Everything you need to know about becoming a Project Manager: studies, salary, duties

The role of Project Manager gives you the opportunity to work on a wide variety of projects while showcasing your organisational and management skills. In this article, discover the steps to becoming a Project Manager, the main duties of the role, and the career prospects and salaries that go with it.

Discover our Business Project Management programme to become a Project Manager

What is a Project Manager?

Definition and main role of the Project Manager

A project manager is a professional responsible for managing a project from start to finish. Their main role is to organise, coordinate and oversee every stage of the project, making sure that deadlines, budget and the objectives set out in the specifications are met. They are the main point of contact between stakeholders (clients, internal teams, suppliers) and ensure that the project is properly delivered.

The different types of Project Manager

Financial project manager: responsible for projects with a financial impact, such as optimising financial processes, managing investments or implementing new accounting and financial systems.

Marketing project manager: this type of project manager is in charge of marketing projects, such as launching new products, running advertising campaigns, or organising events and activities. They combine marketing strategy skills with project management.

Digital project manager: specialising in managing digital projects (website creation, application development, digital marketing campaigns, etc.), they must master the tools and technologies of the sector while being able to coordinate multidisciplinary teams.

Product project manager: they oversee the development and management of a product from its design to its launch on the market. This includes coordinating the design, marketing, production and distribution teams.

Event project manager: this professional is in charge of managing event projects, whether conferences, seminars, trade fairs or large-scale events and associated activities. They must master logistics, team coordination and adherence to deadlines and budgets.

Technical project manager: they are responsible for managing technical projects (software development, construction, engineering). They need specific knowledge of technology and engineering to supervise technical teams and ensure that technical solutions are properly implemented.

What are the duties of a Project Manager?

Managing and planning delivery

The project manager is responsible for the complete planning of the project, from defining objectives to drawing up the schedule, including allocating the necessary resources. They then oversee the execution of the project to ensure that the teams follow the plan and meet the deadlines and budget. This is a key factor in the job.

Managing stakeholders and communication

The project manager handles communication between all stakeholders (clients, internal teams, suppliers) to ensure that everyone is informed of the progress of the project and that expectations are properly understood. They must also manage problems and adjust the project in response to feedback, risks and changes.

Qualities and skills needed to be a good Project Manager

Organisation and time management

A project manager must be extremely organised to manage several tasks, teams and resources at the same time. The ability to prioritise tasks, draw up clear schedules and meet deadlines is crucial to the success of the project.

Communication and leadership

Communication is fundamental to coordinating teams and ensuring good collaboration with stakeholders. A project manager must be able to motivate their teams, listen to their needs and resolve conflicts. They must also communicate objectives and expectations clearly, while ensuring effective monitoring of the project.

What are the benefits of working as a Project Manager?

Varied duties and many sectors that are recruiting

As a project manager, you can work on a wide range of projects in different sectors (technology, marketing, events, etc.). This diversity covers a range of professional activities that allow you to develop skills in different fields and gain varied professional experience, which makes the work stimulating and rewarding.

The satisfaction of seeing your projects through

The project manager is at the heart of turning ideas and objectives into reality. One of the greatest benefits of this role is the satisfaction of seeing a project take shape, overcoming challenges and delivering a final result that meets the expectations of stakeholders, while respecting deadlines and budget. It can bring a sense of accomplishment and recognition in the job.

Project Manager: salary and career development

Average salary of a Project Manager by experience

Entry level (0-2 years of experience): an entry-level project manager can expect a salary of between €30,000 and €40,000 gross per year.

Intermediate experience (2-5 years): with a few years of experience, the salary can rise to around €40,000 to €50,000 gross per year.

Experienced project manager (5-10 years): a project manager with solid experience in project management can earn between €50,000 and €65,000 gross per year, depending on the complexity of the projects and the sector.

Senior project manager (10+ years): for a senior project manager, the salary can reach €65,000 to €80,000 gross per year, or even more, particularly in specialised sectors or large companies.

Career development prospects

Senior project manager / Project manager: after several years of experience, a project manager can progress to a senior project manager or programme manager position, where they oversee more complex projects and/or teams of project managers.

Project director or Programme manager: this role involves managing a portfolio of projects, with greater responsibility for overall strategy, coordinating multiple teams and managing budgets and deadlines on a larger scale. It is often a key position in large companies.

Department director : an experienced project manager can move into management positions, such as director of a specific department (for example, technical management or operations management), where they oversee all of the company's projects in a particular field.

Project management consultant: some project managers may choose to move into project management consultancy, where they put their skills at the service of different companies as experts to optimise project management.

Entrepreneur / Starting a business : after several years of experience, some project managers decide to go into entrepreneurship, by creating their own project management company or by developing a product or service around their expertise.

Specialisation in a project management method (Agile, Scrum, Prince2, etc.): a project manager can also specialise in a specific project management methodology and become a certified expert in methods such as Agile, Scrum or Prince2, which can open the way to more strategic roles in environments increasingly focused on flexibility and innovation.

What should you study to become a Project Manager?

Initial and specialised training

Bachelor's (3-year) / Master's (5-year) level in project management :

Professional licence in project management: this degree provides the foundations of project management, planning tools, and knowledge of communication and team management.
Master's in project management: a master's specialising in project management offers in-depth training in team management, financial management and project management methods. Business schools, engineering schools and universities offer this type of programme.
Master's in management (MBA): an MBA with a specialisation in project management or innovation management provides skills in leadership, strategy and the management of complex, large-scale projects.

5-year degree at an engineering school or specialised school :

Many engineering schools and specialised management schools offer programmes that integrate project management in specific fields (IT, civil engineering, marketing, etc.).

These schools train project managers in technical sectors, but also include modules on project management.

Specialised training :

Project management certifications :

Prince2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments): a widely recognised certification that focuses on a structured approach to project management.
Scrum Master / Agile certification: for those who wish to specialise in agile project management, the Scrum Master certification validates skills in flexible and collaborative project management methods.
Lean Management: Lean Management certifications can be useful, especially in sectors where cost reduction and process improvement are priorities.

Complementary skills to develop :

Communication skills: the ability to communicate well, negotiate and motivate teams is essential. Training in leadership and interpersonal communication can be an advantage.
Financial management skills: a solid grounding in budget and financial management is important for steering a project effectively, which is why some project managers choose training in financial management or management control.

Certifications and continuing education to build your expertise

A PRINCE2 certification is a widely used, structured approach to project management, particularly in Europe and in public administrations. It focuses on the processes and key roles needed for project management, and is available at two levels: PRINCE2 Foundation (for beginners) and PRINCE2 Practitioner (for more experienced project managers).

For those who wish to specialise in agile methods, the Scrum Master certification is essential. It validates the ability to apply the Scrum method, a flexible and iterative approach to project management, particularly in the field of software development.

Lean Six Sigma is a continuous improvement method aimed at reducing waste and improving processes. The Green Belt and Black Belt certifications are levels of certification that enable project managers to become experts in managing performance- and efficiency-oriented projects.

Find out more about our programme to become a Project Manager