IT project manager
IT project lead, IT programme manager, IT consultant, project manager – IT
IT project managers oversee the development and installation of computer hardware and software systems.
Salary Range: £25,000 to £70,000
How to become an IT project manager
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- training through a professional body
University
You can do a degree or postgraduate qualification in:
- computing
- information systems
- project management
- 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
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- equivalent entry requirements
- student finance for fees and living costs
- university courses and entry requirements
Apprenticeship
You can get into this job through a project manager higher or degree apprenticeship.
You can also do a digital and technology solutions degree apprenticeship and move into the role after getting project management experience.
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
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Work
You may be able to start as an assistant project manager if you’ve got experience of working in IT. You could do further training on the job as you take on more management responsibilities.
Other routes
If you’re working in IT, you could take qualifications offered by the Association for Project Management to help your career progress.
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Further information
You can find out more about working and training in computing from The Chartered Institute for IT and Tech Future Careers.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You’ll need:
- leadership skills
- persistence and determination
- the ability to use your initiative
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- business management skills
- the ability to organise your time and workload
- to be flexible and open to change
- to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications
What you’ll do
Day-to-day tasks
In this role you could be:
- finding out what the client needs and minimising risk to the business
- working out and agreeing timescales, budgets and quality
- using project management software to plan and resource stages
- co-ordinating the project team, keeping clients and managers informed of progress
- solving problems as they arise and adjusting plans
- providing documentation and training for users of the new system
- ensuring a smooth changeover from the old IT system to the new one
- confirming satisfaction before signing off and evaluating completed tasks
Working environment
You could work in an office or at a client’s business.
Career path and progression
With training and experience, you could become a senior project manager or move into more specialised roles like cyber security.
You could go into departmental or operations management.
You could also become a teacher, trainer, assessor or freelance consultant.