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Project Manager: Responsibilities, Salary and Training

The Project Manager coordinates every stage of a project, from its initial conception through to completion. They define objectives, develop the project schedule, monitor the budget, coordinate teams, anticipate risks and ensure that the expected outcomes are achieved. While responsibilities may vary depending on the sector, project management methods remain broadly similar. This guide covers the core aspects of the role, as well as the main specialisations in organisational management, digital, marketing and events. According to internal data from Rennes School of Business, the average gross annual salary, including bonuses, among graduates with 0 to 2 years of experience is €39,625 (based on graduates working in France).

FORMATION CONSEILLÉE

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Key figures:

€39,600
Average RSB junior salary, 0–2 years’ experience, (based in France)
All sectors
Where can you work?
86%
of RSB graduates surveyed are satisfied or very satisfied with their job

This career could be right for you if…

  • You enjoy organising, planning and managing several tasks at the same time.
  • You enjoy working as part of a team and interacting with a wide range of people.
  • You know how to understand a need and turn it into clear objectives and concrete actions.
  • You are thorough, responsive and able to adapt to unexpected situations.
  • You can communicate clearly and bring a team together around a common goal.
  • You are looking for a career that combines coordination, strategy and operational management.

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Master in Management

A career-focused programme designed to develop your skills in project management, innovation, strategy, change management, team coordination and complex problem-solving.

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A typical day for a Project Manager:

Your day often begins with a review of the project’s progress: completed tasks, upcoming deadlines, budget spent and any delays or issues. You check your schedule, update your project management tools and set priorities with the team.

You may then attend a meeting with a client, department manager or service providers to clarify requirements, present progress or approve the next stage of the project. You coordinate the various stakeholders, write meeting reports and adjust the schedule where necessary.

Part of your day may also be dedicated to monitoring the budget, analysing risks or preparing deliverables such as a project brief, project schedule or risk register. Your role is to maintain an overall view of the project while ensuring that each stage is completed successfully.

Main specialisations

Specialisation Examples of Responsibilities
Digital Project Manager Oversee the development of a website, application or digital tool.
Marketing Project Manager Coordinate the launch of a product, campaign or marketing plan.
Event Project Manager Organise a trade show, conference or corporate event.
Organisational / Transformation Project Manager Support teams in implementing new processes or a transformation project.

Main responsibilities

Coordination

You define the different stages of the project, develop the schedule and allocate tasks among team members. You organise meetings, ensure that information is shared effectively and coordinate internal teams, clients, suppliers and service providers involved in the project.

Project Management

You monitor the project’s progress, budget, deadlines, outcomes and risks. You analyse any deviations from the objectives, propose solutions when challenges arise and prepare dashboards or presentations to report on the project’s progress.

What salary can you expect?

Level Gross annual salary Source
Junior · 0–2 years’ experience €39,625 RSB internal data · Graduate Employment Survey (graduates based in France)
Experienced · 3–5 years’ experience €44,027 RSB internal data · Graduate Employment Survey (graduates based in France)
Senior · 7+ years’ experience Varies depending on the sector, project size, level of responsibility and employer. RSB internal data · Graduate Employment Survey

Source: RSB internal graduate employment survey, conducted among a sample of alumni. Average gross annual salary, including bonuses.

What qualifications do you need to become a Project Manager?

The RSB pathway

The Master in Management at RSB provides the ultimate launchpad for project managers by combining hands-on agile training, budget control, and risk management with real-world business challenges. Through specialized tracks and RSB’s Unframed Thinking framework, students gain both the technical tools and adaptive leadership needed to lead complex international projects from day one.

Other possible pathways

The Bachelor in Management allows you to develop a strong foundation in business, marketing, management and teamwork. The Programme Grande École can then be complemented by a specialisation aligned with the sector in which you would like to manage projects, such as marketing, digital, innovation, supply chain or entrepreneurship.

Related Programmes

Possible foundation pathways: Bachelor in Management or Programme Grande École. Additional pathways depending on the sector: MSc Innovation and Entrepreneurship, MSc Digital Marketing Management or MSc Logistics, Supply Chain and Purchasing.

View the related RSB programme

Partner companies recruiting graduates

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Your first steps in your career

You contribute to organising and monitoring the initial stages of the project. You update the project schedule, prepare meetings, track tasks and deliverables, and facilitate the flow of information between the various stakeholders. You also learn how to use the main project management tools.

As you become more independent

You manage projects more independently, from defining requirements through to delivery. You coordinate teams, manage budgets and deadlines, anticipate risks and liaise directly with clients or decision-makers. According to RSB internal data, the average gross annual salary for experienced professionals is €44,027, including bonuses.

As you progress into positions of greater responsibility

With several years of experience, you can progress into

  • Senior Project Manager,
  • Project Director,
  • Programme Manager,
  • PMO Manager,
  • Organisational Consultant,
  • Head of Innovation,
  • or Project Team Manager.

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FAQs about a career as a Project Manager

What is the salary of a Project Manager?

A Project Manager’s salary depends on their experience, sector, company size and the scale of the projects they are responsible for. Internal data from Rennes School of Business indicates an average gross annual salary of €39,625, including bonuses, for junior professionals with between zero and two years of experience (based in France). After three to five years, the average gross annual salary observed rises to €44,027, including bonuses (based in France).

What should you study to become a Project Manager?

The role is generally accessible after studying management, business, engineering, marketing, digital technologies or another field related to the project’s sector. At Rennes School of Business, the Bachelor in Management or the Master in Management provide a broad foundation in business and management.

What are the main responsibilities of a Project Manager?

A Project Manager analyses requirements, defines objectives and organises the different stages required to deliver the project. They develop a schedule, allocate tasks, coordinate teams and monitor the budget, deadlines, quality and risks. They also ensure effective communication between stakeholders and report on the project’s progress.

What skills do you need to become a Project Manager?

A Project Manager must be able to plan, prioritise and coordinate the work of several people. They need to be proficient in project management tools, budget monitoring, risk management and the preparation of dashboards. Organisational skills, communication, active listening, adaptability, leadership and problem-solving skills are also essential.

Which sectors can a Project Manager work in?

Project Managers work in almost every sector, including marketing, communications, digital, IT, events, consulting, industry, supply chain, finance, human resources and innovation. The core project management skills remain similar, but the technical knowledge required varies depending on the sector.

Responsibilities vary by sector, but the fundamental skills remain the same: planning, coordination, communication, risk management and resource management. The most common specialisations include digital, marketing, events and transformation projects.

What is the difference between a Project Manager and a Product Manager?

A Project Manager oversees a defined project with a specific objective, schedule, budget and end date. A Product Manager is responsible for the vision and development of a product over a longer period. They analyse user needs, prioritise features and monitor the product’s performance. In some companies, however, the two roles may work closely together.

Does RSB prepare students for a career as a Project Manager?

Rennes School of Business offers several pathways that prepare students for a career as a Project Manager. The Master in Management is particularly well suited to managing innovative and strategic projects. The Bachelor in Management and the Programme Grande École also provide a broad foundation in management. Depending on the sector you wish to work in, these studies can be complemented by an MSc in innovation, digital marketing, supply chain or entrepreneurship.

Interested in a career as a Project Manager?

Discover the Master in Management at Rennes School of Business, a programme designed to develop your skills in project management, innovation, strategy, coordination and change management.

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