What does a Project Manager do?
Project Managers plan, implement and deliver projects. They identify project goals and determine the potential challenges that can increase the cost or cause delays. These professionals also track progress and supervise project teams to ensure the achievement of milestones. They act as an intermediary between upper management and the project team. They often provide reports to stakeholders to ensure the project’s success.
Project Manager skills and qualifications
A successful Project Manager candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications needed to perform their duties effectively. In some roles, Project Managers will need professional certifications that make them qualified to work in a specific industry or capacity. Here are some skills and qualifications of a successful Project Manager:
- Proficiency in inventory control and process improvement
- Working knowledge of project management software tools such as Microsoft Excel, SmartSheet and other relevant applications
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent customer relationship and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work under pressure and make hard decisions required to achieve project objectives
Project Manager experience requirements
A successful Project Manager will be knowledgeable on every aspect of the project lifecycle. The ideal candidate will be experienced in initiating projects, planning, delegating, managing and risk mitigating. To gain experience, they can work in related roles such as project scheduling, administration and management. Candidates who want to manage projects in technical fields such as engineering and IT must have relevant industry experience, especially a foundational degree in that particular discipline. Because Project Managers need to work with clients, the role often involves customer service experience.
Project Manager education and training requirements
Depending on the project requirements and the clients, Project Managers need at least a bachelor’s degree or relevant equivalent. Some roles require postgraduate or industry-specific project management certifications. Candidates can earn a degree in project or business management accredited by the Association for Project Management (APM).
If you are hiring for a role in engineering, IT or other specialised fields, the most qualified candidates will likely have a background in that specific industry rather than a project management degree. These candidates often have advanced Project Management Professional (PMP) certifications in addition to their educational qualifications.
Project Manager salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Project Manager is £44,136 per year. However, actual pay depends on several factors, including the level of experience, requirements of the employer, location and exact job duties or responsibilities.
Job description samples for similar roles
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