Project Manager Career Guide: Everything You Need to Know
2023-01-18T16:21:00Z
The Workplace
Introduction
The project manager role is one of the most important and versatile roles across a wide variety of industries, including Life Sciences, Mining, Oil & Gas, and Renewable Energy. A career as a project manager can be extremely rewarding and provide excellent opportunities for promotion and career advancement.
In this in-depth Project Manager career guide, we’ll take a closer look at everything you need to know about a Project Manager career path. We’ll pay special attention to what project managers do, salary ranges, education requirements, any certifications you may need, and how you can become a Project Manager.
What does a Project Manager do?
It's obvious from the name that the role of a Project Manager is to manage projects. Still, looking deeper than that, Project Managers are among the most important team members in any organization. Project management professionals are critical in ensuring that the goals, people, resources, budgets, and timelines of their assigned projects are all aligned in order for final products to be created on time and on budget.
Project planning has a lot of variables and requires a lot of hard work that may not be immediately obvious. This includes creating project plans, setting project milestones, allocating resources, monitoring progress, motivating employees, and satisfying clients/stakeholders. There are typically 5 phases of a project that a manager will guide their team through. These 5 phases are:
- Opening: Defining a project's objectives and goals as well as identifying high-level requirements and stakeholders.
- Planning: Developing the project scope, schedule, budget, resource allocation, and assembling the necessary team.
- Execution: Taking action to put a project in motion including establishing project processes and safety measures.
- Monitoring & Control: Tracking and reporting on the project's progress and correcting issues as they arise to keep the project on track.
- Closing: Giving the final product to the client, conducting post-project evaluations, and identifying areas for future improvement.
These project phases will vary depending on the industry and project scope.
Why are Project Managers so important?
In addition to ensuring that projects are delivered on time, a good Project Manager can be a key to employee retention. This is because project Managers serve as the line of communication between stakeholders, clients, and team members, representing the interests of each group simultaneously.
For example, suppose a team of employees feels overworked and burned out. In that case, a Project Manager's role is to speak with management and other stakeholders about employee concerns and adjust the project timeline and constraints accordingly. On the other hand, stakeholders rely on Project Managers to give timely, accurate information about a project's status and keep each team member focused on execution.
Project Managers are crucial across all types of projects in every industry, and project or product management skills are valuable for any professional.
Project Manager Career Guide
What skills does a Project Manager need?
Depending on the specific project or product being managed, a role as a Project Manager can require various unique technical skills. Still, many soft skills will be universal to any Project Management job. To start a career in project planning, it is best to develop the following project management skills and find ways to highlight them on your resume:
- Leadership: Ability to build, unify, and motivate a team to complete a goal.
- Communication: Ability to accurately and effectively get information across to team members, stakeholders, and clients. This includes both written and verbal communication.
- Problem-solving: Ability to quickly identify and effectively resolve issues.
- Risk management: Ability to identify, assess, and mitigate or eliminate risks that could impact a project's success.
- Time management: Ability to effectively manage and prioritize tasks and deadlines to ensure the project is completed on time.
- Flexibility: Ability to adapt to changes and unexpected circumstances while still delivering required results.
- Negotiation: Ability to work with stakeholders, clients, and team members to reach mutually beneficial agreements in high-stakes situations.
What are the education requirements for a Project Manager?
There aren't any hard and fast rules when it comes to education requirements for an entry-level project management job, there are some trends in the data worth noting. It is most common for Project Managers to have at least a Bachelor's degree. According to reports, roughly 68% of all people working as Project Managers have a Bachelor's degree. Roughly 14% of Project Managers and 19% of Senior Project Managers have a Master's degree.
Regarding college majors, the most popular degree for Project Managers is Business (29%). However, many Project Managers have more specific, technical degrees in fields like Engineering, Computer Science, Software Development, or Construction.
What certifications does a Project Manager need?
In addition to your years of experience as a manager, Project Management certifications are one of the first things an employer will look at when reading your resume. Here are some of the most helpful certifications to help you stand out as a job applicant:
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
- Project Management Institute (PMI) Risk Management Professional
- Master Project Manager (MPM)
- Six Sigma Green Belt
- Certified Manager Certification (CM)
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
- Certified Construction Manager (CCM)
- Program Management Professional (PgMP)
- Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
What is a Project Manager’s average salary?
According to Salary.com, as of December 2022, the average salary for an entry-level Project Management job in the United States is $70,614. The range for Project Manager salaries typically fell between $62,810 and $79,874 for these entry-level positions.
The Project Management Institute (PMI) found that the average Project Manager's salary is much higher for employees with more experience. According to the PMI report, Project Managers with 5-10 years of experience on average make $100,000 a year, with PMP-certified managers making even more at $108,000.
How to Become a Project Manager
Becoming a project manager typically involves a combination of formal education and professional work experience. As previously discussed, a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Business, Engineering, Construction Management, or another industry where you would like to work is a great place to start. While some employers also prefer candidates with a Master's degree in Project Management, this is not typically a requirement. However, like in any field, a Master’s degree may improve your long-term earning potential.
Additionally, gaining hands-on experience is essential. Having real-world experience with the types of projects you are managing will give you greater credibility and influence with both team members and stakeholders. For example, if you want to work as a Project Manager for a technology company, it is best to have prior experience as a team member for a similar company.
Obtaining a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is highly valued by many employers and can help speed up your career advancement. The certification requires a certain amount of experience and passing an exam. Learn more about PMP certification here.
Explore related vacnacies
Project Controls Manager
Location: remote
Branche: Mining
Expertise: Controlling
Experience: 5 years
The contract PCM will oversees project controls functional area for very large, multidisciplinary, high-risk, capital engineering and construction projects from FEED to operations. You will be responsible for project planning and scheduling, cost estimating and monitoring, progress measurement, risk management and reporting. Manage project controls personnel. Responsible for establishing operating policies to mitigate risk. Provides guidance and consultation for project managers and corporate management. Experienced with a variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures. Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. This role will be a 'hands-on' position with the successful applicant undertaking the day-to day cost engineering duties on the owner's team. Essential Functions:* Guide and direct resolution of project difficulties and complex project control issues. Strong analytical skills required to review all project controls information and ensure accuracy as well as identify issues, concerns and potential mitigations. * Interact with the Project Management team and corporate management team and participate in regular project meetings. Gather information and prepare reports and presentations of information as needed on the project.* Identify and communicate design changes, scope changes and schedule slippages and potential impacts and participate in the identification of mitigations. Ensure trends of cost and schedule are identified, manage change management process and communicate and suggest corrective actions.* Coordinate with cross functional team in project setting, ensure project controls team members are interfacing with engineering, procurement, contracts and construction on concepts and relationships to the scope of work and ensure adherence to safety and quality standards.* Oversees project baseline process for cost, schedule and progress and ensure all project systems are implemented according to process and company standards and procedures. * Ensure full implementation of company processes and procedures as well as industry best practices with regards to project controls on the project following the company project stage gate process. * Establish risk management protocol which includes identification, documentation, mitigation and tracking of potential risks on the project. In addition, determine potential cost and schedule/progress impacts of potential risks as they are identified. * Ensure the accuracy of reported progress percentage based on the rules of credit established within the project. Develop progress measurement process for required scopes of work.* Establish and manage project schedule development, review and update processes and to ensure accuracy and alignment with the overall master schedule.* Manage and ensure all project required reporting is pared and submitted as per approved reporting schedule for the project.* Mentor and lead a staff of project controls team members, ensure project is staffed appropriately, conduct regular staff performance reviews and manage any staffing issues that may arise. Job Scope: * Nature of work: Works on highly complex issues and responsible to implement solutions. Leads and directs the work of others. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected. * Level of interaction: Leads the department with interaction with external piers in various departments, responsible for cross coordination between groups. * Autonomy/decision making: Works under very limited to no supervision and has latitude to set objectives, priorities and timelines * Budgetary responsibility: Has moderate budgetary responsibility * Managerial responsibility: Leads large multidisciplinary project controls team
Project Controls Cost Lead - Miami Project
Location: Miami
Branche: Mining
Expertise: Planning & Testing
Experience: 4 years
Provides guidance, direction, and specialized assistance for the resolution of difficult project control problems through various methods such as using industry related technical knowledge, designing innovative short cuts, and reviewing engineering alternatives.
Project Cost Engineer
Location: Remote
Branche: Mining
Expertise: Controlling
Experience: 4 years
Provides guidance, direction, and specialized assistance for the resolution of difficult project control problems through various methods such as using industry related technical knowledge, designing innovative short cuts, and reviewing engineering alternatives. Analyzes, evaluates, and forecasts status against an established baseline schedule. Understands the construction methodology and can identify potential issues and impacts and propose corrective actions. Assess the impact(s) of design or construction changes and associated cost growth and/or schedule slippages. Evaluates proposed process improvements, requests for information (RFIs), and differing site conditions for impacts to the project in terms of cost and/or schedule.
Project Change Management Admin
Location: Bagdad
Branche: Mining
Expertise: Quality Management
Experience: 2 years
Under general supervision, provides project controls management support maintaining the change management records. Essential Functions: Provides assistance to the Project Controls Management team with various admin tasks. Keeps accurate records of design or construction changes and associated cost growth and/or schedule slippages, requests for information (RFIs), and differing site conditions for impacts to the project in terms of cost and/or schedule. Track the progress of the same and reviews with the project controls manager, project team members and any other stakeholders as directed by his/her supervisor. Reviews contractor equipment logs, time sheets, supplier invoices and contracts to check that equipment and personnel are being utilized as specified. Assists in processing of project change notices and reporting of changes through the Change Management System. Assists in the compilation of all weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports for the project. Perform other admin duties as required.
Production Manager
Location: Stanwood
Branche: Food Production
Expertise: HR & Recruiting
Experience: 4 years
Lead all production initiatives to ensure quality, efficiency, and productivity in daily operations. Work closely with internal teams to plan and organize production schedules and manage resources to ensure a steady supply of materials for production. Collaborate with procurement, logistics, and quality assurance teams. Resolve production issues and minimize downtime. Maintain accurate production records and reports. Develop high performance by engaging, coaching, and developing team members, driving accountability and ownership at all levels. Drive company policies, procedures, and programs, including Health & Safety, Food Safety, and Quality programs, to ensure the facility maintains world-class production. Maintain cost controls and implement budgets in each department. Utilize production personnel and equipment to maximize capacity and performance with optimal yields and quality products. Oversee operational budgets and ensure resources are used efficiently. Track production outcomes against targets to identify continuous improvement measures and align with business strategy. Drive a strong safety culture to ensure adherence to company policies, procedures, and applicable local regulations and laws. Participate in internal and external audits, working with internal teams to address findings and corrective actions required. Follow all Food Safety, HACCP, Quality, and Operational procedures (SOPs) as defined in NMF's Quality Management System. Perform other duties as assigned.
Project Buyer
Location: Miami
Branche: Mining
Expertise: Purchase
Experience: 3 years
Reporting to the project Procurement Lead, the Buyer will perform purchasing tasks in accordance with standard techniques, procedures, and criteria but may be called upon to perform other procurement discipline tasks such as office expediting. These tasks include: Oversight responsibility for Purchasing, Expediting, and Logistics coordination of the assigned packages/requisitions/purchase orders. Incorporating standard Procurement procedures and strategies in the procurement of goods for the project. Managing the execution of all procurement activities of the assigned packages and works with EPC contractor procurement team and cross functional departments to ensure plans, budgets, and schedules are being achieved. Interacting with the Project Procurement Lead, Discipline Leads, EPC Contractor Company and FCX on a day-to-day basis to meet project procurement objectives. Collaborating with team (internal as well as EPC contractor) on strategic procurement and supply chain solutions
Lead Planner/Scheduler
Location: Remote
Branche: Mining
Expertise: Planning & Testing
Experience: 4 years
Manages and oversees scheduling functions within project controls functional area for moderate to high-risk capital engineering and construction projects. Responsible for project planning and scheduling, monitoring, progress measurement, risk management and reporting. Manages planning team members reporting to the Project Controls Manager. Participates in establishing operating policies to mitigate risk. Provides guidance and consultation for project team members. Familiar with a variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures. Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of tasks.
Contracts Administrator
Location: Phoenix
Branche: Mining
Expertise: Quality Management
Experience: 3 years
Administration of contracts for assigned projects from conception through execution and completion. Responsible for assisting with post contract administration of contract matters as assigned. Reports operationally to the Manager Staffing Contracts and the Director Project Support Services. Essential Functions Receives and reviews a wide variety of contract requests, may support one or more specialized areas requiring an increased depth of knowledge. Responsible for the timeous and accurate issuing of Service Orders against appropriate project cost codes
Cost Lead
Location: Miami
Branche: Mining
Expertise: Planning & Testing
Experience: 4 years
Provides guidance, direction, and specialized assistance for the resolution of difficult project control problems through various methods such as using industry related technical knowledge, designing innovative short cuts, and reviewing engineering alternatives. Analyzes, evaluates, and forecasts status against an established baseline schedule. Understands the construction methodology and can identify potential issues and impacts and propose corrective actions. Assess the impact(s) of design or construction changes and associated cost growth and/or schedule slippages. Evaluates proposed process improvements, requests for information (RFIs), and differing site conditions for impacts to the project in terms of cost and/or schedule.
Cost Lead
Location: Miami, Arizona
Branche: Mining
Expertise: Controlling
Experience: 4 years
Provides guidance, direction, and specialized assistance for the resolution of difficult project control problems through various methods such as using industry related technical knowledge, designing innovative short cuts, and reviewing engineering alternatives. Analyzes, evaluates, and forecasts status against an established baseline schedule. Understands the construction methodology and can identify potential issues and impacts and propose corrective actions. Assess the impact(s) of design or construction changes and associated cost growth and/or schedule slippages. Evaluates proposed process improvements, requests for information (RFIs), and differing site conditions for impacts to the project in terms of cost and/or schedule. Estimates quantities and cost of materials, equipment, or labor to validate project estimates, change orders and scope changes through the review of design drawings, sketches, calculations or other information supplied by the engineering or construction company. Understands and applies engineering, procurement and construction terminology, concepts and relationships to the scope of work and ensures adherence to safety and quality standards.
Health & Safety Officer
Location: Bagdad
Branche: Mining
Expertise: Quality Management
Experience: 3 years
Under limited supervision, supervise coordinate and assess the effectiveness of Health and Safety programs/policies, and in-field activities through supervision of personnel and/or projects. Leads processes in the Health & Safety Management System, including incident investigations and hazard assessments to ensure compliance with government laws and regulations and company policies. Essential Functions: Audits processes and facilities within area (s) of responsibility to ensure Health and Safety Management System (HSMS) is in compliance and conforms not only to corporate requirements, but with local, federal, state and business requirements. Provides safety input for production and maintenance planning. Conducts and leads hazard evaluations, risk assessments and initiates corrective actions and controls for correction. Manages H&S staff in this process. Completes incident investigations, determines risk levels, and manages complex root cause analysis. Manages Health and Safety projects.
E&I Construction Supervisor
Location: Bagdad
Branche: Mining
Expertise: Quality Management
Experience: 4 years
As a E&I Construction Supervisor, you will oversee contractors for electrical projects and provide support to the project execution team. Main Responsibilities: MV Powerline Installation: Installation and maintenance of medium voltage power lines. Knowledge of safety protocols and regulations. Experience with overhead and underground powerline systems. Fiber/OPGW Installation & Termination: Installation of fiber optic cables and Optical Ground Wire (OPGW). Proficiency in splicing, testing, and terminating fiber optic cables. Understanding of signal transmission and network integration. Instrumentation Installation and Wiring: Installation of various instrumentation devices (e.g., sensors, transmitters). Wiring and calibration of instrumentation systems. Troubleshooting and maintenance of instrumentation circuits.
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