The role of non-technical project managers today

Project managers are integral roles within any company and sector, tasked with overseeing project development from the planning stage to implementation and completion. A highly dynamic job in Malta or elsewhere, project managers engage in various skills to support team members and high performing projects. Whilst many confuse project managers to solely work within IT jobs and occupations, this profession can exist within other sectors as well.

Albeit managers work alongside diverse teams to complete a project, as a senior position, these individuals assume full responsibility for every stage of project development. This means that they are involved with planning a project, designing it, monitoring its progress, and maintaining it after completion. Project management can be a highly dynamic and engaging role, especially for individuals looking for a career that is challenging and simultaneously motivating.

Types of project managers

As mentioned beforehand, project management is not limited to IT jobs. The role represents someone who leads a team and is likewise directly involved in a project. Project managers can work within various fields, such as:

• Construction,
• Technology,
• Healthcare,
• Engineering,
• Marketing,
• Architecture, and so forth.

Overall, project managers help oversee projects and ensure they are in line with company objectives. Whilst many individuals specialise in a certain industry like the examples included above, they largely focus their efforts on managing team workflow, budgeting and scheduling, and other vital operational functions. Project management can be an exciting role because you are able to specialise in an industry you are interested in and want to become an expert. 

Duties and responsibilities of non-technical project managers

As the duties and responsibilities of project managers can be quite diverse, it's useful to narrow down these into a focus on the planning and successful execution of projects. Common responsibilities of a project manager include:

• Brainstorm ideas with team members in building a project,
• Develop any ideas into actionable plans,
• Create a timeline for the project with steps toward completion,
• Construct specific tasks and assign these to relevant team members,
• Build a diverse and innovative team,
• Supervise teams and provide guidance where needed among various tasks,
• Effectively communicate tasks and project goals so that these are understood by everyone involved in a project,
• Frequently collaborate with stakeholders involved in a project,
• Thoughtfully plan any budget surrounding the project over its development,
• Provide training opportunities for team members so that they perform at their best potential, and
• Manage the submission of a project to senior management or specific clients.

From the above, you can learn that project managers work on diverse tasks to ensure the order of internal operations through effective cross-collaboration. Their role is truly communicative, meaning jobseekers should aim to work on their interpersonal skills to succeed in this on-site or remote job.

Salary expectations

The demand for project managers is rapidly increasing, leading the career with fast-paced growth capabilities alongside impressive salary raises. The Castille Salary Survey is based on the average gross basic salary ranges we have seen offered in the local market over the last 12 months. This survey is updated quarterly, remaining representative of current market trends.  

For a global perspective, it is worth keeping in mind that sources vary and are subject to change with time. Considering these variances, salaries for project manager jobs consistently reflect an average salary ranging from $50,000 to $75,000 a year. These numbers vary according to level of experience, specialisation, and other associated living costs. 

Education and qualifications of non-technical project managers

Due to the diversity of project manager jobs, education backgrounds would vary depending on an individual’s chosen area of specialisation. In this way, there is no one direct path to becoming a project manager. Due to competition however, many applicants would earn a bachelor’s degree in an area of interest such as business management, marketing, project management, IT, etcetera.

Depending on the area of specialisation, this job in Malta or elsewhere would require additional certification to help you stand out from other applicants. Certifications and similar qualifications differ depending on specific country or regional requirements, so it’s worth exploring job descriptions of project manager jobs and reviewing what you would need for the career. It’s worth noting that due to the level of seniority of this role, project managers gain valuable work experience to demonstrate their capability in managing teams and project development in particular industries.

Trending technologies and skill sets 

As a collaborative job, it’s no wonder that project managers gain their skills in ones such as communication and management. In working with various office functions, other trending technologies and skill sets include:

• Leadership skills in managing team members and ensuring high project performance,
• Financial management skills to conduct budget planning thoughtfully,
• Decision-making skills across every stage of project development,
• Team-building skills to effectively supervise teams and ensure they’ve opportunities to grow and innovate,
• Time management skills to work under tight deadlines,
• Communication skills to clearly cross-collaborate between team members, senior management, clients, and similar stakeholders, and
• Critical thinking skills to address any project concerns and make strategic project decisions.

Overall, the project manager job in Malta or elsewhere holds a variety of hard and soft skills in order to successfully implement diverse projects and adhere to specific company requirements. They ensure all team members understand their particular duties and aligns their values well with general business objectives.

Career prospects as a non-technical project manager

Project managers can work across various environments and industries, making this role dynamic and engaging. They collaborate with diverse personnel frequently and facilitate internal and external communications. The consistent use of valuable hard and soft skills employed by the project manager is transferable across organisations, meaning these individuals are able to work in diverse workplace settings.

For jobseekers interested in pursuing a career path as a project manager, individuals should work to gain valuable work experience in any preferred industry. Of course, if applicants are interested in specialising in a certain industry, they should look for jobs in these specific areas. Project managers can continue to improve their technical and soft skills through independent learning and keep up with industry trends.

Begin your non-technical project manager career today with Castille 

Now that you’ve critically assessed what working as a project manager is about and whether it is right for you, you are able to kickstart your career in this ever-growing field. As technology and the workforce continues to rapidly advance, the role of a project manager remains a career suitable for the long-haul.