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Job description: Project Manager
Good planning and excellent leadership builds the best projects. Your role as Project Manager could entail over-looking all kinds of projects, from a major building scheme to introducing a new computer system into a business, from start to finish.
A complex challenge, you would have to ensure the smooth running of the project. This would include selecting the right team of workers and specialists, developing ideas and objectives and maintaining the scheme's progress.
Once you have started up a project to meet client requirements, selected your team and drawn up the plans, it's your job to check on its progress every day. This would involve writing up reports and making sure each element runs according to plan, making changes where needed, dealing with tenders, budgetary estimates and speaking with clients.
Part of your work would involve using particular project management methods such as PRINCE2 (Projects in Controlled Environments) or PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge) to break down the project into stages and monitor its progress. You would also use specialised computer software to help with scheduling, costing and risk analysis.
Hours/Environment
Often your hours will vary as a Project Manager, to meet tight deadlines. However, typically you'd work from 9 to 5, Monday to Friday.
Where you're working will depend on the industry and type of project, but much of your time would be spent in an office.
Travel to visit contractors and suppliers or to inspect the project's progress would be frequent.
Time away from home and overseas travel would also be possible, if needed for the project.
Skills and interests
To be a good Project Manager, you must:
- be highly organised with a logical, methodical approach to work
- have problem-solving capabilities
- be self-motivated and target-driven
- have the stamina and determination to cope with a busy schedule
- be able to plan and coordinate several simultaneous projects
- have an understanding of budgetary control, scheduling, and resource allocation and management
- have strong interpersonal, leadership and negotiation skills
- be able to communicate well with people at all levels, both verbally and in writing
- have technical skills relevant to the project being managed
- understand techniques for monitoring and controlling programmes
- have good IT skills.
Entry
Although you need no set academic qualifications to become a Project Manager, like most entrants you should be educated to at least degree level and/or have around five years' managerial experience.
A background in business, accounting, law, IT, engineering, construction or science would give you useful skills for project management.
Project management degrees and postgraduate qualifications, some of which include work placements, are offered at several UK universities. Some courses focus on project management within specific industries such as IT, engineering or construction. To take a degree, you'd usually need five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) plus two A levels/Highers. Equivalent qualifications may be accepted.
For details of qualification equivalents see:
- Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
- Scottish Qualifications Authority
An Access to Higher Education qualification may also be accepted for entry to certain courses. If experienced in a related field, you'd be able to gain recognition of skills through Accredited Prior Learning (APL). Please check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.
Training
As a Project Manager, you'd develop your knowledge and skills while in the post. It's usual to start as a member of the support team under the guidance of experienced staff.
As your knowledge of project management processes increases, you'd start to be given more responsibilities.
Your employer may provide some training in PRINCE2 or relevant software packages if necessary.
Like many, you could study for professional qualifications to add strength to your experience. The following organisations offer relevant qualifications at various levels:
- 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.
To be a candidate for PMI qualifications, you must have already had 35 hours' project management education, and your application must be supported by testimonials from senior managers or clients.
PMI also offers several Certificates of Added Qualification (CAQ) which are specific to project management in industries such as the pharmaceutical, automotive and IT industries.
If you're involved in project management in the IT industry can study for qualifications awarded by the Information Systems Examination Board (ISEB).
These include the Certificate in Project Management for Information Systems, the Diploma in Project Management, and Programme and Project Support Office Foundation and Advanced Certificates.
You could choose to work towards NVQs/SVQs. These are available in Project Control at levels 3 and 4, and in Project Management at levels 4 and 5. Holders of level 4 or 5 qualifications can apply for membership of APM.
There are various postgraduate qualifications in project management and other areas such as manufacturing, construction and IT that include project management modules.
Opportunities
Many areas of employment are available to you as a Project Manager. These include construction, finance and accounting, law, sales and marketing, IT, manufacturing and engineering, and in the public sector. With experience you can progress into your particular area of interest or expertise.
Some jobs would be offered as fixed-term contracts, so it would be necessary to seek new positions fairly frequently to develop your career. Opportunities would be available both in the UK and overseas.
If you wish to work freelance or for yourself, it is possible once experience to set up your own management consultancy.
Annual income
Your salary would depend on experience, the industry you're working in and the size and type of the projects.
Typically, as a Project Manager you'd be warning between £25,000 and £50,000 with the top salaries reaching £80,000 or more. There may be extra bonuses for meeting deadlines.
As a freelance Project Manager, you'd be paid around £300 to £400 a day.
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