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IT project manager

Alternative titles for this job include IT project lead, IT programme manager, IT consultant

IT project managers plan and organise the work of a project team to deliver digital products and services on time and on budget.

Average salary (a year)

£35,000 Starter

to

£60,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 a week

You could work

evenings occasionally

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become IT project manager

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • training with a professional body

University

You can do a degree or postgraduate qualification in:

  • computing
  • information systems
  • project management
  • computer science
  • business management

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could do an apprenticeship, for example:

  • Associate Project Manager Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
  • Digital Product Manager Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
  • Project Manager Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
  • Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship

These apprenticeships can take between 2 and 4 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

Work

You may be able to start with an organisation as an assistant project manager if you've got experience of working in IT.

You could then do further training on the job and take on more management responsibilities.

Other Routes

You could train with a professional body, like the Association for Project Management or the Project Management Institute, to help with your career development.

More Information

Career tips

It might help when looking for work if you have an understanding of agile project management methods.

Further information

You can find out more about computing careers and training through The Chartered Institute for IT and techskills.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • leadership skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • business management skills
  • persistence and determination
  • the ability to organise your time and workload
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
  • to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As an IT project manager, you could:

  • assess project tasks and risks, and allocate work to team members
  • use project management software to plan and monitor work
  • manage a budget, timescales and resources
  • report on progress, check quality and deal with changes or delays
  • lead and motivate the project team

We've identified this as a potential green job

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

  • work for an environmentally friendly company
  • consider the environmental impact when putting together a project plan
  • recycle technological devices like laptops when they are replaced

Find out more about green careers

Working environment

You could work in an office or at a client's business.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With training and experience, you could:

  • become a digital delivery manager or senior project manager
  • specialise in an area such as cyber security or technical architecture
  • become a programme leader, with responsibility for a whole department or service
  • work as a freelance consultant

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Project Manager

  • Wage: Competitive Annually
  • Location: Hither Green,

Apprentice Project Manager

  • Wage: Competitive Annually
  • Location: Ashford

Courses In England

Project Management, Skills Bootcamp

  • Provider: WESTON COLLEGE OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION
  • Start date: 25 November 2024
  • Location: Weston-super-Mare

CMI AWARD IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT - LEVEL 3 - BOOTCAMP (DFE)

  • Provider: EXETER COLLEGE
  • Start date: 10 January 2025
  • Location: EXETER

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