How to get promoted from project manager to senior project manager

Being promoted from Project Manager to Senior Project Manager can be a career game changer. It is a clear and public sign of career growth that marks a significant shift in responsibility, impact & seniority within your organisation. Gaining that SPM title is a clear sign that you are growing and progressing professionally; both as a Project Manager, but also as a leader.

However, sometimes this transition can be a hard one to navigate. Sometimes it can feel like you have gotten professionally ‘stuck’ at Project Management level, despite desperately wanting to be promoted to SPM. Becoming an SPM isn’t just about a change in title. It also represents a shift in how you are contributing to your organisation, how you are managing / working with those around you and how you think strategically beyond your day to day PM duties.

Here are some @BuiltWell Project Management top tips for navigating this important career transition.

1. 1Understand the Senior Project Manager roleI am often surprised how unclear Project Managers can be about what being an SPM actually means. Often there is an assumption that the transition from PM to SPM is simply a matter of taking on bigger, more complex projects. But this is just the start. As SPM, the scope of your role broadens significantly. It is no longer about simply managing your projects. It is about leading people, reporting into more stakeholders and taking on more financial responsibility – getting more involved in forecasting, budgeting and resource management, for example. At SPM level you need to be aligning projects to business objectives & driving strategic outcomes.
2. 2Importantly, every organisation will have its own scope for the SPM role. So if you are seeking a promotion to SPM, do your research & find out exactly what this means within your company so you can start aligning your efforts to achieve that career jump.
3. 3Skills developmentOperating at SPM levels requires a different set of skills from PM level. Instead of just managing projects, you will be expected to manage and lead people too. Often at SPM level, you might be asked to line manage or mentor those that are junior to you. Mentoring can be an incredibly valuable tool that not only enables other to learn from you, but for you to learn from them in return. Skills such as emotional Intelligence, how to deal with under performance, conflict resolution & delegation should be developed to make sure that you are able to handle these extra responsibilities effectively and with confidence.
4. 4Being an SPM also involves moving out of an operational mindset and into a strategic one. Instead of focusing on project to project outcomes, you should be focusing on longer term objectives & aligning your projects with company strategy and objectives.
5. 5Managing larger, more complex projectsTypically SPMs are tasked with managing higher value, more complex projects. Sometimes these projects can also be of greater risk to the business, or be more complex in terms of achieving strategic objectives (such as making a profit, or winning repeat business). Taking on these projects can also mean stepping into more of a programme or portfolio management type role. You will be expected to manage these projects with more autonomy, but still also know when to report back to the business, when to escalate & what information to provide when doing so.
6. 6Becoming an SPM can also mean dealing with a wider array of stakeholders. The role requires higher levels of authority, assertiveness, communication and diplomacy. You will be expected to understand different, sometimes competing priorities and be able to leverage relationships to make sure that decisions are made & a consensus can be reached.
7. 7Expand your networkProject management is a people based business and having a good network is an important part of career progression. As you move beyond SPM you will likely be expected to be able to bring new opportunities into the business and be able to represent your company and yourself effectively at industry events. This can include networking with past contacts, current team members, and attending events to meet new people, such as conferences and talks.
8. 8Expanding your network is not just about having more contacts. It is about building the right relationships that will create opportunities for the future. Part of networking is also about developing a more detailed and nuanced understanding of your industry and those within it. It is about learning and developing so that eventually you too can contribute to industry events. And today this means elevating your profile both virtually and in person.
9. 9Discuss your ambitionsImportantly, you are much more likely to be promoted if you discuss your ambitions with those above you. Talk to your manager about your wish to be promoted. Ask them what you need to do in order to be promoted. Discuss timeframes for promotion. Enrol on courses or training to bridge any skills gaps, and hold those above you accountable when you achieve the objectives they set out.
10. 10Ultimately your career is yours. Your ambitions and motivations are unique to you. So don’t be afraid to take control and Project Manage your career like a pro. Ultimately, you are responsible for setting yourself up for long term career success – and work out what success actually means for you and your career.

In order to be promoted to SPM you need to position yourself as ready for promotion. This includes understanding the role, developing your skills and raising your profile to demonstrate that you are ready for this important career move. Try the tips above to make sure you can take the leap to SPM with confidence.