Career pathways for Project Managers

Project management is a great career path, as it will always be in high demand. Project management is essential to companies looking to grow and develop and make their ideas become reality.

Whether you are a graduate looking to get into project management or you are looking for a career change then you will likely be looking at an entry-level, junior level or assistant roles. These will give you an entry point to the start of your career in project management.

Before you get into project management you should find out if you have the right skills for the roles, and if you need any further qualifications to begin your career.

We've put together some of the different career paths you can take if you want to become a Project Manager.

Entry-level Project Manager jobs

Project Support Officer

As a Project Support Officer, you will work alongside a Project Manager and support them where needed, allowing you to gain the necessary skills and experience to work towards a more senior role. Day-to-day tasks include research and administrative work, keeping track of project reports, and contributing towards project development. Employers will look for excellent organisational skills, problem-solving skills, and communication skills.

The average salary for a Project Support Officer is £30,000

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Project Administrator

A Project Administrator will take on full responsibility of all administrative tasks related to the project at hand, so the Project Manager can focus on the larger tasks. Day-to-day tasks include coordinating meetings and taking minutes, updating project calendars, checking documents and data entry. You will need excellent organisational skills for this role. This role is a great stepping stone for those looking to become Project Managers.

The average salary for a Project Administrator is £25,000

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Assistant Project Manager

Similar to the Project Support Officer role, an Assistant Project Manager will work alongside the Project Manager to help where needed. Responsibilities include maintaining project records, following up with stakeholders to ensure the project is running on time, scheduling meetings, and assisting with reports. Communication skills, organisation skills and a good attention to detail are all important within this role.

The average salary for an Assistant Project Manager is £27,000

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Mid-level Project Manager jobs

Project Manager

After 3 to 5 years in an entry-level role, you can take the next steps to becoming a Project Manager. You may want to consider completing project management qualifications such as PRINCE2 or Agile, in order for you to understand different frameworks and processes used in project management. As a Project Manager, you will be responsible for organising and executing a project from start to finish. You will oversee the project's planning, and design whilst monitoring and controlling all activities to make sure it is finished within schedule and the allocated budget.

The average salary for a Project Manager is £57,000

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Digital Project Manager

A Digital Project Manager will have the same responsibilities as a Project Manager; however, the main difference is the type of projects which you will work on. This could be anything with a digital component - a website, app, online campaign, social media, software, etc. As a Digital Project Manager you will have a strong understanding of the digital sector, and what technologies are available and best suited for your projects. You will also need to be aware of the latest digital technologies, to ensure you are ahead of the competition.

The average salary for a Digital Project Manager is £54,000

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Quality Analyst

A Quality Analyst is responsible for making sure a company’s products or services meet quality standards. You will be in charge of establishing these quality standards and ensuring products or services meet those standards. You will be making suggestions on improving products and services and making sure the company is working effectively to improve business processes. Employers will look for someone with strong attention to detail, analytical skills, and problem-solving skills. This role is a stepping stone for those looking to become a Quality Project Manager.

The average salary for a Quality Analyst is £53,000

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Senior-level Project Manager jobs

Quality Project Manager

After 3 to 4 years in a mid-level Project Manager role, you will be able to progress to a more senior role. The primary point of contact for all concerns regarding the project's quality will be a Quality Project Manager. You must fulfil both internal and external standards, such as those related to customer expectations and legal compliance. You will review current regulations and offer suggestions for improvements, manage a team of quality professionals and develop and implement the company's quality standards.

The average salary for a Quality Project Manager is £67,000

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Project Director

As a Project Director, you will be responsible for multiple teams including Project Managers, Software Developers, QA Testers, and any other team contributing towards the project. Project Directors provide leadership to strategically manage risk, monitor finances and ensure each phase of work is started or completed on time. You will need excellent organisation skills and attention to detail, and you will most likely be focusing on multiple projects at one time. It is also part of the role to think of innovative solutions to make projects run as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

The average salary for a Project Director is £100,000

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Programme Manager

A Programme Manager is someone who can manage several projects at once utilising a methodical and balanced approach. This is frequently done in an effort to boost business performance and guarantee that every project has high-quality results from start to finish. Often this role is found within large organisations, where you will have a variety of statistical tools and methodologies to aid in the analysis and the creation of organisational goals. You need excellent attention to detail and organisation skills as you will need to focus on multiple projects at once.

The average salary for a Programme Manager is £75,000

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Although Project Managers have a lot of responsibilities, it is a great career choice for those who want to make a positive impact at work. It is ideal for those who enjoy being kept stimulated as you need to create new strategies that require you to experiment with different techniques that can help you meet your stakeholder’s needs.

Did you know Technojobs has a site dedicated to helping Project Managers find their perfect role? Find out more here.