The Work

Multimedia is the communication of information using a variety of media, for example words, sounds, images, interactive graphics, modelling and web design.  
 
A Project Manager co-ordinates and controls the combined efforts of a team of multimedia/systems designers, programmers, writers and support personnel.  
 
Project Managers oversee the entire running and successful completion of the project at hand. This involves liasing with each person involved in the completion of the project including customers or clients who may have ordered the product or service that the team is working on. The number of staff reporting to a Project Manager on a development project varies, depending on the sise of the project.  
 
The Project Manager budgets for personnel requirements and other direct costs. This cost analysis is discussed with the client company before agreement is reached and final contracts are signed.  
 
The Project Manager has responsibility for various tasks, including: establishing clear targets and timescales to implement the requirements within budget and quality parameters; administration of the project, assessing production against targets, liaising with the client and, if necessary, refining processes.  
 
He/she makes decisions on content, informs others and is well informed of all aspects of the project. It is up to the Project Manager to ensure design quality and consistency. Project Managers can work long hours, particularly when a deadline is approaching or problems are encountered.  
 
The Project Manager can often be considered the producer of the multimedia product and as such the role has more in common with a video/film producer than with a Project Manager in the software industry. A Project Managers' work can be very varied and unstructured.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Project Managers are middle or senior managers, new entrants or recent first time graduates may not be considered for a post of this level.  As the posts are generally non-technical, many degree disciplines would be suitable however; many Project Managers have previously been employed as programmers or systems designers for which a technical background is required. All Project Managers would have experience of working within project teams, of systems design and some programming, but this job is primarily managerial.  
 
Aspiring Project Managers should seek out opportunities to gain skills in management and administration. Postgraduate qualifications might improve the chances of appointment and a qualification in management may be most appropriate.  
 
Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Business Admin, Supervisory Management, Project management- Prince 2 or scrum master in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Business Management, event management, Services management, Tourism & Hospitality Management at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Lean Sigma Manager, Senior Engineer Apprenticeships NFQ level 9-10 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Business management, General Management NFQ Levels 6-8 Search CAO courses

Postgraduate Study Options Project Management, General Management Financial advice NFQ level 9

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €45k - €80k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role. 

Data Source(s):
Prosperity.ie / Moragan McKinley/ CPL / Sigmar

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The annual average employment growth rate for this occupation over the five-year period was strong, with employment levels growing annually since 2018. Those employed were primarily male (70%), working full-time (97%) and the share of non-Irish citizens at 19% was in line with the national average.

The number of employment permits issued grew from 359 in 2021 to 974 in 2022; although the majority were for the ICT sector, they also spanned a range of other sectors, with roles including IT project/program manager and technical lead. Vacancies for IT project managers were identified in the Recruitment Agency Survey and by employers (Spotlight on Skills and Skills for Growth) as being difficult to fill. While demand may be slowing, shortages persist for this occupation.

• Smart Futures

  • Discover Science & Engineering, Wilton Park House, Wilton Place, Dublin, 2
  • Click Here

• Irish Management Institute

  • Clonard, Sandyford Road, Dublin 16
  • 1800 22 33 88
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Computer Society

  • Click Here