Shifting Gears: Why IT Project Managers Are Perfect Candidates for Construction Management Roles

The construction management industry is facing a significant talent shortage, and it’s projected to only get worse in the coming years. To stay ahead, innovative construction companies should consider tapping into the expertise of project management professionals from other fields, like IT, who bring a wealth of transferable skills and a fresh perspective to the table.

For seasoned IT Project Managers transitioning into construction management, there’s potential for significantly higher earnings as they gain experience in the field. Initially, salaries for roles like Senior Project Manager or Project Director can range from $130,000 to $160,000+ per year, focusing on managing complex projects and leading larger teams. As they progress to positions like Construction Manager or Senior Construction Manager, overseeing entire construction sites or multiple projects, salaries can increase to between $150,000 and $180,000+ per year.

Moving into executive roles, such as Vice President of Construction or Director of Construction Operations, experienced managers can earn from $180,000 to $250,000+ per year, especially when responsible for strategic oversight and leading significant projects. For those reaching the top-tier roles like Chief Construction Officer (CCO), salaries can exceed $250,000 to $350,000+ per year, reflecting their leadership over large-scale operations and business strategy.

These figures can vary based on location, industry sector, certifications, and company size. High-demand regions like New York and San Francisco often offer higher compensation, while specialized sectors like commercial development and infrastructure provide additional earning potential. Obtaining industry certifications such as CCM or PMP and managing large-scale projects can significantly boost earning potential, making a transition to construction management a lucrative career shift for seasoned IT professionals.

IT Project Managers with a decade or more of experience transitioning into Construction Management can be feasible given their strong project management skills. Here’s a breakdown of how to navigate this transition effectively:

1. Leverage Existing Project Management Skills

Project management fundamentals are the same across industries—budgeting, scheduling, resource allocation, communication, and stakeholder management. The skills an IT Project Manager has developed over 10 to 20 years (e.g., risk management, team leadership, timeline adherence) are directly applicable to construction.

Emphasize the ability to handle complex projects, manage teams, meet deadlines, and work under pressure. These skills are in high demand in construction, especially in an industry experiencing a talent shortage.

2. Focus on Recognizable Training & Certification

Getting construction-specific certifications will make their transition smoother by demonstrating familiarity with industry standards:

• Certified Construction Manager (CCM): A well-respected certification that emphasizes skills specific to construction management.
• Project Management Professional (PMP): If not already certified, it’s a strong credential in both IT and construction.
• Associate Constructor (AC): An entry-level certification for those starting in construction management.
• OSHA 10-Hour or 30-Hour Construction Certification: Provides safety training relevant to construction sites, which is highly valued.
• Construction Management Courses: There are various online platforms offering construction-specific courses (e.g., Coursera, edX, LinkedIn Learning). Topics like construction fundamentals, blueprint reading, and scheduling with tools like MS Project or Primavera P6 are useful.
• Technical Skills: If interested in becoming hands-on, training in tools like AutoCAD, Revit, Primavera P6, or Procore could be beneficial.

3. Choose the Right Construction Sector for Transition

?Commercial vs. Residential:

• Commercial Construction: Often more complex, involving larger teams, multiple stakeholders, and stricter regulations. A Project Manager with a background in managing large-scale IT projects may find commercial projects more similar to what they’ve handled.
• Residential Construction: Typically smaller in scale, faster turnaround, and may involve less complexity. This sector might be easier for a newcomer to understand the basics of construction, but the projects might not fully leverage their complex project management background.

?Recommendation: Commercial construction might be a better fit because of the complexity and project management demands, like large-scale IT projects. However, starting in smaller projects (within commercial) could provide a smoother transition before taking on larger assignments.?

4. Consider Starting with a Smaller Construction Company

Smaller construction firms may be more open to hiring professionals from different backgrounds and can provide a more hands-on learning environment. There’s often greater flexibility to grow into roles and take on responsibilities that match the individual’s skills.

The candidate could also have the opportunity to oversee multiple aspects of a project, giving them a more comprehensive understanding of construction processes.?

5. Identify High-Probability Sectors within Construction

?Sectors with Higher Success Probability:

• Commercial Construction: IT Project Managers are used to managing multiple teams, dealing with stakeholders, and overseeing larger budgets—similar skills needed for large-scale commercial projects.
• Infrastructure & Public Works: These projects have structured environments, which can appeal to someone coming from IT project management. Familiarity with complex project schedules, risk assessments, and budgeting is highly valuable here.
• Renewable Energy (like solar installation projects): This sector has a unique intersection of technology and construction, which might appeal to someone transitioning from IT.?

6. Support from Recruiters and Staffing Agencies

• ?Recruiters specializing in construction management can identify and target firms that are open to hiring career changers. They can highlight the transferable skills of experienced project managers and make introductions that facilitate these transitions.
• Create mentorship programs where seasoned construction professionals can guide newcomers, helping them adapt quickly to the nuances of the industry.?

7. Addressing the Construction Talent Shortage

• The current talent shortage in construction makes companies more willing to consider candidates from other industries, especially those with strong project management skills.
• Encourage companies to view these candidates as project management experts, even if they need to learn the technicalities of construction.
• Offer training workshops for older professionals covering construction essentials, such as blueprint reading, budgeting in construction, construction software tools (e.g., Procore, Bluebeam), and safety protocols.

Highlight the value of an older professional’s soft skills (like leadership, communication, and stakeholder management) that younger candidates may lack.

8. Develop a Training Pathway for Candidates

• ?Collaborate with local community colleges or online platforms to create training pathways focused on key areas of construction management. Provide options for short courses that lead to certifications.
• Consider offering temporary or apprenticeship roles within construction companies that allow for on-the-job learning while earning certifications. This will provide hands-on experience and accelerate the learning curve.

9. Use Networking and Mentorship

• ?Encourage transitioning professionals to network within the construction industry, attend trade shows, conferences, and join local chapters of organizations like the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA).
• Pair transitioning candidates with mentors in the construction sector to provide guidance and support, helping them navigate the learning curve more smoothly.

Transitioning from IT Project Management to Construction Management is realistic, particularly given the current talent shortage in construction. By leveraging transferable skills, focusing on industry-specific training, and selecting the right sector, an IT professional can make a successful and rewarding shift into construction. It’s about emphasizing their project leadership experience, highlighting their ability to manage complex projects, and providing them with the right resources and guidance to make the transition seamless.