The Role

• Understanding what the client or company wants to achieve
• Agreeing the timescales, costs and resources needed to deliver the project
• Drawing up a detailed plan for how to achieve each stage of the project
• Selecting and leading a project team
• Negotiating with contractors and suppliers for materials and services
• Directing a multi-disciplinary team and ensuring that each stage of the project is progressing on time, on budget and to the right quality standards
• Reporting regularly on progress to the client
• Maintaining effective communication with stakeholders
• Coordinating market/ customer research
• Resolving any issues/ delays which may occur
• Reviewing project procedures
• Preparing the final report at the end of a project
• Making sure everything is on time, budget and built to the highest standards
• Giving clear timescales and objectives to clients and the team
• Setting out detailed plans for how to achieve each stage of the project
• Negotiating with contractors and suppliers for materials and services
• Demonstrating knowledge of all areas of construction
• Communicating with clients, contractors, colleagues and suppliers on the progress of a project
• Making sure all paperwork is done for making bids and spending
• Managing several projects simultaneously with a team of more junior project managers to support you in the delivery

Salary

• Newly trained project managers can earn in the region of £28,000 - £34,000
• Trained with experience project managers can earn in the region of £34,000 - £50,000
• Senior or chartered project managers can earn in the region of £50,000 - £60,000

Salaries depend on location, employer and level of responsibility. Salaries and career options also improve with chartered status. 

Qualifications and Training

There are various ways to become a project manager. You will usually be qualified to degree or postgraduate level, often in project management. Other useful degree subjects include business and management, IT or construction management. 

You could study part-time for a project management degree or postgraduate qualification while you are working, or work towards NVQs at levels 4 and 5 in Project Management or levels 3, 4 and 5 in Business Improvement Techniques. There are also NVQs at levels 3, 4 and 5 specific to project management in construction.

You could start as a member of the project support team, or manage smaller projects as part of another job and progress to managing larger projects full time.You could also study part time for a degree or postgraduate qualification in project management while you are working.

You can work towards professional qualifications in project management at various levels from any one of the following organisations: the Association for Project Management (APM), Project Management Institute (PMI) and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). The Information Systems Examination Board, which is part of the British Computer Society (BCS) offers courses in project management for those working in IT.

To become a senior project manager, you will need to hold a qualification from one of the following organisations: 

• Association for Project Management (APM)
• Project Management Institute (PMI)
• Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

Once qualified with experience you can also become chartered.  Becoming chartered means you have proved that you are highly experienced and skilled at doing your job. It is comparable to a bachelor’s degree and is recognised all over the world. Becoming chartered can enhance your career, increase your salary and boosts the professionalism of your organisation.

You can achieve chartership through the relevant professional institution for the career you are following however a full range of management roles within construction can gain chartered status through  The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).