How to become a Project Manager
Learn how to become a project manager. Find out everything you need to know, including the required qualifications, key responsibilities and earning potential.
Do you want to become a project manager? We’re not surprised! It’s a rewarding career: the average annual salary for a project manager is £47,500. This is comfortably above the UK average of £38,600. And you will play a vital role in the success of your company or organisation. It’s also a profession that is bursting with opportunity. The Association of Project Management’s (APM) Golden Thread Report shows that more than 50% of businesses expect an increase in the number of projects they undertake over the next three years, with 45% expecting an increase in their project management budgets. Are you still interested? Read on to find out how you can become a project manager and be at the forefront of this growing sector.
What is project management?
Project management is the process of leading a team to achieve specific project goals and deliver something of value. Working within constraints of scope, time and budget, project management requires planning, communication and risk management to ensure a project is successfully completed to the satisfaction of its stakeholders.
What does a project manager do?
As a project manager, you are responsible for overseeing all aspects of a project to ensure it’s completed on time, within scope, and within budget. You’ll need strong leadership, communication and problem-solving skills to be a successful project manager. You must also work well under pressure, be adaptable, and have excellent attention to detail.
Typical responsibilities for a project manager include, but aren’t exclusive to:
- Preparing and completing action plans with clearly defined timelines, milestones, resources and deliverables.
- Monitoring and controlling expenditures to ensure project costs remain within budget.
- Maintaining clear and effective communication with all stakeholders, providing regular status updates and progress reports.
- Providing direction and support to the project team.
For more details, see Monster’s project management job description template.
Why consider a career in project management?
People who already work in project management have a positive outlook on the sector. In APM’s Salary and Market Trends Survey -
- 80% of respondents said they are optimistic about the supply of jobs.
- 67% feel that the industry will be enhanced in the next five years.
- 81% of project managers say they have high job satisfaction
Moreover, the profession has bounced back from the COVID-19 pandemic by increasing recruitment and boosting growth. 59% of companies are looking to recruit additional project management staff – a five-year high.
Do I need qualifications to be a project manager?
You’ll generally need relevant experience and qualifications to land a job as a project manager. Perhaps you’ve overseen a project in your current role or already have some experience leading a team. To show this to prospective employers, a formal project management qualification is best. You can study for a project management degree, but this can be costly, time-consuming, and difficult to balance if you work full-time. However, there are industry-recognised project management courses that are available to study online, specifically designed to fit around a full-time job.
For example, the Chartered Management Institute’s Level 5 Certificate in Project Management can equip you with the knowledge and skills to manage a project effectively whilst also managing your team and their day-to-day responsibilities. Delivered by online learning provider MOL, the 12-week course provides a structured approach to learning with regular live webinar touchpoints with a tutor.
Learning outcomes include:
- Understanding the role of projects in delivering organisational strategy.
- Understanding processes for initiating, planning and managing projects.
- Understanding the factors which contribute to effective project management.
- Knowing how to plan a management project.
- Being able to conduct a management project.
The CMI Level 5 Certificate in Project Management could be your first step to a rewarding career.
How to find a job in project management
Project managers are required in almost every industry you could think of, but the Project Management Institute highlights the energy, technology, mobility and construction sectors as ones to watch. You can also find the latest project management job opportunities on Monster.
When you find an opportunity that interests you, it’s time to finalise your CV and cover letter. You should draft a new CV or refresh your existing one. You can use this CV template as a starting point and read Monster’s tips for how to write a CV if you need some guidance. Your cover letter should be tailored to each specific job you apply for, so follow these 10 steps and dedicate the time and effort to getting it right.
Become a project manager
Join the booming project management sector and begin a rewarding career. Start today - upload your CV to Monster and receive recommended jobs straight to your inbox, which you can easily save and apply for when ready.