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Thanks to the resurgence in the infrastructure sector, the demand for construction managers is on the rise. Says N.S. Rajan, Partner and National Head (Human Capital), Ernst & Young: “The demand is poised to increase as the construction industry will see a lot of foreign players coming in either on their own or as joint venture partners of Indian companies.”

However, most construction companies are finding it difficult to find good construction managers. “The larger issue is still of a skills shortage. Considering the multiplicity of projects and huge investments coming in, players across the levels feel there is a huge dearth of professionals with specialised skills,” says Rajan.

Fact Box Who’s hiring: DLF, Unitech, L&T, Emaar-MGF, GVK, GMR, Gammon India, Jaiprakash Associates, IVRCL Infrastructures, Nagarjuna Construction, Hindustan Construction, among others Who’re they hiring: B.Tech/BE in civil engineering, Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies and Bachelor in Construction Science grads At what levels: All levels. Junior, middle (five or more years of work experience), and senior (eight or more years of experience) At what salaries: Rs 6-9 lakh per annum at the entry level; Rs 20-30 lakh per annum at the mid-level; and Rs 50-70 lakh per annum at senior levels What are the numbers like: Currently, the top 20 infrastructure companies employ around 2,500 managers. Taking into account the mismatch between supply and demand, this job market will grow at more than 30 per cent per annum

Generally, the job of construction managers is to plan, direct, and coordinate a wide variety of construction projects, including residential, commercial and industrial structures, rigs, roads, bridges, and wastewater treatment plants. Says Rajan: “These managers coordinate and supervise the construction process from the conceptual development stage through final construction, making sure that the project gets done on time and within budget.”

Construction managers may oversee an entire project or a part of one. Says Rajan: “Large construction projects, such as an office building or industrial complex, are often too complicated for one person to manage.” These projects are divided into many segments: site preparation, including land clearing and earth moving; road construction; building construction, including erection of the structural framework, floors, walls, and roofs. Construction managers may be in charge of one or more of these activities.

Employers increasingly prefer to hire construction managers with a bachelor’s degree in construction science, civil engineering, or architects, although it is also possible for experienced construction workers such as field engineers, cost appraisers or schedulers to move up to become construction managers.