Advice needed: Pivoting from Technical PM back to a more hands-on/technical role in the UK (non-native speaker)

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Hi all, I’m a former programmer (10+ yrs ago) from Hong Kong with 2 years of UK experience working as a Technical Project Manager.

I’m currently interviewing for PM roles and consistently reaching rounds 2 or 3, but struggling to close the deal. I’ve found that senior PM roles in the UK require a very high level of native-level soft skills, cultural nuance, and polished presentation. Honestly, I enjoy the technical side much more than high-level stakeholder politics anyway.

I want to pivot back into a more technical, hands-on role where my analytical and coding foundation can shine. I have no ego about titles and certain amt of salary at this stage. I’m happy to take a more junior or mid-level individual contributor role as long as it offers a stable salary.

Given the current UK market, what’s the most realistic transition for someone with recent PM experience and an older programming background? I’m eager for new technical and did some vibe coding and keep learning a few hours course over skills.google or datacamp. (i.e. Claude 101, refresh my data analyst skills in google cloud, etc.) Should I look at Technical Business Analyst, Data/Analytics Engineer, Systems Integration? How do I frame this on my CV so recruiters don’t think I’m “overqualified” or confused about my career path?

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Hello there. As the new user of the month, I would like to commend you on your English and to observe that you seem to have fallen foul of being promoted into a role where your skills have maybe atrophied and you have been made a manager of people. In this circumstance I suggest you devote a lot of time to making sure you can demonstrate your strong technical foundation and its relevance now. Try developing your own tools using copilot. Systems integration is the best route I am told but it will not be easy. The days of pivoting are past.

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I was new used of the month over a year ago and I think MrJobbly is a LIAR. Do NOT trust them.

Your English is fine though, it seems.

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