Project Manager

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What skills does a project manager need?

• Excellent organisation skills to plan the use of people and resources in order to meet deadlines
• Business management skills
• The ability to motivate people
• The ability to use your initiative
• Strong interpersonal skills to motivate and lead a project team
• The ability to monitor and control budgets
• Leadership skills
• A thorough approach to work and pay attention to detail
• Good communication and negotiation skills, as well as the ability to manage expectations
• Ability to stay calm and use initiative to make decisions under pressure
• Knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
• Ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines
• Numeracy skills and commercial awareness
• Stamina, persistence and determination
• Team working skills
• Mathematical knowledge and analytical skills
• Technical knowledge, related to the sector and project, may be required
• Diplomacy.

How do I become a project manager?

There are two different pathways to become a project manager:

Earn an undergraduate degree and training. You will need to research the different types of project management education and choose the right qualification for your goals.

Recommended courses

• MSc Project Management
• MSc Leadership and Human Resource Management
• MSc Strategic Business Management
• BSc Business Management
• Law with International Business

Earning your qualification demonstrates to potential employers you have the relevant knowledge, skills and experience to work in a project management setting. It also makes it much easier to transition to a new role at a different organisation.

Progress in the workplace - this is a do it yourself approach and often followed by those who find themselves getting into a project management role they didn’t necessarily plan for.

What are the main responsibilities of a project manager?

• Regular communication with team members via numerous channels to keep everyone in loop.
• Reporting to key stakeholders, ensuring they are up to date about the project's progress and any issues.
• Problem solving to ensure that any blockages are addressed and work continues smoothly.
• Budgeting and cost control - this involves processing invoices, cost approval, allocation and relocation resources and resource management.
• Team building - help team members focus on their tasks, remain happy and productive throughout the project.

How much does a project manager earn?

The starting salary for a project manager is between £20,000 and £35,000. The average salary is £57,000. The highest salaries can rise up to £135,000. 

Useful links

For more information on jobs and what to expect from this career, please visit some of the most widely used sites for careers support.

• Prospects
• Target Jobs