Programme Manager thinking of contracting for the first time - would welcome advice

[GeorgeM]

Hi all

This looks like a constructive and busy forum so I thought I would throw myself in and see if you experienced guys can give me some sensible advice.

I'm an IT programme manager with 14 years experience, 26 years IT experience overall. I've always been perm although I've moved around reasonably frequently between the bigger IT companies like Capgemini, CMG, Logica etc. - every 3-4 years typically - but I'm getting to the end of my tether with my current employer and all the internal politics, when really I just want to concentrate on delivering programmes. I have therefore been thinking about jacking it in and going contracting.

I could do with some straightforward advice from anyone willing to help:

- how do I get myself into the contract market?
- are there some good agencies I should be signing up to?
- what is the project management market like at the moment?
- is there any age discrimination that might mean at late 40s I'm not going to get proper consideration for roles?

I'm sure there are other things I'll want to find out, but I would welcome some feedback.

Thanks all

GM

[GB9]

Unless you are comfortable with the prospect of being out of work for a while I would stay where you are. There are few senior roles about and a lot of people looking. As a result, rates are much lower than they have been (again) and there is no guarantee you will even get a look-in for roles you may have the exact skill set and experience for (as I have discovered over the previous 6 weeks).

To get started you just need to decide if you are going to use your own Ltd company and an accountant, or if you prefer a brolly. Once you have decided then research the best ones and off you go.

[suityou01]

Welcome.

Now, first things first, do you like films about gladiators.

[Scrag Meister]

Contractor programme manager who gave me my current contract was recently let go because there was a perm manager who needed a role due to a team merger.

Just be aware, quite often this is the case.

GL in the transition to contracting if you proceed.

[unclemohammed]

Hiya GM,

I have just been in a similar position to yourself - I have been a Head of PMO for large public sector client, and have been looking at contracting for the first time in 13 years and have been looking since Jan. Got more quali's than i can shake a stick at, and plus some decent (15m+) programmes that I have led (as Pgm Mgr)/Senior Mgt exp...blah blah blah. So far so good...I thought I could get a contract quickly - it is little more tricky than you think.

Just a couple of experiences from looking at the contract market:

1. Make sure the roles that you apply for are an exact fit - you won't even get a phone call from an agent if you haven't got e.g. Financial Services exp, IB, Retail....
2. There are not a lot of roles out there - Programme Management is ok (esp Project Mgt), but for me as a PMO - the contract market is dire. Seems like there are more permie roles at the moment in the project management sphere.
3. Because of that - the rates are low...boo! You'll be up against some very experienced players for the high rate roles.
4. Leads that seem promising go nowhere - keep looking/applying even if you think you'll get the interview...
5. Interviews are...interesting to say the least! Extremely varied experiences out of the 4 that I have since looking.
6. It is difficult to transition to a different role, even with a tailored CV - I have applied for Pgm Mgr roles with not much luck.

I know I might be shot for saying this, but most of the Agents I have dealt with have been ok - the good ones sus out location and rate first, then discuss the role. The bad ones, well - you can get their drift pretty quickly, my experiences have ranged from the agent not knowing the job role, another offered the earth/rates as long as I gave them all details of every application I had made - really! I have just been polite and left the call as quickly as I can, and made a note never to bother them again.

As for your age - personally I would think your age would count in your favour being a programme manager - wise head and all that etc....you certainly don't want egocentric young guns managing £m's of programme - well I wouldn't anyway!

I have just bagged my first gig - so I have been through all of the above.

Good luck, and don't forget to choose either ltd or brolly, and a decent accountant!

Uncle

[Troll]

- how do I get myself into the contract market?
- are there some good agencies I should be signing up to?
- what is the project management market like at the moment?
- is there any age discrimination that might mean at late 40s I'm not going to get proper consideration for roles?

1. You quit your permie job and get your first contract job (although its not unheard of doing this the other way around)
2. All equally bad - treat with caution - be aware they will know that you are a first timer ad try to rip you off on the rate
3. You need to find this out yourself possibly by doing item 1
4. Nope - age = experience = good
   

[rob s]

Actually, this is all about the agent or your networks. You need to find the ones who understand you and your CV and will go after the clients with money to spend. You need to find the decent, senior agents who specialise in this, preferably in the smaller boutique consultancies/agencies and get them to back you. You might need to have handed in your notice first (if you haven't already).

Also consider some of the programme management specialist consultancies, places such as The Berkeley Partnership etc - it'll still be permie but I'd expect the pay to be better and you'd get thrown at some fairly hefty roles.

Or set up your own consultancy - get some PMs and test managers who you can list on your website as being available for work (with their permission) who you can give the odd few days work to if you need help and then start advertising and getting your own clients.