The importance of the Project Manager role
The role of a Project Manager has become one of the most essential and in-demand positions across industries in the UK and globally. Project Managers are the linchpins who ensure that business objectives are met by overseeing projects from concept through to completion. They balance timelines, budgets, resources, and teams to deliver successful outcomes. A typical job description includes managing cross-functional teams, liaising with stakeholders, mitigating risks, and ensuring that deliverables align with organisational goals.
In the UK, salaries for Project Managers vary depending on industry, experience, and region. Graduate and entry-level positions may start around £30,000 to £40,000, while experienced Project Managers can expect £50,000 to £70,000. Senior Project Managers and Programme Managers in specialist sectors such as IT, construction, or finance can command £80,000 to £100,000+, often with bonuses and additional benefits. These figures reflect just how valuable effective Project Managers are to business success.
To secure these roles, however, you need more than just skills—you need an interview-winning CV. In this article, I’ll walk you through how to craft a professional Project Manager CV template example that not only highlights your expertise but also gets you noticed by employers and recruiters.
Why your Project Manager CV is the key to interviews
Think of your CV as your personal marketing document. It’s not just a list of responsibilities; it’s a compelling career story that proves your ability to deliver results. Employers often receive dozens or even hundreds of applications for a single Project Manager vacancy. What separates the interview shortlist from the rejected pile is the clarity, professionalism, and impact of your CV.
Using a well-structured cv template can be the difference between being overlooked and landing that interview. A professional cv example provides inspiration for formatting, structure, and persuasive language that showcases your project management achievements.
For a ready-to-use cv template, you can view one here: cv template.
How to structure your Project Manager CV
A strong CV for a Project Manager must be tailored to highlight leadership, organisation, and results. Recruiters spend only a few seconds scanning each CV, so layout, clarity, and keywords matter enormously. Here’s the tried-and-tested structure I recommend to all my clients:
Contact Details – At the top of your CV, clearly display your full name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile. Location is optional, but city-based information can help recruiters match you to roles.
Professional Profile – A punchy summary of 4–6 lines at the top of your CV that highlights your career background, industries worked in, key strengths, and career ambitions. Think of it as your elevator pitch in writing.
Key Skills – A bullet point list of 8–12 core competencies that employers are searching for. For Project Managers, this could include stakeholder engagement, Agile methodologies, budget control, leadership, change management, and risk mitigation.
Career History – Reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role. For each position, include:
Job title, employer, and dates
A concise overview of your responsibilities
3–6 bullet points of quantified achievements (e.g., “Delivered £5m IT transformation project three months ahead of schedule and under budget by 10%”).
Education & Qualifications – List degrees, certifications (such as PRINCE2, PMP, AgilePM), and other relevant training.
Additional Information – Languages, IT skills, professional memberships, or voluntary roles that strengthen your application.
References – You can either list referees or state “Available upon request.”
Example of a strong professional profile for a Project Manager CV
“Highly accomplished and results-driven Project Manager with over 10 years of experience delivering complex, multi-million-pound projects within the technology and financial services sectors. Skilled in leading cross-functional teams, applying both Agile and Waterfall methodologies, and building strong stakeholder relationships at all levels. Proven record of delivering projects on time and within budget, while driving efficiency and innovation. Passionate about mentoring teams and ensuring project outcomes align with business strategy.”
This type of profile immediately positions you as a strong candidate, providing a recruiter with a snapshot of your expertise and value.
Advice for graduates entering project management
If you’re a recent graduate, you may not yet have direct project management experience. That’s perfectly fine—focus instead on transferable skills and achievements. Employers value potential and capability as much as proven track record at this stage. Highlight:
University projects where you coordinated teams, research, or presentations.
Internships, work placements, or part-time roles that involved organisation, leadership, or deadlines.
Skills such as communication, problem solving, teamwork, and adaptability.
Be sure to use a tailored cv example to see how you can frame your graduate experience effectively. You can find a structured cv template here: cv example.
Advice for middle management Project Managers
For mid-level professionals, employers are looking for a clear demonstration of project delivery success and leadership. Emphasise:
The size, scale, and budgets of the projects you have managed.
Methodologies used (Agile, PRINCE2, Lean, Scrum).
How you motivated and directed teams.
Key results and quantifiable impacts (revenue, savings, time reductions, customer satisfaction).
At this stage of your career, your CV must show consistency, career progression, and achievements that set you apart.
Advice for senior Project Managers and Programme Managers
For senior and executive-level applicants, your CV must be highly strategic. Recruiters and employers want to see evidence of leadership at scale and contribution to organisational growth. Focus on:
Leading multi-project programmes or portfolios worth millions.
Influencing at board or C-suite level.
Driving business transformation and change management initiatives.
Achieving measurable business outcomes beyond just project delivery.
Use language that reflects your seniority—words like “led,” “strategised,” “transformed,” and “delivered outcomes” will demonstrate authority.
General CV writing tips for Project Managers
Keep it concise – Ideally two pages, maximum three if you have extensive senior experience.
Tailor for every application – Adjust your CV for each role by using keywords from the job description.
Show measurable achievements – Numbers are powerful (budgets managed, team sizes, cost savings).
Use active language – Replace “responsible for” with “delivered,” “implemented,” “spearheaded.”
Prioritise readability – Use consistent fonts, clear headings, and plenty of white space.
The do’s and don’ts of a Project Manager CV
Do’s
Do use a professional cv template for consistency and impact.
Do include relevant certifications such as PRINCE2, PMP, Agile, or Scrum Master.
Do highlight leadership, decision-making, and stakeholder management.
Do quantify achievements wherever possible.
Do tailor your CV to each role you apply for.
Don’ts
Don’t overcrowd your CV with too much text—less is often more.
Don’t use jargon or acronyms without explanation.
Don’t include irrelevant personal information (age, marital status, photos).
Don’t rely solely on duties; focus on achievements.
Don’t send the same CV to every job—customisation is key.
Final thoughts from Jerry Frempong
Your CV is your professional passport to new opportunities. As a Project Manager, you are expected to bring clarity, organisation, and results to every project you lead. Your CV should reflect those very qualities: structured, impactful, and results-driven.
Whether you are a graduate just starting your journey, a mid-level manager ready to step up, or a seasoned professional aiming for executive roles, the right CV will set you apart. Use a proven cv template or study a cv example to ensure your document is professional, polished, and persuasive.
Remember, the interview-winning CV is one that demonstrates not just what you have done, but how you have delivered measurable impact. With over 25 years of career coaching experience, I can assure you that if you follow the guidance here, your Project Manager CV will stand out to employers and open doors to exciting new roles.
