what is a project manager?
As a project manager, your key task is to plan and execute projects. That means you are in charge of determining the project scope and resources necessary to complete your plan. You are also responsible for managing teams and resources assigned to you. As a project manager, you take care of crucial elements like planning and budgeting. You also manage less quantifiable aspects like providing moral support and leadership to your teams.
Project managers are agents of change who enjoy working in a complex and dynamic environment. You inspire others to achieve milestones and drive results. You also shift between the big picture and minor details - a crucial skill for project success. That means you are responsible for developing the processes for executing a project, creating schedules and defining each team member's tasks to achieve the necessary milestones.
Unlike other careers where you work in a specific industry, project managers operate in all sectors. For instance, they provide roadmaps for construction projects, help in marketing, and support the IT industry in project development. They also work in the mining industry, supporting and coordinating mining activities and workers.
project manager jobsaverage salary of a project manager
The median salary of a project manager in Australia is $135,000 per year. Project managers' earnings fluctuate based on experience and qualification. For instance, project managers joining the role start with a remuneration package of $110,000 per year. As you improve your skills and qualifications in the role, your salary prospects improve significantly and can reach over $160,000 annually. Some employers offer benefits and allowances as part of the employment contract. Project managers in some companies enjoy a car allowance, medical insurance and housing allowances. Some employers also offer annual bonuses and annual leave packages.
what affects the salary of a project manager?
As a project manager, the remuneration package relies on your skills and expertise. When you have additional educational qualifications, you are likely to earn more. Having additional years of experience allows you to negotiate a higher salary. Sometimes, the company you work for also affects your earnings. For instance, working in a multinational organisation with more significant resources improves your remuneration prospects compared to working in a small company. The industry may also influence your salary. Working in construction usually attracts a lucrative salary compared to working as a project manager in corporate settings.
Want to know what you will earn as a project manager? Check out what you are worth with our salary checker.
types of project managers
Project managers serve in different industries and have diverse roles. Some of them include:
- construction project manager: as a project manager in the construction industry, you work closely with architects to create a plan for completing projects. That includes overseeing construction projects like building structures and infrastructure to completion.
- IT project manager: when you are a project manager in IT, your role is to solve problems in your department. Some of the issues you are likely to deal with are installing new software or updating networks. Software project managers also guide teams in developing new software.
- energy project manager: in the energy sector, your work is to supervise projects that lead to infrastructure development or improve existing energy-efficient practices in a company.
working as a project manager
As a project manager, you lead a team of employees to accomplish a specific project and achieve the set objectives. You ensure the project meets the expected standards by identifying ways to improve work processes. Read on to discover project managers' specific duties, work schedules and career outlooks.
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project manager job description
The tasks of a project manager include:
- planning: your primary role as a project manager is to plan a project by listing all the critical activities that ensure success. Planning enables you to define the project scope and devise a schedule and timeline for completing milestones. Your plan determines a project's success or failure.
- organising project teams: your project is successful if you organise your teams to perform their tasks effectively. As a project manager, you create detailed checklists and whiteboards for your team. Sometimes you negotiate their job responsibilities and ensure they are committed to the task.
- managing deliverables: as a project manager, you negotiate deadlines with stakeholders and ensure products are delivered. It is essential to ensure the deliverables meet the time constraints and are within the business plan budget.
- monitoring progress: as the project manager, you spend most of your time monitoring the progress of projects. You track the status of projects and ensure milestones are met.
- preparing reports: a project manager provides regular reports to clients on project progress. Preparing documentation is also vital for monitoring the execution plan and budget.
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work environment
When you are a project manager, you spend most of your time in an office environment regardless of the industry. The office setting allows you to keep track of projects using project management software and complete the necessary paperwork for managing budgets and schedules. If you work in the construction industry, sometimes you work on site. You also visit mining sites when working in the mining industry. Working from a project site allows you to manage resources effectively and supervise the project to completion.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include construction managers, programme managers, assistant managers, category managers and project coordinators. You might also be working. Close to finance managers and product managers, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, mining managers, architects and engineers.
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work schedule
As a project manager, you work the standard full-time schedule of 37 to 40 hours a week. Sometimes, you work overtime and evenings when attending events or appointments. If a project deadline is approaching, you work during weekends. Some companies provide part-time positions, although they are scarce. Project managers often work irregular hours depending on the project requirements. Some employers also offer short-term contracts when they need a project to be completed within a specific timeline. Working as a project manager can include a lot of travelling, especially if the project's execution takes place at a different location.
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job outlook
Project management is a multi-sector career, allowing you to jump from one industry to another. For instance, after years of being a marketing project manager, you can shift to the IT and tech industry or construction without additional training. With professional qualifications, project managers progress to a senior level, a consultant in project management roles or an e-commerce manager position. In some companies, you start as a project management director before becoming the operations director.
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advantages of finding a project manager job through randstad
Finding your project manager job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers every year thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.
education and skills
Some of the academic qualifications of a project manager include:
- education: to become a project manager, you can start with a Technical and Further Education (TAFE) Certificate IV in project management practice, which doesn't have any entrance prerequisites. Alternatively, pursue a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification like an Advanced Diploma in project management. The courses equip you with a basic knowledge of project management. Some employers prefer project managers with a bachelor's degree. The courses suitable for project managers include a degree in business management or a master's degree in project management.
- certification: as a project manager, staying updated with management skills is critical. You can pursue qualifications like project management professional certification. Project managers also register for national accreditation by meeting the Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM) requirements.
project manager skills and competencies
Aside from educational qualifications, you need these skills to excel as a project manager:
- negotiation skills: a project manager should be a great negotiator to get the best deals on contracts. Negotiation skills also help bring all stakeholders on board.
- leadership skills: as a project manager, you require strong leadership skills to guide your resources toward project goals. With leadership skills, you motivate and train your team throughout the project processes.
- organisational skills: when you are a project manager, you have numerous tasks to accomplish, so organisational skills are beneficial. Organisational skills help you multitask since you can compartmentalise projects and prioritise responsibilities.
- problem-solving skills: with problem-solving skills, you create a structured approach to deal with problems that arise during the project process. This approach also enables you to mitigate risk and achieve positive results.
- computer skills: you require basic computing skills to operate project management software and organise your teams with scheduling systems. You often analyse data using spreadsheets.
- communication and interpersonal abilities: as a project manager, communication skills help relay your plans to the teams and stakeholders.
- critical thinking skills: critical thinking enables you to retain the right state of mind even when problems occur. Developing a structured approach that helps you make critical project decisions is essential.
FAQs about working as a project manager
Here are the most asked questions about working as a project manager:
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what does a project manager do?
The work of a project manager is to lead a project from the idea's inception to completion. As a project manager, you create a plan and devise a project timeline and work schedule. You also determine the budget and organise resources for the project.
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do project managers get paid well?
Project managers earn an attractive remuneration package in Australia. The median salary of a project manager is $135,000 per year, while an experienced project manager earns above $160,000 annually. Even entry-level project managers earn a lucrative salary, starting from $110,000 annually.
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what are the roles and responsibilities of a project manager?
The main duties of a project manager are to oversee projects and prioritise tasks. They also align team members to the projects' objectives and motivate them to accomplish their roles.
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how do I become a project manager?
You need a bachelor's degree to become a project manager, or you can complete an advanced diploma from a VET. Some employers also prefer candidates with a master's degree and extensive work experience.
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is project management a good career?
Project management is a promising career with exciting job prospects. It gives you a supervisory role over important projects and prepares you for executive positions in the company.
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how do I apply for a project manager vacancy?
Applying for a project manager job is straightforward: create a Randstad profile and search our project manager job offers. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.
