what is a site administrator?
A site administrator is a site manager who delegates some administrative tasks. As a site administrator, you are responsible for how a construction project runs daily. You are also responsible for completing every contract's required administrative tasks. You plan, direct and budget for construction projects. While most of your duties are administrative, you need extensive knowledge and experience in construction. Knowing the safety and building codes and maintaining the necessary paperwork is essential for the role.
To become a site administrator, you require a specific set of skills, including strong organisational skills, good people skills and functional computer skills. As a site administrator, you work closely with agencies, contractors and project managers. If you are analytical, this job will suit you, especially if you can manage timelines and deadlines effectively. Site administrators usually report to the site manager or project manager.
As well as working in construction, a site administrator may supervise site work in mining, energy and manufacturing companies, ensuring the work runs smoothly if a company has an offsite production facility.
Would working in construction as a site administrator suit your decision-making skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a site administrator role.
site administrator jobsaverage site administrator salary
According to ONS, the median salary for a site administrator is £24,000 per year. Junior site administrators take home a compensation package of £21,500 annually, while the most experienced workers earn over £29,449 yearly. The salary usually fluctuates based on your level of education and experience. When you are a newly trained site administrator, your salary can be as low as £16,000 annually. Senior administrators earn more than £35,000 a year.
what factors affect the salary of a site administrator?
Your compensation package relies primarily on your skills and experience, but you can boost your earnings by working additional hours or changing locations. Some locations attract higher compensation to cater for the high cost of living. For instance, working as a site administrator in London may increase your annual salary by a few thousand pounds. The demand for workers in some areas also drives up salaries.
Many companies provide overtime schedules with higher hourly rates. Working with large organisations or multinationals improves your salary prospects since they can pay higher salaries.
types of site administrators
The types of site administrators depend on the industry in which they work. Some include:
- construction site administrators: as a construction site administrator, your job involves handling administrative tasks on behalf of the client. You create project timelines, plan work schedules and create a budget. Your job is to organise safety documents and prepare the building regulation guidance for the construction crew.
- project site administrator: as a project site administrator, you work in various companies that handle complex projects. Working in manufacturing, you oversee production processes and prepare the necessary paperwork. In any industry, you coordinate projects to ensure the teams achieve the desired objectives.
working as a site administrator
As a site administrator, you mainly perform administrative tasks, which means you can work from home. However, you meet with the construction crew and visit the work site to monitor progress. Discover the specific duties, work environments and work schedules of site administrators.
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site administrator job description
Here are some duties and responsibilities you should expect to carry out as a site administrator:
- administrative tasks: you perform administrative tasks, including data entry, project budgeting, paperwork and ensuring the required materials are delivered to your worksite. You typically deal with logistical and clerical tasks, especially when working on a complex project.
- document control: part of your job description as a site administrator includes sorting out documents related to every project, maintaining installation records and monitoring drawings done by contractors. You prepare documents during every project stage as part of quality control. You also confirm the construction work's quality to put a report together.
- coordinating projects: you monitor a project from start to finish, ensuring that the necessary documents are prepared during each stage and that work adheres to regulations. A schedule is essential in any construction project, so every contract needs a robust project plan and timeline.
- office management: as a site administrator, you are in charge of the overall office management. This includes ordering supplies, updating and maintaining records and site registers, writing reports, scheduling meetings and visits and briefing suppliers, contractors and project teams.
- ensuring compliance with safety requirements: you supervise adherence to the building and safety codes. You ensure workers have protective equipment to avoid injuries and the construction site is sealed off to avoid endangering the public.
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work environment
As a site administrator, you work primarily in an office setting, which may be in trailers on a construction site. Travel between different job sites is sometimes required. If your job description includes conducting inspections and ensuring safety at the construction site, you work outdoors. Your time is usually split between 70% in the office and 30% travelling or at a job site. Site administrators work in both the private and public sectors.
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who are your colleagues?
Whether you work in the production or construction industry, your colleagues include project managers, cloud engineers, estimators, and site managers. You also work with construction managers and architects, as well as other specialists, including site agents, building engineers and accountants.
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work schedule
The work schedule of a site administrator depends on where they work. For instance, you work conventional hours from the office, but this differs when you are at a job site. Your schedule will change when you travel between sites, but typically, you work from 8 am until 5 pm, Monday to Friday. As a site administrator, you generally have weekends and nights off, but you maintain flexibility with your schedule as overtime is sometimes required to meet deadlines. Occasionally, a project will require you to work with an overnight crew on-site, as some projects run 24/7.
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job outlook
Site administrators are senior construction company employees, allowing them to take up management roles. Some administrators become construction managers or project managers. Others specialise in contracts management, quantity surveying or cost planning. You can become a construction consultant when you have extensive experience in the field.
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advantages of finding a site administrator job through randstad
Finding your site administrator job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a site administrator is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
Some of the educational qualifications of a site administrator include:
- university degree: to become a site administrator, you should pursue a qualification in business administration or construction management. A diploma in business and administration prepares you for the role if you already have a background in construction. You can complete a degree course to propel your career or start with college courses.
- apprenticeship: you can become a site administrator through on-the-job training and coursework with advanced administrator apprenticeships. The apprenticeship programmes are for anyone over 16 and take two years to complete.
site administrator skills and competencies
Some of the skills that you need as a site administrator include:
- time management skills: as a site administrator, you require exceptional time management skills. The role involves following timelines and meeting deadlines, which rely on excellent time management. It is essential to prioritise tasks and advise others of their priorities.
- excellent communication skills: you work closely with contractors and project managers and coordinate with several teams. You also write proposals and plans, so you should be able to explain technical details proficiently.
- problem-solving skills: it is necessary to have problem-solving skills and the ability to make quick decisions in an emergency. This is because you are responsible for verifying which projects meet your company's standards, regulations and planning strategy.
- analytical skills: you are responsible for budgeting, planning and regulating construction processes. You need analytical skills to ascertain whether a project meets compliance standards. You also analyse the budgets and work schedules to help you determine if a job can be completed on time.
FAQs
Here are the most asked questions about working as a site administrator.
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what are the responsibilities of a site administrator?
As a site administrator, you monitor projects from start to finish, prepare the necessary documents and confirm that all regulations are met. You are responsible for ensuring everyone adheres to the safety and building regulations.
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how much does a site administrator make?
A site administrator makes an average of £24,000 annually. However, some site administrators make up to £35,000 yearly. Several factors affect how much you make, including your educational background, skill set, experience, the company hiring you and where you live. You are paid less when you start at an entry-level position, but with experience, your pay increases.
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what qualifications do I need to be a site administrator?
The minimum qualifications for becoming a site administrator are GCSEs. Having a bachelor's or foundation degree improves your chances of employment. It also helps to have at least two years of experience in construction or a similar field. Finally, get an independent certification and licence for working on construction sites.
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in what industry does a site administrator work?
As a site administrator, you work primarily in the construction industry. The only thing that changes is the kind of construction you work on. You may also work in manufacturing or heavy industries.
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how do I apply for a site administrator vacancy?
Applying for a site administrator job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our site administrator job offers. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!