Despite a rocky period of layoffs and cutbacks for the tech sector, industry experts are optimistic that high-tech manufacturing means the Austin job market for the commercial construction manager role will be steady for years to come and, in some cases, grow. Our own recruiters can attest to it.
“We have many new clients and projects in the works for 2024 and will continue to see high growth for our construction and engineering division. We don’t foresee any slowdown in hiring – only growth and new opportunities,” says The HT Group Recruiting Manager Lillian Schonewise.
As commercial real estate firm Avison Young reports, the recent Austin industrial market, in particular, is strong and has even exceeded the 10-year pre-pandemic average. “This resilience is [powered] by booming development activity, with 16.2 million sf of new product under construction. Fueled by a surging population and influx of new businesses, Austin’s industrial property sector is poised to weather any market fluctuations and continue its impressive growth trajectory.”
The HT Group Director of Strategic Accounts Lori Lankford tells us her team is hiring for multiple positions at all levels, including Austin-area commercial construction manager roles. At the heart of this surge is the billion-dollar, multi-year Samsung semiconductor facility build happening in Taylor, Texas, just north of Austin, with construction led by Samsung E&C America, Inc. (Samsung E&C). The project is ongoing for the next 10-15 years, and The HT Group is supporting adjacent General Contractors (GCs) and suppliers with their hiring needs as well.
The team is busy recruiting construction manager roles beyond the semiconductor niche, including industrial and oil and gas, as well as commercial construction additions/renovations. Plus, they’ve expanded hiring across many different commercial projects in the U.S. and Canada, including EV Battery Manufacturing Plants.
But there remains something very special here in Central Texas for commercial construction manager job seekers.
“Texas has always been a leader in national statistics for construction. However, more and more semiconductor projects are continuing to prioritize building in the state due to the prior success of semiconductor fabs and the strong infrastructure and government support already in place to back it,” Schonewise tells us.
Regarding Austin specifically, “Of all the cities in the U.S. that have similar scale projects at this moment, Austin is desirable for construction professionals due to its central location and entertainment culture,” she adds.
Couple that with the 10- to 15-year long-term prospects in Austin for a commercial construction manager involved in such semiconductor projects, and it’s an irresistible move for someone wanting to set down roots.
“The opportunities we’re hiring for in and around Austin are long-term. They’re not the short contracts that many construction managers so often face,” she points out. “It’s worthwhile to relocate and settle.”
So, what does it take to be viewed as a top candidate to become a commercial construction manager in Austin? According to Schonewise and Lankford, all construction clients actively hiring right now have placed a high priority on the following:
- Tenure and commitment to seeing projects through to completion.
- Certifications/degrees and any continued education are valuable.
- An up-to-date resume that includes a list of relevant projects.
If you’re interested in an Austin-area commercial construction manager role, reach out to our recruiters today.
