Business project manager

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

University

You can study for a degree in any subject, then either:

• join an organisation's graduate management training scheme
• complete a postgraduate qualification in project management

Entry requirements:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could get into this career by doing an apprenticeship, such as:

• Associate Project Manager Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
• Project Manager Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship

These take between 2 and 4 years to complete.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Work

You may be able to become a project manager in your organisation, if you've worked for some time in a project support role.  You'll need to complete project management qualifications on the job.

DirectApplication

In certain sectors, for instance, engineering, construction or cyber security, you may be able to apply directly for jobs if you have an in-depth knowledge of the industry gained through several years' experience.

Skills in planning, business analysis and data management could also give you an advantage.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Skills:

• leadership skills
• business management skills
• persistence and determination
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to organise your time and workload
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• customer service skills
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
• maths knowledge
• the ability to use your initiative
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• the ability to read English
• knowledge of English language
• thinking and reasoning skills
• active listening skills
• knowledge of human resources and employment law
• concentration skills

What you'll do:

Business project managers plan tasks and organise people and resources to complete work projects on time and on budget.

As a business project manager, you will:

• develop detailed plans, using project management tools, to deliver what the client wants
• set up and lead a multi-skilled project team
• work out timescales, resources and costs
• monitor and report on progress, issues, quality and risks
• deal with problems and adapt plans to meet changes during the project lifecycle
• work closely with the senior management team

Possible green job

This job could help the environment.

For a business project manager to be a green job, you could:

• build in sustainability to your project plans
• limit the environmental impact of tasks to help businesses meet their sustainability targets
• make good use of technology and adopt flexible ways of working to reduce office travel

Find out more about green careers

Location : You could work in an office, at a client's business or from home.

Salary:

Starter : £29,000
Experienced : £75,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 42 hours a week

Working Pattern is between 8am and 6pm attending events or appointments

Career Path:

You can develop your career by completing professional qualifications through the:

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

With experience, you could become:

• a senior project manager, co-ordinating several projects
• a freelance consultant, advising businesses on the best way forward
• an operations manager, with overall responsibility for products and services

For multi-sector project management in engineering and manufacturing, you could do a Project Controls Professional Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.