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 execute your plan to completion. You are also responsible for managing teams and resources assigned to you. You take care of tangible and crucial elements like planning and budgeting. Sometimes, you participate in 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. When working as a project manager, 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 coming up with the game plan for executing a project, creating schedules, and defining tasks for each team member that lead to the achievement of milestones.
Unlike other careers where you work in a specific industry, project managers serve in all sectors. For instance, you provide roadmaps for construction projects, help in marketing, and support the information technology (IT) industry in project development.
Would working as a project manager suit your time management and problem-solving skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a project manager role.
project manager jobsaverage project manager salary
The average salary of a project manager in Greece is €44,000 per year, which translates to an hourly rate of €21. In an entry-level project manager position, you start with basic duties under the supervision of a senior project manager. That means your earnings start as low as approximately €31,000 annually. In a senior project manager position, you can receive a higher salary of €54,000. Aside from basic salary, most employers award bonuses to employees. The average bonus you can receive as a project manager is €980 annually.
what factors affect the salary of a project manager?
You can increase your earnings as a project manager by improving your skills and educational qualifications. Having additional credentials or certifications like Project Management Professional (PMP) and a master’s degree improves your salary prospects since you bring additional expertise to the role. Your work experience also boosts your earnings. In a junior project manager role, you have minimal duties, but senior project managers negotiate higher salaries due to their expertise.
The size of the company and the complexity of your tasks also determine your earnings. In a small company, you supervise smaller teams and handle small-scale projects. When you work in a large organization, you handle complex and large-scale projects. The unlimited resources and complexity of your duties improve your earning prospects.
types of project managers
Project managers serve in diverse industries and have different roles. Some of them include:
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construction project manager
In the construction industry, you work closely with architects and create a plan for completing projects. That includes overseeing construction projects like building structures and infrastructure to completion.
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IT project manager
When you are a project manager in technology, you solve problems in your IT department. Some of the issues you will likely deal with include installing new software and updating networks. Software project managers also guide teams to develop new software.
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energy project manager
In energy, you supervise projects that lead to infrastructure development or the improvement of existing energy-efficient practices in a company.
working as a project manager
Let's dive into the duties and responsibilities associated with project managers. Don't forget to check out the role's work environment and career progression.
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what does a project manager do?
As a project manager, there are no real restrictions to your responsibilities. You cover anything that falls in the remit of a specific project. General project management tasks 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 or timeline for completing milestones. Your plan determines a project's success or failure.
- Organising project teams: your project will be successful if you organise your teams to perform their tasks. As a project manager, you create detailed checklists and whiteboards for your team. Sometimes, you delegate job responsibilities and ensure workers are committed to their tasks.
- Managing deliverables: as a project manager, you negotiate with stakeholders' achievable deadlines and ensure the deliverables are achieved. It is essential to ensure the deliverables meet the time constraints and are within budget per the business plan.
- Monitoring progress: you spend most of your time monitoring the progress of projects. You monitor the status of projects using a management system and ensure milestones are met.
- Preparing reports: as a project manager, you provide reports to clients on the progress of projects. Preparing documentation is also vital for keeping track of the execution plan and the budget.
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work environment of a project manager
When you are a project manager, you spend most of your time in an office environment, regardless of the industry sector. An office setting allows you to monitor 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 from the site. Working from the project site allows you to manage resources effectively and supervise the project to completion.
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who are your colleagues?
As a project manager, you work alongside project engineers, site managers and civil engineers in the construction industry. When you work in the IT industry, you are likely to interact with software engineers, developers and IT administrators. Other professionals you may work with include operations managers and marketing managers.
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project manager work schedule
As a project manager, you will work the standard full-time schedule of 37 to 40 hours a week. Some companies provide part-time positions, although they are scarce. Project managers often work irregular hours, depending on the project's requirements. Some employers also offer short-term contracts when they need projects completed within a specific timeline. Working as a project manager can include a lot of travelling, especially if project execution takes place at a different location. Sometimes, you attend events or appointments outside the office.
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career opportunities as a project manager
Project managers have a multi-sector career, allowing you to jump from one role to another. For instance, after years of being a marketing project manager, it is possible to shift to the IT or construction industry without additional training. With professional qualifications, you can progress to a senior level and become a project management consultant or an e-commerce manager. In some companies, you start as a project management director before becoming the vice president of operations.
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advantages of finding a job as a project manager through randstad
Working with Randstad offers you a range of benefits.
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help
- a range of jobs in your area
project manager skills and education
Some of the educational qualifications needed to work as a project manager include:
- Bachelor’s degree: the minimum requirement to become a project manager in Greece is acquiring a bachelor's degree. You can pursue a degree in business management, computer science or an industry-related field. Some project managers get a bachelor's degree in engineering and complete a master of business administration (MBA) to gain relevant knowledge in project management. These degree courses will equip you with knowledge of project management methodologies.
- Work experience and certifications: since the role requires extensive work experience, start with an entry-level position in your field. For instance, construction project managers can start their careers as assistant site managers and improve their experience and skills. Obtaining certifications also boosts your job prospects and helps you stand out in a competitive job market. Get project management certifications like PMP, CompTIA Project+ or PRINCE2.
competencies and characteristics of project managers
Aside from educational qualifications, you need these skills and qualities to become a great project manager:
- Negotiation skills: when you are a project manager, you should be a great negotiator to get the best deals on contracts. Negotiation skills also help you bring all stakeholders on board with your strategic plans.
- Leadership skills: as a project manager, you need strong leadership skills to guide your resources toward project goals. With your skills, you can motivate your team members and guide them throughout the project process.
- Organizational skills: when you are a project manager, you have numerous tasks to accomplish, and organizational skills will come in handy. They help you multi-task since you can prioritize responsibilities and compartmentalize projects.
- Problem-solving skills: with problem-solving skills, you can find a structured approach to deal with problems that arise during the project process. These skills also enable you to mitigate risk and achieve positive results.
- Computer skills: you need basic computing skills to operate project management systems and organize your teams with scheduling systems. Sometimes, you also analyze data using spreadsheets.
- Communication and interpersonal abilities: as a project manager, communications skills help relay your plans to the teams and stakeholders.
FAQs
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a project manager.
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what does a project manager do?
As a project manager, you are in charge of planning and supervising the execution of projects. You ensure projects are completed on time and within budget. While your aim is to achieve the main goal, you also pay attention to small details and manage individual tasks of various teams to avoid unpleasant surprises.
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is project manager a high position?
A project manager job is a mid-level managerial role. While you supervise large teams tasked with particular projects, you report to program managers and other senior-level executives. As a project manager, you typically focus on a single project and rarely run multiple projects simultaneously like program managers.
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is a project manager job stressful?
As a project manager, you are responsible for the performance of your team and the final quality of the project. Time and budget constraints pile up pressure on project managers. However, by planning your work schedule and improving your time management skills, you can minimise the stress associated with missed deadlines.
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what qualifications do I need to be a project manager?
You require at least a bachelor’s degree in business management or a relevant field to become a project manager. You can improve your job prospects with an MBA or additional certifications that showcase your expertise.
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what makes a good project manager?
As a project manager, you require good communication skills to explain processes and instruct workers. You also need leadership skills to influence and persuade your project teams.
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how do I find a job as a project manager?
Finding a job near you as a project manager is easy. Search our job offers. Have you found what you're looking for? Then submit your application using the ‘Apply’ button top right on the page. No jobs available right now? Then log in or register an account to send us your resume and we'll pass it on to a recruiter who will contact you if an opportunity opens up for you.
