Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Construction Operations Manager

🎯 Role Definition

The Construction Operations Manager is a seasoned construction leader responsible for driving safe, on-time, on-budget delivery of multiple projects through strategic planning, resource optimization, subcontractor and vendor management, and rigorous enforcement of quality and safety standards. This role acts as the operational hub between executive leadership, project teams, owners, and trade partners to ensure consistent delivery of program objectives, KPI targets, and contractual obligations.

Key SEO / LLM keywords: construction operations manager, site operations, project delivery, construction safety, schedule management, cost control, subcontractor coordination, contract administration, CPM scheduling, quality assurance.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Site Superintendent — proven site leadership and field supervision experience
Project Engineer — technical coordination and schedule support background
Construction Project Manager — hands-on project delivery and client interaction

Advancement To:

Director of Construction / Head of Operations
Vice President, Construction or Regional Operations Manager
Program Director / General Manager — multi-site program portfolio leadership

Lateral Moves:

Project Controls Manager (scheduling, cost, and claims)
Estimating Manager or Preconstruction Director
Facilities or Asset Operations Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead and manage day-to-day construction operations across multiple active projects, ensuring alignment with program milestones, contractual deliverables, and company operational standards.
Develop, maintain, and drive master schedules (CPM) using MS Project, Primavera P6, or equivalent, monitor critical path activities, and implement recovery plans to mitigate schedule risk.
Own project budgets and cost control processes: forecast cost-to-complete, track actuals vs. budget, approve requisitions, and identify cost-saving opportunities while protecting margins.
Oversee selection, onboarding, performance management, and coordination of subcontractors and vendors; enforce scope compliance, quality standards, and timely progress.
Administer contracts, purchase orders, and change orders; manage negotiation, documentation, and approval workflows to minimize disputes and preserve project cashflow.
Establish and enforce comprehensive safety and health programs (including OSHA standards); conduct regular safety audits, toolbox talks, incident investigations, and corrective action tracking.
Serve as primary operational contact for owners, architects, engineers, and local authorities; represent the company in meetings, site inspections, and permit processes to ensure timely approvals.
Implement and monitor quality assurance and quality control systems: define inspection checklists, oversee testing, and ensure final deliverables meet specifications and punchlist completion.
Manage procurement and logistics for long-lead items, materials, and equipment; partner with supply chain to optimize delivery sequences and on-site storage to minimize downtime.
Recruit, coach, and develop site management teams including superintendents, foremen, and field engineers; set performance expectations, conduct reviews, and foster a high-performance safety culture.
Forecast resource loading and manpower plans; balance internal resources and subcontractor labor to maintain productivity and control labor costs.
Lead weekly operational and coordination meetings (schedule, safety, quality, procurement); distribute meeting minutes, action items, and hold teams accountable for resolution.
Drive commissioning, systems integration, and turnover processes: coordinate testing, vendor startups, O&M manual delivery, and final acceptance with owners.
Manage and resolve complex field issues, technical conflicts, and constructability questions in partnership with design and engineering teams to avoid schedule slippage.
Oversee environmental and site compliance requirements, including erosion control, spill prevention, hazardous materials handling, and local environmental regulations.
Implement and leverage construction technology platforms (Procore, BIM 360, Bluebeam) to improve document control, field reporting, RFI/ASIs, and closeout efficiency.
Prepare and present detailed operational reports and KPI dashboards to senior leadership covering schedule performance, safety metrics (TRIR, LTIR), cost status, and risk registers.
Develop and maintain contingency and risk mitigation plans for weather, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and permitting delays; execute escalation and recovery strategies when needed.
Administer subcontractor pay applications, retainage release, and lien waiver processes in accordance with contract terms and internal controls.
Manage commissioning of cranes, heavy equipment, and mechanized assets; maintain equipment utilization records and coordinate preventive maintenance to reduce downtime.
Oversee site security, access control, and asset protection protocols to safeguard materials, equipment, and personnel.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives and implement Lean construction practices and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to improve productivity and reduce waste.
Facilitate dispute resolution and claims avoidance by maintaining clear documentation, timely RFIs, change order substantiation, and collaborative negotiation with stakeholders.
Lead closeout and handover activities: ensure all as-builts, warranties, O&M manuals, final permits, and lien releases are delivered to the owner per contract requirements.
Coordinate emergency response and business continuity planning for active job sites, including evacuation procedures, incident command, and crisis communication.
Ensure accurate and timely submission of progress reports, daily logs, site diaries, and photo documentation to support claims, audits, and historical records.

Secondary Functions

Support continuous improvement of operational processes by capturing lessons learned and facilitating post-project reviews.
Drive adoption and optimization of field data capture and reporting tools to improve transparency and decision-making across the portfolio.
Mentor junior operations staff through formal training programs and on-the-job coaching to build bench strength and succession pipelines.
Collaborate with preconstruction and estimating teams to provide constructability feedback and cost-saving alternatives during bid and design phases.
Participate in corporate strategy sessions to align project execution practices with broader company goals, technology adoption, and sustainability initiatives.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Construction program and site operations management with demonstrated ability to run multiple concurrent projects.
CPM scheduling and schedule recovery experience (Primavera P6, MS Project).
Budgeting, forecasting, and job cost control expertise; strong Excel modeling and financial acumen.
Contract administration and change order management (AIA contracts, GC-subcontractor agreements).
Safety and regulatory compliance knowledge (OSHA standards, local building codes, permitting).
Construction management software proficiency (Procore, Viewpoint, BIM 360, Bluebeam).
Familiarity with BIM coordination, shop drawing review, and constructability workflows.
Procurement, logistics, and long-lead item management.
Quality assurance/quality control procedures and commissioning experience.
Claims avoidance and dispute resolution, with strong documentation and RFI/ASIs management.
Equipment and fleet management, including maintenance scheduling and utilization tracking.
Environmental compliance and erosion control best practices.
Estimating fundamentals and constructability review experience (preferred).
Familiarity with Lean construction, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies (preferred).
Certifications (preferred): PMP, CCM, OSHA 30, LEED AP, or equivalent industry credentials.

Soft Skills

Strong leadership and team-building capability with proven experience supervising multi-disciplinary teams.
Excellent oral and written communication; able to present complex operational information to executives and clients.
High-level problem solving, critical thinking, and decision-making under pressure.
Effective negotiation and conflict resolution skills with subcontractors, vendors, and stakeholders.
Strong time management, prioritization, and ability to manage competing deadlines.
Stakeholder management and client-facing professionalism.
Attention to detail and commitment to quality deliverables.
Adaptability and resilience in fast-paced, changing field environments.
Coaching and mentoring mindset to grow junior leaders.
Analytical orientation with ability to translate data into actionable operational plans.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Construction Science, or a related technical discipline.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's degree plus relevant advanced credentials (Master’s in Construction Management, MBA, or industry certifications such as PMP, CCM, OSHA 30, LEED AP).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Construction Management
Civil Engineering
Architecture
Construction Science
Project Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 7–15 years of progressive construction experience, including at least 3–5 years in field operations or site management roles.

Preferred:

8+ years of construction delivery experience with proven success managing commercial, industrial, or large-scale residential projects.
Minimum 3 years supervising multiple sites or leading multi-project portfolios.
Demonstrated track record of delivering projects on schedule and within budget, strong safety performance, and experience with modern construction technologies (Procore, BIM).
Proven experience in contract administration, claims mitigation, and leadership of cross-functional teams.