What is a senior project manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Experts
Robin Cormier,
Dr. Daryl Green
introduction image

A senior project manager oversees the planning, execution, and delivery of projects within an organization. They have experience managing complex projects, coordinating teams, and completing projects to the satisfaction of stakeholders. Senior project managers develop project plans, create timelines and budgets, manage resources, identify risks, and communicate progress. They also ensure that project goals align with the overall business strategy. Senior project managers possess strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

What general advice would you give to a Senior Project Manager?

R

Robin Cormier

Assistant Professor, Montana State University - Billings

While college graduates begin to launch their careers, they also face uncertainty about job opportunities. This can be a daunting time in their life. First and foremost, they should be proud of their achievements. There are many steps they can take to prepare for a future career, such as developing a network and building a strong resume. However, in my opinion, the most important advice I would offer new graduates is to pursue their passion. When you are passionate about your career, your life is more fulfilling, and you are more determined to achieve success. Passion shows through how you communicate, develop working relationships, and your level of career investment.
ScoreSenior Project ManagerUS Average
Salary
7.9

Avg. Salary $110,947

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
7.4

Growth Rate 16%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.66%

Asian 8.84%

Black or African American 7.48%

Hispanic or Latino 12.53%

Unknown 4.69%

White 65.79%

Gender

female 28.57%

male 71.43%

Age - 47
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47
Stress Level
7.4

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
8.6

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
3.7

Work Life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Senior Project Manager?

Pros

  • Excellent compensation and benefits

  • Opportunities for career growth and advancement

  • Continuous learning and development opportunities

  • Flexibility in work location and schedule

  • Exposure to cutting-edge technology and innovation

Cons

  • Long hours, including evenings and weekends

  • Constant need to adapt to changing circumstances and requirements

  • Lack of control over external factors that may impact project outcomes

  • Risk of burnout from constant multitasking and juggling multiple projects

  • Possibility of negative impact on personal life due to work demands

Senior Project Manager career paths

Key steps to become a senior project manager

  1. Explore senior project manager education requirements

    Most common senior project manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    69.3 %

    Master's

    19.3 %

    Associate

    7.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific senior project manager skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Project Management16.88%
    Program Management5.89%
    Portfolio5.12%
    Infrastructure4.29%
    Project Scope3.98%
  3. Research senior project manager duties and responsibilities

    • Lead a cloud base property management project.
    • Manage all financial interfaces to existing PeopleSoft applications from design to delivery.
    • Lead implementation of JIRA and numerous project/program delivery improvements in order efficiently deliver concurrent application releases.
    • Manage client relationships and perform necessary functions to build and deliver private/secure CRM applications and email accounts.
  4. Get senior project manager experience

  5. Prepare your senior project manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your senior project manager resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a senior project manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

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  6. Apply for senior project manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a senior project manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Senior Project Manager Job

M

Mario TehuitzilMario Tehuitzil LinkedIn Profile

Senior Project Manager

My career path from project coordinator to senior project manager at NYU Langone Health has been a dynamic ride, filled with valuable lessons and unforgettable experiences. Starting off as a project coordinator, I quickly realized the importance of staying organized and detail-oriented. There was this one time when I had to coordinate a team meeting with stakeholders from different departments, and I accidentally double-booked the conference room. It taught me the importance of meticulous planning and scheduling, ensuring that all resources are managed efficiently to avoid such mishaps in the future.

As I transitioned into the role of a project manager, I encountered new challenges that tested my leadership skills and strategic thinking. One particular project that comes to mind is when we had to revamp the patient intake process to reduce wait times and improve overall satisfaction. It was a complex undertaking that required close collaboration with IT, administration, frontline staff, and their respective directors. Through this experience, I learned the art of stakeholder engagement and how to effectively communicate the vision of the project to inspire buy-in and cooperation from all involved parties.

However, it wasn't all smooth sailing. There were times when projects hit roadblocks or faced unexpected hurdles. I recall a situation where I encountered compatibility issues while integrating new software into our existing system. It was a daunting challenge that required quick thinking and problem-solving skills. We had to think outside the box, collaborate with technical experts, and explore alternative solutions to overcome the obstacle. This taught me the importance of adaptability and resilience in the face of adversity.

One of the most memorable projects of my career was the implementation of a new EHR program at Hassenfeld Children's Hospital. It was a groundbreaking initiative aimed at expanding access to healthcare services for patients in remote areas. I had the privilege of leading a passionate team of healthcare professionals, IT experts, and administrators who shared a common vision of improving patient care through technology. Despite the initial skepticism and logistical challenges, we persevered, and the program was eventually rolled out successfully, making a significant impact on the lives of countless patients.

What sets me apart as a senior project manager is my ability to connect with people on a personal

Average senior project manager salary

The average Senior Project Manager salary in the United States is $110,947 per year or $53 per hour. Senior project manager salaries range between $82,000 and $148,000 per year.

Average Senior Project Manager Salary
$110,947 Yearly
$53.34 hourly

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How do senior project managers rate their job?

5/5

Based On 2 Ratings

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Senior Project Manager reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2024
Cons

Zero work life balance and very high project stress


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2023
Pros

I like to work with a team. Satisfaction of seeing the successful completion of a project

Cons

Strict deadlines, and stakeholders. Feeling undervalued or underappreciated.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Pros

not applicable because I dont work as a technical project manager

Cons

not applicable because I dont work as a technical project manager


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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