A construction project superintendent oversees every aspect of a project, including scheduling, financials, and safety. A good construction superintendent will collaborate with coordinators and project managers to ensure everything runs smoothly.
What Makes a Good Construction Project Superintendent?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects job opportunities for general superintendents to grow eight percent in the years up to 2029. That's four percent faster than the four percent average for the rest of the job market. Construction project superintendents require a bachelor's degree and on-the-job training to reach the pinnacle of the construction industry.
The job description for a general superintendent involves the following duties.
- Working with stakeholders to determine the project's needs.
- Setting and monitoring deadlines.
- Reporting on project progress.
- Ordering materials and managing equipment.
- Providing feedback to subcontractors.
- Coordinating with HR.
- Handling conflicts and emergencies in the workplace.
So, what makes a good construction project superintendent?
Here's one in action! Watch Contour Construction General Superintendent Cory M. explain door installations.
Work Experience
The construction project superintendent needs to have extensive on-the-job experience. Most superintendents come from specialized roles, allowing them to connect and collaborate with the project stakeholders. Their construction experience gives subcontractors the confidence they need to carry out their work without stopping to question decisions.
Quick Decision-Making & Problem Solving
Construction projects rarely run to plan and require constant redirection to keep things on track. Without the ability to make fast, accurate decisions, project costs can get out of hand, jeopardizing the company's viability and embarrassing the organization in front of the stakeholders.
Whether dealing with new issues that slow things down or navigating frequent project alterations from clients, the construction project superintendent must be able to think on their feet and make sound decisions that deliver the best solution to any problem encountered on and off-site.
Excellent Communication Skills
The construction project superintendent must keep a handle on all aspects of the project at all times. They'll need excellent written and verbal communication skills to get the most out of their subcontractors and employees while delivering results to the stakeholders and management. Multilingual skills might not be a prerequisite for the job, but it offers an advantage.
Extensive Soft Skills
The construction project superintendent interacts with dozens of people every day. Therefore, they need world-class soft skills in order to allow them to keep professional relationships in check and running smoothly. Some of the interpersonal skills required by construction project superintendents include the following:
- Empathy and awareness
- The ability to listen
- Excellent networking
- Diplomacy, tolerance, and respect
- Team-building
Construction project superintendents rely on these interpersonal skills in setting the workplace environment and attitude of the teams they coordinate. Industry professionals with good soft skillsets and a people-first mentality and approach can get the most out of their people, resulting in higher productivity levels.
Strong Initiative
Since construction projects have many moving parts, superintendents with the ability to plan ahead and take the initiative to make the right choices and offer opinions that succeed where others fail. Individuals that can maintain operational efficiencies and create contingency plans in the face of challenges are those that do well on the job.
Leadership & Delegation
Construction projects involve hundreds, sometimes thousands of workers. Project superintendents that have the ability to delegate, not abdicate, can get the most out of their people, keeping the project on track to a successful deadline. Their leadership skills get their team's attention and help them assess team members suitable for handling the right tasks.
Resourceful & Technically Savvy
The role of the construction project superintendent is challenging, and they need all the help they can get with planning and execution. Therefore, they need a good understanding of the technological and human-based resources available to them to succeed.
Commitment & An Eye for Detail
The elite construction project superintendent never settles for mediocre results. They strive to go above and beyond stakeholders' expectations. A good construction project superintendent will remain focused on the task at hand and the details that make it work. Since they're accountable for the actions of others, they need to pay special attention to outcomes on all levels.
Calm Under Pressure
The best construction project superintendents know how to deal with pressure situations - there are plenty on any job site. Superintendents can find themselves caught between subcontractors that want them to protect their interests and clients that demand optimal efficiency for their capital expenditure.
They don't buckle under pressure. The greats thrive in these circumstances. They harness their skillset to alleviate tension as it arises and neutralize issues presenting problems to the project.
Professionalism
Construction project superintendents display a professional approach to setting the tone in their interactions with subcontractors and clients. They are not abusive or intimidating but understanding and cooperative, without getting walked all over. Beyond showing their colleagues, superiors, and employees respect, they handle all correspondence in a professional manner, keeping things on track for success.
Meet Contour Construction’s Project Superintendent and Field Supervisors Team:
- Cory M.
- Ed J.
- Mark A.
- Jason R.
- Larry W.
- Eric L.
- Dave K.
- Randy B.
What Our Clients Say
"I want to express our appreciation for the efforts of your team and specifically Jason Rice. Contour and Jason have been instrumental in the ongoing success of our project. Jason has been a tremendous team player working hand-in-hand with all trades to ensure quality is top-notch. Thank you for your team’s efforts! I look forward to finishing this project strong with you guys and pairing up on the next one!"
- Chase Koory - Superintendent, Boyd Jones Construction
Contour Construction | Commercial Carpentry In Omaha
Contour can complete large and small carpentry and concrete projects:
- Multi‐Family Residential
- Commercial
- Educational
- Small-scale tenant improvement and build-out projects
- Senior Living Facilities
- Churches
- Schools
Contact Contour Construction to outline your performance in carpentry on your next project. Click to check out our services, and projects, or contact us today
We are currently hiring, if interested, please click on Careers and contact us.
