If you’re an IT Project Manager, Business Analyst or PMO professional, chances are you’ve weighed up the choice between contracting and going permanent. Each has its perks, each has its drawbacks—and what’s right for one person might not suit another.
But there’s a third option that’s gaining traction fast: working with a firm that provides Project Management as a Service (PMaaS)—like our sister company Stoneseed.
Let’s break it down.
Option 1: Permanent Roles – Stability, Development, and Team Culture
A permanent role gives you the chance to embed into a business. You’ll enjoy the benefits of structured development, career progression, and typically a decent benefits package—pension, healthcare, training budget, and job security.
If you enjoy growing teams, leading long-term initiatives, and seeing the results of your work evolve over time, a perm position could be ideal.
That said, you might encounter slower decision-making, more internal politics, or be tied into a single domain for longer than you’d like.
Option 2: Contracting – Flexibility, Variety, and Higher Earning Potential
Contracting offers autonomy, more control over the type of projects you take on, and often a higher day rate. You can build a diverse portfolio, working across sectors and scaling up quickly.
But it comes with the unpredictability of project gaps, fluctuating demand, and having to stay on top of IR35 legislation. You’ll need to be comfortable running your own pipeline and handling the ‘what’s next?’ conversations yourself.
Option 3: PMaaS Firms like Stoneseed – Variety with Stability
The middle ground? Joining a PMaaS provider like P3M’s sister company Stoneseed. You get the project variety of contract life—but with the stability of permanent employment.
You work across a mix of clients, industries, and transformation programmes—delivering onsite, hybrid, or remotely, depending on the engagement. You don’t have to chase your next gig, deal with IR35 headaches, or market yourself between roles.
Plus, with an internal support network behind you and a steady salary coming in, you get the best of both worlds.
For many professionals, this model is ticking boxes that neither pure perm nor full-on contracting ever quite did.
So, What’s the Best Route for You?
Ask yourself:
- Do you crave security or freedom?
- Do you want to specialise, or diversify?
- Are you driven by financial gain, lifestyle flexibility, or long-term impact?
There’s no right or wrong answer—only what’s right for you, right now.
Still weighing up your options? Whether you’re ready to go permanent, take on a new contract, or explore something different with a PMaaS provider like Stoneseed, P3M Recruitment can help you find the role that matches your goals.
Let’s talk about your next move.