Entry
How much could I expect to earn?
The work
Skills required
Opportunities

IT project managers oversee the development and implementation of technology to meet clients' specific business needs. They may work for a company specialising in IT or for any organisation that relies heavily on IT systems.

Common employers include:

• IT and telecommunications companies.
• Banks and financial institutions.
• Local authorities and public sector organisations.

The work will vary widely depending on the company. Projects can range from managing the installation of a new electronic patient record system in the health service to upgrading telephony networks in a call centre. Projects can be in-house or for external clients.

IT project managers use project management tools, software and methodologies to implement plans. During the roll-out of a new system they will normally be responsible for ensuring a smooth transition from one IT system to the next.

Typical tasks include:

• Defining objectives.
• Putting together the project team.
• Planning project stages.
• Risk assessment.
• Coordinating the work of the project team.
• Scheduling workloads and timescales.
• Monitoring progress and ensuring costs, timescales and quality are within agreed limits.
• Correcting deviations from plans.
• Keeping managers and clients up to date with progress.
• Signing off and evaluating completed tasks.

Senior project managers work with management teams, shaping project management strategy, managing large-scale and high-risk projects, controlling overall expenditure and managing relationships with project partners.

Firstly, you are likely to need a recognised qualification in project management (e.g. CompTIA P+) and some employers may seek relevant experience in the industry or sector in which you seek to operate. Qualifications in information systems or related disciplines would be acceptable, as would a business-related degree with a technical component.

You could also move into this role if you are already working as an IT professional and have taken on responsibility for development and implementation of projects. And you may be able enter this field if you have existing project management skills from other occupational sectors but have moved into IT, or have been given responsibility for developing a project that involves an information technology component.

Knowledge of common methodologies, such as PRINCE2 is useful, although not always essential. Similarly, an understanding of project management software related to your sector may be helpful. However, experience of managing projects is usually considered more important by companies, as they can provide specific training once employed.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Salaries for new entrants range between £25,000 and £30,000.
For experienced managers this rises to between £31,500 and £40,000.
Senior project managers can earn upwards of £45,000 a year.

Salaries are dependent on the type of role and the scale of the project. Additional benefits such as bonuses may be available based on meeting successful completion dates.

Project managers work normal office hours, but overtime may be necessary depending on deadlines.

Work is office-based but some time is spent visiting clients.

As a project manager in IT, you should:

• Have excellent organisational and leadership skills.
• Have excellent analytical skills.
• Be able to understand complex information and requirements.
• Be able to prioritise key elements of an assignment.
• Be able to evaluate on-going projects and modify plans where necessary.
• Have a methodical and structured approach to projects.
• Have excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Have excellent IT skills.
• Be very flexible.
• Have a good understanding of business demands.
• Be able to work effectively with other professionals.
• Be able to work within time, budgetary and quality constraints.
• Be able to meet deadlines.

Opportunities for IT project managers are growing as more companies use computerised information systems to manage and develop their operations.

There are opportunities to work overseas, especially if you are working for a multi-national company.

The organisations listed in Further Information offer continuing professional development schemes for their members, which allow progression into more strategic roles at company, inter-company, national and international levels.