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Project manager
Project managers use management and people skills to manage change by planning and co-ordinating projects. They try to make sure that all the planned activities are finished on time, that they are of a high quality, to specification and within the budget.
Work activities
Project managers plan, manage and co-ordinate all sorts of projects and teams. They might be involved in construction, IT, research, change management or general project management, for example. At the start of a project, a business case is produced. This outlines the purpose of the project and compares the costs with the expected savings or benefits. The customer or user of the system has to approve this before work can begin. Project managers then speak to the customer or user to find out exactly what they need the project to achieve. They might take responsibility for costing and pricing the project and agreeing the budget. The detailed work in preparing some of this information might be carried out by others.
They also agree the specific items to be delivered by the project with the customer or user, and set start and end dates; then they use their technical skills to plan out the activities that are required and the order they need to be done in. They analyse projects to see if there are risks attached to them, for example, if there is a chance that materials or services will not be delivered on time or that there won’t be enough people available. They try to minimise these risks right from the start, as well as throughout the project, and build in some extra time if they judge that it might be needed.
They often use specialist computer software packages to plan all the project activities, and to decide when each one needs to be completed by. Project managers make sure that the members of the project team have the tools and resources they need to do the job. They monitor the progress of the project and report regularly to the customer or users.
They might, for example, arrange regular meetings where progress is discussed and any problems are raised. The project manager tries to anticipate problems and find solutions to resolve conflicts. Project managers keep track of how much money and time have been spent on the project; they try to find ways to complete all the planned activities successfully, on time, within budget and to the quality specified. The project manager is responsible for making sure that the customer accepts the project when it is handed over by the project team. At the end of each project, the project manager reviews what went well and not so well, so that the performance of the team and the quality of the products or service can be improved.
Project managers are often responsible for several projects at the same time. Some project managers might have to travel around to visit different customers or sites. Those working in project management consultancies might have clients in different countries and if so, foreign travel is a normal part of their work.
Being able to read, write and speak Welsh may be an advantage when you’re looking for work in Wales.
Personal qualities and skills
As a project manager, you’ll need:
- To be a good planner who can prioritise tasks.
- Time management skills.
- A logical approach to analysis and problem solving.
- To be able to think ahead and keep calm under pressure.
- Communication skills; you should be a good listener and you will also need to be able to speak well in front of groups of people.
- Management skills; you should be able to lead and motivate others.
- To be confident, self-motivated, adaptable, tactful and decisive.
- Number skills in order to keep close financial control of projects.
Pay and opportunities
The pay rates given are approximate. Project managers in IT earn in the range of £29,000, rising to as much as £75,000 with experience. Benefits could include performance-related bonuses, and some employees could be offered a “golden hello” when joining particular employers.
Hours of work: Some project managers’ working weeks are based around office hours, Monday to Friday. However, they sometimes work in the evening and at weekends according to the demands of the project, and especially when nearing deadlines. Project managers in construction work a basic 37-42-hour week. However, they might have early starts and late finishes, and may need to work at weekends.
Where could I work?
Employers include:
- Construction and engineering companies.
- Renewable energy projects.
- IT organisations.
- Banking, finance and insurance companies.
In the public sector, employers could include local and central government departments, the NHS and gas, electricity, phone and water companies. Opportunities for project managers occur in towns and cities throughout the UK. There are some opportunities for project managers to work in other countries on projects for international/UK-based companies.
Employers have highlighted the need for the following skills:
- Teamworking skills.
- Communication skills.
- Business skills.
Self-employment opportunities occur for experienced project managers to work on a self-employed, freelance basis – usually on short-term contracts, for the life of the project.
Where are vacancies advertised?
Vacancies are advertised on job boards and employers’ websites, in professional journals, in local/national newspapers, and on the Government’s Find a Job service. Short-term contract work is found through specialist recruitment agencies.
Entry routes and training
Many entrants have higher education (HE) qualifications such as a degree, foundation degree or HND. A few universities offer degrees, foundation degrees and HNDs in general, IT or construction project management. Many project managers enter after gaining skills in general business management, and/or as members of specialist project teams. Apprenticeships in this role are also available:
- Associate project manager (level 4 / higher)
- Project manager (level 6 / degree)
The Association for Project Management (APM) offers knowledge-based professional examinations and qualifications for project managers.
The Project Management Institute offers the project management professional certification for practitioners with experience.
The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) offers relevant project management qualifications. Short courses are widely available in the use of project management methods, for example, PRINCE2, and software packages. Some project managers take a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in order to get a greater understanding of the business process. MBAs are widely available part-time and by distance learning.
Experienced and qualified project managers can progress into senior management posts, or into general management.
Qualifications
For entry to a degree course in a business subject, the usual requirements are:
- Two to three A-levels.
- GCSEs at grades 9-4 in two to three other subjects.
- English and maths at GCSE.
For entry to a degree course in construction management, you’ll usually also need a science subject at GCSE (grade 9-4). Alternatives to A levels include Edexcel (BTEC) level 3 National qualifications or the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma. However, course requirements vary so check prospectuses carefully.
To get onto an higher or degree apprenticeship, you will usually need two A-levels and GCSEs in English and maths.
Adult opportunities
Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.
New entrants to general project management normally have a business-related degree. Taking an MBA (Master of Business Administration) could improve your chances of employment.
If you don’t have the usual qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree course, a college or university Access course, for example, Access to Business, could be the way in. These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges.
Relevant distance learning and flexible learning courses are available at a number of centres. Further information and a full list of providers is available on the APM Group website.
The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) offers relevant project management qualifications. Further information and a full list of providers is available from the CMI.
