Site management

Overview

What is site management?

Site Managers oversee and organise day to day site operations such as labour schedules, staff inductions, sub-contractor management, risk management, health and safety compliance and safe storage and co-ordination of materials.

Site Managers have a significant focus on ensuring that a building project is completed safely, within an agreed time frame and budget.

Skills

What’s required for the role?

Good communication and leadership skills
Planning and organisation
Strong attention to detail
Commercial awareness

The details

Learn more about the role

What's the role like in practice?

Site Managers may have responsibility for a small project or be part of a construction management team on larger or more complex builds. Due to the nature of the role, it is project based. Some Site Managers are self-employed, moving from one contract to another, however, many people work for one employer.

Site Managers need to keep accurate records and submit documents such as progress reports.

Construction management is a busy, demanding role so you will need the ability to work under pressure.

You may need some flexibility on working hours as projects near completion.

What's the work environment like?

Your time will be mainly spent on site and offices maybe in temporary premises on the site. The role may require liaison with other professionals, sub-contractors and clients. You may also ned to participate in site meetings.

What qualifications are required?

You may need a current and Valid UK driving licence
Relevant H&S courses
Site Management Safety Training Scheme certification
First Aid training

Is it for you?

Other useful skills to have:

Project management
Using verbal and written communication skills
Working with different people such as clients, contractors, colleagues and the general public
Using perceptual skills to interpret maps, charts and diagrams
Creativity and problem solving

Sustainability

How are agents responding to the need for sustainability?

Whilst site and construction managers deal with many of the same sustainability issues, Site Managers have particular responsibilities to manage and led staff and operatives effectively.

This includes developing positive attitudes in workers and managers towards good sustainability practice and creating a working environment that engenders high morale and high health and safety standards. Site mangers may also need to train and develop workers to meet compliance standards and achieve client satisfaction levels on sustainability and other SHEQ objectives.

Employment opportunities

Where will it take you?

A wide range of employers from global construction companies to small building firms, recruit Site Managers. Recruitment agencies are often used, although some firms recruit direct.

From site management, you could progress to more senior roles in construction management or develop specialisms in areas such as SHEQ.