what is a project manager?
As a project manager, your core responsibility is to plan and execute projects for your organisation. You determine the scope of a project and estimate the resources needed to see that project through to completion. You manage the teams and resources allocated to the project and provide leadership and motivation to the people working under you. Your role is dynamic, and once the project is planned, you monitor and oversee the execution of the project and make changes based on how things are proceeding.
You use your excellent people skills to lead and motivate your team. As a project manager, you encounter and work with a wide variety of individuals in terms of profession and personality. You move between big-picture thinking and micro-management to keep sight of the overall goal while keeping a firm handle on the small details that will get you there.
Being a project manager requires strong organisational abilities, confidence in your decision-making, and good leadership skills. Your options in this profession are vast, as almost all industries and sectors need project managers. Your skills lie in transferable areas, such as budgeting and organisation, and are not specific to any given industry. That being said, understanding your employer's business is essential.
Does working as a project manager sound like something that would suit your organisational and interpersonal skills? If so, read on to find out more about the role, including the qualifications and competencies needed to thrive as a project manager.
project manager rolesaverage salary of a project manager
The role of a project manager in India commands a wide range of salaries, with experience and seniority being the biggest factors in your pay. At the entry-level end of the scale, it is common to earn around ₹400,000 per year. The most experienced project managers in India can earn upwards of ₹30,00,000 per year. The average salary for this profession is closer to ₹16,28,266 per year.
factors that affect project manager's pay
As mentioned above, the biggest factor in salary difference is your experience. The longer you work as a project manager, the higher the salary you should be able to command. It also helps to have successful projects you can point to when negotiating your salary with your employer. A proven track record will always help.
Location is also a factor. Geography always plays a role in average salaries, but with project managers, the region you work in can make as much as a 100% difference in the amount you can earn. For example, project managers in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, earn an average of ₹5,30,800 per year, while project managers in Hyderabad, Telangana, earn around ₹10,16,400 per year.
types of project manager
While the role of a project manager is more or less the same regardless of the industry or business that role is in, some expertise is necessary. Because of this, project managers tend to specialise in certain areas. Below are some of the main specialities for this profession:
- it project manager: as an IT project manager, you solve problems in the IT department of your organisation. The kinds of projects you manage include moving the organisation to new software and upgrading computer equipment.
- construction project manager: a project manager in a construction setting works closely with architects and engineers during the planning stage of a project. They oversee various construction projects, from infrastructure to buildings.
- energy project manager: working in this role, you supervise projects relating to infrastructure development in the energy sector.
working as a project manager
The position of a project manager comes with a lot of responsibility. Anything falling within the scope of your project is part of your job, either directly or through delegation. You carry the bigger picture with you as you perform your duties, ensuring that the people responsible for smaller components of the overall project remain on track. Below are some of your responsibilities.
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duties and responsibilities
The specific duties of a project manager include:
- planning: good project execution requires good planning. You begin by breaking the overall project into its fundamental components to get a clear sense of how everything fits together. You define the project's scope and set a timeline for completing milestones.
- organisation: once the planning phase is complete, you organise your teams to carry out that plan. That means you give clear instructions to individual teams and take their feedback on board regarding realistic expectations and capacities.
- monitor project progress: once the project is underway, it is your job to ensure it stays on track. You constantly monitor the project and make changes where needed to meet milestones and deadlines.
- prepare and deliver reports: while the project and its management are your responsibility, you still report to your superiors regularly. You do this primarily through written reports, though sometimes reports may be delivered in face-to-face meetings.
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work environment
Though you could potentially work in a wide variety of industries, your immediate work environment should stay largely the same. You work in an office setting, completing most of your tasks on a computer and over the phone. In some project manager roles, you visit locations related to your projects. In construction, these locations might be construction sites. If the projects you manage are in marketing, you may spend all your time in the office.
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who are your colleagues?
Given the wide range of industries requiring project managers, you can work with an equally wide range of people. Some of the professionals your work with include project supervisors, account managers, brand managers, assistant managers, marketing managers, digital marketing managers and other roles related to general project management. Other colleagues may be more closely related to your industry, such as construction architects or IT technicians.
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work schedule
Being a project manager is typically a full-time job of around 40 hours per week. Due to the nature of projects, overtime is a reality of your profession, particularly when deadlines are approaching. You occasionally work weekends and evenings when the situation calls for it. Depending on your industry, there may also be a good deal of travel, especially if your organisation has multiple locations.
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job outlook
Being a multi-sector role, project managers have a positive job outlook because jobs are available across various industries. This allows you to move around within the project management profession, gaining experience and keeping the role from becoming stale. Experience is an important factor; the difference between an inexperienced and an experienced project manager is as much as ₹29,00,000 per year.
The role is also a viable stepping stone to more senior positions, such as director of project management or even senior consultancy positions.
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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 on a monthly basis
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a project manager is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers 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 for project managers include:
- 12th maths: at school, a student wishing to become a project manager should aim to qualify 12th in subjects like maths, finance, accounts, or something similar.
- bachelor's degree: a bachelor's degree in a related subject matter will often be a requirement of prospective employers.
- project management certification: though not necessarily a requirement, having a certification in project management can speed up your path to getting this role and improve the salary you are likely to receive.
- master's degree: this is not necessary to get into the role of project manager, but it will help you when applying for the job. It can also improve your starting salary.
skills and competencies
Some of the qualities of a project manager include:
- leadership: as project manager, you are in a leadership role with the team working on your project. You use your skill set to keep your team motivated and on track to meet milestones and deadlines.
- organisational skills: projects typically involve many different aspects, and you are in charge of keeping all of them on schedule. Accomplishing this requires strong organisational skills during the planning phase and when the project is in progress.
- communication: whether you are dealing with your team members, third-party vendors or service providers, or senior management, good communication skills are essential.
- problem-solving: no project is immune to things going wrong. Your problem-solving ability helps you work your way through issues as they occur.
FAQs about working as a project manager
FAQs about working as a project manager:
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how much is a project manager paid in India?
The salary range for a project manager in India is large, stretching from ₹400,000 per year at the entry-level end of the scale to ₹30,00,000 at the upper end. On average, a project manager in India earns ₹16,28,266 per year.
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how can I become a project manager in India?
There are a number of paths to this role. However, you should consider a bachelor's degree in a related subject, such as business management, and certification in project management as a bare minimum.
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is project management a good career in India?
Project management in India is one of the higher-paying jobs. It is also a role that can be filled in various industries, providing plenty of career choices.
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what is higher than a project manager?
Within a company's project management operation, the director of project management is usually the highest-ranking employee.
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how do I apply for a project manager vacancy?
Applying for a project manager job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
