Project managers lead large projects and have responsibility for planning, management, co-ordination and financial control. Projects may include the building of a hospital, shopping complex or airport terminal, or the design and implementation of an ICT solution. Project managers:

discuss with their client exactly what is required and then develop a detailed plan agree the timescale for the project, costs involved and quality standards required select and lead a project team may negotiate with contractors for the supply of materials and services monitor the project constantly to make sure that it is progressing on time, on budget and to the necessary quality standards meet clients regularly to report on the project’s progress use well-established project management methods and computers to assist with project control.

Some project managers work normal office hours, while others have no set hours, and may sometimes have to work evenings and weekends to meet deadlines. They are office based, but may also travel to visit clients and to see how a project is progressing.
Starting salaries for project managers may range from around £23,000 to more than £70,000 a year.
A project manager should:

Project management is a large and growing field and project managers are employed throughout the UK by organisations in all types of work. Some may do contract work for consultancy firms.
There are no set qualifications for entry but generally most entrants have a degree or postgraduate qualification that includes project management. Adult entry is also possible for those with a sound knowledge and experience of the area requiring a project manager.
Once in work, training is on the job and project managers may work towards the qualifications of a range of professional organisations which specialise in project management. There are also NVQs/SVQs in Project Management at Levels 4 and 5. Continuing Professional Development is important.
Project managers can progress to senior management posts. Some set up their own consultancy businesses. There may be opportunities to work abroad.

What is the work like?
Project managers take overall responsibility for the delivery of a project. This includes planning, management, co-ordination and financial control of all aspects of the project. Examples of projects include the building of a hospital, shopping complex or airport terminal, or the design and implementation of an ICT solution. Projects are also used to help companies make major changes to their businesses. Project managers:

Project managers usually use well-established project management methods, such as PRINCE2 (Projects in Controlled Environments) or PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge). These help managers to divide a project into manageable stages, control resources and monitor progress throughout the project.
Computer use is also an important part of the work for project planning and scheduling, risk analysis, time recording, costing, estimating and other aspects of project control.
Starting salaries for project managers may range from around £23,000 to £27,000 a year.

Hours and environment

Hours of work vary between jobs. Some project managers work 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, while others have no set hours. The need to meet deadlines can sometimes mean working long hours, including evenings and weekends. Some project managers have permanent contracts with their employer. Others work on fixed-term contracts for the duration of individual projects.
Much of project managers’ time is office based, but they also travel to visit clients and to see how a project is progressing. They may spend time away from home. If a project is abroad, they may be away from home for several days at a time.

Salary and other benefits

These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on the employer and where people live.

Some project managers are paid bonuses for meeting deadlines and objectives.

Skills and personal qualities

A project manager should:

Interests

It is important to:

Getting in

Project management is a large and growing field, the Association of Project Management (APM) having around 14,000 members.
Project managers are employed throughout the UK by organisations in all types of work. This may include construction, civil engineering, banking, insurance and accountancy, law, sales, marketing, information technology, manufacturing, engineering and public service bodies, such as the National Health Service, and local and central government. Some project managers work for consultancy firms.
Vacancies are advertised in local and national newspapers, industry magazines such as Project, through recruitment agencies and on recruitment websites.

Entry for young people
There are no set qualifications for entry to this work, but in practice most young people enter this job with a degree or postgraduate qualification that includes project management.

Exact entry requirements to courses vary between institutions, so candidates must check carefully.

Entry for adults
There is no upper age limit for entry to project management. Adults may enter this job without necessarily having a project management qualification but with sound knowledge and experience of the sector requiring a project manager. Useful backgrounds include accountancy, business, ICT, law, engineering, civil engineering, construction and science.
Adults may also be accepted onto a degree course without the usual entry qualifications if they have relevant experience or qualifications. They may prepare for application for a degree by taking an Access course.

Training

Once in work, project managers are usually trained on the job by experienced colleagues. They may choose to study part time for degree and postgraduate qualifications in project management. There are also several organisations that offer professional qualifications relevant both for inexperienced project managers and for project managers with several years’ experience. These are:

There are also NVQs/SVQs in Project Management at Levels 4 and 5.
Continuing Professional Development is important for project managers.

Getting on

A first post in project management may be as part of the support team in a project. From here progress may be to team leader for part of a project and then to project manager. Project managers can progress to senior management posts, although it may be necessary to move between employers to progress. Some managers set up their own consultancy business.
There may be opportunities to work abroad.

Further information

Association for Project Management (APM), 150 West Wycombe Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP12 3AE. 0845 458 1944. Website: www.apm.org.uk
The British Computer Society, 1 Sanford Street, Swindon, Wiltshire SN1 1HJ. 01793 417417. Website: www.bcs.org/bcs
Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Englemere, Kings Ride, Ascot SL5 7TB. 01344 630700. Website: www.ciob.org.uk
Chartered Management Institute, Management House, Cottingham Road, Corby, Northamptonshire NN17 1TT. 01536 204222. Website: www.managers.org.uk
Information Systems Examination Board, 1 Sanford Street, Swindon, Wiltshire SN1 1HJ. 01793 417424. Website: www.bcs.org/BCS/Products/Qualifications/ISEB
Project Management Institute (international organisation). Website: www.pmi.org

Further reading

Inside Careers: Information Technology
Successful Project Management in a Week - Hodder Arnold
Working in geography - Connexions
Working in management - Connexions

Magazines/journals:

Project - APM
(Some may be priced)

For further details please see:

http://www.connexions-direct.com

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