Project Manager

Project managers oversee the planning and delivery of construction projects. They ensure that work is completed on time and within budget. They organise logistics, delegate work and keep track of spending. As a project manager, you’d liaise with clients and construction professionals to arrange schedules and direct activities.

Office
Supervisory-Managerial
Higher qualifications
Good decision maker-leader

What does a project manager do?

As a project manager you will be responsible for helping to keep projects on a realistic timescale and budget. This involves selecting and leading a project team and ensuring you are aware of all details so you can keep a client up to date.

The job role of a project manager involves the following duties:

Understanding what the client or company wants to achieve
Agreeing timescales, costs and resources needed to deliver a project
Drawing up a detailed plan for how to achieve each stage of a project
Selecting and leading a project team
Negotiating with contractors and suppliers
Directing a multi-disciplinary team
Communicating with staff at every level, in a calm, personable way
Overseeing several projects at the same time
Ensuring that each stage of the project happens on time, on budget and to a high standard
Reporting regularly on progress to the client and stakeholders
Coordinating market and customer research
Resolving any issues or delays
Demonstrating knowledge of all areas of construction
Writing bids for tender
Managing several projects simultaneously with the support of junior project managers
Working in an office or on a construction site.

How to become a project manager

There are several routes to becoming a project manager. You can gain the qualifications you need by doing a university or college course, or an apprenticeship. If you already have some experience you may be able to apply for a job directly. You should explore these options to find out which is the right one for you.

You may need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card to work on a construction site.

University

You could do an undergraduate degree in construction management, project management, business or IT.

If you already have a first degree you could study for a postgraduate qualification in construction project management.

College/training provider

You could do NVQ Levels 4 and 5 in Project Management or Levels 3, 4 and 5 in Business Improvement Techniques.

Some training providers also offer NVQ levels 3, 4 and 5 specific to construction project management.

Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship with a construction firm is a good way into the industry.

Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16. As an apprentice, you will be fully employed by your company and expected to work a minimum of 30 hours a week. Your time will be split between on-the-job experience and a college or training provider.

An intermediate apprenticeship takes around two years to complete. You could follow a higher apprenticeship in construction management.

Guide to apprenticeships

Work

Many project managers start their careers as craftspeople in a particular trade. If you have experience of managing small projects, you could study part-time to gain project management qualifications and get a job in a construction project support team.

Work experience

Work experience is essential to gaining employment within the construction industry. You could gain this at school, or by working weekends and holidays with a company or relative who works as a project manager. Potential employers will always be pleased to see work experience listed on your CV.

Find out more about work experience

Skills

Additional skills which may benefit anyone looking to become a project manager include:

Leadership and business management skills
Knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
Persistence and determination
Able to use your initiative
Be thorough and pay attention to detail
Maths knowledge
Excellent verbal communication skills

Qualifications

England

To become a Project Manager you'll need GCSE's 9 - 5 including Maths and English. Some may require A-Levels, a Project Management qualification and previous experience.

Scotland

To become a Project Manager you'll need Scottish Nationals 5 A - C's including Maths and English. Some may require A-Levels, a Project Management qualification and previous experience.

Wales

To become a Project Manager you'll need GCSE's A* - C including Maths and English. Some may require A-Level's, a Project Management qualification and previous experience.

How much could you earn as a project manager?

The expected salary for a project manager varies as you become more experienced.

Newly trained project managers can start at £25000
Trained with experience project managers can earn up to £85000*

Salaries depend on location, employer, level of responsibility, any overtime you may do, and whether you have completed an industry recognised training route.

* Salaries have been collected from multiple industry sources

Career path and progression

After studying, you could start off as a trainee, junior or associate project coordinator.

With time, you could take on more responsibilities and progress into contract management or project consultancy.

You could undertake further training to specialise in an area such as IT or digital, engineering, contracts, health and safety, estimating or building inspection.

To become a senior project manager, you could study for additional qualifications with the Association for Project Management (APM), Project Management Institute (PMI) or Chartered Management Institute (CMI). You could apply for chartered status to increase your salary.

You could go set up your own business and work as a freelance consultant.