The Complete Job Description of a Project Manager

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The specific job of a project manager can vary from industry to industry, but it is possible to put together a project manager job description that will prepare job candidates for a career in any situation. In industries such as contracting, the role of the project manager is very prominent. In a field such as software development, the project manager acts as a valuable resource for the completion of any project.

Interested in a Graduate Project Management program? Check out our Top 50 Master’s programs with a Project Management focus. Already have a degree? Value Colleges has ranked the 50 best Project Management Certificate programs.

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The General Responsibilities of a Project Manager

Project managers are detail-oriented professionals who are responsible for assembling the resources necessary to complete a project by its deadline. You will find a project manager job description in fields such as engineering, contracting, software development, IT support and design, architecture and telecommunications.

A project manager is responsible for hiring personnel, establishing material inventory needs, renting equipment, establishing strong communications with the project owner, coordinating all aspects of project operations and making sure that each work team understands their jobs. The success or failure of a project is directly tied to the actions of the project manager.

Education and Certification Requirements of a Project Manager

Educational certificates ranging from a high school diploma to a Master’s degree are available in the field of project management. Many employers require at least a bachelor’s degree in project management before they will hire a candidate, and it also helps to have an educational background in your specific industry.

The Project Management Institute(PMI) is the primary certifying body for professionals in project management. As a general rule, it is important for project professionals to satisfy the project manager certification requirement if they want to move up in their industry.

To qualify to take the certification test and meet the project manager certification requirement, a candidate needs at least a Bachelor’s degree and some type of field experience. There are other smaller certifying bodies in the field of project management, but certification from PMI is considered to be the most prestigious in the industry.

Potential Project Manager Earnings

As of November 2017, the median salary for a project manager in any industry in the United States is $70.905.00 per year. This project manager salary expectation includes a low end of $62,030.00 per year and a high end of $82,692.00 per year. It is possible to find project manager positions with lower and higher salaries, but these represent the national medians.

A project manager’s salary expectation depends on factors such as their educational background, job experience, the industry they work in and their accomplishments. Many project managers follow a career path that starts at an entry-level supervisory position and goes through assistant project manager jobs to help establish a successful track record.

A project manager position requires good leadership skills, a strong knowledge of the industry, and extremely good mathematical skills. Project management software is also a critical part of any project management position as most companies integrate their project management software into the rest of their operations platform. Any prospective project manager will want to take the time to become intimately familiar with the most popular forms of project management software if they want to increase their chances of advancing their career.

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Aya Andrews

Editor-in-Chief

Aya Andrews is a passionate educator and mother of two, with a diverse background that has shaped her approach to teaching and learning. Born in Metro Manila, she now calls San Diego home and is proud to be a Filipino-American. Aya earned her Masters degree in Education from San Diego State University, where she focused on developing innovative teaching methods to engage and inspire students.

Prior to her work in education, Aya spent several years as a continuing education consultant for KPMG, where she honed her skills in project management and client relations. She brings this same level of professionalism and expertise to her work as an educator, where she is committed to helping each of her students achieve their full potential.

In addition to her work as an educator, Aya is a devoted mother who is passionate about creating a nurturing and supportive home environment for her children. She is an active member of her community, volunteering her time and resources to support local schools and organizations. Aya is also an avid traveler, and loves to explore new cultures and cuisines with her family.

With a deep commitment to education and a passion for helping others succeed, Aya is a true inspiration to those around her. Her dedication to her craft, her community, and her family is a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence in all aspects of her life.

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ValueColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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