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Job description: Project manager
As a project manager in engineering, you'll plan and manage projects, making sure they are completed on time and within budget.
You could work on almost any kind of size of project. Your work would typically involve:
- Finding out what the client or company wants to achieve
- Agreeing the timescales, costs and resources needed
- Drawing up a detailed plan for how to achieve each stage of the project
- Selecting and leading a project team
- Negotiating with contractors and suppliers for materials and services
- Making sure that each stage of the project is progressing on time, on budget and to the right quality standards
- Reporting regularly on progress to the client or to senior managers.
You would normally use well-known project management methods to break down the project into stages and monitor its progress. Two of the most widely-used are PRINCE2 (Projects in Controlled Environments) and PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge). You would also use specialised computer software to help with things like scheduling, costing, and risk analysis.
Hours and environment
Your working hours could vary according to the type of project you are working on. Your typical hours would be 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, although you may need to work longer when deadlines are approaching.
You would usually be office-based, but may spend some of your time attending meetings or visiting contractors and suppliers. If you work on building projects you will visit construction sites on a regular basis. Some projects may involve travel and spending time away from home.
Skills & Interests
To be a Project manager, you'll need:
- Excellent organisational, planning and time management skills
- Logical thinking with creative problem-solving ability
- Great attention to detail
- Good communication and negotiation skills
- Understanding of budget control
- The ability to work well with others and lead a team
- A good understanding of business
- Technical skills relevant to the project
- Good IT skills.
Entry
You could take various routes to becoming a project manager. Many project managers are qualified to degree or postgraduate level, either in project management or an engineering discipline. Others become project managers on the strength of their experience - they might start as a member of the project support team, or manage smaller projects as part of another job, and progress to managing larger projects full time.
In addition to engineering, a background in business, management, construction, science and technology is likely to be useful.
You may have an advantage with a foundation degree, degree or postgraduate qualification in project management. Other useful degree subjects include business and management, IT or construction management, particularly if your course included relevant work placements. Check the exact entry requirements with colleges or universities.
It can be good to know PRINCE2 and specialist software like MS Project or Workbench before you apply for project management work, although this is not always essential if you can demonstrate enough relevant skills and experience.
Training
You will usually develop your project management knowledge and skills on the job. Your employer may provide some training in PRINCE2 or relevant software packages if necessary.
For information on PRINCE2 and where to get training, see the Association for Project Management and the Office of Government Commerce PRINCE2 websites.
As a new or experienced project manager, you could work towards professional qualifications at various levels from one of the following organisations:
As a new or experienced project manager, you could work towards professional qualifications at various levels from one of the following organisations:
- Association for Project Management (APM)
- Project Management Institute (PMI)
- Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
- Information Systems Examination Board (ISEB) - for project management in the IT industry.
See each organisation's website for more information on their qualifications and training.
You could also choose to study part-time for a project management degree or postgraduate qualification whilst you are working, or you could work towards NVQs at levels 4 and 5 in Project Management or levels 3, 4 and 5 in Business Improvement Techniques. If you work in construction or engineering, there are also NVQs at levels 3, 4 and 5 specific to project management in these industries.
If you hold NVQs at levels 4 or 5 you can apply for membership of APM.
Opportunities
You can work as a project manager in almost any industry as well as engineering and construction, including IT, sales and marketing, manufacturing and in the public sector. You could also join a firm of project management consultants.
Freelance contracts for each project are common, or you may have a permanent contract with your employer. Jobs may be advertised in the local and national press, and in specialist publications and recruitment agencies for various industries.
With experience, you could progress into senior management, or become a freelance consultant.
Annual income
Figures are intended as a guideline only. Salaries depend on experience, the industry and the size and type of project.
- Earnings are usually between £25,000 and £50,000 a year.
- Top salaries can reach £80,000 or more.
- Freelance project managers may be paid around £300 to £400 a day.
- There may be extra bonuses for meeting deadlines.
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