IT Project Manager jobs
What does a Project Manager do?
To succeed as a Project Manager, these senior professionals must have strong attention to detail and an ability to prioritise competing interests. Furthermore, an ability to lead a team and communicate with influence is of crucial importance, especially when dealing with stakeholders and vendors.
Projects may be centred around transformation, business change or information technology. As a result, the persons involved in a project may vary from task to task, making people management and leadership an essential skill.
IT Project Managers bring together a range of technology experts which, depending on the project, may include systems analysts, software developers, testers and user experience designers to ensure that the information technology needs of an organisation are met. When working on larger projects, or delivering major transformations, Business Analysts and Change Managers will be part of the project team. Those working with transformation projects must be able to facilitate fundamental shifts in how business is conducted to cope with changes brought about by technology, global trends and stakeholder needs. More specifically, business change based Project Managers focus on the people affected by projects or other changes within an organisation.
If there is one skill that all Project Managers must excel in it is communication. The ability to coordinate delivery teams, influence project sponsors and internal stakeholders, whilst also building a productive relationship with vendors makes exceptional communication skills vital.
More role specific skills include an ability to manage project schedules, oversee sizeable budgets and identify and manage risks. An ability to identify suitable vendors and then manage their delivery is also a key attribute in a proven Project Management professional.
Projects may be centred around transformation, business change or information technology. As a result, the persons involved in a project may vary from task to task, making people management and leadership an essential skill.
IT Project Managers bring together a range of technology experts which, depending on the project, may include systems analysts, software developers, testers and user experience designers to ensure that the information technology needs of an organisation are met. When working on larger projects, or delivering major transformations, Business Analysts and Change Managers will be part of the project team. Those working with transformation projects must be able to facilitate fundamental shifts in how business is conducted to cope with changes brought about by technology, global trends and stakeholder needs. More specifically, business change based Project Managers focus on the people affected by projects or other changes within an organisation.
If there is one skill that all Project Managers must excel in it is communication. The ability to coordinate delivery teams, influence project sponsors and internal stakeholders, whilst also building a productive relationship with vendors makes exceptional communication skills vital.
More role specific skills include an ability to manage project schedules, oversee sizeable budgets and identify and manage risks. An ability to identify suitable vendors and then manage their delivery is also a key attribute in a proven Project Management professional.
We have found that familiarity with project management software is becoming increasingly desirable. Not only do they provide an additional medium of communication, but they also allow Project Managers to allocate tasks, share files, maintain schedules and generate reports. Microsoft Project, Jira, monday.com, Trello and Basecamp are among a long list of software being used in Project Manager jobs.
The management of resources (financial, material and personnel) is another skillset that is considered valuable to be a successful Project Manager. Decisions on equipment, facilities and materials used to have a direct impact on the viability of a project. They also play a part in determining whether it is completed within budget constraints. The same principles apply to personnel as it is the task of the Project Manager to motivate, develop and direct people so that they can produce a high output. The use of critical thinking to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternate solutions and conclusions is an additional skill that is not overlooked.
Project Manager job responsibilities
- Analyse organisation needs and provide a technical solution, recommending strategies and procedures that are aligned with overarching goals
- Design, develop, implement and manage change deliverables that will enable a successful transition for all relevant parties
- Develop project plans, identify resources required and set goals
- Estimate cost, develop budget plan, monitor projects and manage reports
- Assemble and coordinate project team members, assign responsibilities and outline schedule
- Utilise effective means of communication across all phases of the project to ensure on-time completion
- Integrate information technologies that will promote optimal effectiveness
- Research emerging technologies and how they can be used
Skills and experience employers are looking for
Technology plays a major role in modern day business operations. As a result, new technology affects key aspects including efficiency, growth and team culture. With respect to Project Managers, we have found that employers are looking for strength in the following areas:
-
Understanding of project methodologies
- Leadership
- Strategy
- Decision Making
- Resilience
- Domain Knowledge
Generally within larger organisations with well-developed project delivery methods, an understanding of software development life cycle models as well as through knowledge of both Agile and traditional project management principles and practices will be expected from Project Managers.
With people management making up a significant portion of a Project Manager’s role, having excellent leadership skills will get the attention of employers. This extends beyond being an effective communicator, to a manager that can drive a team to its maximum performance.
Decision making is often the difference between achieving project goals and failing to deliver. This enhances the value of persons who are exceptional critical thinkers. The ability to weigh the available options and consistently choose the best course of action decisively is seen as an invaluable asset by employers. Indecisiveness can put the brakes on a project and subsequently result in a failure to meet deadlines.
The same applies with respect to strategy. Understanding the business goals and developing a clear plan to deliver a project is key to the success of a Project Manager. If you have experience in performing risk assessments and response strategies, be sure to make employers aware.
When recruiting, employers also value technical skills such as project scheduling, financial modelling, and performance tracking. As a Project Manager, you should always be in control and completely aware of what you are doing. Be sure to mention any experience with respect to transformation projects relating to organisational restructuring, business processes or information systems.
Those targeting IT based roles should be able to use information technology to define, support and deliver a strategic plan. In general, digital literacy will be looked at favourably as many of today’s changes are driven by technology.
With people management making up a significant portion of a Project Manager’s role, having excellent leadership skills will get the attention of employers. This extends beyond being an effective communicator, to a manager that can drive a team to its maximum performance.
Decision making is often the difference between achieving project goals and failing to deliver. This enhances the value of persons who are exceptional critical thinkers. The ability to weigh the available options and consistently choose the best course of action decisively is seen as an invaluable asset by employers. Indecisiveness can put the brakes on a project and subsequently result in a failure to meet deadlines.
The same applies with respect to strategy. Understanding the business goals and developing a clear plan to deliver a project is key to the success of a Project Manager. If you have experience in performing risk assessments and response strategies, be sure to make employers aware.
When recruiting, employers also value technical skills such as project scheduling, financial modelling, and performance tracking. As a Project Manager, you should always be in control and completely aware of what you are doing. Be sure to mention any experience with respect to transformation projects relating to organisational restructuring, business processes or information systems.
Those targeting IT based roles should be able to use information technology to define, support and deliver a strategic plan. In general, digital literacy will be looked at favourably as many of today’s changes are driven by technology.
What type of employers hire Project Managers?
With organisations relying more on technology than ever before, an increasing amount of them are utilising IT Project Managers to provide solutions. The role may be required in any business, but we have found it particularly relevant in the following industries:
Technology – Employment opportunities exist across the entire technological sector including hardware, software and services.
Financial Services – Includes banking, wealth management, insurance and advisory. The shift to mobile and online transacting has resulted in more job vacancies. Regulatory changes and a focus on compliance has also driven high demand for Project Managers in this industry.
Healthcare – Most medical records are now electronic making the role of Project Managers critical to the healthcare industry.
Manufacturing – A strive for more efficient processes has produced additional IT Project Manager positions.
Retail – This applies to both extension of an offline business and online marketplaces.
Marketing – The evolution of digital marketing and mass adoption of the internet into everyday life has created an array of new roles and technologies that have impacted the way this industry operates.
Technologies Project Managers use
Project Management Software includes:
- Microsoft Project, Jira, monday.com, Trello and Basecamp
- Communication Platforms: Slack, Teams etc
- Software Suite: MS Office or equivalent
How much do Project Managers earn?
The continuous rise in the use of technology in business is creating extensive employment opportunities for IT Project Managers. Salaries vary depending on the industry, roles, responsibilities and expectations. For our latest guide on typical earnings as an IT Project Manager, please refer to our Hays Salary Guide.
How to become a Project Manager in Australia?
- To become an IT Project Manager, an undergraduate degree in computer science or information technology would provide the best foundation.
- Several years within the field of IT will allow you to gain the necessary experience and intricate knowledge required to further progress.
- Any time spent supervising individuals will serve as an ideal springboard into a potential management position.
- A role as an IT Project Manager is likely to require additional accreditation. This may be achieved through post-graduate studies or acceptable professional certification. This may include certifications such as Prince2, PMP or PMBOK. Agile certifications or experience delivering projects in an Agile environment is frequently sought, whilst Waterfall experience is requested less frequently.
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