Site Manager Job Description
Recruit a Site Manager to take day-to-day responsibility for on-site delivery, safety and subcontractor coordination across your construction project. This template helps you describe the practical duties, essential qualifications and typical working arrangements applicants expect.
What does a Site Manager professional do?
A Site Manager organises on-site teams and contractors, enforces health and safety and manages programme, quality and costs to deliver construction projects.
Site 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.
Site Manager
About the role
We are recruiting a Site Manager to lead delivery of [project type] in [Location]. You will manage day-to-day site operations, supervise subcontractors and trades, ensure compliance with health and safety and CDM duties, control resources and site records, and report progress to the project team. Requires proven site management experience, a valid CSCS card (or equivalent) and SMSTS certificate where contractually required. Salary: [Salary range].
Key responsibilities
- Plan, programme and sequence daily on-site activities to meet project milestones
- Supervise and coordinate subcontractors, trade teams and on-site labour
- Implement and enforce health, safety and environmental procedures in line with CDM and company policies
- Undertake regular site inspections, toolbox talks and permit checks
- Maintain accurate site records: site diary, delivery logs, inspections and non-conformance reports
- Monitor materials, plant and equipment usage and report shortages or delays
- Manage day-to-day costs, record variations and assist with payment applications
- Attend site meetings and communicate progress, risks and issues to the project manager/client
Essential skills and experience
- Proven experience managing live construction sites on similar project types
- Valid CSCS card (or recognised evidence of competence) or equivalent
- SMSTS certificate or demonstrable site management safety training where required by contract
- Sound knowledge of UK CDM regulations and health & safety legislation
- Ability to read and interpret construction drawings and specifications
- Strong written and verbal communication and stakeholder management skills
- Right to work in the UK
Desirable
- HNC/HND or degree in construction, civil engineering or related discipline
- NEBOSH General Certificate, IOSH Managing Safely or other health & safety qualifications
- First Aid at Work certificate
- Experience with contract types relevant to the role (e.g. JCT, NEC)
- Familiarity with construction management software and digital site reporting tools
- Previous experience on residential, commercial or infrastructure projects (specify as relevant)
What we offer
- Pension scheme: [details]
- Holiday entitlement: [number] days + bank holidays
- Company vehicle or mileage allowance: [details]
- Training and professional development: [details]
- Overtime or shift payments where applicable: [details]
- Employee assistance programme: [details]
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 Site Manager role?
A Site Manager coordinates the on-site delivery of building work to ensure projects are completed safely, to programme and to the required quality. They supervise subcontractors and operatives, manage day-to-day resources and materials, carry out health and safety duties under CDM, keep site records and update clients or project managers on progress and risks. The role is site-based and involves regular inspections and stakeholder liaison.
Typical duties
Day-to-day supervision, health & safety compliance, resource control, site reporting and stakeholder communication.
Who you work with
Subcontractors, trade operatives, project managers, clients, suppliers and site-based safety personnel.
Working pattern
Site-based role with varying start times, possible overtime and occasional weekend work to meet programme demands.
Contract types
Often project-specific: permanent, fixed-term or contract positions aligned to the project duration.
Typical Site 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 sequence daily on-site activities to meet project milestones
Supervise
Supervise and coordinate subcontractors, trade teams and on-site labour
Implement
Implement and enforce health, safety and environmental procedures in line with CDM and company policies
Undertake regular site inspections
Undertake regular site inspections, toolbox talks and permit checks
Maintain accurate site records: site diary
Maintain accurate site records: site diary, delivery logs, inspections and non-conformance reports
Monitor materials
Monitor materials, plant and equipment usage and report shortages or delays
Manage day-to-day costs
Manage day-to-day costs, record variations and assist with payment applications
Attend site meetings
Attend site meetings and communicate progress, risks and issues to the project manager/client
Site 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 managing live construction sites on similar project types
- Valid CSCS card (or recognised evidence of competence) or equivalent
- SMSTS certificate or demonstrable site management safety training where required by contract
- Sound knowledge of UK CDM regulations and health & safety legislation
- Ability to read and interpret construction drawings and specifications
- Strong written and verbal communication and stakeholder management skills
- Right to work in the UK
Useful where relevant
- HNC/HND or degree in construction, civil engineering or related discipline
- NEBOSH General Certificate, IOSH Managing Safely or other health & safety qualifications
- First Aid at Work certificate
- Experience with contract types relevant to the role (e.g. JCT, NEC)
- Familiarity with construction management software and digital site reporting tools
- Previous experience on residential, commercial or infrastructure projects (specify as relevant)
See our guide to what to include in a job advert before publishing.
How to write a Site Manager job advert
Small role-specific details can make the advert much easier for suitable candidates to assess.
Lead with project specifics
State project type, size, location and contract length early so candidates can quickly judge fit.
Be explicit about site requirements
List mandatory certificates, PPE expectations and typical start times or shift patterns to reduce unsuitable applications.
Describe reporting lines and autonomy
Clarify who the role reports to and the level of decision-making expected on site (e.g. subcontractor selection, variation sign-off).
Mention progression and training
Highlight career development, refresher courses or support for professional qualifications to attract ambitious candidates.
Site Manager salary considerations
Site Manager pay varies significantly. Use salary ranges internally that reflect the role’s responsibilities and the local market. Do not publish a single figure unless you are confident it matches the role’s level and regional pay norms.
depending on experience
- Use a genuine range
- Separate variable pay
- Avoid “competitive” alone
- Match salary to seniority
What Site Manager candidates will want to know
Practical details can influence whether a suitable candidate applies, even when the title and salary are attractive.
What is the contract length and expected duration on site?
Candidates need clarity on whether the role is for a fixed project, temporary cover or permanent employment and the approximate end date.
When is the expected start date?
Experienced site managers often have notice periods; stating start expectations avoids mismatched timelines.
What are the typical working hours and shift patterns?
Indicate daily start times, overtime expectations and whether weekend or night work is required.
Who will I report to and who is on the project team?
Candidates want to know reporting lines and the size/structure of the on-site team they will manage.
What are the mandatory certificates and PPE requirements?
List required qualifications (CSCS/SMSTS), any site-specific training and standard PPE so applicants can confirm eligibility.
Is the role permanent or a fixed-term/project contract and what benefits are offered?
State employment type and basic benefits (pension, holiday entitlement, vehicle/mileage) to help candidates compare roles.
Where to post a Site Manager job
For Site Manager roles use a mix of national job boards and construction‑specific channels to reach both experienced professionals and local candidates. Post on sector-focused boards and professional networks (LinkedIn, trade forums) for senior or specialised roles, and use local job boards, colleges and contractor supply-chain contacts for site-based hires. Consider specialist recruitment agencies for rapid filling of high‑skill or unionised vacancies.
Related construction & built environment job descriptions
Recruiting for a slightly different role? These templates may be a closer fit.
Site Manager job description FAQs
Are CSCS and SMSTS mandatory for a Site Manager?
CSCS (or an equivalent competency card) and SMSTS are commonly required by employers and contractors on UK construction sites. Requirements can vary by contract, so specify what your project or client demands.
Should the role be advertised as permanent or contract?
Align the employment type with the project lifecycle. Use fixed‑term or contract adverts for project-based roles and permanent adverts where ongoing work, career progression and company benefits are offered.
What pre-employment checks are recommended?
Carry out right-to-work checks, verify certifications (CSCS/SMSTS/NEBOSH), obtain references covering recent site management work and consider an enhanced DBS check for certain projects or client requirements.
How quickly can we expect to fill a Site Manager role?
Timescales vary by region and grade of role. Local, mid-level positions may fill quickly; senior or specialist Site Managers can take longer. Using specialist construction recruiters speeds the process.
Do I need to state a salary range in the advert?
Providing a salary range improves response quality and saves time in negotiations. If you cannot publish a range, be clear about other compensation elements and benefits.
Ready to hire a Site Manager?
Use this template to build a clear advert that attracts competent site managers, or contact a specialist recruiter to distribute your vacancy across construction-focused channels and national job boards.
