Job Description and Responsibilities of Senior Project Manager 2023 (2023)

A report by the Project Management Institute states that this will be the case by 2027more than 87 millionto fill open project management roles. Project-based employment growth is expected to be achieved33 percent, according to data collected in 11 countries. Demand for such roles will continue to grow in sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, and even publishing.

Project management not only covers a wide range of industries, but also role types. In larger organizations, project management involves multiple levels of management, including a senior project manager.

What is a senior project manager?

Back to top

A senior project manager is different from a project manager. While a project manager oversees one or two projects, the lead project manager manages the concurrent projects and has a broader view and scope. In addition, a project manager reports to the senior project manager.

Senior project managers may differ from program managers in terms of the responsibilities they perform. In some organizations, these roles are separate and have different levels of responsibility. Program managers typically have more responsibility as they are responsible for strategically aligning projects and aligning them with organizational goals.

When an organization has both a senior PM and a program manager, the senior program manager reports to the program manager. In other organizations, a senior project manager is synonymous with a program manager, and it's just a matter of title.

Senior Project Manager Responsibilities

Back to top

The roles and responsibilities of a senior project manager vary somewhat depending on the type, size, and industry of the organization. However, the areas and tasks listed below typically fall within their area of ​​responsibility.

Program and portfolio management

Senior PMs are involved in multiple projects and can assist in program managementproject portfolio management when the organization combines the lead PM and program manager in one role. They provide a comprehensive perspective for managing projects to ensure they are aligned with strategic business goals. Senior PMs also manage a portfolio of initiatives that span multiple business units or lines of business, gaining valuable insight into how parts of the organization influence each other.

Goal setting and project planning

Senior PMs work with project managers and other stakeholders to make commitmentsSMART project goalsand goals. They are also tasked with identifying and sourcing required resources, estimating project budgets, setting project scopes and timelines, and collating all of this informationProject plans.

Mentoring und Coaching

One of the most important, and perhaps most rewarding, aspects of a senior project manager's role is coaching junior project managers and building team morale.

Senior PMs take the lead by building project teams and motivating them to achieve project milestones. You will participate in building and training project teams to enhance their skills by establishing best practices, guidelines, PM methodologies, quality assurance and control, tools and templates. Senior project managers are also committed to learning, process improvement, and project management within the organization.

You can also find more information on mentoring at:

recruitment and training

Because lead PMs identify staffing needs for project needs as project plans are developed, they occasionally help Human Resources identify and interview qualified project team candidates. Because senior PMs have an in-depth knowledge of project requirements, HR sometimes also engages senior PMs in project onboarding processes and other important project training needs.

Project tracking and evaluation

At the very core of a high-level PM's job is project monitoring, management, and evaluation.

You will monitor, track and control deliverables and facilitate project team meetings along the way to ensure performance and progress and address issues as they arise.

The lead project manager's level of involvement in a project can vary. On the one hand, senior PMs in smaller organizations may well be involved in the day-to-day tasks of a particular project. However, in larger organizations senior PMs typically delegate tasks to individual project managers who report to them.

Potential problems include delays in sourcing resources, sudden staff changes, or interpersonal conflicts. When problems arise, project managers and other stakeholders can escalate the problems to senior project management for resolution.

Once a project is complete, senior PMs evaluate not only the overall success of a project, but also the performance of everyone involved, such as the project manager and project team members.

communication and coordination

The role of a senior project manager is cross-functional, meaning they not only work with multiple project teams and project managers, but also with other professionals in the organization. such as:

• project manager
• Project team members
• C-Level-Management
• Customers
• Offerer
• Delivery
• Partner

Due to the cross-functional nature of their role and their bird's-eye view of multiple projects, lead PMs often develop and implement a communication strategy for all project stakeholders.

You report to external customers or senior management on project status, progress, metrics, risks, test results, and deployment activities. In addition, they provide feedback, advice and encouragement to project managers and team members during project execution.

PM consultant and resource person

Senior project managers are a source of authority and guidance for project managers. Project managers and other members of the organization will seek their recommendations for best practices and tools to increase efficiency, increase productivity, and meet project and business goals.

Therefore, senior project managers must always keep their finger on the pulse of project management as a discipline, such as the latest developments, standards, best practices, tools, etcproject management softwarein the industry.

What is the Salary of a Senior Project Manager?

Back to top

A senior project manager in the US earns an average annual salary of between108.000 US-DollarAnd110.000 US-Dollar, with New York, Chicago, and San Diego being the top three paying cities for the role.

This career path also offers opportunities for advancement. Senior project managers can advance to Director of the Project Management Office (PMO) or Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Senior project managers typically have a project management background of approxsix to ten yearsHave experience in project management.

Are you ready to move up in project management? Find out here: When is it worth getting a PMP certification?

How to become a Senior Project Manager

Back to top

A senior project manager position requires certain educational qualifications, work experience and professional skills.

educational background

Employers usually require a bachelor's degree. Senior project managers sometimes, but not always, have a bachelor's degree in business administration, management or project management, although this particular focus is not a requirement.

If you are applying for a senior project manager position, a college degree in project management is a great advantage.

Also read: How to get PMI-ACP certification

Work experience

Even more important than academic qualifications are the skills that come with years of work experience. Employers looking to fill senior project management positions prefer candidates who have:

• A minimum of five years of relevant experience in project management, planning and tracking, typically in a project manager role
• Experience working with business prospects in related industries
• Experience and understanding of the full project or product lifecycle
• Knowledge of project management tools, methodologies and related technology
• Ability to demonstrate leadership, drive results, problem solve and have interpersonal skills

Continue reading: Best PMP Exam Prep Books for 2023

Professional skills and characteristics

Work experience equips aspiring project managers with the following hard and soft skills needed to succeed in this career path:

• data analysis
• Organisation
• time management
• Written and oral communication
• Proven leadership skills through coaching, mentoring and team building
• Problem solving oriented mindset

There is no way to step into the role of senior project manager. The way there is often cumbersome and attracts professionals with different educational and professional backgrounds. If you're new to project management, we highly recommend starting with onecertificateand to gain practical experience in project management.

To map your possible career path in project management, also read: 11 opportunities for your project management career

Begin your journey into a senior project management role

Back to top

Senior project managers are well-rounded professionals who have expertise in project management and process improvement initiatives. With increasing demand around17 percentIn the US alone, a qualified senior project manager has access to opportunities in nearly every industry and organization over the next five years and is likely to enjoy a high level of job security.

Continue reading:Best Project Management Certifications in 2023

Recommended partners: project management software