Project manager job description
Where we source our data
Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.
That’s why we anonymously surveyed project managers about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.
While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.
Where we source our data
Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.
That’s why we anonymously surveyed project managers about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.
While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.
Organising
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Intellectual
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Cooperative
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Tasks and responsibilities for a project manager
A project manager’s role encompasses many tasks, and people in this position need to be adaptable to be on top of everything.
What does a project manager do? Project manager responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Overseeing projects from start to finish
- Supervising and supporting team members
- Creating project management plans and timeframes
- Managing project expectations with project stakeholders
- Developing and maintaining project documentation
- Managing project resources and workforce
- Managing risks and enforcing health and safety procedures
- Monitoring project progress
Reasons to choose this job
Based on our career survey data, these are the factors that workers said were most important to them when choosing this job.
Respected
The high-level technical and interpersonal skills it takes to be a successful project manager make professionals in this role respected by team members, contractors, clients and other stakeholders in a business.
Enjoyable
If you love teamwork, are incredibly efficient and get a kick out of seeing a project come together, the role of project manager can bring a lot of enjoyment and gratification.
Enjoyable
Starting as a project management professional usually requires you to be available during traditional work hours. After sufficient work experience in this role, qualifications and developed skills can allow you to become a freelancer, a consultant or start your own business. This can eventually lead to you working the hours you want.
Job satisfaction
Overall job satisfaction
This overall score combines the critical factors in job satisfaction. It includes fulfilment, stress levels, and opportunities for advancement, based on our career survey data.
Stress level
How stressful workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.
Fulfilment
How personally rewarding workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.
Skill level
The skill level required to do this job is based on both our career survey data and official data from the Labour Market Information Portal.
Job market trends for a project manager
A recent KPMG Project Management Survey has found that the Australian market needs experienced and qualified project managers. The survey highlighted that professionals in a project management position should seek to develop their skills beyond technical capabilities and strengthen their interpersonal skills to be effective in today’s industries. It also encourages organisations to ensure their project managers have the right skills and certifications.
Spanning many sectors, the job outlook for project managers is strong. Across Australia, highly-skilled individuals are needed to strengthen the workforce.
Here are some examples:
Median salary
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Projected job growth
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Pathway options
Job pathways are drawn from the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways site.
Project management can be a greatly rewarding position and often a long-term role. The skills and knowledge gained from an entry-level role as a project manager can also offer opportunities for more advanced jobs, senior project manager positions or new career paths.
Possible project management career path:
Mid
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Project manager
Most common qualification: Diploma of Project Management (BSB50820)
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Project officer
Most common qualification: Diploma of Project Management (BSB50820)
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Project administrator
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Project Management Practice (BSB40920)
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Project coordinator
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Project Management Practice (BSB40920)
Senior
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Construction project manager
Most common qualification: Diploma of Building and Construction (Management) (CPC50320)
Skills you might already have
Based on our career survey data, the soft skills that workers said were most needed to do their job well.
Although the technical and practical skills needed to be a project manager are essential, the soft skills you can bring to the table can make the difference between being ok at your job and excellent at it. These abilities can be something you are born with or picked up through other jobs or life experiences.
Natural project manager skillset:
Teamwork
When you work as a project manager, this generally means working with a larger team. Effective teamwork and leadership skills are essential to ensure the project is successful and runs as smoothly as possible. This involves cooperation, excellent communication skills and transparency in your work.
Time management
There are many moving parts in a project, and as a project manager, you need to have your finger on the pulse with each aspect. Good time management skills mean you ensure all of your deliverables are completed when they are due so that there is no holdup or delay on consecutive elements.
Problem-solving
When problems arise in a project, it is vital to analyse the issue and develop a solution quickly and effectively. Prior training in project management can provide skills in problem-solving techniques.
Hard skills
The job-specific skills that workers said were most important, supplemented with data from JobOutlook and online job advertisements.
To work as an effective project manager, you need to have the practical skills for the job. RTOs and TAFE can provide these skills through accredited VET courses.
Technical skills of a project manager:
Project time management
Project scope management
General computer operation
Project management software like Agile
Risk management
Stakeholder engagement
Business administration and documentation
Project plan and contract interpretation
How to become a project manager
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Study
Completing a project management certification such as a Certificate IV in Project Management Practice (BSB40920) or a Diploma of Project Management (BSB50820) provides the fundamental skills needed for a job as a project manager. It also shows future employers you have a broad understanding of the project process and a motivation to do the job to a high standard.
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Register with the Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM)
A membership with the Australian Institute of Project Management benefits your career, such as access to a massive network in your sector and career advancement opportunities.
Explore related qualifications
Nationally recognised VET courses through TAFE or RTOs provide the high-quality qualifications you need to work as a project manager. Project management courses can be flexible, full-time or part-time if required, and offer in-class and online learning options.
Certificate IV in Project Management Practice (BSB40920)
This VET accredited course provides skills, knowledge and practical project management tools and prepares learners for many roles in the industry. People in these positions can work without supervision and may work within a project team. They generally don’t have direct responsibility for the overall outcomes of projects.
The average duration for this course is one year. It can be taken online or face-to-face, and course providers may offer flexible learning conditions.
3 providers offer this course
Diploma of Project Management (BSB50820)
A diploma in project management prepares the learner to apply high-level competency and skills to a role in project management across several sectors. The course can lead to positions in project management and project team leadership.
People in these roles are often responsible for achieving project objectives. They possess a robust knowledge base and use a range of specialised, technical and managerial methodologies to execute their work and the work of others.
The average duration for this course is one year. It can be taken online or face-to-face, and course providers may offer flexible learning conditions.
7 providers offer this course
Graduate Certificate in Project Management
This certification is generally for those who have a bachelor’s degree in a related subject or, on occasion, significant project management experience.
The graduate certificate in project management allows individuals to upskill and develop their project management abilities and take on more challenging projects and responsibilities in their industry.
This short course often takes eight months part-time and can be completed online with certain course providers.
1 providers offer this course
Related subjects
Jobs that offer loads of responsibility are dynamic and exercise your natural abilities in organisation and communication are not limited to project management. There are plenty of roles that require workers with natural management abilities, and they are always on the lookout for enthusiastic newcomers.
Job cluster: The Coordinator
What are job clusters?
The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.
The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.
This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.
Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?
What are job clusters?
The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.
The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.
This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.
Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?
Project management requires efficiency, organisation and exemplary communication skills. This role would be perfect for someone with The Coordinator career persona.
The Coordinator is direct and clear and gets a kick out of seeing a project come together smoothly and efficiently.
Take the Career Quiz to discover what jobs are a great fit for you.
Frequently asked questions
What qualifications do you need to be a project manager?
You usually need a recognised project management qualification to become a project manager. You can get accredited VET training for project management through TAFE or an RTO (registered training organisation).
How long does it take to become a project manager?
You can obtain a certification in project management like a Certificate IV in Project Management Practice (BSB40920) in around a year. This qualification provides the base skills and knowledge for an entry-level role in project management.
Is being a project manager a hard job?
The role of project manager can be challenging but greatly rewarding. If you have the proper skills in project management and high levels of organisation and interpersonal abilities, you can be highly successful in a career in project management.
How do I become a project manager with no experience?
It is possible to become a project manager with no experience if you have completed a qualification through a recognised training institution. The proper training allows you to develop the core skills and knowledge needed and show prospective employers you are a good candidate for the job.