A Project Manager is a person in charge of overseeing key projects for a company. He is responsible for the complete organization, creation, and execution of projects while respecting deadlines, budget, and client’s wishes.
Project Managers can work in a variety of fields. They handle aspects such as setting deadlines, managing employees, organizing tasks, monitoring the progress of the projects, and implementing changes to meet new requirements.
The Project manager’s job covers these processes, regardless of the field:
- Initiating
- Planning
- Executing
- Monitoring and Controlling
- Closing
Similar Job TItles:
Chief Executive Officer, Development Director, Product Manager, Consultant
What Does a Project Manager Usually Do?
A Project manager takes full responsibility for successfully planning, monitoring, executing, and closing the project.
Here’s a list of activities a Project Manager typically performs:
- Leads project planning
- Coordinates employees and resources
- Oversees project development and implements changes
- Communicates with stakeholders
- Manages budget
- Identifies and resolves issues
Leads project planning
A Project Manager is in charge of taking the idea and turning it into a feasible plan. That implies assembling a team and working together to form a strategy on how to execute it within the parameters such as budget, timeline, and resource.
A Project manager has to define the goal of the project, organize tasks among employees, and make an outline of the plan that covers all the assigned factors
Coordinates employees and resources
After the planning segment is over, the Project Manager’s job is to assign responsibilities to employees and make sure that all the work is performed according to the schedule.
This involves eliminating distractions, facilitating the execution of the tasks, and guiding the team through changes in the project.
The progress of the project depends on the resources, and it is not uncommon for projects to fail due to poor resource management. It is Project Manager’s duty to distribute the resources to every segment of the project in the most efficient way.
Oversees project development and implements changes
The Project Manager’s job during the project execution involves overseeing every aspect of the process, managing the budget, reaching key milestones, and making sure the development is going according to the schedule.
During an ongoing project, things rarely go as planned, so the Project Manager needs to be flexible and ready to implement changes when necessary.
Communicates with stakeholders
Communication is the key to running a project with many people involved. Every person connected to the project needs to be informed of the state of the operations, possible changes, and how they will affect them.
A Project Manager’s job is to provide concrete information by organizing meetings, sending weekly or monthly reports, updating the dashboard, sending emails, or making calls.
Manages budget
A Project Manager’s responsibility is to estimate the state of the budget on a weekly, monthly, or even daily basis, depending on the size of the expenses.
They need to control the costs and make sure the project is progressing within the approved budget. This involves constantly reviewing the state of the budget, foreseeing possible changes in scope, forecasting the use of resources, and communicating with employees.
Identifies and resolves issues
Many things can go wrong during the course of the project, from unforeseen costs to changes in company initiative.
Roles a Project Manager Typically Collaborates With
Depending on the structure of the company, a Project Manager can work closely with a number of different roles. Here are the most common ones:
| Roles Project Managers Collaborate With | ||
| Account Manager | Marketing Manager | SEO Specialist |
| Graphic Designer | Account Executive | Creative Director |
| Marketing Analyst | Brand Manager | Market Research Analyst |
Project Manager Salary
The average annual salary for a Project Manager in the United States is around $75,000.
What is the Project Manager Pay Difference By Location?
Here is how an average annual Social Media Manager salary differs in major U.S. cities:
| City | Average Annual Salary |
| San Francisco, CA | $96,126 |
| Seattle, WA | $77,924 |
| Denver, CO | $74,698 |
| Austin, TX | $74,702 |
| Washington, DC | $84,557 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $68,620 |
| Boston, MA | $79,034 |
| New York, NY | $79,704 |
What is the Project Manager Pay Difference By Experience?
The level of experience also impacts a Project Manager’s salary. Here’s a table of average Project Manager salaries by experience level:
| Years of Experience | Average Annual Salary |
| < 1 | $56,000 |
| 1–4 | $64,000 |
| 5–9 | $78,000 |
| 10–19 | $87,000 |
| 20+ | $91,000 |
Project Manager Job Description Template
[Company Name] is looking for a Project Manager to join our team and help us deliver a high-quality service to our customers.
As a Project Manager in [Company Name], you will be in charge of overseeing various projects, organizing tasks, managing employees, and communicating with the entire team regarding the state of the operations.
The ideal candidate must not be afraid to take on new challenges, take initiative in solving problems, and customize processes to deliver faster and more effective results. They must be creative and efficient when performing daily tasks, thrive in a dynamic environment, and be able to multitask with ease.
Project Manager Responsibilities:
- Organizing and facilitating the execution of projects
- Controlling project quality and tracking project development
- Communicating important milestones, changes, and project decisions
- Resolving issues, responding to critical situations, and providing effective solutions
- Ensuring resource availability and allocation
- Managing relationships with employees and stakeholders
- Making financial analysis and meeting budgetary objectives
Project Manager Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field
- + years of experience in a Project Management role
- Ability to handle complex projects
- Desire to create and maintain relationships with team members and stakeholders
- Ability to seamlessly navigate through tasks and handle stressful situations with confidence
- Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
- A positive attitude during critical situations