Career change as a project manager

Career change paths

• Head of corporate development

  Also: Head of strategy

  Start right away

  In the corporate development team of a large group or mid-sized company, you develop strategies, review potential acquisitions and lead major change projects, without being at a client's site all the time.

  What you bring:

  You can analyze markets, assess business models and prepare decision papers for executive boards.

  How to get there:

  Companies specifically hire experienced consultants for strategy and development teams. You travel far less, but you need to get used to working through internal coordination in a fixed organization.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an officeHome office possible

  €8,238gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Managing director

  Also: Head of a business unit

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  As managing director of a mid-sized company or an investment firm's portfolio company, you are personally responsible for results, staff and delivery.

  What you bring:

  You have seen many companies from the inside, developed strategies and guided change.

  How to get there:

  After a few years, some consultants move to a former client or to a company owned by an investment firm, often starting at the second management level. Leadership experience with direct reports is decisive for this step.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Fixed daytime hoursPhysically light

  €8,555gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Investment manager

  Also: Business valuation specialist

  With on-the-job training

  At investment firms, family offices or M&A advisory firms, you value companies, support acquisitions and help develop the firm's portfolio companies.

  What you bring:

  You can quickly size up business models and where they can be improved, and you are used to due diligence before acquisitions.

  How to get there:

  Investment firms hire consultants with strategy and finance experience. If you lack knowledge of company valuation or financial models, you can build it in courses of a few weeks.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Fixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an office
  View job

• Ministry policy officer

  Also: Regional development officer

  With on-the-job training

  In ministries, government agencies, municipalities or public-sector companies, you prepare programs and reforms, manage projects and advise senior management.

  What you bring:

  You can structure complex topics, weigh options and write decision papers.

  How to get there:

  Public employers hire consultants with a university degree and train them in administrative law, budgeting and procedures. Working hours are usually more predictable than in consulting, but decisions take longer.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €6,457gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• IT business analyst

  Also: Data analyst

  With on-the-job training

  As an IT business analyst or data analyst, you work on data models, reports and software rollouts, usually with less travel than in consulting.

  What you bring:

  You know business intelligence, key figures and processes, and you can turn the needs of the business departments into clear requirements.

  How to get there:

  Companies hire consultants with BI experience and train them on their own systems. Courses on SQL or analysis tools take a few weeks. This move means less travel, but also less variety in topics.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an officeHome office possible

  €6,500gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Recruitment consultant

  Also: Executive search consultant

  With on-the-job training

  As a recruitment consultant, you search for managers and specialists on behalf of companies, approach them and support the selection process.

  What you bring:

  You know many industries and management levels and can quickly judge who fits which organization.

  How to get there:

  Recruitment firms train former management consultants in research, direct approach and selection procedures. The work is sales-driven, and your targets often depend on successful placements.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €4,167gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Head of purchasing

  Also: Head of logistics

  With on-the-job training

  As head of purchasing or logistics, you are responsible for suppliers, contracts, warehouses and transport.

  What you bring:

  You negotiate with service providers, manage budgets and know what a business needs in materials and services.

  How to get there:

  The new employer trains you on the job in product groups and purchasing systems. Courses on strategic purchasing, for example at the Federal Association of Materials Management, Purchasing and Logistics (Bundesverband Materialwirtschaft, Einkauf und Logistik), last a few days to a few weeks.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €7,515gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Commercial director of a clinic

  Also: Hospital administrator

  With on-the-job training

  In clinics, care facilities or rehabilitation centers, you lead administration, finance and business operations.

  What you bring:

  From leading a larger operation yourself, you know its administration, buildings, staff and service providers.

  How to get there:

  Clinics and care providers also look for managers from the business world. You learn healthcare financing through on-the-job training or in a part-time further training course in hospital management lasting a few months.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Fixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office
  View job

• Lecturer in business administration in adult education

  Also: Lecturer in chamber courses

  With on-the-job training

  As a lecturer, you teach adults in courses leading to certified senior specialist (Fachwirt), business administrator (Betriebswirt) or master craftsperson (Meister), often in the evenings and at weekends.

  What you bring:

  You know organization, people management and cost accounting from everyday life as a manager.

  How to get there:

  Training providers and chambers look for practitioners as lecturers, usually on a freelance basis alongside their main job. A few weeks of teacher training for lecturers helps. You can also apply for full-time positions.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €5,075gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Property manager

  Also: Property administrator for commercial real estate

  With on-the-job training

  As a property manager, you look after commercial or residential properties for owners and handle tenants, maintenance and billing.

  What you bring:

  Especially if you have managed buildings, you know the technology, service providers, contracts and costs of properties.

  How to get there:

  Real estate service companies train career changers from facility management on the job. Further training as a certified real estate specialist (Immobilienfachwirt) is possible but not a must. If you go self-employed as a residential property manager, you need a permit under § 34c of the Trade Regulation Act (Gewerbeordnung).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an office

  €4,238gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Construction inspector at a municipality

  Also: Technical staff member in the building authority

  With on-the-job training

  In the building authority or at a state-owned enterprise (Landesbetrieb), you oversee public construction projects, check invoices and supplementary claims and inspect roads, buildings or pipelines.

  What you bring:

  You know how a construction site runs and what matters in execution, safety and billing.

  How to get there:

  Municipalities and state-owned enterprises hire master craftspeople, site foremen and technicians as technical employees and train them in public procurement law and administration. Positions are advertised publicly, and the requirements differ by federal state and authority.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursLittle customer contact
  View job

• Field consultant for building materials

  Also: Project consultant at a building materials manufacturer

  With on-the-job training

  At the manufacturer or building materials trade, you advise construction companies, planners and craftspeople, present products and support projects up to execution.

  What you bring:

  You know from practice which building materials and systems prove their worth on the construction site and what problems installers have with them.

  How to get there:

  The manufacturer or dealer trains you on the job with product training, usually for a few weeks to months. A class B driving license and willingness to travel are expected. Look for permanent employment, because as a self-employed commercial agent you mostly work on commission.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €4,456gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Business coach

  Also: Leadership trainer

  With vocational training

  As a business coach or trainer, you support managers and teams through difficult phases, facilitate workshops and develop leadership programs.

  What you bring:

  You know day-to-day management, team dynamics and change processes from many projects.

  How to get there:

  You can complete coaching training alongside work; scope and duration depend on the provider. The title coach is not protected, but clients look for recognized training. You can work as a freelance coach; permanent jobs exist in the staff development departments of large companies.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €4,155gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• State-certified construction technician

  Also: Cost estimator in a construction company

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a construction technician, you calculate bids, plan construction processes, prepare tenders and bill services.

  What you bring:

  You know construction processes, quantities and materials from running construction sites and know where cost estimating and planning fail in practice.

  How to get there:

  You can take the upgrading course to become a state-certified construction technician (staatlich geprüfte/r Bautechniker/in) at a technical college (Fachschule). It usually takes 2 years full-time or about 4 years alongside work and is eligible for funding through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). You are generally admitted with a journeyman certificate (Gesellenbrief) or skilled worker certificate (Facharbeiterbrief) and work experience, and the federal state regulates the details.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an office

  €5,500gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Construction expert

  Also: Claims adjuster for building damage

  With further training

  As an expert or claims adjuster, you assess damage on site, determine causes and repair effort and write reports for insurers, owners or courts.

  What you bring:

  You spot workmanship errors, moisture damage and defects at a glance and know how they are repaired properly.

  How to get there:

  Insurers and claims service providers train experienced site foremen (Poliere) and master craftspeople (Meister) as adjusters over a few months. As an expert, you usually work after completing courses at chambers or training providers. You only become publicly appointed and sworn in after the chamber has verified your special expertise.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursLots of contact with people
  View job

• Managing director of a construction business

  Also: Branch manager in a construction company

  With further trainingPromotion

  In the management of a construction business or a branch, you are responsible for orders, staff and profitability across many construction sites.

  What you bring:

  You lead work crews, manage deadlines and costs and stay in contact with clients and subcontractors.

  How to get there:

  To run your own business in a construction trade that requires a license, you need the master craftsperson certificate (Meisterbrief) or an equivalent entitlement. The upgrading course for certified business manager under the Crafts Code (Geprüfter Betriebswirt nach der Handwerksordnung) teaches business skills and usually takes 1 to 2 years alongside work.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Fixed daytime hoursPhysically light

  €8,555gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Safety and health protection coordinator (SiGeKo)

  Also: Occupational safety specialist in construction

  With further training

  As a coordinator or occupational safety specialist, you plan occupational safety for construction projects, inspect construction sites and advise clients and companies.

  What you bring:

  You know the dangers on the construction site, from open edges to crane operation, and know how protective measures are put into practice.

  How to get there:

  To work as a SiGeKo, you need work experience in construction and a coordinator course of a few days to weeks at training providers. Training as an occupational safety specialist (Fachkraft für Arbeitssicherheit) requires a master craftsperson (Meister) or technician qualification followed by two years of practice, or at least four years of work as a master craftsperson or in an equivalent role. Alongside work, it takes one to two years depending on the provider.*Regulated by law (Occupational Safety Act (ASiG) § 7, DGUV Regulation 2 § 4).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursLots of contact with people

  €4,948gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

Salary: median of all full-time employees in the job, gross per month excluding special payments, as of April 2025. Half earn more, half earn less. Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), table 62361-0030, license dl-de/by-2-0. Assigned to the jobs by quereinsteiger.de. No guarantee of accuracy.