Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Construction Superintendent

💰 $85,000 - $140,000

ConstructionSite ManagementProject Management

🎯 Role Definition

The Construction Superintendent (also known as Site Superintendent) is the on-site leader responsible for daily operations on commercial, industrial, or residential construction projects. This role oversees field crews, subcontractors, schedules, safety, quality, and cost control to deliver projects on time and within budget. The Superintendent liaises with Project Managers, Estimators, Owners, and subcontractors, enforces safety and quality standards (OSHA/comparable), and ensures construction activities align with the contract, drawings, and specifications.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Assistant Superintendent / Junior Superintendent
  • Field Foreman / Lead Carpenter
  • Field Engineer / Project Engineer

Advancement To:

  • Senior Superintendent / Senior Site Manager
  • Project Manager
  • Construction Manager / Operations Manager
  • Director of Construction or VP of Construction

Lateral Moves:

  • Estimator / Preconstruction Manager
  • Safety Manager / HSE Supervisor
  • Quality Manager / QA/QC Lead

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Plan, coordinate and supervise all on-site construction activities daily to ensure projects meet schedule milestones, budget targets and quality standards; proactively identify and mitigate schedule risks using CPM/critical path methods and tools (Primavera P6, MS Project).
  • Direct and manage multiple subcontractors and craft labor forces, ensuring scope clarity, schedule adherence, housekeeping, and on-site productivity; enforce contractual performance and drive accountability through daily logs and performance metrics.
  • Read, interpret and enforce construction drawings, specifications, RFI responses and change orders; ensure work complies with design intent, codes (IBC, NEC, local codes) and project specifications.
  • Develop, update and own the site-specific schedule and lookahead (2–6 week) plans in coordination with Project Management and subcontractors; lead weekly scheduling meetings and produce stakeholder schedule reports.
  • Implement, monitor and enforce site safety programs and OSHA regulations (OSHA 10/30/OSHA 500 experience preferred); conduct daily safety briefings, toolbox talks, site inspections and facilitate incident reporting and corrective actions.
  • Oversee materials management and logistics: coordinate delivery schedules, verify material quantities and quality, stage materials properly, track inventory, and prevent delays due to procurement or supply chain issues.
  • Control project cost through effective field management: identify cost-saving opportunities, manage field change orders, verify subcontractor invoices and monitor labor productivity against budgets.
  • Lead quality control and commissioning activities: establish QA/QC checkpoints, conduct inspections, document nonconformances, follow up on corrective actions, and prepare punch lists for final closeout.
  • Coordinate on-site testing and inspections with third parties, owners, architects and local authorities: schedule inspections, address deficiency reports, and ensure timely sign-off.
  • Supervise installation sequencing and temporary construction (shoring, weather protection, access control); ensure site access, traffic control, and neighbor protection are implemented when required.
  • Mentor, train and evaluate field staff and subcontractor supervisors; set performance goals, conduct performance reviews, and promote a culture of continuous improvement and safety-first.
  • Manage on-site documentation: maintain daily logs, progress reports, RFIs, submittal logs, safety reports, quality records, as-built markups and project closeout binders using Procore, PlanGrid, or similar construction management platforms.
  • Facilitate pre-construction and pre-installation meetings and lead coordination meetings with trades to resolve interface issues, sequence work and reduce rework.
  • Execute site layout and control: establish benchmarks, set elevations, coordinate surveyors, and verify lay-out accuracy before construction activities commence.
  • Oversee temporary utilities, power, and water systems for the site; ensure proper provisioning to support continuous trade work.
  • Manage environmental compliance and erosion control: implement BMPs, ensure waste management and recycling procedures and coordinate permits related to stormwater, wetlands, or protected areas.
  • Respond to owner and client concerns promptly, maintain positive client relations, and represent the contractor during owner/architect/engineer (OAC) meetings.
  • Maintain and enforce security protocols for tools, equipment and materials; supervise equipment operations and enforce proper machine guarding and operator qualifications.
  • Lead commissioning, turnover and project closeout activities: produce punch lists, coordinate final inspections, assemble O&M manuals and warranties, and ensure a smooth transition to the operations/owner team.
  • Proactively manage risk: identify safety, schedule, budget and contractual risks in the field and escalate to Project Management with proposed mitigation plans.
  • Oversee field productivity tracking and reporting metrics (labor hours, earned value, percent complete) and provide timely status updates to Project Managers and stakeholders.
  • Coordinate subcontractor scopes and help with bid evaluations during procurement when requested; provide field-based input to subcontractor selection and pricing.
  • Ensure compliance with union agreements and labor regulations when applicable; coordinate hiring, dispatching and overtime approvals in collaboration with HR and project leadership.
  • Implement lean construction practices on site where appropriate (just-in-time deliveries, prefabrication staging, modular coordination) to improve efficiency and reduce waste.

Secondary Functions

  • Support the Project Manager with weekly and monthly project reporting, forecasts, and updates to the project schedule and budget.
  • Assist with client change-order negotiations by providing field-based scope validation, time-impact analysis and cost documentation.
  • Participate in pre-bid/site visits to provide field insights on constructability, phasing and potential site constraints.
  • Collaborate with the procurement team to validate long-lead items and confirm on-site handling needs.
  • Maintain and contribute to the project’s lessons-learned log and support continuous process improvements across projects.
  • Provide input and technical support for estimating and preconstruction activities, including labor productivity assumptions and equipment needs.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proven experience managing on-site construction operations for commercial, industrial or multi-family residential projects.
  • Advanced knowledge of construction scheduling, CPM and lookahead planning (Primavera P6, Microsoft Project).
  • Strong ability to read and interpret plans, shop drawings, specifications, and change orders.
  • Proficient with construction management software: Procore, PlanGrid, Bluebeam, Fieldwire, or similar.
  • Hands-on experience with quality control, punch lists, commissioning and closeout processes.
  • OSHA safety compliance and site safety program implementation (OSHA 10/30 preferred; OSHA 500 a plus).
  • Subcontractor management, contract administration basics and change order negotiation.
  • Cost control fundamentals: field cost tracking, productivity measurement, and basic job costing.
  • Familiarity with BIM coordination and clash resolution (Revit coordination advantageous).
  • Knowledge of local building codes, permitting processes and third-party inspection coordination.
  • Experience coordinating heavy equipment operations, concrete/formwork, mechanical/electrical/ plumbing (MEP) sequencing.
  • Material logistics and supply-chain coordination; managing long-lead procurement and staging on site.
  • Ability to prepare and manage daily reports, RFIs, submittal logs, safety reports and as-built records.

Soft Skills

  • Strong leadership and people management skills; able to motivate and direct multi-trade crews and subcontractors.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication; capable of clear instructions to field teams and concise updates to owners and PMs.
  • Problem-solving and decisive field judgment under schedule and budget pressures.
  • Time management and organization with the ability to prioritize shifting site demands.
  • Conflict resolution and negotiation skills to manage subcontractor disputes and owner requests.
  • Attention to detail and a quality-first mindset to ensure work meets contract requirements.
  • Team-player mentality and collaborative approach with design, procurement and project teams.
  • Adaptability and resilience in fast-paced, changing construction environments.
  • Coaching and mentoring ability to develop field supervision talent.
  • Professionalism and customer-service orientation when interfacing with owners, architects and neighbors.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED; trade school certificate or relevant construction apprenticeship preferred.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture or a related field preferred.
  • Certifications such as Certified Construction Manager (CCM), OSHA 30, CSP or similar are a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Construction Management
  • Civil Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Building Science / Construction Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 5–15 years of construction experience with at least 3–5 years in a supervisory superintendent role.

Preferred:

  • 8+ years construction experience with proven success as a Superintendent on similar-sized commercial or industrial projects.
  • Prior experience with union and non-union workforces, large subcontractor pools, and self-perform trade coordination.
  • Demonstrated track record of delivering projects on schedule, within budget, with strong safety and quality performance.
Explore More Careers