger construction companies for higher education study in construction management.

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