Construction Project Manager Job Description
Use this template to create a clear, role-specific advert for a Construction Project Manager who will plan, deliver and close building projects. It covers core responsibilities, realistic essential requirements and suggested desirable skills so you can adapt it to your site, sector and programme length.
What does a Construction Project Manager professional do?
A Construction Project Manager leads delivery of construction projects from planning through completion, coordinating contractors, managing budgets and schedules, and ensuring work complies with regulatory and safety requirements.
Construction Project Manager job description template
Use this employer-ready example as a starting point, then replace the placeholders and adjust the content so it accurately reflects your vacancy.
Construction Project Manager
About the role
[Company name] is seeking an experienced Construction Project Manager to lead building projects across [Location]. You will take responsibility for project planning, procurement oversight, contractor management, programme control and reporting, ensuring projects are delivered to cost, on schedule and to agreed quality and safety standards. The role will involve regular site presence and close liaison with clients, design teams and supply chains. Salary: [Salary range].
Key responsibilities
- Plan, programme and control construction projects including preparation and maintenance of project schedules and cashflows
- Manage contractors, subcontractors and on-site teams to deliver work to programme and specification
- Prepare and review cost forecasts, progress claims and change order evaluations; monitor project budgets and commercial exposure
- Co-ordinate design, technical queries and approvals with architects, engineers and consultants
- Ensure compliance with CDM duties, site health and safety policies and relevant building regulations
- Identify, log and manage project risks and issues; implement mitigation and corrective actions
- Produce regular progress reports for clients and senior management, including quality, cost and programme metrics
- Maintain project documentation: contracts, subcontracts, correspondence, RFI logs and H&S records
Essential skills and experience
- Proven experience delivering building projects from mobilisation to completion
- Strong commercial awareness with experience of budget monitoring and cost control
- Practical knowledge of construction processes, drawing interpretation and site workflow
- Ability to programme works and coordinate multiple trades to meet critical milestones
- Effective stakeholder and contractor management skills with clear written and verbal communication
- Understanding of health, safety and environmental requirements relevant to UK construction sites
Desirable
- Degree or HND in construction management, civil engineering or related discipline
- Membership of a relevant professional body (for example CIOB) or accredited project management qualification
- Experience with construction scheduling software (for example MS Project or equivalent) and BIM processes
- Experience delivering projects in [specific sector, e.g. residential / education / industrial]
- CSCS or equivalent site competence card and up-to-date safety training certificates
- Full UK driving licence where site travel is required
What we offer
- Competitive salary (please insert your range)
- Pension scheme (employer contribution details to be added)
- Paid annual leave entitlement (to be specified)
- Training and professional development support
- Company vehicle, mileage allowance or travel allowance (if applicable)
- Health and wellbeing benefits (e.g. private medical, EAP — specify if offered)
How to apply
Apply with your CV and any additional information requested. Make the interview process, closing date and any assessment stages clear where known.
Use this as a starting point rather than a final advert. The strongest version will reflect the real role, salary, location, systems, responsibilities, benefits and working arrangements.
What is a Construction Project Manager role?
A Construction Project Manager organises and controls construction projects to meet client requirements, coordinating design information, supply chains and on-site teams while managing cost, time and quality. They are responsible for commercial control, programme delivery and ensuring construction work complies with statutory and contractual obligations. The role requires regular site presence and close engagement with stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
Project lifecycle
From mobilisation and procurement to handover and close-out, the role covers planning, progress control and final account resolution.
Stakeholder management
Daily liaison with clients, designers, contractors and supply chains to resolve design queries and keep the programme on track.
Compliance & safety
Ensures site activity meets CDM responsibilities, health and safety regulations and local building control requirements.
Typical Construction Project Manager responsibilities
Responsibilities should reflect the real scope of the vacancy rather than every task someone in this profession might ever complete.
Plan, programme
Plan, programme and control construction projects including preparation and maintenance of project schedules and cashflows
Manage contractors
Manage contractors, subcontractors and on-site teams to deliver work to programme and specification
Prepare
Prepare and review cost forecasts, progress claims and change order evaluations; monitor project budgets and commercial exposure
Co-ordinate design
Co-ordinate design, technical queries and approvals with architects, engineers and consultants
Ensure compliance with CDM duties
Ensure compliance with CDM duties, site health and safety policies and relevant building regulations
Identify
Identify, log and manage project risks and issues; implement mitigation and corrective actions
Produce regular progress reports for clients
Produce regular progress reports for clients and senior management, including quality, cost and programme metrics
Maintain project documentation: contracts
Maintain project documentation: contracts, subcontracts, correspondence, RFI logs and H&S records
Construction Project Manager skills and experience to look for
Keep the essential list focused on what the person really needs to perform the role. Move useful-but-trainable experience into desirable criteria.
Usually worth prioritising
- Proven experience delivering building projects from mobilisation to completion
- Strong commercial awareness with experience of budget monitoring and cost control
- Practical knowledge of construction processes, drawing interpretation and site workflow
- Ability to programme works and coordinate multiple trades to meet critical milestones
- Effective stakeholder and contractor management skills with clear written and verbal communication
- Understanding of health, safety and environmental requirements relevant to UK construction sites
Useful where relevant
- Degree or HND in construction management, civil engineering or related discipline
- Membership of a relevant professional body (for example CIOB) or accredited project management qualification
- Experience with construction scheduling software (for example MS Project or equivalent) and BIM processes
- Experience delivering projects in [specific sector, e.g. residential / education / industrial]
- CSCS or equivalent site competence card and up-to-date safety training certificates
- Full UK driving licence where site travel is required
See our guide to what to include in a job advert before publishing.
How to write a Construction Project Manager job advert
Small role-specific details can make the advert much easier for suitable candidates to assess.
Be specific about project scope
State typical project size, value, contract type and sector so candidates understand the scale and complexity you need them to manage.
Clarify site expectations
Explain the expected split between site and office time, travel requirements and whether overnight stays are likely.
List measurable responsibilities
Include concrete targets such as reporting frequency, budget ranges or number of direct reports to set clear expectations.
Differentiate essential and desirable
Keep legally or operationally required items as essential; make professional memberships, specific software or sector experience desirable.
Construction Project Manager salary considerations
Do not quote a single market number. Construction Project Manager pay varies widely; employers should consider project scale, sector, region, experience and whether the role is permanent or contract when setting a salary or daily rate.
depending on experience
- Use a genuine range
- Separate variable pay
- Avoid “competitive” alone
- Match salary to seniority
What Construction Project Manager candidates will want to know
Practical details can influence whether a suitable candidate applies, even when the title and salary are attractive.
What types of projects will I manage?
Candidates need to know the sector (e.g. residential, fit-out, civils), typical contract values and technical complexity to judge suitability.
Is the role permanent or a fixed-term/contract position?
Specify contract length, notice periods and whether you may extend or convert the role to permanent.
Where are the sites and what travel is expected?
State regular site locations, travel distances and whether overnight stays are required so applicants can assess logistics.
Who will I report to and what team will I manage?
Describe the reporting line, on-site team size and any remote PMO or commercial support available.
What health and safety systems are in place?
Explain your approach to site safety, welfare provision and any mandatory site inductions or competence cards.
What training and CPD do you offer?
Candidates expect clarity on CPD support, sponsored qualifications and training budgets if you promote development.
Where to post a Construction Project Manager job
Construction Project Manager vacancies attract candidates through a mix of broad and specialist channels. Use major UK job boards and LinkedIn for reach, sector-specific construction boards and trade magazines to target experienced site managers, and professional networks (such as industry institutes and local construction groups) for accredited candidates. For regional roles, include local recruitment agencies and community channels to reach applicants who can travel to sites regularly.
Related construction job descriptions
Recruiting for a slightly different role? These templates may be a closer fit.
Construction Project Manager job description FAQs
Do I need to require CSCS or other site competence cards?
Many sites and clients require a CSCS or equivalent competence card. If your sites have this policy, state it as essential. If you can accept alternative evidence of competence, list CSCS as desirable and explain acceptable alternatives.
When should I ask for professional memberships or qualifications?
Reserve degrees or professional membership as desirable unless they are necessary for the role. For senior positions where chartered status is common, make membership desirable and explain how it contributes to duties.
How should I shortlist candidates effectively?
Shortlist by demonstrable project experience, commercial responsibility and evidence of on-site delivery. Use structured interview questions and request a short project CV or examples of past projects to verify scope and outcomes.
Should I include a salary range in the advert?
Yes. Providing a salary range improves candidate response rates and sets realistic expectations. Ensure the range reflects the role's responsibilities, location and benefits package.
What pre-employment checks are recommended?
Carry out right-to-work checks, employment references, relevant qualifications verification and any industry-specific checks required by clients or insurers. Consider occupational health checks for demanding site roles.
Ready to hire a Construction Project Manager?
Use this template to produce a clear vacancy advert and adapt the responsibilities, essential criteria and benefits to your project. When ready, advertise across general and construction-specialist channels to reach candidates with the right site experience and commercial skills.
