Special offer 

Jumpstart your hiring with a £100 credit to sponsor your first job.*

Sponsored jobs are 4.5 times more likely to result in hiring someone.**
  • Invite matched candidates to apply
  • Increase your visibility in job search results
  • Appear to more candidates longer

Project Manager Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

A Project Manager, or Project Leader, plays a vital role in helping organisations turn ideas into products and services. Their duties include planning, executing and supervising projects to meet management’s strategic objectives and to ensure project delivery within budget and on time.

Build a Job Description

Project Manager duties and responsibilities

A Project Manager is responsible for the planning and execution of projects. Their duties include planning, designing, executing and monitoring every aspect of a specific project. Depending on the requirements of the client and their level of experience or seniority, Project Managers can handle one or multiple projects at a time. Other duties and responsibilities of a Project Manager include:

  • Meeting with top management and clients to identify project requirements, delivery timelines and costs
  • Developing detailed project plans to guide clients, staff members and project teams and revising based on changing needs and requirements
  • Identifying and assigning project tasks based on the skill sets, experience and strengths of staff members
  • Monitoring project performance to ensure timely delivery
  • Compiling and submitting project status reports to clients, management and other stakeholders
  • Working effectively with relevant stakeholders for efficient project implementation
  • Developing excellent leadership, customer relations and communication skills to liaise effectively with all project stakeholders
Build a Job Description

Project Manager Job Description Examples:

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

Here are related job description samples if you are not looking to hire a Project Manager:

Ready to Hire?Build a Job Description

Project Manager job description FAQs

What are the requirements for Project Manager?

A Project Manager requires a minimum of a foundational university degree or equivalent qualification from a polytechnic. Professionals in IT and other specialised roles may also require technical expertise and industry-specific credentials.

What does a Project Manager do on a daily basis?

Project Managers perform several functions daily, including:

  • Monitoring project progress
  • Communicating with team members
  • Managing resources and time
  • Updating stakeholders
  • Identifying risks and taking measures to prevent delays and budgetary constraints

What are the responsibilities of an IT Project Manager?

The responsibilities of an IT Project Manager include:

  • Managing day-to-day operations of the project
  • Submitting project status reports to stakeholders
  • Working with Designers, Developers and other stakeholders for planning and documentation

What is the role and responsibilities of a Project Manager?

The primary role of a Project Manager is to ensure that projects are delivered on schedule, within the budget and according to the client’s requirements.

Job Description Examples

No search results found