How to hire an area manager/project manager

How to hire an area manager/project manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step area manager/project manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an area manager/project manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new area manager/project manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the area manager/project manager you need to hire. Certain area manager/project manager roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An area manager/project manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, area manager/project managers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents area manager/project manager salaries for various positions.

   Type of Area Manager/Project Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Area Manager/Project Manager		$25-56
   Project Engineering Manager	A project engineering manager's job is to oversee engineering projects in diverse industries, including transportation, software development, and utility industries. They are responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of intricate designs and evaluating and approving changes that may affect the scope, budget, and completion of a project... Show more	$37-73
   Special Projects Manager	A Special Projects Department is a vital part of the research and development branch in a company to design and create new products and services for customers to use. The special projects manager's responsibility is to request and allocate funds, personnel, and a specialist to the project... Show more	$31-58

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Project Management
   • Customer Satisfaction
   • Status Reports
   • Construction Projects
   • HVAC
   • OSHA
   • Shop Drawings
   • Project Completion
   • Business Development
   • Safety Training
   • Customer Complaints
   • Project Budget
   • Project Controls
   • Capital Equipment

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Establish productive working relationships with state and federal regulatory agencies, reorganize and improve operation, and achieve OSHA compliance.
   • Demonstrate a strong roofing, siding, and windows knowledge/ skill base.
   • Involve in heavy coursework relate to IP, VoIP, and other network systems.
   • Conduct operational reviews for facility appearance and maintenance resulting in consistently outstanding OSHA, local health inspections, and safety reviews.
   • Increase new business production through a discipline consultative marketing strategy and effective KPI management process.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your area manager/project manager job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An area manager/project manager salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, area manager/project managers' average salary in north dakota is 39% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level area manager/project managers earn 56% less than senior-level area manager/project managers.
   • Certifications. An area manager/project manager with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an area manager/project manager's salary.

   Average area manager/project manager salary

   $78,684yearly

   $37.83 hourly rate

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   Entry-level area manager/project manager salary

   $52,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

4. Writing an area manager/project manager job description

   A good area manager/project manager job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an area manager/project manager job description:

   Area manager/project manager job description example

   At DistributionNOW, we believe our associates are the best in the business. We value and reward hardworking, creative, and dedicated employees that desire to be part of a team committed to outstanding customer service.
   START YOUR CAREER NOW.
   The Area Project Manager is responsible for nurturing relationships with Corporate, Regional, and field-level personnel of our
   Upstream/Upstream/Midstream
   customers.
   JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: Responsible for managing a team of Area Project Manager across the US; primarily focusing on Upstream/Midstream Markets
   Set metrics around performance, account management, training, and profit generating objectives for the Area Sales Lead Team Establish sale objectives by developing sales forecasts, and implementing strategies to increase market share and profit and margin growth Maximize financial results (revenues, margins, operating profit, etc.) Responsible for developing, cultivating, and growing customer base, while maintaining current customer accounts Accountable for delivering results through existing customer relationships
   Responsible for nurturing the relationships with Corporate, Regional, and field-level personnel of our customers Cultivate these relationships from a Corporate and Superintendent perspective with our current drilling contractors Help to resolve any issues that impact business in providing superior customer service Communicate/Collaborate across Business units
   JOB REQUIREMENTS: High School diploma or equivalent. Degree preferred Prior management experience in Upstream/Midstream oil and gas preferred 5+ years' sales experience within industry Knowledge of oil and gas, gathering, and processing preferred
   Knowledge of oil/gas Upstream/Midstream applications, products (high yield fittings/flanges, valves and actuation) and vendors is preferred Service and customer-focused, and must be a solid team player Ability to work within the existing branch structure to drive Upstream/Midstream sales and support Written and oral communication skills, both internal and external Time management and organizational skills
   Problem-solving skills and sufficient analytical ability to work through budgets, forecasting and expense management Detail-oriented, consistent, organized and analytical Strong work ethic, integrity and dedication to results An estimated 25-30% of sales calls will require overnight travel
   BENEFITS: Competitive Salary + bonus 401(k)/ Retirement savings Comprehensive Benefits (medical, dental, vision, life and disability coverage) Career growth opportunities
   Friendly work environment Paid vacation/holidays

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right area manager/project manager for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with area manager/project managers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit area manager/project managers who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your area manager/project manager job on Zippia to find and recruit area manager/project manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting area manager/project managers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new area manager/project manager

   Once you've selected the best area manager/project manager candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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