Hiring a construction project manager is no easy task. There are a lot of different characteristics that you want your construction project manager to have. At Austin Nichols, we know that it is tough to find a great leader on a construction site.
Here are eight qualities that you should look for when you are trying to hire a project manager for your construction site.
1. Ability to Work as a Team Member
Being in charge can make it difficult to work with the rest of the team as an equal. However, it is important that construction project managers can join in on big projects when the team needs some help. A project manager that is approachable and friendly with employees is likely to try to keep those employees happy.
Morale on the job site can also be hard to maintain. When the boss is a team player, it can help keep everyone happy and provide an environment that allows for open communication.
2. Organizational Skills
Project plans are crucial in ensuring that projects go off without a hitch. A construction project manager should have everything organized and detailed in a manner that prevents hiccups in the project. An organized boss will be better able to make changes in budget, resources, or deadlines should they arise.
A good project manager needs to reassess projects from time to time to prioritize each step of the process.
3. Effective Communication Skills
Communication is vital to all types of business, but when your managers can’t effectively communicate with employees, it is going to be a lot harder to get things done. Construction projects require accuracy, so it is important that project managers are able to clearly communicate what needs to be done and when. Communication skills need to include both verbal and written.
4. Ability to Delegate Tasks
Delegating tasks is key to being a successful manager. Most tasks will require numerous team members, so managers need to be able to assign tasks to different employees. A good manager will be able to pick the most skilled workers for the job. However, a successful construction project manager won’t micromanage the workers that he or she assigns to each task.
5. Ability to Stay Calm Under Pressure
Construction can be a stressful profession, and being a manager amplifies that stress. When something stressful occurs, your project manager needs to stay calm and focused. Understanding that challenges will arise is just part of the equation. Knowing how to deal with those problems is going to determine whether or not a project manager is successful.
6. Problem Solving Skills
Problems are bound to arise during the course of a project. You need a project manager that can look at a problem and adapt quickly. When an obstacle arises, your manager needs to be able to quickly find solutions and implement them without compromising the integrity and specifics of the project.
Being speedy about finding a solution can save a lot of time and money on a project. It is important to avoid as many delays as possible, and solving problems quickly is just one way to reduce the extra amount of time spent on the same project.
7. Flexibility
Not everything will go according to plan 100 percent of the time. A manager needs to be able to quickly adapt to all situations. As projects start to pile up with various changes, you will want a manager who can handle a lot of different changes all at once. Then, the manager needs to be able to communicate all of the changes to the team to prevent any delays or errors on the projects.
If your project manager isn’t flexible, you might notice that your team starts to express some confusion about what they need to be working on.
8. Ability to Prioritize
There are so many different aspects of just one construction project, which means that construction project managers need to be able to prioritize what tasks need to be completed first. Prioritization becomes incredibly important when changes are made to the project.
All of these traits make for a great construction project manager. If you can find someone with these qualities and all of the skills and experience you need for the job, you are likely to end up with one great project manager.
To get a little help finding the perfect project manager for your construction team, contact Austin Nichols. Our team can help you recruit someone who will match all of your expectations. To get started, call us today at 816-471-5575.
