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 jobsthe 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.
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.
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.
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project manager job description
The responsibilities of a project manager are very extensive and encompass everything related to the project in question. In general, you are responsible for the following tasks:
- Planning: project managers plan projects based on a list of tasks and actions. With good planning, you better estimate the scope of the project and more easily develop work schedules and a timeline for achieving milestones. The success of the project therefore depends entirely on your plan.
- Organising teams: you only successfully complete a project if you give your team members the right tasks. Project managers draw up checklists and clearly show (often visually) what needs to be done. Sometimes you have to negotiate with your team members about their responsibilities and motivate them to reach the goal.
- Meeting deadlines: as a project manager, you discuss the deadlines with the investor or client and always meet them. Good management is essential to deliver the desired result without exceeding the budget.
- Tracking progress: during a job as a project manager, you monitor the progress of the project. You use a specific management system for this.
- Drawing up reports: the project manager regularly draws up reports for their client. This is also important for good budget management and monitoring the schedule.
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work environment
Project managers primarily work in an office, regardless of the sector or employer. In your workplace, you have all the necessary resources, such as project management software and important administration for managing your budget and work schedules. In the construction sector, the project manager often comes to the construction site. This is mainly to better manage raw materials and other resources and to effectively supervise the work.
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who are your colleagues?
Who does a project manager typically work with? In most sectors, there is a close connection with:
- maintenance and service specialists
- site managers
- engineers
- electromechanics
- process specialists
In the construction sector, a project manager also works with, for example, bricklayers and groundworkers. One thing is certain: project managers are in contact with different people all day long, from construction workers and site managers to investors.
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project manager schedule
Project managers usually work between 38 and 40 hours per week. In certain cases, overtime is necessary to meet deadlines. You often participate in events and have appointments with your team members or an investor. Towards the end of a project, you regularly work on weekends.
In some situations, you work part-time as a project manager, but this is not common. Keep in mind that as a project manager, you often work irregular hours, depending on the deadline and the type of project. The advantage is that companies often look for project managers for short-term projects, for example, when there is a tight deadline. Finally, as a project manager, you are often travelling nationally, but also internationally.
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career opportunities as a project manager
Precisely because the project manager function is important in various sectors, there are many career opportunities and ways to retrain. For example, after a few years as a project manager in a marketing function, you can switch to the IT sector and the construction sector or take additional training courses.
With the necessary experience and qualifications, you quickly grow from a project leader to a higher position or become a consultant, for example. A job in the e-commerce sector is also an option. At certain companies, you have the opportunity to grow into a deputy director after a few years as a project manager.
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benefits of working for randstad as a project manager
Working through Randstad offers you a wide range of benefits:
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weekly pay
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flexibility
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always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help
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many training opportunities
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a range of jobs near you
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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.
FAQs.
Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about project managers:
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what does a project manager do?
The project manager guides small or large projects to a successful conclusion, manages a team's work schedules, and ensures that the project budget is not exceeded. In addition, the project manager uses software to monitor the work and bring it to a successful conclusion.
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who does a project manager work with?
Since the project manager is an important function in every sector, this person works with many different people. Think of site managers, process specialists, construction workers, engineers, and more.
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in which sectors does a project manager work?
The project manager is active in virtually every sector, from IT to pharmaceuticals, the construction sector, and technology.
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how much does a project manager earn per month?
A project manager in Belgium earns at least €2,800 gross per month in an entry-level position. On average, you can count on €4,400 per month, but with sufficient experience, this quickly becomes €6,000 euros.
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which skills do you need as a project manager?
As a project manager, you must have organisational insight, be able to motivate people, and think and act in a problem-solving manner. You are also good at managing budgets, drawing up work schedules, and communicating with others.
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how do I find a job as a project manager?
Looking for a job as a project manager? Create a Randstad profile and search our project manager jobs. Find what you were looking for? Send us your CV. Are there currently no suitable vacancies available? Leave your details and our job alert will notify you as soon as an employer posts a job as a project manager online.