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The Evolving Role of Construction Superintendents Across Project Contexts

10 pagesPublished: June 2, 2026

Abstract

Construction superintendents play a pivotal role in project success, yet academic research offers limited insight into how their responsibilities vary by company size and market type. This study analyzes 290 job postings from the Southeastern United States, categorizing them by company size (small, medium, large, mega) and market sector (e.g., civil, commercial, residential). Using MAXQDA for qualitative analysis, the research identifies common responsibilities and action verbs associated with the superintendent role. Findings show that core duties—such as schedule management, subcontractor coordination, safety enforcement, and quality control—are consistent across contexts. However, the complexity and emphasis of these tasks scale with company size and market sector. Small companies with smaller projects often require direct, hands-on oversight, while mega projects demand strategic leadership and high-level coordination; Governmental or Environmental sector projects focus on regulations, while residential sector projects focus on client satisfaction. Despite these variations, the superintendent’s essential functions remain stable across the industry. These insights support the development of more targeted training programs and academic curricula to better prepare future construction leaders for diverse project environments.

Keyphrases: construction, job posting, project superintendent, site management, superintendent responsibilities

In: Wesley Collins, Anthony Perrenoud and John Posillico (editors). Proceedings of Associated Schools of Construction 62nd Annual International Conference, vol 7, pages 960-969.

BibTeX entry
@inproceedings{ASC2026:Evolving_Role_Construction_Superintendents,
  author    = {Ethan Cornelius and Kenneth Sands and Tom Leathem and Richard Burt and C. Ben Farrow},
  title     = {The Evolving Role of Construction Superintendents Across Project Contexts},
  booktitle = {Proceedings of Associated Schools of Construction 62nd Annual International Conference},
  editor    = {Wesley Collins and Anthony Perrenoud and John Posillico},
  series    = {EPiC Series in Built Environment},
  volume    = {7},
  publisher = {EasyChair},
  bibsource = {EasyChair, https://easychair.org},
  issn      = {2632-881X},
  url       = {/publications/paper/J6TB},
  doi       = {10.29007/6hk1},
  pages     = {960-969},
  year      = {2026}}
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