What does a capital project manager do?
A capital project manager is responsible for overseeing company projects, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. They are in charge of identifying the project's requirements, setting objectives and timelines, handling the budget, and developing strategies to optimize project operations. They must also coordinate with managers and other staff, monitor the progress of projects, and produce regular progress reports. Above all, as a manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the team members to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Capital project manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real capital project manager resumes:
- Manage clinical trial projects according to study protocol, FDA and sponsor guidelines.
- Manage special projects including store fixture and flooring upgrades; electrical, HVAC and data modifications.
- Coordinate operations performance cost effectiveness, preparing submittals and managing request for information (RFI).
- Manage and conduct the development of a SharePoint base system for providing notifications of application and automation releases throughout the enterprise.
- Reduce number of emergency repairs and the need for full HVAC replacements.
- Comply with applicable code and regulatory requirements, including MSHA and OSHA regulations.
- Experience with carrying out a few select internal site audits prior to FDA auditing.
- Assist in ensuring all OSHS standards are meet and that training on all OSHA topics are complete monthly for department.
- Project types include innovation products, capacity increases, productivity base and infrastructure projects.
- Close coordination with new service business sector for implementation of infrastructure to support new or expand business activity.
- Develop, organize and execute SDLC projects to improve safety, quality and/or productivity throughout several processes in a warehouse environment.
- Provide consultation to departments regarding procurement of medical, research and teaching commodities, equipment and services.
- Support and direct service personnel on multiple fire, security, access and IP base CCTV systems.
- Develop reports and analyze all commodities to facilitate sourcing activities.
- Reduce costs by standardizing support and provisioning of IP telephony services while enabling emerging applications.
Capital project manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Capital Project Managers are proficient in Project Management, Portfolio, and Construction Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Business skills, and Customer-service skills.
We break down the percentage of Capital Project Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Project Management, 17%
Direct and manage the implementation of project management methodology for Facilities Capital Improvement Projects throughout all Southern California Gas Company facilities.
- Portfolio, 6%
Managed venture capital investments in information technology portfolio of privately held $100M+ fund.
- Construction Management, 5%
Provided construction management and contract administration, including responsibility for project budget and schedule.
- Project Scope, 5%
Developed: project scopes, estimates, bid packages (for mechanical, electrical, and PLC contractors) and measures.
- Construction Projects, 5%
Coordinated activities of architect and engineer teams on interdisciplinary construction projects.
- Infrastructure, 4%
Managed and directed multiple infrastructure capital improvement projects within Grand Central Terminal and surrounding areas.
Most capital project managers use their skills in "project management," "portfolio," and "construction management" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential capital project manager responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a capital project manager to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "construction managers must be able to plan strategies, investigate project cost variances, and solve problems over the course of a project." Capital project managers often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "provided monthly financial analysis and reporting including income, operating costs and variance analysis by plant. "
Business skills. Many capital project manager duties rely on business skills. "construction managers need to prepare and follow project budgets, hire and manage staff, and coordinate with other workers and managers," so a capital project manager will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways capital project manager responsibilities rely on business skills: "close coordination with new service business sector for implementation of infrastructure to support new or expanded business activity. "
Leadership skills. Another crucial skill for a capital project manager to carry out their responsibilities is "leadership skills." A big part of what capital project managers relies on this skill, since "construction managers must effectively delegate tasks to construction workers, subcontractors, and other lower level managers to ensure that projects are completed accurately and on time." How this skill relates to capital project manager duties can be seen in an example from a capital project manager resume snippet: "provided leadership to several teams to implement cost control, process improvement and predictive maintenance programs. "
The three companies that hire the most capital project managers are:
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Compare different capital project managers
Capital project manager vs. Project superintendent
The construction or project superintendent's role is to oversee the operations of construction sites, from the planning phase to completion. They have varied duties and responsibilities based on specific projects that include scheduling and budgeting, communicating and negotiating with external partners, and acquiring materials and equipment. A construction superintendent also earns construction permits, resolving on-site emergencies and issues, and supervising staff. This position requires several skills, including a degree in construction management or a similar field, relevant experience, and in-depth knowledge of construction processes and operations.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, capital project manager responsibilities require skills like "portfolio," "project scope," "infrastructure," and "powerpoint." Meanwhile a typical project superintendent has skills in areas such as "general contractors," "quality standards," "safety program," and "cleanliness." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Project superintendents tend to make the most money working in the construction industry, where they earn an average salary of $95,092. In contrast, capital project managers make the biggest average salary, $102,650, in the finance industry.project superintendents tend to reach lower levels of education than capital project managers. In fact, project superintendents are 11.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Capital project manager vs. Project supervisor
A project supervisor is someone employed in industries like engineering, construction, manufacturing, as well as design and marketing industries to coordinate all aspects of a project. Common duties include participating in project planning, acting as a communication liaison, coordinating labor needs, and training employees. They meet with the account manager to assess and understand the client's needs and budget for the project. Together with the supply chain manager, they facilitate the purchasing and delivery of supplies needed to complete the project. Additionally, they make sure the project is completed on time and within budget.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, capital project manager responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "portfolio," "construction management," "infrastructure," and "real estate." Meanwhile, a project supervisor has duties that require skills in areas such as "customer service," "safety standards," "safety procedures," and "fire protection." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, project supervisors earn a lower salary than capital project managers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, project supervisors earn the most pay in the retail industry with an average salary of $57,698. Whereas capital project managers have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $102,650.project supervisors earn lower levels of education than capital project managers in general. They're 8.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Capital project manager vs. Field manager
A field manager is an individual who manages a staff of field representatives that travel to customers' sites to promote their products or services. Field managers must hire new employees and arrange in-house and vendor training programs to ensure they have a full understanding of their responsibilities. They must evaluate all their field employees and generate reports highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each member of the team. Field managers may work in different industries that have outside sales representatives such as pharmaceutical companies, computer repair companies, or HVAC companies.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from capital project manager resumes include skills like "portfolio," "construction management," "project scope," and "infrastructure," whereas a field manager is more likely to list skills in "minor maintenance," "patients," "customer service," and "medicare. "
Field managers earn the best pay in the telecommunication industry, where they command an average salary of $91,615. Capital project managers earn the highest pay from the finance industry, with an average salary of $102,650.When it comes to education, field managers tend to earn lower degree levels compared to capital project managers. In fact, they're 9.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Capital project manager vs. Project manager/design manager
Types of capital project manager
Updated January 8, 2025
