Job profile
Site manager (m/f/d)
From laying the foundation stone to acceptance: site managers literally wear the hat when it comes to coordinating construction projects. They ensure that teams are coordinated and employees are instructed correctly so that buildings are erected on time and correctly. They also check whether external partner companies and suppliers are fulfilling their tasks.
Site managers keep a close eye on the economic, structural and time schedules. They are responsible for ensuring that everything runs as planned on construction sites and that customer requirements are implemented correctly. The site manager also carries out the final quality control. Here they determine whether the building meets the necessary quality standards and whether all tasks have been carried out correctly.
Site managers keep a close eye on the economic, structural and time schedules. They are responsible for ensuring that everything runs as planned on construction sites and that customer requirements are implemented correctly. The site manager also carries out the final quality control. Here they determine whether the building meets the necessary quality standards and whether all tasks have been carried out correctly.
Are you looking for a job as a site manager (m/f/d)?
Do you always keep a clear head during construction? Do you know what is important when constructing new buildings or building roads, railways, tunnels or sewers? Then we have the right jobs for you.
Are you looking for a qualified site manager (m/f/d)?
Are you planning a complex construction project and looking for a site manager who is responsible for the complete implementation of a construction project? Our specialists will implement your project quickly and on schedule.
Are you looking for an exciting project as a site manager (m/f/d)?
Have you already successfully supervised a number of construction projects and are an absolute professional in building construction or civil engineering as a freelancer? How about a new, exciting construction project that you can take the lead on?
What is a site manager? - Definition
A site manager keeps an eye on all activities on the construction site and takes care of both the client's requirements and the proper execution of all work.
The site manager therefore spends a lot of time on the construction site coordinating suppliers, external companies and employees. They also work in the office, where they carry out preparatory and follow-up work as well as project management. They conduct negotiations with stakeholders and suppliers, obtain quotations and carry out calculations. The site manager is often compared to a project manager, as the tasks of these two roles are very similar.
Sometimes the job as a site manager can be very stressful and lead to an unbalanced work-life balance. This is because project plans are sometimes not adhered to, which requires a quick reaction and often a plan B. This calls for routine and expertise from the site manager, but also a cool head in order to complete the construction on time.
As a site manager, you will come into contact with different people on the construction site and when working with your sponsor and external companies. That's why this job requires communication skills and a good knowledge of human nature. It is extremely important that you always involve the right people in the individual phases of the construction plan and that you constantly have all the information on the construction site at your disposal.
The site manager therefore spends a lot of time on the construction site coordinating suppliers, external companies and employees. They also work in the office, where they carry out preparatory and follow-up work as well as project management. They conduct negotiations with stakeholders and suppliers, obtain quotations and carry out calculations. The site manager is often compared to a project manager, as the tasks of these two roles are very similar.
Sometimes the job as a site manager can be very stressful and lead to an unbalanced work-life balance. This is because project plans are sometimes not adhered to, which requires a quick reaction and often a plan B. This calls for routine and expertise from the site manager, but also a cool head in order to complete the construction on time.
As a site manager, you will come into contact with different people on the construction site and when working with your sponsor and external companies. That's why this job requires communication skills and a good knowledge of human nature. It is extremely important that you always involve the right people in the individual phases of the construction plan and that you constantly have all the information on the construction site at your disposal.
Site manager salary: a comprehensive overview
The average salary of a site manager in Germany is € 68,000 gross per year.
However, construction manager earnings depend on various factors: The location, professional experience and size of the company have a strong impact on income. As a rule, construction managers earn between €59,000 and €78,000 per year.
Female site managers earn the most in Hesse, while salaries in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are the lowest in Germany.
Another important factor that influences the salary of a construction manager is the field in which they work. This is because the construction industry is divided into several areas: Building construction, civil engineering, urban and road construction.
However, construction manager earnings depend on various factors: The location, professional experience and size of the company have a strong impact on income. As a rule, construction managers earn between €59,000 and €78,000 per year.
Female site managers earn the most in Hesse, while salaries in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are the lowest in Germany.
Another important factor that influences the salary of a construction manager is the field in which they work. This is because the construction industry is divided into several areas: Building construction, civil engineering, urban and road construction.
Starting salary as a site manager: Junior site manager salary
The starting salary of a site manager is also impressive, as site managers usually have several years of experience in the construction industry. In the first three years, the starting salary as a site manager is around €58,000 per year. This salary rises with increasing professional experience.
Senior site manager salary: your earnings after many years
Long-serving site managers - in some companies also senior site managers - can expect to earn around 80,000 euros gross per year.
However, the salary also depends on the employer or client and the complexity of the construction project. Additional training can also have a positive effect on the salary of a senior site manager, for example in the field of electrical engineering.
However, the salary also depends on the employer or client and the complexity of the construction project. Additional training can also have a positive effect on the salary of a senior site manager, for example in the field of electrical engineering.
Site manager tasks and activities: What does a site manager do?
The tasks of site managers are very varied and often complex, as a site manager forms the interface between theory and practice: what was first planned in the office is now to be implemented on the construction site. As not everything is always carried out as planned on paper, the site manager must constantly find new solutions.
The most important tasks of a site manager include
- Monitor and control the construction site
- Observe the specifications in the building permit, plans and other regulations
- Check proper implementation of the construction work
- Complete construction site tours
- Develop workflows and improve processes
- Obtain cost estimates and offers from service providers
- Conducting negotiations and agreements with clients
- Planning staff deployment
- Acceptance of services and deliveries
- Take over cost control and invoice verification
- Participation in official inspections
- Comply with health and safety guidelines
- Monitor and control the construction site
- Observe the specifications in the building permit, plans and other regulations
- Check proper implementation of the construction work
- Complete construction site tours
- Develop workflows and improve processes
- Obtain cost estimates and offers from service providers
- Conducting negotiations and agreements with clients
- Planning staff deployment
- Acceptance of services and deliveries
- Take over cost control and invoice verification
- Participation in official inspections
- Comply with health and safety guidelines
Junior site manager tasks
As a junior site manager, you are at the beginning of your career in site management. You therefore act as a support for the more experienced people in construction management and therefore often have other activities in construction management.
The tasks of a junior site manager include
- Quality control of the work carried out
- Administrative tasks, such as checking invoices
- Documentation of the construction
- Contact person for clients and service providers
- Assistance function of the senior site manager
Senior site manager tasks
For long-standing site managers, the next career step is often clear: senior site manager. The senior site manager is responsible for several construction projects at the same time and serves as a manager for other site managers.
In addition to his management role, his tasks are similar to those of a site manager:
- Planning of construction projects
- Organization and coordination of the parties involved
- Consultation with clients
- Cost calculations
- Monitoring compliance with site-specific regulations
- Documentation of the construction progress
- Checking the quality
What is a specialist site manager? The expert for details
In addition to site managers and senior site managers, there are often also specialist site managers on construction sites. A specialist site manager is deployed when the site manager's own specialist knowledge reaches its limits. A specialist site manager is therefore an expert in a specific specialist area that becomes important at a certain point during construction. This could be timber construction, fire protection or electrical engineering, for example.
The specialist site manager takes care of the organization and compliance with regulations in his area of responsibility. They therefore support the site manager in a certain area, while the site manager remains the main point of contact for the entire construction project. As soon as this specialist area has been properly completed, the assignment of the specialist site manager is finished.
The specialist site manager takes care of the organization and compliance with regulations in his area of responsibility. They therefore support the site manager in a certain area, while the site manager remains the main point of contact for the entire construction project. As soon as this specialist area has been properly completed, the assignment of the specialist site manager is finished.
Site manager training, studies & further training: How do you become a site manager?
There are various ways to become a site manager: For many, becoming a site manager was a logical career step after many years in the construction industry. Appropriate further training or a degree course provide the necessary basis of theoretical knowledge, as there is no classic construction manager training.
A degree generally enables direct entry as a construction manager. This is possible, for example, via a Bachelor's or Master's degree in fields such as civil engineering or architecture in combination with practical experience through various internships.
A degree generally enables direct entry as a construction manager. This is possible, for example, via a Bachelor's or Master's degree in fields such as civil engineering or architecture in combination with practical experience through various internships.
Site manager training: practical experience desired
Although there is no classic training to become a construction manager, the practical route via training is still the entry point into the profession for many. But even construction managers without a degree have to prove their knowledge and skills. This often requires a master craftsman title or comparable further training, e.g. as a technician.
The following qualified professions pave the way to becoming a site manager:
The following qualified professions pave the way to becoming a site manager:
- Building technician
- Bricklayer - Concrete master
- Master roofer
- Road builder
- Master carpenter
- Foreman (building construction or civil engineering)
Construction manager studies: The academic path to construction
To enable direct entry into construction management, the academic route is recommended. Although there is no specific construction manager degree program, some fields of study are particularly suitable for becoming a construction manager. These include
- Civil engineering
- Architecture
- Water and soil management
- Building technology
You can find these courses at many major universities and universities of applied sciences in Germany. Many students complete suitable internships on construction sites during their studies in order to gain the necessary experience. After all, if you want to become a site manager, it is essential to have practical experience.
Further training as a site manager
Experienced civil engineers or architects who want to take the next step can also train to become a certified site manager. In many cases, these certificate courses require a degree in a relevant field (e.g. architecture) or a completed apprenticeship (e.g. structural engineering). You can obtain certification from various providers, such as the TÜV Academy or an IHK course.
In addition, there are many further training courses for site managers who want to specialize further or refresh their knowledge. Exciting training topics are included:
In addition, there are many further training courses for site managers who want to specialize further or refresh their knowledge. Exciting training topics are included:
- (Construction) project management
- Seminars on specific materials
- Acting with legal certainty in construction management
- Specialist engineer modules
- Construction logistics planning
Construction manager as a career changer: Is there a career change into construction management?
A lateral entry as a site manager without relevant previous experience is not possible. In order to work in construction management, a degree or master's degree in a relevant field is recommended, as plenty of theoretical knowledge and practical experience are required to do this job. After all, the site manager is responsible for the entire construction process and all employees involved.
The best way for those with construction experience to make a career change is to complete a high-quality training course and obtain a certificate as a construction manager.
The best way for those with construction experience to make a career change is to complete a high-quality training course and obtain a certificate as a construction manager.
Construction manager skills: Construction managers must have these requirements
For many companies, a degree in civil engineering or architecture from a university or university of applied sciences is a prerequisite for the position of site manager. This is because sound specialist knowledge is essential for working on the construction site.
The most important skills of a site manager include:
The most important skills of a site manager include:
- Sound knowledge of mathematics and statistics
- Knowledge of statics, timber construction, CAD planning and construction IT
- Advanced know-how in relevant technologies
- Building informatics
- Analytical thinking
- Ability to work in a team
- Assertiveness
- Strong negotiating and communication skills
- Sense of responsibility
Construction manager career: opportunities on the job market
The construction industry is booming: houses and roads are being built everywhere, offices and warehouses are being commissioned. As a result, order books are full and construction companies are recording pleasing increases in turnover. This means that construction manager jobs are still in demand.
The Hays Skilled Labor Index 2023, which examined all job advertisements on relevant job portals, found that a small slump in 2020 did not further weaken the construction industry. The demand for skilled workers continues to rise and also increased sharply in the last quarter of 2023.
Although the construction industry in Germany also suffered a slump due to the coronavirus pandemic, the figures have since recovered or been exceeded. The trend is therefore still positive, while the construction industry in other EU countries was affected by Covid19 in the long term.
There are also further career opportunities if you work as a site manager. After a few years, you can make the leap to senior or section construction manager. Your job prospects will therefore improve steadily over the next few years.
There are also further career opportunities if you work as a site manager. After a few years, you can make the leap to senior or section construction manager. Your job prospects will therefore improve steadily over the next few years.
Top Vacancies: site manager Jobs (m/f/d)
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FAQ
As a site manager, you are responsible for the entire organization and coordination on the construction site. You take care of the deployment of personnel and the schedule for the construction project and check whether everyone involved in the construction is carrying out their work properly.
As a rule, construction managers have a degree in civil engineering or architecture or a relevant master craftsman title or training as a construction technician. A classic lateral entry as a site manager is not possible.
In Germany, construction managers earn an average annual gross salary of € 68,000. As an entry-level salary, you can expect to earn €58,000 a year, while long-term construction managers earn an average of €80,000.
In Germany, anyone with relevant vocational training and several years of experience in construction or a degree in architecture or civil engineering with additional completed internships is qualified to become a site manager.
