Are you planning to have a project management career but uncertain how exactly to start? Well, applying to be a junior project manager is the answer. This role is perfect for you to contribute to all project management ways, but still as a rookie. But don’t worry, the title ‘junior’ will not last forever, as long as certain needs are fulfilled.
Make sure you read this article carefully if you're interested. In this article, there are a lot of interesting insights about a junior project manager that you should know. You will get to know what that is, the roles, the required skills, and how to become one. Ready? Scroll down to explore more!
What is a junior project manager?
In short, a junior project manager is a role that works directly under project managers. As its name implies, this job is an entry-level position, so the roles are helping with all of the project needs. Usually, they are in charge of planning, organising, executing, and overseeing projects. In other words, they make sure everything is going well according to plan.
So, what’s the difference between junior project manager and project manager? Basically, both of them have their own responsibility on a project. However, the responsibility scale between the two of them is quite different. Junior project managers mostly have less experience, so their roles are to assist project managers. On the other hand, project managers are more experienced, and their responsibility is directly related to the success and failures of the project.
Junior project manager responsibilities
The junior project manager role is considered a strategic position that can determine the project’s success. As vital positions, they are often required to be in charge of the most project management processes, from the beginning to the end. While their roles can be different in each company, generally, they have some similar tasks, such as:
1. Project planning
First, junior project managers' roles start with project planning. In this role, they mostly have to work together with the seniors to define objectives, scope, resources, timeline, and even budgeting. They must also monitor the progress regularly and inform senior project managers or stakeholders.
2. Project execution
Once project planning is done, then the next step is project execution. This is the time when they have to delegate project tasks to team members. Not only that, but they also supervise and ensure that everything is well-executed. As a project manager, even junior, leadership and communication skills are very vital for moments like this.
3. Performance monitoring
While team members work on their tasks, junior project managers have to monitor the ongoing project performances. In other words, they must fill out all project metrics perfectly. If any issues arise, they are responsible to handle it or communicate it to senior project managers.
4. Create project reports
When a project reaches a deadline, junior project managers typically start creating reports. Any issues and achievements during the project have to be documented so the project owner can see the performance results later. Creating a report is considered a challenging task because this is where everyone can see whether all of the initial strategies were implemented well or not.
5. Project closure
Another junior project manager's role is project closure. This is where all of the project managers, from junior level to senior level, collaborate to finalise project outcomes. Junior project managers responsible for updating the project owners about the report and final outcome. At last, if everything is done, they have to close the project contract with all parties involved.
Skills required for a junior project manager
For one, you need to know that the project management field is quite dynamic. As a result, you must learn more to keep up with the industry wave. Mastery of some basic skills will be the key. With those skills, you’ll have the opportunity to thrive and succeed in this role. Below are some required skills that have to be mastered by a junior project manager. Scroll down for more details.
- Project Management: A junior project manager must be skilled in basic aspects of the project. In other words, you are required to know how to schedule, plan, organise, and even budget.
- Leadership: As a junior manager, you also will be a supervisor and mentor for team members. Therefore, having leadership skills is crucial. Through these skills, you’ll create a positive environment that can make your team more productive.
- Creative Thinking: Since junior project managers will face new challenges regularly, creative thinking skills are a saviour. Every solution for all of the project’s challenges will often rely on your creative thinking.
- Client-Facing: Clients can be both joyful and stressful friends when working on a project. That’s why you need client-facing skills. These skills include clear communication, active listening, and always open to feedback (taking and giving).
- Industry Knowledge: This one is vital. As one of the leaders of the projects, you’ve to have deeper knowledge about the industries. This knowledge will help you a lot in planning strategies and making good decisions. So, try to conduct a lot of research, keep up to date with the trends, and brainstorm with the industry experts.
Qualifications for junior project manager
You know the role is attractive when a question like ‘how to become a junior project manager?’ is shown. So, if the insights above interest you to have a career in junior project management, this section will help you. Basically, to dive into this field, you’ll have to get a relevant education background. Business, finance, economics, and management are popular degrees for this role.
If you already have a relevant degree, you still need building credentials and experience. This is very important because most companies consider an experienced candidate to be more reliable than an inexperienced one. But, the question is: how?
Actually, today, there are a lot of ways to get experiences. Apply for an internship to start in this field with an entry-level position. Plus, there are always opportunities to train as a volunteer and ask for mentorship from experienced project managers. Lastly, you need to get certifications. Here are a few examples of certifications for a junior project manager:
- Associate in Project Management (APM)
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Certified Project Management (CPM)
- Professional in Project Management (PPM)
How much does a junior project manager make?
Finally, one of the most questioned topics arises: salary. Indeed reports that junior project managers in the UK earn an average base salary of around £31,901 per year. But keep in mind that the salary may be different in each city. Take a look at the data of the 5 highest paying cities for junior project manager in the UK, such as:
- Birmingham: £37,499
- Southampton: £34,705
- London: £33,425
- Manchester: £33,222
- Bristol: £30,993
Final Thoughts
In summary, a junior project manager is an ideal role for anyone who is less experienced. As an entry-level position, this role will work together with project managers. Begin your training skills and get some of the certifications to make you have a career in this field.
If you’re unsure where to start, the College of Contract Management is the only right answer. The College is an educational institution that offers plenty of courses in many industries. By combining theory and practical training, they are committed to helping you gain more knowledge and thrive in your career. Get started now—don’t wait any longer! See more of the College's courses and unlock your project management skills.
