Want A 50% Salary Increase?

By Author: Steve Twine
Total Articles: 4
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Recent data shows that the average salary for a Programme Manager in the UK is GBP68k compared to GBP45k for a Project Manager.

It's important to understand the difference between the roles - but it is certainly a realistic career progression for many project managers.

Programme Manager - An Increasingly Prominent Role Programme Management is about delivering strategic change in an organisation. It involves working across traditional functional boundaries. It has become the preferred management style used by organisations as they implement major investment projects or drive business change.

Demand for Programme Managers is Growing Recruitment statistics show strong growth in the number of Programme Management roles and recent salary surveys confirm the sizeable premiums that well qualified programme managers can earn - 50% more than a Project Manager.

Data from leading specialist project management recruiter, Wellingtone, shows the following salary levels: Project Co-ordinator Average GBP24,100 Range GBP18,000 to GBP30,000

Project Manager Average GBP45,050 Range GBP34,000 ...
... to GBP58,000

Programme Manager Average GBP68,200 Range GBP52,500 to GBP90,000

A Programme Manager is not Simply a Manager of Multiple Projects The skills of the Programme Manager correspond as closely to those of the General Manager as the Project Manager. The successful Programme Manager not only directs a series of discrete projects but provides leadership, allocates resources and ensures that project activity is fully consistent with the day to day requirements of the business.

Training and Certification Options There are 2 main certification options available. The US based Project Management Institute (PMI) offers the Program Management Professional (PgMP). As yet this has not become widely known in the UK, but is recognised by many international organisations. In addition to an exam, candidates must be able to demonstrate several years' programme management experience.

The most respected qualification structure in the UK is MSP. Based on best practice guidelines developed over the past 15 years by the OGC, the training is accredited by the APM Group. This puts it in the same family as PRINCE2.
MSP Managing Successful Programmes There are 3 levels of MSP certification. The Foundation Certificate establishes basic understanding of the MSP framework and terminology. Training courses are typically 2 or 3 days duration with a short multiple choice exam.

The Practitioner Certificate requires a comprehensive understanding of the principles together with the ability to relate it to real life scenarios. Training is often close coupled with the Foundation so that both certificates can be obtained in 5 days.

The Advanced Practitioner distinguishes those who understand how to apply MSP to practical business situations.
Further Advice and Resources

Focus on Training offers a free guide to Programme Management Training and MSP. In addition you can search for most UK training courses and book online

Best Management Practice is the Office of Government Commerce website provided in association with APMG. http://www.best-management-practice.com/
The Project Management Institute site explains the structure of the PgMP qualification. http://www.pmi.org/
Steve Twine is a Director of Focus on Training,, which specialises in project management training, ITIL Training and PRINCE2 Training