what is a project manager?

Project managers are primarily involved in organising and executing projects. This means you have a managerial role and determine which resources are needed to bring the (construction) project to a successful conclusion. You are also responsible for managing the teams and resources made available to you. Project managers are responsible for concrete matters, from drawing up plans to budget management. You also motivate and support team members.

If you enjoy a dynamic and challenging work environment, then a job as a project manager is for you. You inspire others to reach milestones and book results. In doing so, you realise the importance of both the big picture and the smallest details, an indispensable quality of a successful project manager. This means you draw up the basic plan for the project, but also develop (work) schedules and give each member of the team their own specific tasks to achieve goals.

Unlike most specialists, a project manager works in virtually every sector. For example, you draw up a plan for construction projects, but you also contribute to a company's marketing or the development of projects in the IT sector. Are you a born leader? Then choose a job as a project manager and read on quickly to find out how you can really make it in this job.

project manager jobs
1

the project manager's salary.

In Belgium, the minimum salary for a project manager is around €2,800 gross per month. On average, you can expect a monthly salary of €4,400, but that amount increases as you gain more experience. Successful project managers often earn up to €6,000 per month.

2

types of project managers.

Project managers work in various sectors. Below are some popular specialisations:

  • Project manager in the construction sector: if you are a project manager in construction, you mainly collaborate with architects when drawing up a building plan. You also supervise construction activities from A to Z.
  • IT Project manager: project managers in the IT sector solve problems related to ICT and software. In certain cases, you may need to implement updates to software or a network. Software project managers also help teams in IT to develop new programs.
  • Project manager in the energy sector: in the energy sector, you manage projects related to energy infrastructure and maintain existing energy supply installations and methods in companies.
Male looking up in an office
Male looking up in an office
3

working as a project manager.

As a project manager, you use certain principles to turn an idea into reality. For this, you need to divide the project into smaller milestones for your team. Read more about a project manager's duties below.

4

training and skills.

How exactly do you become a project manager in Belgium? Various training courses are available at different institutions, such as NCOI. Such a course includes several modules, including:

  • basic training in project management
  • in-depth modules in project management
  • certification in project management
  • agile and scrum project management
  • PRINCE2 project management
  • PMI project management

Other institutions, such as Vlerick, EMS Brussels and Actamanagement are also reliable centres for project manager training. Are you looking for an online course in this field? Be sure to visit the VDAB, where you will find many courses that are a combination of theoretical and practical modules.

project manager competencies and characteristics.

The right project manager training is important, but it is not the only thing that will help you become a good manager. Below are some central characteristics of a successful project manager:

  • Negotiation: project managers are born negotiators and, in this way, get the most out of contracts and deals. These skills are also important for convincing investors to join your project.
  • Leadership: a project manager is a born leader and can motivate people to achieve goals. In addition, you are good at managing (financial) resources that are essential for your project.
  • Organisational insight: without good organisation, you cannot bring a project to a successful conclusion, and this skill is therefore of great importance to the project manager. You multitask effortlessly, prioritise important tasks and divide large projects into small milestones.
  • Problem-solving thinking and action: you approach every problem that arises during the project in a targeted and structured manner, you minimise risks and thus achieve good results.
  • Computer skills: as a project manager, you are good with computers and work smoothly with important software for your project. In this way, you organise teams and keep track of work schedules. Sometimes you also use spreadsheets to analyse data.
  • Communicative and social skills: project managers work with other specialists and must therefore be able to communicate clearly with teams and other parties.
5

FAQs.

Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about project managers:

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