Project Manager Job Description

What is a Project Manager?

The role of a Project Manager will very much be shaped by the industry they choose to work in, whether it’s a role in Banking & Finance, Consultancy, or Travel & Tourism. While the core principles of project management apply across various fields, there are distinctions between project managers across a myriad of industries, such as creative and technological domains, due to the unique challenges and requirements of each.

As a basis, the key responsibilities of a Project Manager may include:

• Project planning through the development of a comprehensive project plan that outlines the scope, goals, timeline, budget, resources, and potential risks of the project.
• Assembling a project team via team management skills, defining roles and responsibilities, and ensuring effective communication among team members. Working as a Project Manager will often see you as the point of contact between team members, stakeholders, and other relevant parties.
• Allocating and managing resources efficiently, including human resources, time, and budget, to ensure the smooth running of the project.
• Identifying potential risks to the project and developing strategies to mitigate or respond to them. A form of risk management, this involves monitoring and addressing issues as they arise during the project lifecycle.
• Tracking project progress against the established plan, and providing regular updates to stakeholders. This involves creating reports, charts, or other documentation to communicate project status.
• ensuring that the project deliverables meet the specified quality standards. This involves conducting quality checks and making adjustments as necessary.
• Facilitating communication among team members, stakeholders, and other relevant parties. You will be addressing conflicts, providing guidance, and keeping everyone informed about project developments.
• Overseeing the closure of the project, determining that all deliverables are completed, the project objectives are met, and relevant documentation is finalised.
• Conducting project review by revisiting and conducing a review to identify lessons learned, successes, and rooms for improvement for future projects.

How do different styles of project management differ?

The field of project management covers a range of disciplines. In practice, there is overlap between types of project management roles. For example, when looking at a Creative Project Manager position, vs a Technological Project Manager, there may be occasions wherein industries blend both creativity and technology. Project managers in these hybrid environments may need to balance both creative and technological considerations in their projects.

Ultimately, the specific requirements of the project and the industry will shape the role of the project manager. When choosing your field, it’s worth considering the differences in expertise required, and the type of responsibilities, to ensure that it’s a management style you can thrive in:

For example - expertise and responsibilities of a Creative Project Manager:

• Emphasizes innovation - Creative Project Managers often work in fields like advertising, design, or content creation where innovation and creativity are paramount. They need to foster an environment that encourages creative thinking.
• Flexibility and adaptability: working with subjective elements creates an ad hoc working environment wherein the client preferences can change on a daily basis. Creative project managers need to be flexible and adaptable to evolving artistic and aesthetic requirements.
• Collaboration within creative teams is crucial. Creative project managers often work closely with artists, designers, writers, and other creative professionals, requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Subjective evaluation - success in creative projects may be subjective and depend on the interpretation of the end-users or clients. This makes it essential for creative project managers to understand and align with stakeholders' visions and expectations.

On the other hand, expertise and responsibilities of a Technological Project Manager include:

• Work on projects related to software development, website building, IT infrastructure, or other technology-oriented fields. They need a technical mindset and strong understanding of the technical aspects of the projects they manage.
• Mitigating risks whilst using complex systems that are prone to technical challenges. Technological Project Managers must be adept at identifying and mitigating these risks to ensure project success. Technological projects may also need to comply with various regulations and standards, with PMs in the technology sector navigating these requirements to avoid legal and compliance issues.
• Structured processes - technology projects often follow structured methodologies such as Agile or Waterfall. Project Managers in the technological domain need to be well-versed in these methodologies and apply them appropriately based on project requirements.

Common Traits:

• Communication - both types of Project Managers need strong communication skills to interact with team members, stakeholders, and clients effectively.
• Budget and timeline management - regardless of the field, project managers need to manage budgets and timelines efficiently to ensure projects are completed within specified constraints.
• Leadership - leadership skills are essential in guiding teams, making decisions, and motivating team members toward common goals, whether those goals are creative or technological in nature.

How to become a Project Manager:

Working as a Project Manager involves a combination of education, relevant experience, and the development of specific skills. We’ve included a step-by-step guide to help you achieve a career path as a Project Manager:

Educational Background:

• Degree: while not always mandatory, having a bachelor's degree in a related field such as business, management, engineering, or information technology can be beneficial.
• Depending on the sector you choose to work in, a myriad of degrees offer transferable skills, such as history, to get you kickstated in the field.

Gain Relevant Experience:

• Entry-level positions: start your work experience by gaining an entry-level role, related to project management. This could be in roles such as Project Coordinator, Team Assistant, or Assistant Project Manager.

Develop Project Management Skills:

• Certifications: consider obtaining a recognised project management certification. The Project Management Professional (PMP) and PRINCE2 course are both recognised globally.
• Agile certifications: familiarise yourself with Agile methodologies, as they are commonly used in project management. Consider certifications like PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP).
• Online Courses: take advantage of online courses and resources to build your project management knowledge.

Build Technical Skills:

• Project management tools: learn to use popular project management tools such as Microsoft Project, Jira, Trello, or Asana. Familiarity with these tools can enhance your efficiency as a Project Manager.
• Communication tools: develop strong communication skills and become proficient in tools for communication and collaboration, as effective communication is crucial in project management.

Gain Leadership Experience:

• Leadership roles: seek opportunities to take on leadership responsibilities in your current or future roles. This could involve leading a small team or managing specific aspects of a project.

Create a Portfolio:

• Document achievements: keep a record of your project management achievements, including successful projects, improvements in processes, and positive outcomes. This can be useful during job interviews.
• Develop a portfolio that showcases your project management experience, certifications, and any notable accomplishments. A portfolio can be a powerful tool when applying for Project Manager positions.

Apply for Project Management Positions:

• Tailor Your CV: customise your CV to highlight relevant project management skills and experiences. Emphasise your ability to lead teams, manage budgets, and deliver successful projects.

Upload your CV to the SecsintheCity Database and Sign up for Job Alerts:

• When you sign up for personalised job alerts, you’ll receive the latest relevant Project Manager jobs directly to your email inbox, putting you in a dominant position to apply first to the role.
• Equally, uploading your CV to our database, allows you to get headhunted by specialist business support recruiters, top companies and firms, and reputable employers for entry level project management opportunities that may not be advertised online.
• For further advice, see our ‘How to Set up a Job Alert – Optimise your Job Search with SecsintheCity’ guide.
• Enjoy our FREE CV review with TopCV to help get your CV up to scratch.

Prepare for Interviews:

• Understand the company: research the organisation and its products/services. Demonstrate your interest in the job and why you think you’re a good fit for the company. In-depth research beyond the company’s website is crucial. Evaluate press releases, shareholder reports, social media and company reviews.
• Role-Specific Knowledge: be prepared to discuss your understanding of the role, type of project management required, and how your skills align with the requirements.

Continuous Learning:

• Stay updated: project management is an evolving field. Stay informed about industry trends, emerging methodologies, and new tools. Engage in continuous learning to stay competitive.

Project Manager Career Path

The career path of a Project Manager will vary depending on factors such as industry, company organisation, and individual preferences. However, a typical and linear career path that many Project Managers may follow is:

Entry-Level Roles:

• Project Coordinator/Assistant: many individuals start their project management careers in entry-level positions, such as Project Coordinator or Assistant Project manager. In these roles, you will gain hands-on experience supporting projects and working closely with Project Managers.

Junior Project Manager:

• Promotion or transition: after gaining sufficient experience in entry-level roles, individuals may be promoted to a Junior Project Manager position or transition into a similar role in a different organisation. In this role, you may start taking on more responsibilities in project planning and execution.

Project Manager:

• Formal title: with a few years of experience, individuals can attain the formal title of Project Manager. In this role, you will be responsible for overseeing entire projects, managing teams, and ensuring successful project delivery within scope, time, and budget constraints.

Senior Project Manager:

• Increased complexity: Senior Project Managers handle larger and more complex projects. They often take on a leadership role within the project management team and may be involved in strategic planning, risk management, and mentoring junior team members.

Program Manager or Portfolio Manager:

• Managing multiple projects: some Project Managers move into broader roles as Program Managers or Portfolio Managers. In these positions, you will oversee multiple projects or an entire portfolio of projects, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and strategies.

Project Management Office (PMO) Roles:

• PMO Manager or Director: in larger organisations, experienced Project Managers may move into roles within the Project Management Office (PMO), such as PMO Manager or Director. PMO leaders are responsible for establishing and maintaining project management standards, methodologies, and best practices across the company.

Director of Project Management:

• Strategic leadership: individuals who excel in senior roles may progress to the position of Director of Project Management. In this role, they provide strategic leadership, oversee the entire project management function, and contribute to organisational strategy.

Chief Project Officer (CPO):

• Executive level: at the highest level of the career ladder, individuals may reach the position of Chief Project Officer (CPO). In these executive roles, you have a significant impact on the organisation's overall strategy.

How much does a Project Manager earn?

According to our latest salary survey, Project Managers earn up to £45,612 per annum. Alongside this, 61% of Project Managers received a pay rise this year, with 35% taking home an additional bonus, and 65% working in a hybrid working routine.

It’s worth noting that the earnings of a Project Manager will align with the industry, seniority of role and location.

Customer Services Jobs on SecsintheCity:

To discover the latest Project Manager jobs, head over to SecsintheCity, the UK’s leading specialist job site, advertising a myriad of project management roles across a range of industries and sectors.

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