Project Manager
This page gives you the real story about what it's like to be a Project Manager (and insights from someone who’s actually doing the job).
Your goal: Decide if this sounds interesting enough to explore further, or if it's clearly not for you. Both answers are useful!
If it sounds like something you'd like to know more about, you'll be able to:
📞 Join a call - Ask your own questions and hear more about what the job's really like
🎯 Attend a careers event - Meet employers and find out exactly how to get roles like this
It will take about 5 minutes to read through - by the end, you'll know if this is worth exploring or if you should look at something else.
What do they do?
A project manager is the person who makes sure things get done on time and that everyone knows what they're supposed to be doing.
They don't do the actual work themselves - they coordinate the people who do.
So if you're building a wind farm, the project manager isn't installing turbines or doing the science. They're making sure the scientists, engineers, and builders all have what they need and are working together properly.
Think of it like being the organiser of a big group project - but this time you’re getting good money to do it.
How much do they earn?
Salaries vary depending on the company, location, and your experience level. Here's a rough guide for project management roles in the energy sector:
Apprentice (Modern/Graduate Apprenticeship) £18,000 - £25,000 per year You're learning on the job while earning
Uni Graduate £25,000 - £32,000 per year
With Experience £35,000 - £50,000 per year
Senior Level £55,000 - £80,000+ per year
What affects your salary:
The size of the company you work for
Whether you're in a city (usually higher) or a smaller town
The specific sector you’re in
Additional qualifications or certifications you gain
Remember: These are approximate figures for Scotland and can vary. The good news is there's clear progression as you gain experience.
You'll Be Successful In This Career If...
The Bottom Line
These traits make you incredibly valuable in almost any industry. Project managers who have them build successful, well-paid careers because organisations absolutely need people who can make things happen.
You’re naturally organised
When you’ve got coursework for three subjects, football training, and plans with friends all in the same week, you don’t panic - you figure out when everything needs to happen.
You see how things fit together
You’re good at spotting what needs to be done, who’s best to do it, and what order things should happen in. You don’t need to do every bit yourself - you make sure it all comes together.
You like having a plan
You prefer knowing what’s happening and when, so nothing gets missed. Regular check-ins or updates make sense to you — they help keep things on track and moving forward.
You like making things run smoothly
You’re the one who actually organises the group chat meetup or makes sure everyone knows what they’re doing for the group project. While others talk about ideas, you’re the one turning them into action.
You like ‘getting stuff done’
Crossing things off your to-do list genuinely feels good. Taking something from “we need to sort this” to “done” gives you real satisfaction - you like seeing clear results.
Meet Tess - Project Manager for Buchan Offshore Wind
Tess coordinates environmental consultants and manages the process of getting government approval to build wind farms.
What the job actually involves
"It's project management of environmental consultants. You're working closely to some really cool science, but you're not actually doing the science yourself."
"It’s about tracking things and making sure that everybody is on the same plan, managing documents and tracking progress."
Why she likes it
"If you like people-managing and making sure that things are getting done when they're supposed to get done, it's a good career choice for you."
"The reason that I enjoy it is because I'm good at that stuff - I'm good at being organised."
Why she chose this path
"I studied science and I enjoyed it, but I just knew when I left uni, I was like, I don't want to be a scientist. But this way you're kind of part of one of the companies that will fund projects and be really finger on the pulse about it, but I'm not actually having to do any of the repetitive science legwork."
Her best advice
"Be close to the thing you like, but use the thing you're good at."
“What Does A Typical Day Look Like?”
Here's what Tess's day actually involves:
Where you work: "Right now it's all office based, all in front of a computer."
Occasionally (5-10 days a year) she attends consultation events, but mostly it's desk-based work.
What you're actually doing: "It's a mix - report type things, spreadsheets, policy stuff, Teams calls, lots of Teams calls"
Breaking that down more specifically:
Reading and reviewing policy documents and environmental guidelines
Updating spreadsheets to track project progress
Teams calls with environmental consultants to coordinate work
Managing documents - making sure everything is organised and up to date
Checking that work is getting done on schedule
Making sure the team is on the same plan
The Summary
Every sector (tech, construction, healthcare, events, media, manufacturing, energy and more) needs project managers to make sure the job gets done.
So if you’re the planner, the organiser, and the one who keeps things moving, then project management gives you the chance to turn your abilities into a well-paid and satisfying career.
Want to find out more?
Join the webinar where you can hear more from Tess and ask questions to find out if this is a good career option for you
Attend the event in Aberdeen in January to meet employers who will tell you the routes you can take to get this role, and what they’re looking for