Construction project manager job description
Where we source our data
Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.
That’s why we anonymously surveyed construction project managers about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.
While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.
Where we source our data
Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.
That’s why we anonymously surveyed construction project managers about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.
While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.
Intellectual
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Social
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Organising
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Tasks and responsibilities for a construction project manager
Construction project managers are in charge of people, resources, and a construction project’s overall practical tasks. This responsibility means every day can be different and requires adaptability.
Construction project manager responsibilities can include:
- Consulting with architects, engineers, builders and suppliers
- Negotiating costs with contractors and other professionals
- Ensuring building legislation and standards are being adhered to
- Preparing tenders and contract bids and overseeing all other documentation
- Coordinating the allocation of materials and labour resources
- Managing project progress and refining processes
Reasons to choose this job
Based on our career survey data, these are the factors that workers said were most important to them when choosing this job.
High paying
Enjoyable
If you like working as part of a cohesive team with others, are a good communicator and love to be in control of schedules and organised processes, a career as a construction project manager can be very enjoyable.
Flexible hours
As an entry-level construction project manager, you are required to work traditional working hours. However, once you have honed your project management skills, you could work freelance or even be a consultant and be in charge of the hours you work.
Job satisfaction
Overall job satisfaction
This overall score combines the critical factors in job satisfaction. It includes fulfilment, stress levels, and opportunities for advancement, based on our career survey data.
Stress level
How stressful workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.
Fulfilment
How personally rewarding workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.
Skill level
The skill level required to do this job is based on both our career survey data and official data from the Labour Market Information Portal.
Job market trends for a construction project manager
The construction industry in Australia has a projected growth of 2.4% over the next five years. As a result, future growth for jobs in construction project management is strong, and worker numbers in construction management are set to reach 123,300 by 2026.
The construction industry is heavily regulated at every level, and the VET sector is important throughout many occupations to gain qualifications in job roles or obtain specific licences required.
Median salary
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Projected job growth
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Pathway options
Job pathways are drawn from the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways site.
Starting an entry-level job as a construction project manager can allow you to grow your skills and work in more senior positions in the occupation. It can also lead to other career pathways or even business ownership.
Possible career paths:
Mid
-
Project officer
Most common qualification: Diploma of Project Management (BSB50820)
-
Project administrator
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Project Management Practice (BSB40920)
-
Project coordinator
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Project Management Practice (BSB40920)
Senior
-
Project manager
Most common qualification: Diploma of Project Management (BSB50820)
-
Construction project manager
Most common qualification: Diploma of Building and Construction (Management) (CPC50320)
Skills you might already have
Based on our career survey data, the soft skills that workers said were most needed to do their job well.
Although technical skills are essential in a role as a construction project manager — the natural soft skills and abilities you bring to the table are as critical, especially when it comes to this highly diverse and complex role.
The soft skill set of a construction project manager:
Teamwork
Managing large construction projects involves many moving parts. You need excellent communication skills to work with team members, contractors, suppliers, building owners and other stakeholders in the business to ensure the best outcomes for the project.
Time management
Project management requires you to be organised with your time so that essential elements of construction projects can begin and run to a schedule. You may have a lot of administrative work to do, so good time management is crucial in this role.
Problem solving
Like any job, construction project management can have its hiccups. Any issues that arise must be dealt with professionally and promptly.
Hard skills
The job-specific skills that workers said were most important, supplemented with data from JobOutlook and online job advertisements.
With the proper VET training gained through TAFE or an RTO (registered training organisation), you can ensure you have the skills and knowledge to take the job as a construction project manager head-on.
Technical construction project management skills:
Project management
General computer operation and project management software knowledge
Risk management skills
Project procurement skills
Building codes and standards and legal knowledge
Workplace communication and leadership skills
How to become a construction project manager
-
Study
Completing a qualification in construction project management through an accredited course provider like an RTO (registered training organisation) provides you with the skills and knowledge for a job as a construction project manager. Courses like a Diploma of Building and Construction (Management) (CPC50320) or an Advanced Diploma of Building and Construction (Management) (CPC60220) are great options.
-
Get a White Card
To enter and work on a construction site, you must carry a White Card. You can apply for the White Card online, which requires completing a short course.
-
Register with Australian Business and License Information Service (ABLIS)
People who intend to operate as project managers in construction must register with ABLIS for a licence and need specific project management certifications to obtain one. You can find information and application requirements here. You must renew the licence every 12 months.
Explore related qualifications
Studying with an RTO (registered training organisation) is a great way to ensure you are qualified as a construction project manager. These courses are often flexible, have a range of delivery methods and can offer pathways into other qualifications.
Diploma of Building and Construction (Management) (CPC50320)
This nationally recognised and accredited course provides skills in HR management, risk and safety management and project management in the construction industry.
Career outcomes for this course could be:
- Project manager
- Construction manager
- Estimating manager
- Sales manager
Additional units of competency may be required to meet project manager registration requirements in some States and Territories. Please talk to your course provider or refer to state government websites for more information.
The average duration of this course is 15 months. You can study on campus or online, and some providers have flexible start times.
7 providers offer this course
Advanced Diploma of Building and Construction (Management) CPC60220
This course provides the skills needed for builders or senior managers within the building and construction industry. It covers building, construction and sustainability systems, structural principles, codes and standards and legal obligations to construction projects, including high-rise buildings.
Career outcomes for this course could be:
- Construction manager
Builder licensing and registration vary across States and Territories, and further requirements for this qualification may be needed. Please talk to your course provider or refer to state government websites for more information.
The average duration of this course is 15 months. You can study this course on campus or online through some providers.
Bachelor's degree in Construction Management
A three-year full-time bachelor’s degree in Construction Management can help you develop a career in the construction industry. Learn construction and project management skills and techniques and pursue goals in construction project management or surveying.
Related subjects
Jobs in the construction industry that require highly organised workers who have impeccable time management skills are not limited to project management. There are many other occupations in the sector that might be perfect for you.
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Job cluster: The Coordinator
What are job clusters?
The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.
The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.
This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.
Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?
What are job clusters?
The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.
The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.
This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.
Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?
The role of construction project manager requires process-driven, quick thinkers with excellent communication.
This career would greatly suit a person with the career persona of The Coordinator. The Coordinator thrives in work environments where they can use their organisational skills to ensure projects are on track from start to finish and produce flawless outcomes.
Take the Career Quiz to discover what jobs are a great fit for you.
Frequently asked questions
What is a project manager in construction?
A construction project manager is in charge of the people, resources, and the practical aspects of a building project and ensures it runs smoothly, safely and on time.
What type of project management is used in construction?
In construction, project managers coordinate contractors, materials and timelines of a construction project. They also communicate with many other professionals and their clients to ensure all is running to plan.
What is the difference between project management and construction management?
Construction managers oversee all on-site tasks and operations, while project managers are responsible for all of the project’s aspects, from the on-site construction workflow to administrative requirements.