What Does A Project Manager Consultant Do? A Complete Guide

Updated 26 January 2023

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Project manager consultants are responsible for the management and development of project plans and meeting the business objectives of an organisation in a timely manner. Project management consultancy job roles usually offer a high salary and immense career growth potential. Understanding the essential skills and key responsibilities of a project manager consultant can help you determine whether this is a suitable career choice. In this article, we discuss “what does a project manager consultant do?”, learn about the skills required for the job and find out how to become a project manager consultant.

What does a project manager consultant do?

The following list of duties and responsibilities explains “What does a project manager consultant do?”:

Develop project plans

Project manager consultants draft project plans before the starting of a project. A project plan generally determines the time, cost and risks of the project. Project manager consultants may also define the scope of the project and plan a schedule to guide the project from the beginning to the end. They manage all aspects of a project including development, planning, strategy, implementation and assessment.

Project manager consultants also ensure that the project deliverables match the objectives of the organisation. They typically conduct several pre-planning meetings to assign resources for the project. The primary duty of a project manager consultant generally is to devise a feasible project plan, secure the resources within the budget of the company and oversee its execution.

Lead project teams in strategising

Project manager consultants play a major role in assembling and leading the project team. They usually help build a team of skilled and experienced members as per the project requirement. They may also be responsible for suggesting workflows and designing internal processes. These consultants may recommend and source relevant tools and resources to team members.

Monitor project progress

Project manager consultants may monitor project developments as a supervisor to recommend any change to strategy. They usually collect project data from their team and check whether the progress of the project is satisfactory. They may also be responsible for updating project documentation, filing reports and giving progress updates to senior leaders.

Assess project risks

Project manager consultants often deal with implementation challenges in the project. They analyse the problems and recommend possible solutions to resolve them quickly and keep the project on track. They are also usually responsible for assessing risk levels of different operations and processes. Managing risk during all stages of project development is generally an important duty of project manager consultants.

Design the right project goals and strategies

Project manager consultants devise strategies to help projects on time and within the company's budget. They help companies sustain high quality, maintain low costs and manage resources efficiently while ensuring timely completion of project goals and tasks. A project manager consultant may also collaborate with different professionals to ensure seamless collaboration and timeliness.

Skills of a project manager consultant

Here are some essential skills of a project manager consultant:

Communication and interpersonal skills

Successful project manager consultants give their time and attention to fellow team members and use their communication skills to interact effectively with them. The presence of strong communication skills can result in successfully completing projects and managing team members. Project manager consultants require effective communication skills to clearly convey ideas and tasks to team members through emails, reports and presentations. Interpersonal skills may also help project managers to understand the perspectives and challenges of other professionals. You can develop communication skills by practising active listening and consciously having empathic behaviour.

Leadership skills

Leadership skills help project consultants to lead their teams effectively so that they can manage team members and complete the project within the stipulated timeline. Project managers with good leadership skills have a clear vision which makes them great problem solvers and team builders. They generally use leadership skills to delegate tasks and motivate team members. Leadership skills also help in resolving conflicts and misunderstandings among the team members. You can develop leadership skills through personality development courses, taking ownership of tasks and regular experience and practice.

Management skills

Management skills help project manager consultants to prioritise tasks according to their importance and urgency. From managing cost to risks, they understand all the methodologies and frameworks of project management that may contribute towards the successful completion of a project. Furthermore, strong management skills can also help manage resources, team members and tasks more effectively. You can develop management skills through completing internships, projects or volunteering activities. This may help you learn how to lead and manage a project team. Choosing management-related subjects in your education degree and certifications can also help build the fundamental principles of project management.

Analytical skills

Project management consultants may analyse all kinds of structured and unstructured project data to determine the areas which require improvement. Analytical skills can help project management professionals to optimise project processes and aid their decision-making. They also require critical thinking to understand the state of products and identify market trends. With strong analytical skills, project manager consultants are likely to research more data in lesser time and develop successful project plans.

Organisational skills

Project managers with strong organisational skills are able to handle multiple project tasks and processes at the same time. With effective organisational risks, they may be decrease project risks and improve the quality of products. These consultants generally require expert organisational skills along with attention to detail and multi-tasking abilities to successfully supervise and execute projects.

Problem-solving skills

Problem-solving skills help project manager consultants to find possible solutions for unanticipated challenges during the execution of projects. They may have to identify the source of the problem and gather the necessary information to find potential solutions. The ability to bring innovative solutions and take action to remedy problems can help you succeed as a project manager consultant. You can enhance your problem-solving skills by training to improve your deductive, reasoning and logical skills.

Technical skills

Technical skills refer to the specific skills that may be necessary due to the nature of the project. For example, consultants heading IT and software-related projects may require a comprehensive understanding of programming languages and software tools. Similarly, it may be important for consultants heading marketing-related projects to be adept at digital marketing and search engine optimisation techniques. You can build your expertise through specialised education, training and certification courses depending on your interest and career goals.

How to become a project manager consultant

Becoming a project manager consultant Here are the steps to become a project manager consultant:

1. Get a bachelor's degree

Earning a bachelor's degree is usually essential for project manager consultant jobs. Candidates can pursue a bachelor's degree in marketing, finance, business administration or human resource development. Having a graduation degree generally helps build the necessary skills to start at an entry-level job.

2. Complete a master's degree

Getting a master's degree may open more opportunities for project manager consultants. Candidates can pursue an MBA in project management and learn more about effective project management skills and different management styles. With an MBA degree, you may also become eligible to apply for various other positions related to project management consulting such as growth manager and leadership roles in business analytics. Doing a master's degree in management can also help you learn about core management skills, data technologies and analytics.

3. Gain relevant experience

Work experience of at least two or three years in the project management field may boost your employment prospect and earning potential. Gaining professional experience gives project consultants a vast knowledge and understanding of the industry and how to manage projects. You can also consider doing internships or part-time jobs while pursuing a bachelor's degree. This can help you gain some experience and skills to add to your resume.

4. Earn a professional certification

Professional certifications help project management consultants to showcase their qualifications and specialised skills. Candidates have the option of pursuing certifications right across all levels of expertise. Entry-level certifications may benefit you during interviews while starting your career whereas high-level professional certifications may help you advance your career by getting promotions.

Here are some common professional certifications for project manager consultants:

Certified Project Manager (CPM)
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
Associate in Project Management
Project Management Professional (PMP)

5. Apply for relevant job opportunities

Once you have adequate skills, training and beginner's experience, you can start applying for entry-level jobs that are suitable for your skills and specialisation. Consultancy firms and professional service companies usually offer relevant employment opportunities to project manager consultants. Furthermore, after gaining experience you may also start offering your consultancy services as an independent professional or start your own consultancy company.

Average salary of a project manager consultant

The average salary of a project manager consultant is ₹57,290 per month. Their salaries usually depend on multiple factors including experience, skills and job location. Candidates with a proven track record in project management can expect higher salaries. You can increase your earning potential by pursuing advanced degrees and certifications.

Salary figures reflect data listed on Indeed Salaries at time of writing. Salaries may vary depending on the hiring organisation and a candidate's experience, academic background and location.