The profession of IT project manager
The IT Project Manager provides technical solutions to business or operational problems.
They design, organize, and manage the development and implementation of these IT solutions. The IT specialist uses both their technical expertise and internal or external resources, depending on the nature of the project they are working on.
Therefore, the IT Project Manager must have advanced technical knowledge and strong managerial skills. A Master's degree (Bac+5) is required for this versatility, and the Master's in Computer Science at Université Paris Dauphine-PSL is an excellent academic path to becoming an IT Project Manager.
Role and Responsibilities of an IT project manager
The IT Project Manager designs and develops IT solutions and tools to meet the needs of organizations. As the project leader, they are involved in all stages, from drafting the technical specifications to project delivery, and even training future users. They also manage the project’s schedule and budget.
Daily tasks
The responsibilities of an IT Project Manager include:
- Understand the needs of the client or company
- Develop and propose an IT solution
- Draft a technical specification document
- Estimate the budget and required resources
- Create and adhere to the project schedule
- Manage the development project by coordinating teams
- Present the solution and support technical change
- Perform corrections if necessary
Salaries and career progression
The median salary for an IT Project Manager ranges between €36,000 and €39,000 gross annually upon graduation. As technical solutions become increasingly complex, IT Project Managers specialize and acquire new skills throughout their careers.
Their experience and broader responsibilities allow them to increase their salary. After 3 years of experience, the salary for an IT Project Manager ranges between €45,000 and €55,000 gross annually.
An IT Project Manager can progress to roles such as Project Director, IT Director, Chief Information Officer (CIO), or Business Engineer.
Required skills
- Strong technical knowledge in IT
- Proficiency in major programming languages
- Managerial skills and strong interpersonal abilities
- Project management capability
- Understanding of organizational sciences
- Interest in technology monitoring
- Rigor and methodological approach
What studies are required to become an IT project manager
The technical expertise and versatility required for this IT expert role demand a Master's degree (Bac+5) with advanced knowledge in IT and business sciences, such as project management. A Master's in Computer Science is an ideal pathway to becoming an IT Project Manager, offering promising career prospects and growth opportunities. Graduates from this academic track are highly sought after by digital service companies (ESN), government agencies, and user companies across industries like telecommunications, manufacturing, and retail.
Training to become an IT Project Manager at Dauphine-PSL
Université Paris Dauphine-PSL offers a Master's in Computer Science with various specializations to prepare students for the role of IT Project Manager.
The specializations in Decision Support Systems (MIAGE-ID) and IT for Finance (MIAGE-IF) offer career paths such as Business Intelligence (BI) Project Manager, Technical Project Manager (MOE), or Project Manager (MOA). A MIAGE Master’s (Applied IT Methods for Business Management) is an excellent preparation for managing IT projects.