Are you looking for a thrilling career journey that involves leadership, teamwork, and bringing ideas to life?
Whether it's launching a ground-breaking software application, organising a high-profile event, or even building a new skyscraper, project managers play a crucial role through the planning, organising, and executing of complex projects.
If you're a recent graduate, a professional seeking a change, or someone with a passion for driving projects forward, find out how to become a project manager and what your career could look like.
What is project management?
Project management involves applying your knowledge, management skills, tools, and techniques to achieve exciting objectives through careful planning, effective communication, risk management, and quality control. With opportunities for growth and development, this field promises to keep you on your toes and provide you with the satisfaction of making a real impact.
What is a project manager?
Project managers have the ability to bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds and work towards a common goal, all while ensuring that the project is completed on time, within budget, and to the satisfaction of all stakeholders. They have exceptional project management skills, as well as the ability to navigate complex challenges and unexpected obstacles with confidence.
How to become a project manager
Wondering how to get started on your project manager journey? Whether you prefer degree education or alternative routes, it's important to choose an approach that suits your individual goals and circumstances.
Do I need a degree to become a project manager?
If you thrive in a structured learning environment and want to develop a thorough understanding of project management principles, pursuing a degree in business or management is a great option. Degree-level courses offer in-depth knowledge of project management methodologies, leadership skills, and business acumen. According to the Project Management Salary Survey 2023, 80% of respondents had a degree-level education or higher.
Additionally, many project managers get a professional qualification to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of project management best practices. Additional professional certification can give you a competitive advantage when seeking job opportunities.
Importance of practical experience
Having a strong foundation in project management through education and certifications is important. However, practical project management experience is invaluable. Entry-level positions or internships as an assistant project manager or junior project manager can provide you with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills you have acquired.
Internships give you the chance to work on real projects, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and learn from experienced mentors. At LIBF, all our online courses offer elective internship modules, subject to availability. With these modules, you can develop your skills and apply your knowledge in a workplace environment.
Discover our 100% online business and management courses that allow you to study anytime, anywhere, with flexible payment options to make your path to progress easier today.
Project manager career path
As you embark on your journey towards becoming a project manager, you'll have opportunities to take on more significant responsibilities and work your way up to senior positions. Here is the typical project manager career path, from entry-level to advanced positions.
1. Assistant project manager
In this role, you’ll work closely with experienced project managers, providing support in project planning, scheduling, and coordination. You’ll help to track project deadlines, communicate with stakeholders, and ensure smooth project execution. This entry-level position allows you to gain practical experience, develop your project management knowledge, and get exposure to project planning, risk assessment, and the overall project execution process.
2. Project manager
In a project manager role, you’ll take on more responsibility for overseeing projects from initiation to completion. This includes defining project goals, developing project plans, managing project teams, and monitoring project progress. You’ll be the main point of contact for stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and delivering projects within scope, time, and budget. With experience, you can apply your project management knowledge to get a senior project manager position.
3. Program manager/portfolio manager
In these roles, you’ll oversee multiple projects and initiatives within an organisation. As a program manager, you’ll manage a group of related projects, ensuring they align with strategic objectives and deliver desired outcomes. As a portfolio manager, you’ll oversee a portfolio of projects, focusing on overall project selection, prioritisation, and resource allocation. These senior project manager positions involve a higher level of strategic planning, decision-making, and stakeholder management.
4. Director of project management
In a senior management position, you’ll have a high-level strategic focus, overseeing the entire project management function within an organisation. You’ll set project management policies and standards, provide guidance and mentorship to project managers and ensure projects are aligned with organisational goals. These leadership positions require extensive experience and a strong track record of successful project delivery.
5. Independent project management consultant
As an independent project management consultant, you have the flexibility to work on various projects and with different organisations. You can offer your expertise in project management methodologies, help clients streamline their processes, and guide them through successful project execution. This entrepreneurial route allows you to have autonomy and work on diverse projects while leveraging your experience and knowledge.
Skills and qualities required to be a successful project manager
To excel in the role of a project manager, certain skills and qualities are essential. These often include:
Leadership
A great project manager possesses strong leadership abilities that help them motivate and encourage their team members to strive towards the project's objectives. They inspire trust, delegate tasks effectively, and provide clear direction even in the face of challenges.
Communication
Project managers must be able to communicate project goals, expectations, and progress to their team and to stakeholders. Active listening is also crucial to understand team concerns and feedback, creating a positive work environment that leads to project success.
Organisational skills
Project managers juggle multiple tasks, deadlines, and resources simultaneously. Excellent organisational skills are needed to prioritise tasks, allocate resources efficiently, and manage the project's overall timeline to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
Problem-solving
A successful project manager can think critically, analyse situations, and find innovative solutions to problems that arise during the project implementation. By being a problem solver, a project manager can overcome any challenge and lead their team to success.
Adaptability
A great project manager must be flexible and adaptable to the ever-changing environment. They must handle ambiguity and be open to adjusting plans and strategies as needed. With their adaptability, they can navigate any complexity that comes their way and lead their team to success.
Project manager career outlook
If you're planning to pursue a career in project management, it's useful to understand what to expect in terms of salary, growth potential, and job opportunities. So, let's dive deep into the career outlook for project managers and explore what your future could hold.
Average salary for project managers
The average salary for project managers depends on your project management experience, industry, and location. As a project manager in the UK, you can expect to earn an average salary of £47,636* per year, with the potential for higher earnings as you progress or depending on where you work. The average salaries for project managers in London and Bristol are above £50,000* per year, and the Project Management Salary Survey 2023 showed 20% of respondents earning £70,000 or higher.
*Salary information from uk.indeed.com and correct as of October 2023.
Growth potential and opportunities
Project management is a growing field with plenty of job opportunities. According to the Project Management Salary Survey 2023, 80% of respondents were optimistic about the future supply of project management jobs over the next 5 years. The increasing complexity of projects and the need for efficient resource allocation means project managers continue to be in high demand and, with experience, you can progress to senior project manager and leadership positions.
Become a project manager with an LIBF online degree
Now you're aware of how to become a project manager, it's time to take the first step towards achieving your career goals. At LIBF, we offer online business and management courses that will unlock your potential and help you reach new heights in your career.
Our courses provide flexibility and accessibility, allowing you to learn at your own pace while gaining the knowledge and skills required to excel in project management. We're passionate about providing the best possible education and support, and our courses are designed to align with industry standards and best practices, providing you with practical tools and techniques to effectively manage projects that could transform an organisation.
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