5 Entry-Level Project Management Roles to Kickstart Your Career with No Experience
Are you looking to kick-start your career in project management but have no prior work experience? I’ve collated five entry-level project management roles, alongside the qualifications that’ll help you get them, their typical salaries, and their key responsibilities, to help you secure that all-important first sector role.
Getting a job with no experience may feel impossible, especially in the age of AI. It may not be obvious how to use your existing skills and work experience to land project-based roles in this fast-moving sector.
That’s why I’ve used my 10+ years of experience in project management education to break down five entry-level roles, complete with salary indicators and potential progression pathways, so that you can take that first step with confidence.
With no prior experience required, these job roles can help you kickstart a long and rewarding career in project management.
For more advice to help with this goal, read our dedicated guide on how to get a project management job with no prior experience.
Written by
Neil has been at Learning People in New Zealand for over 5 years working as a specialist in helping people gain the skills, certifications, and confidence they need to land their dream roles in tech and project management.
1. Project Coordinator / Project Administrator
Overview and responsibilities
Also referred to as Project Support or Project Officer, these roles are a popular and accessible way into project management. As a junior but still vital member of a project team, you’ll help senior Project Managers schedule activities, mitigate risks, document finances, and communicate with stakeholders.
This junior role is just an entry-way into the sector: it’ll build your skillset and crucial knowledge across all areas of project management, enabling you to progress in your career.
Success story
Previously working as a teacher, Mike wanted to make the move into project management. By applying his existing skills, completing a range of courses and certifications, and working with Career Services, he secured a Project Support role. He has since been promoted to Project Manager.
From Teaching to Project Management – Ollie's story
Certifications and salary
Completing the PMI Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and PRINCE2® Foundation qualifications can massively improve your chances of securing a Project Coordinator role.
Salaries typically range from $80,000 to $90,000 in Australia and $75,000 to $85,000 in New Zealand, which is a great starting point for your project management career.
Progression
The next clear step from Project Administrator, Project Support, or Project Officer is Project Manager. Just like with Mike’s progression, this can often come in the form of a workplace promotion once you've got your foot in the door.
2. Junior Scrum Master / Agile Coordinator
Overview and responsibilities
As Agile quickly becomes the standard across the industry, becoming an Agile Coordinator and Junior Scrum Master is an excellent way to make your first steps into project management.
As an Agile Coordinator or Junior Scrum Master, you’ll support project teams by facilitating vital Agile “ceremonies”, including structured meetings, planning, and reviews. Acting as the backbone of the team, your organisation will help keep projects on time and on budget.
Success story
Previously working as a project management Career Consultant at Learning People, Ollie saw an opportunity to dive into a career he had supported people getting into for over six years. With no prior experience in the field, but a wealth of knowledge of the industry and support from Career Services, Ollie is now working as a Junior Project Manager.
From Career Consultant to Junior Project Manager – Ollie's story
Certifications and salary
Unsurprisingly, AgilePM® Foundation, AgilePM® Practitioner, and ABC Scrum Master courses are key to securing a job as an Agile Coordinator or Junior Scrum Master.
Salaries typically range from $70,000 to $90,000 in Australia and $75,000 to $110,000 in New Zealand.
Progression
Naturally, many Agile Coordinators and Junior Scrum Masters progress to full Agile Project Managers and Scrum Masters. The foundational knowledge you’ll gain from more junior roles will help you become a well-rounded, experienced Project Manager.
3. Junior Business Analyst
Overview and responsibilities
As a Junior Business Analyst, you’ll help bridge the gap between business needs and goals with technical delivery. In this role, you’ll work closely with broader Project Managers to come up with creative solutions to fix operational issues.
Soft skills like analytical thinking, attention to detail, and stakeholder management are vital for effective business analysis - skills which you likely already have.
Success story
After completing AgilePM®, Scrum, and Change Management courses with us, Tanyaradzwa secured a role as a role in the sector. She has continued to thrive and is now working as a Senior Business Analyst, showing the diverse nature of a career in project management.
Kickstarting Her Business Analysis Career - Tanyaradzwa's Story
Certifications
Studying the BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis and Entry Certificate in Business Analysis™ (ECBA™) is a great way to increase your chances of securing a role as a Junior Business Analyst.
The average salary for a Junior Business Analyst in Australia ranges from $70,000 to $81,000, and $70,000 to $90,000 in New Zealand.
Progression and salary
There are a lot of progression pathways for Junior Business Analysts. Business Analyst roles in project environments often evolve into Product Owner or Scrum Master positions, especially if you pursue a Scrum certification.
4. PMO Analyst (Project Management Office Analyst)
Overview and responsibilities
While Project Managers orchestrate the wider planning and execution of a project, PMO Analysts provide key support and insights that keep a project running smoothly.
Day-to-day, you’ll be managing resources, maintaining schedules, mitigating risks, and developing documentation, all to enhance project delivery. Becoming a PMO Analyst is a great structured entry into project management in larger organisations.
Success story
Previously working in hospitality, Anamaria was looking for a better work-life balance, and after speaking to Learning People, she decided that project management was an ideal career for her. She completed her studies and is now well on her way to her dream career.
From Hospitality to Project Management - Anamaria's Story
Certifications and salary
Foundational PRINCE2® and PMI Project Management Professional (PMP) qualifications will help set you apart in an often competitive job market.
The most recent salary data indicates that the average salary for a PMO Analyst ranges from $100,000 to over $150,000 in Australia, and $80,000 to over $130,000 in New Zealand.
Progression
The usual progression route for PMO Analysts is to PMO Manager, then PMO Director or wider portfolio management.
5. Change Management Analyst (Junior)
Overview and responsibilities
Increasingly in demand as organisations go through digital transformation. Change Management Analysts focus on the people side of project delivery.
Your responsibilities will largely consist of communications, training, and stakeholder engagement. Whether it’s cultural, technological, or process-based, you’ll guide organisations through the delivery of change.
Success story
Coming from an admin background, Nnamdi knew he wanted to pursue a career in project management. After an in-depth call with a Career Consultant, he enrolled and completed two courses with Learning People and has landed a brilliant role at the UK Space Agency.
From Admin to the UK Space Agency - Nnamdi's Story
Certifications and salary
The Change Management Foundation and Change Management Practitioner certifications are ideal for beginners wanting to start their career in project management as a Change Management Analyst.
The average salary for Junior Change Management Analysts in Australia is between $105,000 and $115,000 - in New Zealand, it's $100,000 and $120,000.
Progression
Change Management Analysts often progress to Change Managers, ultimately utilising their foundational skills and experience with change delivery.
Opening the door to a new career in project management
Still not sure which entry-level project management position is right for you? Don’t worry, we have just the tool. Our career matching quiz is a quick and free way of pairing your skills, personality, and future goals to a career in tech or project management. In as little as five minutes, you’ll have a clearer idea of the routes you can go down and how to start your new dream career.
The best route to getting bespoke advice for your career is to arrange a free, no-obligation call with one of our project management Career Consultants who are experts in this field.
Latest Sector Guides and Insights
Career Advice5 Entry-Level Project Management Roles to Kickstart Your Career with No Experience
Are you looking to kick-start your career in project management but have no prior work experience? I’ve collated five entry-level project management roles, alongside the qualifications that’ll help you get them, their typical salaries, and their key responsibilities, to help you secure that all-important first sector role.
Read More
No-Experience Job SearchHow to Get a Project Management Job With No Experience
Discover the transferable skills and certifications that can help you land a project management job with no experience.
Read More
AIHow to Learn AI to Future-Proof Your Career
There’s a lot of noise right now about AI taking jobs. And yes, AI is changing the way work is done in almost every sector. But the smartest response isn’t to panic, it’s to adapt. In this guide, I walk you through how to identify what AI skills you need, and crucially, how to develop them.
Read More
AIHow to Prepare for AI’s Impact on Australia and New Zealand's Job Market and Careers
The "AI is stealing all the jobs" talk is scary. My best advice: don't panic, prepare. In this guide, I've used current statistics to tell a story of how AI is impacting Australia and New Zealand's job market, and how you can future-proof your career for this digital revolution.
Read More