Publish on April 14, 2020

How to Become a Project Manager in New Zealand

Candlefox

Project managers are responsible for managing the delivery of projects from the beginning until the end. They are responsible for adding or improving the strategic, financial, operational or technological aspects of the projects they are assigned too.

There are many types of project managers in different industries such as construction, information technology and architecture; namely in industries that produce tangible products and services. A combination of soft and technical skills is required to become a project manager in New Zealand.

This article will guide you through the roles and responsibilities of project managers, the skills and qualifications needed, expected salary as well as the industry prospects and directions for the future.

Qualifications required

There are no exact entry requirements to become a project manager in New Zealand. However, most employers prefer a tertiary degree qualification in a specialised area such as engineering or construction.

A degree, diploma or certificate in project management is also beneficial. Most employers prefer courses approved by the Project Management Institute.

A PMI certification training course is a facilitated study group session that runs for approximately 16 weeks and can be found in major cities such as Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington. There are also short courses available in project management that can be accessed anywhere online and can take as little as five weeks. There are many types of project management courses that are specialised to a specific area such as risk management, business analysis and strategic management.

Therefore, it will be essential to understand what type of project management that interests you. PMI-registered educational providers are organisations that have been approved to offer training in project management and meet the rigorous standards for quality and effectiveness defined by PMI.

Recommended skills

The key skills needed by project managers include both technical and soft skills. The ability to deliver projects on budget and on time as well as the effective management of staff, risks and clients are all fundamental values desired by employers. Below are the different skills needed to be a successful project manager.

Technical skills

Depending on which type of project management you which to pursue, there may be job-specific project management skills needed. Besides that, here is a list of the most common project management technical skills desired by employers.

• Financial Modelling
• Project Lifecycle Management
• Schedule Management
• Knowledge of Project Management Software

Every time a new project arises, a project manager must optimise cost efficiencies and benefits by undertaking financial modelling, this is to ensure the project does not go over budget and to maximise all available resources as effectively as possible. An agile project manager will split a plan into specific segments via project lifecycle management techniques to minimise mistakes.

Project lifecycle management will also create a roadmap containing all the phases and stakeholders that are involved at each given stage. Scheduling management also assists in the organisation and planning throughout the various stages of the lifespan of a project. Project management software supports project managers in keeping all aspects of their projects organised.

Soft skills

There are a plethora of soft skills that successful project managers possess. It is not just about managing finances or plans but also about managing people. Therefore some of the soft skills listed below include:

• Leadership skills
• Communication
• Time management
• Problem-solving and critical thinking

There is a list of must-have project management skills in 2020 available at goskills.com which explains every expertise that employers look for in their project managers in-depth. Soft skills complement the technical skills acquired through qualifications or prior experience in the industry.

Industry prospects and direction

There has been a large-scale increase in the demand for experienced project managers in New Zealand. Full-time and project management roles, especially in construction and Information technology, are currently on the list of skill shortages in New Zealand. The demand for senior project managers in development correlates to an exponential increase in planned infrastructure over the past five years.

The inadequate number of candidates who possess project management skills and experience creates a labour gap within this sector. With strong demand, entry-level project managers depending on their specific industry can take home approximately $61,000, however, can improve as the average project manager with medium-level experience takes home an average of $91,000.

Given the increase in demand for project managers, the coming months and years will be an ideal time to progress your skills and work experience in this sector. With the right mix of technical and soft skills as well as proper qualifications, the chances of obtaining a job in project management will rapidly rise.

Job satisfaction of project managers scores very high. However, a project manager is often regarded as an influential role, with challenges and hurdles present in many different projects. If you are somebody who values continuous learning and thrives in high-pressure environments, project management could be the career path that you’ve been looking for.