Apprenticeships in Scotland
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Project Director
Project directors have overall responsibility for the successful conclusion of construction projects. They oversee project managers, who coordinate teams to ensure that work is completed on time and within budget, to a high standard. Project directors provider leadership to strategically manage risk, monitor finances and ensure each phase of work is started or completed on time.
Average salary*
£40000
-£100000
How to become a project director
There are several routes to becoming a project director. You can gain the qualifications you need by completing a university or college course, or an apprenticeship.
You should explore the options to find out which is the right one for you. Usually, a project director will have had several years’ experience in the construction industry.
You may need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card to work on a construction site.
University
You could complete a foundation degree, Higher National Diploma (HND), undergraduate degree or postgraduate award accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). Relevant subjects include construction management, business and project management or building studies.
You’ll generally need:
- 1 - 2 A levels (or equivalent) (foundation degree or HND)
- 2 - 3 A levels (or equivalent) (undergraduate degree)
- A first degree (postgraduate award).
- Equivalent entry requirements explained
- Find a university course
- Funding advice
College/training provider
Your local college or training provider may offer construction-related courses at higher national certificate (HNC) or diploma (HND) level, which would help you on your career path to becoming a project director.
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.
You could study a higher or degree apprenticeship in construction project management or business and management. You’ll usually need 4 - 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels (or equivalent) for a higher or degree apprenticeship.
Work
If you’ve already worked in supporting roles within project teams and have proven management experience or qualifications, you may be able to apply directly for a role as a project manager or director.
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 in construction. Potential employers will always be pleased to see work experience listed on your CV.
What does a project director do?
As a project director you could be:
- Monitoring build progress, overseeing finance and ensuring project quality
- Making strategic decisions and providing leadership and direction to project managers to implement those decisions
- Meeting with clients, stakeholders and project managers to report on project progress
- Liaising with clients and building strong working relationships
- Devising cost-effective plans to enable effective project completion
- Managing risks to avoid delays or reputational damage
- Ensuring permits and legal papers are secured ahead of the project
- Managing project managers and enabling them to supervise and manage their own teams
- Working in an office and on a construction site.
How much could you earn as a project director?
- Project Directors with limited experience in the role can earn in the region of £40,000 to £60,000
- With experience, Project Directors can earn in the region of £60,000 to £90,000
- Senior project directors can earn in the region of £90,000 to £110,000 or higher*
Hours and salary depend on location, employer and any overtime you may do.
* Salaries have been collected from multiple industry sources and have been updated as of 2019
Find an apprenticeship/job
Apprenticeships
Jobs
Check out the latest Project Director vacancies:
As these are external websites, the number of job vacancies related to your preferred job role may vary.
Career path and progression
You’ll need at least ten years’ industry experience to be a project director. Professional qualifications from the Association for Project Management (APM), Project Management Institute (PMI) and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) will help to prepare you for a more senior role.
Once you are working as a project director, you could specialise and oversee a particular area of project management, such as contracts or planning. Alternatively, you might set up as a self-employed consultant and set your own salary.
As an experienced director, you could progress to become a company’s executive director or CEO, or set up your own business.
Brian Pettigrew is a Project Director for Robertson Partnership Homes.
I have a very varied role but it predominately covers getting involved in projects very early on in the construction process. This ranges from working closely with design teams and the client to make sure that they get a fantastic project at the end of the day.
What do you like about your job?
I meet a lot of very knowledgeable people through work and it’s very interesting learning about different disciplines. I’m a great believer in the saying ‘every day is a school day’.
What’s your working day like?
My working day would start either in the office or alternatively I could be on one of our sites, or even travelling on the train to meetings. It’s fair to say not one day is ever the same, it’s a highly varied role and I thoroughly enjoy it. We have to be very flexible in order to satisfy our clients’ demand, sometimes we need to re-arrange our day in order to go and meet them at short notice if required.
What skills do you need in your job?
For me, excellent communication and problem solving skills are essential in this role. You also have to be able to think on your feet at times. People management also plays a major part of my day-to-day duties, so I need to possess really good leadership skills.
What was your background before starting this role?
I left school and entered into an apprenticeship in carpentry and joinery, which I completed over a four-year period. I then worked as a time-served joiner before getting the opportunity of progressing to site manager. Over the period of then till now, I obtained further qualifications that have allowed me to progress my career. I have fulfilled the positions of project manager, senior project manager, contracts manager, construction manager, and then onto my current role.
What are you most proud of in your career?
I am really proud of what I have achieved in my career, especially coming from a trade background; I feel this gave me an excellent grounding into the industry. I’m also extremely proud of some of the projects I’ve managed and delivered, as some of these have been award-winning schemes.
Where do you see yourself in ten years’ time?
I hope to establish myself in my current role but ultimately progress towards the role of a business leader within the company.
Do you have any advice for someone thinking about a career in construction?
I’m a great believer in the trade qualification route within the industry; whether it’s as a bricklayer, joiner, electrician or plumber, this gives you an excellent all-round experience for the future. Also, try to further your education within the industry whenever you can. Employers now are very keen to promote individuals from within their organisation rather than recruiting externally, so the potential to progress is massive. It’s a great industry to work in and you will meet some excellent people.
Progression Opportunities
Explore the progression opportunities below
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Project Director
Manage progress, budget & teams to ensure the successful conclusion of construct...
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Construction Director
As head of construction, the construction director is responsible for planning &...
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Self-employed contractor/sub-contractor
As a contractor or subcontractor, you'll be working directly with your clients t...
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