Project Managers: How to Make the Leap to Director of Construction or Project Executive

Making your way in the construction industry can be tough, especially when your path is construction management. The progression from project manager to director of construction or project executive is challenging but rewarding for those who have the business acumen and leadership skills to make it. If you are looking to make the leap from project manager to director of construction or project executive, here’s a list of things you should consider as you navigate this path.

1. Sharpen Your Leadership Skills

The leadership skills required to work as a construction director or executive must be more developed than those required for project management. Directors and executives are responsible for leading teams, making critical decisions, and setting the strategic direction of projects and sometimes entire departments. If you want to be an executive or director, you need to focus on mastering your leadership skills in areas of mentorship, communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution.

2. Build a Strong Professional Network

Networking plays a critical role in the lives of construction directors and project executives. Building relationships with industry professionals and clients will open doors to new opportunities and provide support as you advance. Sign up and participate in industry associations and seminars so you stay up to date with industry trends and expand your network. Besides only networking with other industry professionals, a good project manager looking to make the leap to what is next must also collaborate and get to know everyone he or she is working with in the beginning – whether it be the estimating team, project accounting team, or field team. This will allow for better rapport and help improve project success.

3. Demonstrate Proven Success

A project manager looking to make the next step in career development to executive and director positions must have a proven track record of successfully completing projects, particularly those that are complex and high-profile. Demonstrating consistent performance, meeting deadlines, staying within budgets, and achieving high client satisfaction are crucial metrics that can propel you towards an executive position.

4. Master the Fundamentals

Project managers are expected to have a foundational understanding of construction management basics, like scheduling, budgeting, and resource allocation. But ascending to higher roles requires more than a foundational understanding of these basics; it requires that you master them. Further, executives and directors are highly proficient in advanced project management methodologies, risk management, and quality assurance. Project managers can signal their proficiencies through certifications like PMP (Project Management Professional) or CCM (Certified Construction Manager). It is also beneficial to be certified in certain construction software. For example, some directors of construction or project executives use Procore and are Procore-certified.

5. Overall Business Vision

When moving into an executive role, project managers must shift their thinking from project-level to organizational-level. This requires project managers to learn and master the business side of construction, such as marketing trends, financial management, and client relationships. It’s worth noting that many directors and executives working in construction management pursue MBAs or similar advanced degrees to develop the necessary business acumen.

6. Find Mentor Assistance

As a final note, if you are serious about ascending to a director or executive-level position from a project-level position, you should find a mentor who has successfully made this transition and can offer specific guidance and feedback on how you can do the same.

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