By 2027, it’s estimated that 87.7 million project management roles will be needed to fill the demand across all sectors in the global economy. As well as in technology, the UK has seen the number of project roles rise to 2.32 million across areas such as construction, finance and business, but there’s still a talent shortage. Agile project management is also becoming increasingly popular, with 71% of US organisations now using this framework.
This demand is nothing new in tech, which is why project manager jobs feature regularly in our lists of the hottest permanent and contractor positions worldwide. It's also something we’ll continue to see as new technology continues to evolve. For example, AI adoption will require updating technology stacks, security policies and data management – which will create a whole raft of other projects beyond to ensure organisations are AI ready
This means that there are certainly plenty of opportunities for people interested in moving into this field. In this blog, I’ll explore the project manager role in more detail, what employers are looking for and the skills you’ll need to become successful in technology.
The reality is that, in the tech space, it’s a role that varies massively. There’s no one-size-fits-all project manager, since they might be working in infrastructure, ERP, cyber security or data, for example. It’s a role that can have broad scope or be focused on specific parts of the organisation’s technology, so it can suit generalists or specialists.
Nonetheless, the role of a project manager will have a consistent level of approach where you’ll play a key role in organising, managing and coordinating a breadth of deliverables, from establishing workflows to working closely with stakeholders to drive outcomes. Success entails ensuring projects stay on track and are delivered on time and to budget, while adapting to identify and overcome any obstacles on the roadmap.
In recent years, we’ve seen a massive shift in tech from traditional project management to the agile methodology. This is because organisations need to be fluid in their processes and agile project management enables a more flexible, iterative approach which can achieve better outcomes. Agile project managers organise and oversee work processes, referred to as “sprints”, which allows the team to adapt smoothly to changes or feedback.
Agile project management tends to be better suited to business change and system-based projects, where user design and experience is key but doesn’t align as well to infrastructure upgrades. As a result, a strong candidate will be able to offer a balance of the two to organisations to enable the smooth delivery of a variety of projects.
Meanwhile, scrum-based management revolves around daily meetings for a small project team. This approach ensures near-constant communication with the project lead, which minimises risks and misunderstanding.
There’s no one route into this role. Ultimately, employers often want somebody who can take their organisation through change and navigate the challenges. That could be somebody who’s lived and breathed a similar project, but not necessarily in a management role.
For example, experience in systems can cross over into a project manager role. Alternatively, the right soft skills will be transferable, as will an understanding of a project’s benefits and the purpose behind it. In recent years, there’s also a greater mandate around delivery on time and to budget.
As such, a strong candidate will have:
Managing change has become a key part of projects, along with technology adoption. Having this skill can help organisations not only implement the technology but start to realise benefits. It’s one of the core soft skills organisations are looking for. It’ll help in navigating transitions that are often inevitable during projects, while maintaining productivity and ensuring minimal disruption.
Project managers are responsible for keeping track of timelines, resources, and progress. Candidates with experience in planning, ordering and managing tasks already have the right foundations to help organisations plan and deliver more effectively.
Most of your time will be spent managing different stakeholders across different business areas and differing levels of expertise. Your role in supporting and guiding them can often determine the success or failure of a project. Strong communication skills make it easier to clarify project requirements and resolve any issues efficiently. You’ll need to tailor your communication depending on whether you’re engaging with tech professionals, senior leaders or even external stakeholders.
Leadership skills are essential for motivating the project team, which can be made up of both business experts and end users from around the organisation that may not have worked together previously. Bringing the team together with clear shared goals and ability to keep focused is important towards project goals. Experience in leading projects or mentoring colleagues can prove your skills to an employer.
You’ll inevitably encounter unexpected challenges, so it’s best to have experience in creating solutions under pressure or finding alternative approaches. By being confident to solve problems, you’ll be able to manage obstacles that might pop up during a project lifecycle.
Learn more about how to showcase your transferable soft skills when applying for jobs here.
The best way to prepare is through hands-on experience. Having practical knowledge is really the best way to go, so you need to be creative if you haven’t been in the role already.
Many people begin in this role by taking on smaller projects that require planning and coordination. It may not be labelled as “project management” officially, but the experience still counts. If you’re already in a technical role, be proactive in working on any projects and processes and think about what’s being implemented in your organisation. All of these provide valuable examples to mention during interviews.
Employers do still look at certifications such as PRINCE2, which is globally recognised, and it can help project managers to have an Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) or Certified ScrumMaster (CSM). However, it’s not the be all and end all and shouldn’t take priority over the above.
Ready to take the next steps in your project management career? As a global leader in recruitment, Hays can support you in your search. Discover how you can excel in one of the most sought-after tech roles on the market.
Read more guidance on applying for popular roles in the technology industry:
Amanda Whicher Technology Director, Hays UK&I
Amanda Whicher is the UK&I Technology Director at Hays. With over 17 years of experience in the recruitment sector, Amanda has a wealth of knowledge and expertise regarding the challenges employers face in accessing and retaining talent. She is particularly dedicated to encouraging more women to pursue careers in tech and helping organisations create more diverse and inclusive teams.
Amanda is committed to connecting top technology experts with organisations, fostering long-term partnerships and providing innovative workplace solutions. Her goal is to support both clients and candidates in achieving their ambitions throughout the technology industry.
