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Project Manager

What does a project manager do?

As a project manager you’ll need to track work to be completed, set deadlines and delegate tasks to your project team, identifying any potential risks. Ultimately, you’re responsible for completing the project work in-line with the plan and will often report progress to senior managers.

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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.

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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. 

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