Project Management Career Guide

Whether you’re starting out or planning your next move, this guide covers everything you need to build a successful PM career.

PM Career Topics

Career Paths

Explore different PM career trajectories from entry-level to executive.

Explore Paths
Interview Guide

Prepare for PM interviews with common questions and tips.

Interview Prep
Soft Skills

Develop leadership, communication, and stakeholder skills.

Build Skills
Certifications

Choose the right certifications for your career goals.

View Certs

Career Paths

The PM Career Ladder

flowchart TD A[Project Coordinator] --> B[Junior PM] B --> C[Project Manager] C --> D[Senior PM] D --> E{Specialise?} E -->|Management| F[PMO Director] E -->|Execution| G[Programme Manager] E -->|Strategy| H[Portfolio Manager] F --> I[VP/Director of PM] G --> I H --> I classDef blue fill:#108BB9,stroke:none,color:#fff class A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I blue

Role Progression

Level Role Experience Responsibilities
Entry Project Coordinator 0-2 years Admin, scheduling, minutes, tracking
Junior Junior/Associate PM 1-3 years Small projects, PM support
Mid Project Manager 3-5 years Medium projects, full lifecycle
Senior Senior PM 5-8 years Complex projects, mentoring
Lead PM Lead / Principal 8+ years Multiple projects, standards
Manager PMO Manager 8+ years PM team, methodology
Executive Director/VP 10+ years Strategy, portfolio, governance

Breaking into PM

Entry Points

Background Path to PM Advantages
Graduate Coordinator role, training scheme Fresh perspective, trainable
Technical Lead projects in current role Domain expertise, credibility
Operations Process improvement projects Understands efficiency, delivery
BA/Analyst Transition via requirements Stakeholder skills, documentation
Admin Coordination, then PM Organisation, multitasking

First Steps

  1. Get exposure - Volunteer for project work in your current role
  2. Build skills - Learn PM fundamentals, tools, and techniques
  3. Get certified - CAPM or PRINCE2 Foundation for entry-level
  4. Network - Join PM communities, attend events
  5. Apply strategically - Target coordinator/junior roles

Building Your First PM CV

Section What to Include
Summary Career goal, key strengths, methodology exposure
Skills Tools (MS Project, Jira), methodologies, soft skills
Experience Project involvement, outcomes, scale
Education Degrees, certifications, courses
Achievements Quantified results, improvements delivered

Skills Development

Core Competencies by Level

Skill Junior Mid Senior
Planning Basic plans Detailed WBS, scheduling Complex programmes
Stakeholders Communication Engagement, influence Executive management
Risk Identification Full risk management Portfolio risk
Leadership Team support Team leadership Organisation leadership
Methodology Following process Tailoring approach Defining standards
Tools Basic usage Advanced features Tool selection, rollout

Hard Skills to Develop

Skill Why It Matters How to Develop
Scheduling Core PM function Practice with MS Project, Gantt tools
Budgeting Financial accountability Own a budget, take finance courses
Risk management Proactive problem-solving Study frameworks, practice on projects
Reporting Stakeholder visibility Create dashboards, learn Power BI
Agile/Scrum Industry demand CSM/PSM certification, practice

Soft Skills to Develop

Skill Why It Matters How to Develop
Communication 90% of PM is communication Present often, get feedback
Leadership Influence without authority Take leadership courses, mentor others
Negotiation Resolve conflicts, get resources Study techniques, practice in safe settings
Stakeholder management Critical for success Map stakeholders, build relationships
Problem-solving Navigate challenges Learn frameworks, reflect on decisions

Specialisation Paths

Option 1: PMO / Methodology

Focus: Defining how projects are run across the organisation.

Progression Focus Areas
PM → PMO Analyst Standards, templates, reporting
→ PMO Manager PMO team, methodology governance
→ PMO Director Enterprise PM, portfolio oversight

Best for: Those who enjoy process improvement and standardisation.

Option 2: Programme Management

Focus: Managing groups of related projects.

Progression Focus Areas
PM → Senior PM Complex, cross-team projects
→ Programme Manager Multiple projects, benefits delivery
→ Senior Programme Manager Large programmes, transformation

Best for: Those who enjoy complexity and strategic delivery.

Option 3: Portfolio Management

Focus: Strategic selection and prioritisation of investments.

Progression Focus Areas
PM → Portfolio Analyst Reporting, analysis, prioritisation
→ Portfolio Manager Investment decisions, governance
→ VP Portfolio Enterprise strategy, executive advisory

Best for: Those who enjoy strategy and business alignment.

Option 4: Industry Specialist

Focus: Deep expertise in a specific domain.

Industry Specialisation Value
IT/Technology Digital transformation, system delivery
Construction Capital projects, engineering
Pharma/Healthcare Regulatory, clinical trials
Finance Compliance, change management
Public sector Governance, stakeholder complexity

Salary Guide (UK, 2026)

By Role Level

Role London UK Average
Project Coordinator £28-38k £24-32k
Junior PM £35-48k £30-42k
Project Manager £50-70k £42-60k
Senior PM £65-90k £55-75k
Programme Manager £80-120k £70-100k
PMO Director £90-130k £75-110k
Portfolio Director £100-150k+ £85-130k

Indicative ranges; actual salaries depend on industry, company, and experience.

Factors Affecting Salary

Factor Impact
Industry Finance, pharma, tech pay more
Certification PMP holders earn ~20% more
Location London premium of 20-30%
Company size Larger companies often pay more
Contracting Day rates can exceed perm equivalent

Contract/Day Rates

Role Day Rate Range
PM £400-600
Senior PM £500-750
Programme Manager £600-900
PMO Lead £500-800

Continuous Development

Annual Development Plan

Quarter Focus
Q1 Set goals, identify skill gaps
Q2 Training, certifications
Q3 Apply learning, seek stretch projects
Q4 Reflect, plan next year

Development Activities

Activity Effort Impact
Formal training High High
Certification High High
Reading/podcasts Low Medium
Mentoring Medium High
Networking Medium Medium
Stretch assignments High Very High
Reflection/journaling Low Medium
Type Examples
Books PMBOK Guide, The Phoenix Project, Inspired
Podcasts PM Happy Hour, Projectified
Communities PMI local chapters, LinkedIn groups
Courses LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, formal training
Events PM conferences, webinars, meetups

Career Development Checklist

Entry Level (0-2 years)

  • Understand PM fundamentals
  • Learn 1-2 PM tools well
  • Complete CAPM or PRINCE2 Foundation
  • Build stakeholder communication skills
  • Document your project contributions

Mid Level (3-5 years)

  • Lead projects independently
  • Achieve PMP or PRINCE2 Practitioner
  • Develop risk management expertise
  • Build cross-functional relationships
  • Mentor junior team members

Senior Level (5-8 years)

  • Handle complex, high-stakes projects
  • Influence at executive level
  • Consider specialisation path
  • Build external network
  • Contribute to PM community

Leadership (8+ years)

  • Define and champion standards
  • Build and lead PM teams
  • Strategic portfolio decisions
  • Executive stakeholder relationships
  • Thought leadership, speaking, writing
Last updated: 13 January 2026