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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Assistant Site Manager

💰 $40,000 - $70,000

ConstructionSite ManagementProject Management

🎯 Role Definition

The Assistant Site Manager supports the Site Manager and site team to deliver construction projects safely, on time, on budget and to the required quality standards. This hands-on role requires strong site supervision, stakeholder communication, and practical knowledge of construction processes, health & safety legislation (e.g., CDM), and contract administration. The Assistant Site Manager commonly acts as the day-to-day site lead in the Site Manager’s absence and plays a pivotal role coordinating trades, managing materials logistics, ensuring compliance, and maintaining site records for successful project delivery.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Site Supervisor / Senior Site Supervisor
  • Tradesperson with supervisory experience (e.g., Foreman)
  • Construction Coordinator or Assistant Project Manager

Advancement To:

  • Site Manager
  • Senior Site Manager / Project Manager
  • Construction Manager / Contracts Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Quality Manager / QA/QC Coordinator
  • Health & Safety Advisor (Construction)
  • Planning / Programme Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Lead day-to-day site supervision, coordinating multiple trades and subcontractors to ensure work is completed safely, to programme and to specification; escalate risks and issues to the Site Manager or Project Manager with mitigation proposals.
  • Monitor and enforce health, safety and environmental standards on site, conduct toolbox talks, manage site inductions, complete regular site inspections, and ensure compliance with CDM regulations and company H&S policies.
  • Produce, maintain and update site programmes and short-term lookahead schedules in collaboration with the planning team to ensure milestones and critical path activities are met.
  • Manage and coordinate subcontractor performance, including progress monitoring, issuing work instructions, clarifying scope, verifying method statements, and resolving on-site disputes to maintain productivity.
  • Control site-based quality assurance and quality control processes: inspect workmanship, check materials against specifications, prepare snagging lists, and ensure corrective actions are implemented before handover.
  • Oversee materials logistics and site deliveries, verify offloads, manage storage, minimize waste, and coordinate just-in-time deliveries with suppliers to sustain programme flow and reduce holding costs.
  • Maintain accurate site records: daily site diaries, progress photographs, labour and plant logs, delivery notes, inspection reports, and minutes from site meetings for contractual and reporting purposes.
  • Assist with cost control activities on site, validating contractor timesheets, tracking material usage, reviewing subcontractor valuations, and flagging potential variations and claims to commercial teams.
  • Carry out regular risk assessments and method statement reviews for high-risk activities (lifting/working at height/confined spaces), issuing permits-to-work and ensuring permits are enforced and reviewed.
  • Conduct regular site coordination meetings and progress briefings with internal teams, subcontractors, clients and consultants to communicate programme, risks, quality issues and next steps.
  • Inspect and verify subcontractor works against drawings, specifications and shop drawings; coordinate design queries (RFIs) with designers/consultants and ensure timely resolution to prevent delays.
  • Implement and monitor site traffic, welfare and security arrangements; ensure welfare facilities meet regulatory standards and manage arrangements for visitors and subcontractors on site.
  • Participate in site testing and commissioning activities, coordinate third-party inspections and statutory sign-offs, and ensure all required certificates and test results are recorded ahead of handover.
  • Prepare and manage punch lists (snag lists) during practical completion, coordinate remedial works, and verify completion of defects prior to client handover and final account settlement.
  • Support the Site Manager with pre-construction activities where required: site setup, temporary works coordination, utilities disconnections, and preparing logistics plans for access and storage.
  • Facilitate and document client/site inspections, liaison with client representatives and consultants, and ensure client feedback is tracked, addressed and closed out.
  • Supervise and mentor junior site staff and apprentices, ensure tool-box training is carried out, and support workforce development to maintain competency and morale on site.
  • Ensure environmental compliance and sustainability practices on site, including waste segregation, recycling, pollution prevention measures and adherence to site environmental management plans.
  • Maintain plant and equipment records, coordinate servicing and safety inspections, and verify competent operators are allocated to specialist plant items.
  • Manage temporary works checks, ensure competent temporary works coordinators are appointed, and verify temporary structures are designed, installed and inspected according to procedures.
  • Support the commercial team with measurement checks, progress claims evidence, as-built information capture, and preparation of documentation required for interim valuations and final accounts.
  • Respond to day-to-day client queries, variation requests and minor design changes, providing clear recommendations and documentation to support approvals and change control.

Secondary Functions

  • Support site implementation of digital tools (site management apps, document control systems, BIM models) and maintain accurate electronic records.
  • Assist with production of weekly/monthly progress and KPI reports for project stakeholders and senior management.
  • Participate in continuous improvement initiatives and lessons-learned sessions to improve site processes, safety and delivery efficiency.
  • Provide ad-hoc technical support to the planning, commercial and procurement teams during tender stage or site handover.
  • Contribute to workforce planning by identifying skills gaps, supporting recruitment for site roles and coordinating subcontractor labour requirements.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Site supervision and construction site management experience (residential, commercial, refurbishment or civil engineering projects).
  • Strong knowledge of health & safety legislation (CDM 2015, local regulations), SMSTS/SSSTS or equivalent training and implementation on site.
  • Competence in reading and interpreting construction drawings, specifications, shop drawings and technical data.
  • Experience with programme management tools and creating lookahead schedules (MS Project, Primavera P6 or construction-specific apps).
  • Contract administration basics: understanding of variations, change control, RFI management and preparing progress evidence.
  • Quality control procedures, snagging, commissioning and handover processes.
  • Competence in carrying out and documenting risk assessments, method statements (RAMS) and issuing permits-to-work.
  • Familiarity with construction digital platforms and document management systems (Procore, Aconex, Asite, BIM360) and MS Office (Excel, Word, Outlook).
  • Materials management and logistics coordination: delivery scheduling, storage, inventory control and waste minimisation.
  • Basic understanding of temporary works, lifting operations, plant safety and site welfare requirements.

Soft Skills

  • Strong communication and stakeholder management: clear, professional liaison with clients, consultants, subcontractors and site teams.
  • Leadership and people management: ability to supervise, motivate and develop on-site workforce and subcontractors.
  • Problem solving and decision-making under pressure with a pragmatic, results-focused approach.
  • Time management and organisation: manage multiple priorities to keep the programme on track.
  • Attention to detail and commitment to quality workmanship and thorough record keeping.
  • Resilience and adaptability to changing site conditions and programme pressures.
  • Negotiation skills for resolving day-to-day subcontractor and supplier issues.
  • Collaborative team player who fosters a positive, safety-first site culture.
  • Analytical mindset for site reporting, identifying trends and proactively mitigating project risks.
  • Customer-focused attitude with the ability to maintain client relationships through to successful handover.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma / GCSEs or equivalent; vocational qualifications (NVQ/SVQ level 2-3) in Construction or Building Services.

Preferred Education:

  • HND / Higher National Diploma, Foundation Degree or Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Building Surveying or related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Construction Management
  • Civil Engineering
  • Building Surveying
  • Quantity Surveying
  • Architectural Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–5 years of site-based construction experience with proven supervisory responsibility.

Preferred: 3–7 years of on-site experience including supervision of subcontractors, health & safety oversight, quality control and involvement in medium to large scale construction projects. Certifications such as CSCS card, SMSTS/SSSTS, First Aid, NEBOSH/IOSH or equivalent are desirable.

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