How to hire a construction/program manager

How to hire a construction/program manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step construction/program manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a construction/program manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new construction/program manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a construction/program manager do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the construction/program manager you need to hire. Certain construction/program manager roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a construction/program manager to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a construction/program manager that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of construction/program managers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Construction/Program Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Construction/Program Manager	Construction managers plan, coordinate, budget, and supervise construction projects from start to finish.	$38-68
   Project Superintendent	The construction or project superintendent's role is to oversee the operations of construction sites, from the planning phase to completion. They have varied duties and responsibilities based on specific projects that include scheduling and budgeting, communicating and negotiating with external partners, and acquiring materials and equipment... Show more	$34-63
   General Contractor	The job of general contractors is to oversee the day-to-day operations of projects in the organization. General contractors are considered seasoned experts when it comes to home improvement... Show more	$19-51

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Real Estate
   • Construction Projects
   • Oversight
   • Status Reports
   • Project Scope
   • Retrofit
   • General Contractors
   • OSHA
   • Capital Projects
   • A/E
   • Leed
   • Program Budget
   • Site Development
   • Constructability Reviews

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage complete design and construction coordination of company's retail properties throughout the Washington/Baltimore area market.
   • Coordinate development of oversight procedures and train staff to ensure and maintain high quality consistent products to clients.
   • Ensure contractor meet environmental, electrical, structural, and mechanical (piping, HVAC & process) specifications.
   • Coordinate implementation of construction works completely to satisfy approve architectural, structural, electrical, mechanical and plumbing design plans.
   • Inspect and ensure passing of all city and county building code requirements.

   More construction/program manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your construction/program manager job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A construction/program manager salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, construction/program managers' average salary in kansas is 35% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level construction/program managers earn 44% less than senior-level construction/program managers.
   • Certifications. A construction/program manager with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a construction/program manager's salary.

   Average construction/program manager salary

   $107,442yearly

   $51.65 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level construction/program manager salary

   $80,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average construction/program manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Washington	$126,254	$61
   2	New Jersey	$123,551	$59
   3	California	$123,040	$59
   4	Texas	$117,832	$57
   5	New York	$113,478	$55
   6	Illinois	$112,833	$54
   7	South Carolina	$112,332	$54
   8	Colorado	$111,654	$54
   9	Nevada	$109,820	$53
   10	Maine	$108,363	$52
   11	Pennsylvania	$107,695	$52
   12	Arizona	$107,582	$52
   13	Tennessee	$107,576	$52
   14	Georgia	$105,581	$51
   15	Massachusetts	$104,726	$50
   16	Rhode Island	$102,247	$49
   17	Oregon	$102,178	$49
   18	Florida	$101,069	$49
   19	Minnesota	$97,148	$47
   20	Virginia	$95,398	$46

   Average construction/program manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Google	$144,180	$69.32	91
   2	Microsoft	$140,893	$67.74	35
   3	Parsons	$127,574	$61.33	96
   4	Amazon	$121,179	$58.26	446
   5	Intel	$111,563	$53.64	7
   6	NJ Transit	$107,138	$51.51
   7	CBRE Group	$106,055	$50.99	635
   8	PEAK Technical Staffing USA	$105,835	$50.88
   9	JLL	$104,681	$50.33	75
   10	Honeywell	$104,558	$50.27	45
   11	CB Richard Ellis Memphis LLC	$104,466	$50.22
   12	The Arcanum Group	$104,463	$50.22
   13	Group PMX	$104,448	$50.22
   14	Humana	$101,670	$48.88	77
   15	Shiel Sexton	$98,059	$47.14
   16	CVS Health	$97,078	$46.67	88
   17	Turner & Townsend	$96,787	$46.53	309
   18	Schneider Electric Industrial Services	$92,171	$44.31	11
   19	Belcan	$89,434	$43.00	8
   20	Lockheed Martin	$86,624	$41.65	161

4. Writing a construction/program manager job description

   A construction/program manager job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a construction/program manager job description:

   Construction/program manager job description example

   Our people create our best Plexus.
   WHO WE ARE
   
   We're a global team of over 19,000 engineering, manufacturing, supply chain and aftermarket service experts who partner with customers to bring their products to life through inspired innovation and world-class customer service.
   
   We are passionate about innovating, creating and delivering products that change people's lives. From surgical devices and health monitors to warehouse robotics and space products, we partner with our customers to help create the products that build a better world.
   
   Whether you're looking to start, make a change or advance your career, find your path at Plexus Corp. and leave your mark on the world. WHY WE LOVE IT
   
   Engaging and challenging projects that fulfill and develop you. People that inspire and empower you to realize your full potential. Leadership and development programs to support your career goals. A workplace centered on inclusion and collaboration. At Plexus, we're at our best when opportunities are met with passion, open communication and teamwork.
   HOW YOU WILL DO IT
   As Plexus continues to grow our global facilities portfolio will expand as we add sites to enable and support the growth of the business. The Program Manager - Construction role leads the construction of new sites globally from design and the creation of a detailed scope of work packages through to site commissioning on time, within budget, to quality standards and stakeholder satisfaction.Key Job Accountabilities:Global site planning including site selection and acquisition, design, tendering of work packages and selecting and contracting with main Contractors.Project scoping and project planning, budgeting, resourcing, governance and regular communication to key stakeholders on project progress across multiple concurrent projects.In line with Plexus goals and net zero vision on environmental sustainability, drive innovation and standards in respect of environmental building design and construction.Work with site construction leads to provide specialist expertise and support in the various elements of site construction, and ensure best practice application. Accountable to execute on Plexus' Best People strategy, leaders will focus on evaluating potential, driving succession planning and ensuring that their employees receive the development and coaching required to realize their full potential.Other job responsibilities:Co-ordination of the programs projects and management of inter-dependencies including oversight of any risks and issues arising.Management of budgets and schedules.Adoption and implementation of the latest technology regarding sustainability and energy reduction.Business case development.Management of the procurement process, including negotiation Accountability for safety and ensuring all practices are in adherence to local regulations.Strive towards site LEED accreditation.Facilitate weekly site project meetings.Communicate weekly with Stakeholders.Knowledge, skills and competencies:In-depth knowledge of program and project management methods and principals.Experience planning, monitoring and controlling a portfolio of construction projects.Exceptional Leadership and organizational skills.Knowledge and experience of performance evaluation principals.Experience managing senior stakeholders.Excellent written and verbal communications skills.Attention to detail and time management skills.A strong understanding of mechanical systems and EHS regulations and practices.Knowledge and experience of preempting issues and problem solving.Proficiency in MS Office, MS Project, Auto-Cad, MS Excel.Good knowledge of Prince 2 PMI and MSP.Travel expectations:25% - 50% travel.Potential for short term assignments abroad from time to time for large projects. Education and ExperienceMinimum of a bachelor's degree is required in Construction, Facilities Management, Environmental Engineering or Safety Management (or related fields).Seven years of related experience is required, four more years of equivalent industry experience is preferred.Minimum of 5 years in a Construction Program or Project Management, or alternatively a Managerial role in a Construction company.
   This document does not represent a contract of employment and is not intended to capture every possible assignment the incumbent could be asked to perform.
   
   Some offers of employment are contingent upon successfully passing a drug screen and upon completion of a confidentiality agreement.Our Values and How We Lead behaviors guide our processes. Plexus does not make employment decisions based on race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and encourage all to apply today!Globally, our policy is to recruit people from wide and diverse backgrounds. However, our company does not typically undertake sponsorship, including for H-1B, TN, and other nonimmigrant visas. Additionally, certain positions require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Applicants for these positions may need to be “U.S. persons.” “U.S. persons” are generally defined as U.S. citizens, nationals, lawful permanent residents (or, green card holders), individuals granted asylum, and individuals admitted as refugees.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right construction/program manager for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your construction/program manager job on Zippia to find and recruit construction/program manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting construction/program managers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new construction/program manager

   Once you've selected the best construction/program manager candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new construction/program manager. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a construction/program manager?