Project Manager
Our client, leaders in construction, is looking to add a Project Manager to its team.
The right candidate has operated as a general contractor, professionally serving Commercial & Industrial clients across Canada. Their style of management is to appreciate and integrate the distinct vision, needs and strategies of differing, commercial and institutional clients.
As a full-service company, our client offers general contracting, millwork manufacturing and installations, as well as project management. Working closely with designers, architects, corporate executives, clients and/or their representatives assures the delivery of creative renovations and construction assignments.
Our client has always focused on building long-term client relationships by developing a sensitivity and appreciation for each client’s uniqueness, deadlines and plans in order to deliver a quality product through strict attention to details and excellent service.
Position Overview:
Being a construction manager demands organization, attention to detail, an ability to see the “big picture” and an understanding of all facets of the construction process, usually acquired through years of experience.
The Project Manager is the intermediary between the client and his workers, between the architect (designer) and his subordinates, between the project and any regulatory personnel.
The wide range of responsibilities that the Project Manager faces means that he needs to have a wide variety of skills and knowledge, including facility with reading plans, construction techniques, budgeting and human resources management. The most underrated skill a project manager needs is the ability to convince and persuade. He may have to convince a client that a last minute change will mean innumerable delays or cost increases, or convince an unmotivated subcontractor to complete his job as required by a previous agreement.
“You can always do your job better if you can make other people do their jobs better.” The ability to motivate and exact good work has to be tempered with understanding the limits of workers, and knowing when a change in plans already underway is worth fighting for and when it is not.
Aside from the high level of stress the day-to-day occupation fosters, the sense of satisfaction among people in the industry is high. Many point to the intimate relationships between Construction Companies and clients, between architect (designer) and construction companies, and between construction workers and their contractors as positive experiences. People, who work in the industry, report that the construction industry is both interesting and requires hard work to succeed.
Primary Accountability:
The Project Manager is at the “hub” of a cast of individuals, including the client, designers, architects, engineers, estimation department, accounting department, site supervisor(s), sub-trades and various support staff to ensure the project is realized on time within the terms-of-reference and project budgets.
The Project Manager has “primary” accountability for the management of various assigned construction projects. He/She must assure the client, various professionals (Designer, Engineer or Architect) as well as all internal departments, that the project is being performed in accordance with contract terms, regulations and in the most effective and efficient manner.
The Project Manager working closely with the site supervisor, is responsible to ensure the proper planning, scheduling and execution of all phases of the construction process are accomplished to the highest degree of our client’s quality standards.
Nature & Scope:
The Project Manager must understand and implement the company’s value system, construction policy/procedures and operating style. As the company’s primary contact with our client, the incumbent must represent the company professionally. As our client’s delegate, the incumbent must posses the necessary technical, managerial, interpersonal relationships and tact to assure the project completion is within the costs and timelines established by the assignment’s mandate.
A Project Manager must possess excellent interpersonal and managerial skills, with an ability to relate to a wide range of individuals in various situations. The incumbent must also be able to work under pressure, deadlines and the demands of constant change.
The Project Manager provides solutions to normal and unexpected technical problems as they appear. The incumbent seeks senior management advice, support or uses other (approved) resources when issues presented are beyond his authority or expertise.
One of the major responsibilities of the Project Manager is to assure the project plans are being properly implemented by monitoring and interacting with the site supervisor as well as various outside services.
It is the responsibility of the incumbent to respect the timelines, and quality standards required and to find and use the necessary resources to deliver the assignment described in the contract.
In summary, the Project Manager is responsible for supervising all construction project activities performed by the site supervisor, sub-trades and/or company personnel ensuring the assignment meets the specifications, drawings, standards, schedule, while respecting all construction regulations.
Competencies:
To perform successfully, the Project manager should demonstrate the following competencies. (This list is not prioritized)
- Analytical – Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs work flows and procedures.
- Design – Generates creative solutions; Translates concepts and information into images; Uses feedback to modify designs; Applies design principles; Demonstrates attention to detail.
- Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Leads and works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
- Project Management – Oversees the Development of plans; Coordinates all projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Manages project team activities.
- Technical skills – Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; shares expertise with others.
- Customer service – Manages difficult or emotional client situations; Responds promptly to client needs; Solicits client feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; meets commitments.
- Interpersonal – Focuses on solving conflicts, not blaming others; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others’ ideas and tries new approaches.
- Oral communications – Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
- Team Work – Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone’s efforts to succeed; Recognizes accomplishments of other team members.
- Written Communication – Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information; Bilingual, can read and write both English and French.
- Delegation – Delegates work assignments; Matches the responsibility to the person; Gives authority to work independently; Sets expectations and monitors delegated activities; Provides recognition for results.
- Leadership – Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; Effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Inspires respect and trust; Accepts feedback from others; Provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates; Gives appropriate recognition to others; Displays passion and optimism; Mobilizes others to fulfill the vision.
- Managing people – Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; Takes responsibility for subordinates’ activities; Makes self available to staff; Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates’ skills and encourages growth; Solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); Fosters quality focus in others; Improves processes and services; Continually works to improve supervisory skills.
- Quality Management – Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
- Business Acumen – Understands business implications of decisions; Displays orientation to profitability; Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; Aligns work with our client’s strategic goals.
- Cost Conscious – Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Contributes to profits and revenue; Conserves organizational resources.
- Ethics – Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
- Adaptability – Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events.
- Innovation – Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others’ attention.
- Judgment – Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
- Motivation – Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence; Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals. Fosters individuals and groups to do better.
- Planning/Organizing – Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time effectively; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.
- Professionalism – Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows though on commitments.
- Safety and Security – Assures that all safety and security procedures are in place; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Changes potentially unsafe conditions; Uses or insists that equipment and materials are used properly.
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