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Construction/program manager skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

Irish Horsey Ph.D.,

Irish Horsey Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical construction/program manager skills. We ranked the top skills for construction/program managers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 11.0% of construction/program manager resumes contained real estate as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a construction/program manager needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 construction/program manager skills for your resume and career

1. Real Estate

Real estate is land that has buildings on it. This kind of property consists of permanent improvements either natural or man-made, which include, houses, fences, bridges, water trees, and minerals. There are 4 types of real estate namely; residential real estate, commercial real estate, industrial real estate, and vacant land.

Here's how construction/program managers use real estate:

Led financial viability reviews of construction projects, real estate transactions, and contract executions.
Key participant in negotiations of contractual terms for real estate transactions and agreements.

2. Construction Projects

A construction project is an organized process of constructing, redeveloping, renovating, or otherwise improving a building, or structure. The project phase begins usually as a broad criterion that is then made with the help of a brief, feasibility analysis, funding, and planning. The majority of construction projects are one-time jobs.

Here's how construction/program managers use construction projects:

Zero Lost Time Accidents on all construction projects while obtaining profitable results and timely project completions.
Oversee new and reconstruction projects in support of the International Narcotics and Law enforcement program.

3. Oversight

Having oversight of someone means to monitor a process or a situation. If someone has oversight of something, they are responsible for the completion of the project. Oversight is usually given to experts as they monitor their juniors or newbies as they go through a project.

Here's how construction/program managers use oversight:

Manage third party contractors, including safety oversight, controlled inspection and environmental design specification compliance, and also direct consultants.
Performed contract management, construction scheduling, subcontractor coordination, client relations, quality assurance and safety policy oversight and enforcement.

4. Status Reports

Here's how construction/program managers use status reports:

Prepared monthly project status reports, including potential schedule / budget impacts and financial reporting, as required by the lenders.
Reviewed project documentation including change orders, certifications, project submission, project extra work and regular project status reports.

5. Project Scope

Here's how construction/program managers use project scope:

Developed, maintained and updated project scope and budget through construction.
Facilitated development of project scope-of-work and selected mechanical engineer for retrofit of existing HVAC systems of the material distribution centers.

6. Retrofit

Here's how construction/program managers use retrofit:

Monitored efficiency in wind turbine project retrofit as the designated representative of the owner.
Planned and coordinated building's use during the project retrofit.

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7. General Contractors

A general contractor is a person who has the job of overseeing a construction project after a contract has been signed between the property owner and the contractor. A general contractor is also called a direct contractor and provides all of the labor, material, equipment like tools, and transport. Most of the time, a general contractor also hires multiple subcontractors to do all or different parts of the construction work.

Here's how construction/program managers use general contractors:

Reviewed, approved and maintained shop drawings, change orders, and applications for payment submitted by the General Contractors.
Manage external vendors and resources including general contractors, site development firms and NEPA /SHPO vendors.

8. OSHA

Here's how construction/program managers use osha:

Supervised project architect/engineers, contract administrators and site personnel while developing/maintaining OSHA reporting and establishing minimum requirements for vendor liability/worker compensation.
Conduct regularly scheduled safety meetings and closely monitor site operations to maintain compliance with OSHA mandates and company-defined operational protocols.

9. Capital Projects

A capital project is a long-term project carried out by professional teams to build, improve, maintain or develop a huge project that will help improve the asset of a city. This project involves a significant and constant flow of investments. A capital project can be new construction, the purchase of land or property, leasing a property, the renovation of an existing building, or the purchase of new equipment.

Here's how construction/program managers use capital projects:

Budget forecasting, oversaw capital projects/planning.
Managed a 50% reduction in staffing due to layoffs, while completing all capital projects within budget as originally planned.

10. A/E

Here's how construction/program managers use a/e:

Supervised A/E firms producing Construction and Zoning Drawings for the Northeast and Southeast regions of the Open Range Communications.
Served as the primary point of contact between the home office, A/E firm and the client.

11. Leed

LEED is basically the acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It is a certification program that approves the standards of buildings that are ecology-oriented. This includes the maintenance, building, and even the working of the ecological infrastructure.

Here's how construction/program managers use leed:

Established LEED ordinance and contractor debarment policy.
Heighten community awareness through company's successful development and execution of sustainable LEED projects in the design/build space.

12. Program Budget

Here's how construction/program managers use program budget:

Developed program's initial data management tracking system, prepared program reports and responsible for program budget management.

13. Site Development

Site developments are the improvements made on a site in preparations for construction.

Here's how construction/program managers use site development:

Inspected site development throughout the duration of the project with constant focus on maintaining production costs and completion schedule.
Ensured the completion of multiple projects, from permitting and site development to final closing.

14. Constructability Reviews

Here's how construction/program managers use constructability reviews:

Performed Constructability Reviews of all 49-CSI Divisions on various types of buildings, structures and systems.
Specialized skills in project scoping, budgeting, feasibility, value analysis & constructability reviews.

15. Design Development

Design development is used to refer to a number of positions and skills in a number of different industries. In the architectural world, Design Development is used to refer to an architectural plan that is already halfway or more done but needs further development, alteration, and testing. In the automotive industry, it refers to the skills necessary to create and develop new car, engine, and other designs, as well as to ensure that all designs are safe and effective.

Here's how construction/program managers use design development:

Managed and monitored architect/engineering firms during design development phase for scope accuracy, design quality and payment schedule requests.
Project inception, design development, monitor consultants and contractors towards the completion and opening of coffee bars.

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What skills help Construction/Program Managers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on construction/program manager resumes?

Irish Horsey Ph.D.

Interim Chair of the Department of Construction Management and Assistant Professor, Kennesaw State University

Construction Managers are problem solvers. Employers seek analytical, technical, and effective communication skills from potential employees for construction management positions. Whether building a skyscraper or single-family home, there are always groups of people performing numerous construction activities and tasks simultaneously on a construction site. Therefore, resumes that show time, cost, and, most importantly, safety management skills are most desired by employers.

What soft skills should all construction/program managers possess?

Irish Horsey Ph.D.

Interim Chair of the Department of Construction Management and Assistant Professor, Kennesaw State University

Leadership and communication are among the most essential skills of a construction manager. Construction managers are responsible for ensuring that projects are built safely on schedule, within budget, and to the quality outlined in the drawings and specifications. To fulfill these responsibilities, construction managers must lead multiple teams, including primary, secondary, and third party players, on a construction project through effective oral and written communications.

What hard/technical skills are most important for construction/program managers?

Irish Horsey Ph.D.

Interim Chair of the Department of Construction Management and Assistant Professor, Kennesaw State University

Construction Managers are project managers with specialized technical skills. Construction managers' most important technical skills are print reading, estimating, scheduling, project and technology management.

What construction/program manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Neil Opfer

Assoc. Professor - UNLV Civil & Environmental Engineering & Construction Department, Website

First off, know what competitive salaries are in your area of the country for the type of job you want as you never have to recover from a good start. Some companies, for instance, will offer salaries that are simply not competitive. As an example, a few years ago, we had one CM graduate starting at $70K per year at one firm (heavy-highway contractor) whereas another grad had been offered $42K per year for a commercial flooring contractor. That $42K was simply not competitive with the market whether that employer offering that salary knew it or not. Also, compare offers versus area living costs. Use cost-of-living calculators such as at bankrate.com If you, using this bankrate.com tool, were offered one job in Las Vegas NV at $80,000 per year versus another job opportunity in Los Angeles CA, you would need $122,000 per year as a comparable salary. Remember to measure yourself as to earning that salary on a regular basis. Don't take jobs where a bonus is promised to make up for a bad salary. Example here is taking a Superintendent Job where your Job ended up profitable but other jobs run by others overall didn't so taking that lower salary and not getting that bonus didn't work out so well. Again, benchmark yourself against what others in the industry in that same area are actually getting paid. If you truly feel you deserve a raise where you're at but can't get it you may need to change jobs to get to a higher salary scale. But that firm offering above-market salaries may be doing so because of internal problems (bad bosses, poor working conditions, insane hours, insane understaffing, etc.) so look before you leap. It's a given that to be successful as a working professional in construction, one cannot just work a 40-hour week. But you shouldn't be working 7-10s or more on a regular basis either. Again, through networking you perhaps can find out who are the 'bad employers.'

What type of skills will young construction/program managers need?

Becky Serbin

Director of Education and Curriculum, National Tile Contractors Association

Tile contractors are hiring across the U.S. and using several different online job posting sites. We even have an online form that those interested in the trade can fill out. When we receive them, they are forwarded to members in their area. If the person is located in an area where there is a union presence, they can even contact that office for job opportunities.

What technical skills for a construction/program manager stand out to employers?

Kristen Parrish Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Arizona State University

This is pretty dependent on the job that you're going for, but I think that one technical skill that employers in construction look for is the ability to communicate technical information clearly and concisely. This will be critical onsite and in the office -- you need to demonstrate an understanding of how a project comes together, and this requires the ability to communicate clearly. Beyond the communication, a technical understanding of material behavior (i.e., concrete curing, crane picks, etc.).

Do you want to know more?

List of construction/program manager skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a construction/program manager resume and required skills for a construction/program manager to have include:

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

Site Development
Constructability Reviews
Design Development
RFP
Shop Drawings
Business Development
RFI
Project Development
Contract Compliance
Construction Drawings
Construction Contractors
HVAC

Construction Management
Contract Negotiations
Sprint
Square Feet
K-12
RF
ISO
Government Agencies
Design Reviews
Logistics

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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