Project managers are responsible for the delivery of a project. Their work may involve developing plans, coordinating people, collecting resources and managing money.

The majority of project managers enter into their roles following working as part of a support team in a project. Most project managers therefore possess significant experience of working in commerce or industry. Experience may be gained at any level, and it is possible for people to enter into project management jobs without having attained project management qualifications.

Project managers are trained on-the-job by experienced staff. However, they may also choose to study for qualifications in project management while they are in employment. Relevant qualifications include awards offered by the Association for Project Management, the Project Management Institute, and the Chartered Management Institute. NVQs in Project Management are also available.

Project manager jobs are found throughout the UK in sectors ranging from construction and engineering to banking, law and manufacturing. Some project managers are employed by consultancy firms. Project managers may take on permanent contracts with their employers or may attain fixed-term contracts that span the duration of the projects they have been designated to work on. Vacancies for project managers may be advertised in industry magazines and through recruitment agencies.

Starting salaries for newly appointed project managers range between £20,000 and £27,000 a year. Experienced project managers may receive salaries of between £30,000 and £60,000 a year. Project managers can move into senior management roles or start their own consultancy businesses.