Career Advice for a Site Manager

Site managers work as the first point of contact between teams and management. They coordinate the work on a construction site to ensure the project is completed on time. Site managers monitor the work being carried out to make sure everything is done according to safety regulations.

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How to Become a Site Manager

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become a Site Manager

Should you wish to work as a Site Manager you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for a Site Manager

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs for a degree apprenticeship
  • Degree in Construction Engineering or Surveying and Civil Engineering
  • National Diploma accredited by The Chartered Institute of Building

Key Responsibilities for a Site Manager

  • Meeting with project managers and teams to determine project scope
  • Overseeing operations on site
  • Arranging employee schedules to ensure adequate human resources
  • Enforcing safety and company regulations
  • Reviewing plans with surveyors and engineers
  • Hiring staff for site work
  • Monitoring project progress
  • Checking the quality of work and ensuring the project remains on schedule
  • Reporting progress to senior management and client
  • Creating a worksite that is safe and organised

What to expect as a Site Manager

Site managers are responsible for overseeing teams and contractors on a construction site to ensure that the project is completed on time and to the specified budget. To succeed in this career, you will need to have excellent communication skills and be highly organised.

Recommended Site Manager Jobs

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How to get Site Manager Jobs

Our advice on how to get a Site Manager job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Site Manager application. If you have not held a Site Manager position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Site Manager role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Site Manager CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Site Manager application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become a Site Manager in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become a Site Manager 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Site Manager and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Site Manager experience.

How to get Site Manager Experience

What does it take to be a Site Manager? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Site Manager jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Site Manager through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be a Site Manager Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Site Manager part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Site Manager or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Site Manager freelance work

If you have impressive Site Manager qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.