Are you looking for a great career change? If you get to the top of your game, you can make close to $100K per year as a special projects manager.

If you want to lead a team, work on a challenging project, and add value to your community, then the best option for this is to become a special projects manager. This is a manager who works on special projects from a company that doesn’t otherwise have the talent available.

So how do you become a special projects manager? Here’s what you need to know:

Basic Qualifications

To become a special projects manager you don’t need to have a specific degree. However, as many corporations prefer degrees you should pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management.

But the most important qualification to become a special projects manager is to gain skills. Here are the basic skills you should know:

• Be able to set project goals
• You must keep track of teams
• Excellent communication skills
• Time management skills
• You must exude authority over others

If you don’t currently have these skills, make sure you learn them. A prospective employer will test you on these skills before offering a project to you.

What to Expect

Next, let’s look at what you should expect when you land your first gig as a special projects manager.

You’ll be given a brief on what your client is looking for. In most cases, you’ll have to work on the details yourself.

For example, they might ask you to “increase their social media following by 10%.”

This is likely all that they’ll tell you. You have to then create a plan on how to achieve this goal. Afterward, you’ll gather a team to work on this project. The team members will often be existing employees of the company.

You’ll have to work with these team members to achieve this goal. You’ll override the employer’s authority in assigning tasks and making decisions to complete a particular project.

Finding Work

Once you’ve qualified as a special projects manager, the next step is to seek work.

One of the best ways to do this is to look up a project staffing company. They’ll help assign your skill level with potential employers and clients. These staffing companies are great no matter your skill level.

As a result, whether you’re a new special projects manager or a seasoned veteran, you’ll find great work through them.

You should also use the internet to promote your services. Create a landing page and social media profiles that advertise your services. Use platforms such as LinkedIn to network with potential employers and clients.

Start Your Special Projects

Now that you know how special projects work you can start your journey to become a special projects manager.

You want to first start by gaining the basic qualifications. Pursue a business degree and improve the soft skills needed to succeed at this endeavor.

Make sure you understand how special projects work so that you’re prepared in advance. Afterward, you should register with a staffing company to help you find work.

Consider building your profile through landing pages and social media to increase your network.

You can find more career tips on our blog!