What a construction project manager does
A construction project manager is accountable for a job's cost, schedule, quality and safety from preconstruction to closeout. They review contracts and drawings, build the schedule, procure and manage subcontractors, track costs and change orders, run site meetings, coordinate with architects, engineers and owners, and make sure the work meets code and the Occupational Health and Safety Act. On a busy project, their decisions directly affect your margin and your reputation with clients.
Construction experience does not transfer evenly between sectors. A manager who has run residential renovations may not be ready for an institutional or industrial build, and a commercial interiors specialist may not suit heavy civil work. Finch screens for the project types, contract values and delivery methods each candidate has handled, along with their approach to subcontractor management and site safety. We confirm results through references with former employers, so you can trust what you hear in the interview.
Typical responsibilities
- Review contracts, drawings and specifications and plan the project
- Prepare and maintain the construction schedule and budget
- Tender, award and manage subcontractor and supplier agreements
- Manage change orders, requests for information and submittals
- Run site and owner meetings and report on progress
- Support site safety programs and compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act
Qualifications and credentials
- Experience managing construction projects in a comparable sector, such as residential, commercial, institutional or industrial
- A diploma or degree in construction management, civil engineering, architectural technology or a related field is common
- Strong knowledge of construction contracts, scheduling and cost control
- Familiarity with the Ontario Building Code and construction health and safety requirements
- The PMP or the Gold Seal Certification from the Canadian Construction Association is an asset; some employers prefer a P.Eng. licensed through PEO
- A valid Ontario driver's licence for travel between sites
Who hires a construction project manager
- General contractors and construction managers
- Residential and condominium builders
- Design-build and specialty trade contractors
- Developers and property owners with in-house construction teams
- Institutional owners such as school boards and hospitals
Where we recruit construction project manager candidates
We fill construction project manager roles for employers across Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Oshawa and Pickering, and for employers across Canada. GTA employers can meet us at our North York office by appointment.
What Finch checks before you meet a candidate
- Project types, contract sizes and delivery methods they have managed
- Budget control and how they handled cost overruns and change orders
- Subcontractor management and dispute resolution
- Safety record and approach to site safety leadership
- Software for scheduling, estimating and project documentation
Interview questions to ask
- Tell me about a project that fell behind schedule. How did you recover it?
- How do you handle a subcontractor who is underperforming but critical to the job?
- Walk me through how you manage a change order from request to approval and billing.