The construction industry encompasses various specialties like residential, commercial, civil, and industrial projects. It also includes key players such as owners, designers, general contractors, specialized contractors, material suppliers, and trades personnel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Construction teams rely on a clear hierarchy to ensure every member understands their role and contributes effectively. Within this hierarchy, there are many levels and designations, with everyone from laborers and tradespeople to foremen, safety officers, and construction managers contributing to the success of any given project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Importance of Management Roles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
With so many moving parts, it can be easy for ambitious construction projects to be derailed by unexpected events. Challenges related to budgets, scope of work, or resource allocation can be navigated with proper planning and coordination. This is where project managers, construction managers, and general contractors come into play. These professionals use a broad skill set to deliver projects smoothly and address daily site safety and productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key Players in Construction Projects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
While all team members and stakeholders contribute to the construction process, a few key players have a significant impact on maintaining high-quality standards while keeping projects on schedule and within budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each project is created by an owner who defines project goals and objectives and usually provides financial backing. Projects may be commissioned by corporate entities, government agencies, or nonprofit organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The project manager role centers around long-term planning and coordination, with the project manager acting as a key liaison between the client and various construction, engineering, or architectural teams. Larger firms may hire project directors to oversee multiple project managers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Next up in the construction project hierarchy are construction managers and general contractors. Construction managers focus primarily on field operations including planning and quality control, providing broad oversight while also reporting to owners, p, and project managers, and their firms. General contractors focus on immediate concerns in the physical construction environment and with team members such as laborers, tradespersons and designers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Growth and Opportunities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
While construction’s hierarchy may seem complicated at first glance, it affords many advantages beyond sheer efficiency. From the construction professional’s perspective, this hierarchy is useful because it provides a clear pathway for career advancement. With the right degree and exposure to various facets of the construction industry, ambitious professionals can move into mid-level and, eventually, senior-level management roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Below, we will explore two of the most compelling pathways in detail while also revealing what a construction manager does and what a general contractor does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Directing the coordination and delegation of diverse construction tasks, the construction manager plays an instrumental role, beginning with the Notice to Proceed (NTP) and extending through closeout and turnover to the owner\u2019s facilities management (FM) team. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Construction Management Association of America (CMAA)<\/a> explains that this professional represents the owner\u2019s interests and has a mandate to \u201cwork with all parties to deliver the project on time, at or under budget, and to the owner\u2019s expected standard of quality, scope, and function.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is important to note that these responsibilities differ somewhat depending on whether a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) delivery system is used; in this situation, the construction manager will hold a higher level of authority and oversight and represent the Owner team during the beginning of the project. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Construction management responsibilities can vary somewhat depending on the Owner\u2019s experience and staff size as well as the type of projects, but Jason Schroeder highlights a few key priorities: planning, scheduling, cost control, and safety compliance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Calling for a diverse array of skills and knowledge, construction management draws on numerous technical competencies and leadership skills to ensure that projects are completed safely, on time, and on budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, what is a general contractor, and what does a general contractor do, exactly? General contractors share many skills and employ construction managers but a construction manager employed by a GC will have emphasis on the day-to-day work performed on the actual construction site. Typical Projects. <\/strong>General contractors are involved in diverse projects ranging from small-scale residential builds (such as single-family homes) to large-scale commercial pursuits such as office buildings. Across numerous types of projects, general contractors provide the activities, materials, personnel, and onsite coordination and oversight necessary to build the facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n General contractors can hold a diverse range of responsibilities, which may differ according to the goals or scope of any given project. In general, this role involves, as Jason Schroeder explains, hiring subcontractors, procuring materials, personnel safety, and addressing any issues that may arise during construction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n General contractors must develop a thorough understanding of the construction landscape and relevant rules and regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The main differences between construction managers and general contractors are the level and breadth of oversight. Construction managers, who work for the owner team, focus coordination and overall execution. Agency construction managers are not responsible for the performance of the work required to build the project.\u00a0General contracting involves more of a hands-on approach, emphasizing seamless workflows on a day-to-day basis. These core differences can play into the more specific nuances of these roles, such as their differing work environments and responsibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CMAA\u2019s Northern California Chapter<\/a> clarifies, Agency \u201cCMs are not general contractors or constructors and typically do not perform the actual construction tasks themselves, but rather act as an advisor to or agent of the owner.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Agency construction management is practice that assists the owner team in completing the project successfully, while general contracting emphasizes seamless, day-to-day execution. These differing priorities play out in distinct scopes of responsibility:<\/p>\n\n\n\n While both construction managers and general contractors may have the opportunity to discuss key concerns with owners, communications are normally routed to the construction manager and then to the owner team. Beyond this, the nature of client interactions may differ considerably between these two roles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beyond differences in\u00a0how<\/em>\u00a0daily responsibilities play out between these two roles, distinctions may also emerge regarding\u00a0when<\/em>\u00a0these key players get involved in the construction process. These timing differences largely relate to their unique focus on either strategic management or project execution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Financial risks are inherent in all areas of construction management, but they tend to play out differently for construction managers and general contractors, who assume different roles and types of risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Moving beyond financial risks, construction managers and general contractors must manage a diverse array of other risks, which could involve everything from safety to timing and scope of work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite the many differences described above, many shared passions and goals link construction management and general contracting. Ultimately, both types of professionals are crucial to success in the construction industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many paths to advancement in the diverse construction field, but a targeted degree can provide one of the most efficient and reliable opportunities to climb this field’s unique career ladder. A graduate degree in construction<\/a> is especially valuable, offering a solid foundation in management concepts specific to the dynamic construction environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don’t underestimate the value of a formal education in preparing for the construction industry’s most impactful roles. This can provide a strong foundation in key areas such as project planning, budgeting, and scheduling while promoting soft skill development. Credentials also matter, with employers and clients enjoying greater confidence when working with well-trained management professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While multiple degree programs can promote relevant skills, few offer comprehensive preparation, quite like the master\u2019s in construction management. A Master\u2019s in Construction Management offers: <\/p>\n\n\n\n At first glance, the master\u2019s in construction management may appear more closely aligned with construction management or project management roles. In reality, however, this degree can also set aspiring general contractors up for success. Shared advantages include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The master\u2019s in construction management covers essential skills like budgeting, scheduling, and contract negotiation, providing valuable knowledge for both construction managers and general contractors. This degree can also be valuable for developing widely applicable soft skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both general contractors and construction managers are expected to make difficult decisions, often while navigating ethical or compliance requirements. Through master’s programs, they can gain hands-on practice with decision-making initiatives, learning how to anticipate challenges and assess multiple factors as they make -decisions and provide oversight for diverse teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although construction management involves different responsibilities and focus than general contracting, general contractors can benefit from applying a strategic approach to their day-to-day efforts on the modern construction site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you aspire to become a construction manager or a general contractor, you can benefit greatly from pursuing your Master of Science in Construction Management<\/a> with Texas A&M University. Offering an accessible and immersive online format, this program can set you up for success in several construction-oriented career paths. Reach out today to learn more<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Construction management is a vast and exciting field, offering powerful opportunities to shape built environments and entire communities. Numerous career opportunities within this far-reaching field encourage passionate professionals to craft their careers as they see fit. Exciting roles …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":832,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[20,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-830","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-construction-science"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Close](\"https:\/\/www.arch.tamu.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/03\/construction-manager-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat Is a Construction Manager?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Responsibilities and Duties<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Required Skills and Qualifications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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What Is a General Contractor?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Responsibilities and Duties<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Required Skills and Qualifications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Labourers](\"https:\/\/www.arch.tamu.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/03\/construction-manager-onsite-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nConstruction Manager vs. General Contractor: Key Differences<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Scope of Responsibility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Relationship with the Client<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Project Involvement Timing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Financial Arrangement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Risk and Liability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Similarities Between Construction Managers and General Contractors<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Role of a Construction Management Degree in Career Advancement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Importance of Education<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Benefits of a Master’s in Construction Management<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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How a Master’s Degree Prepares You for Both Roles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Comprehensive Skill Set<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Leadership Development<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Strategic Thinking<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Texas A&M University’s Online Master of Science in Construction Management<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n