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What is a corporate project manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted experts
Nicole Jones Young Ph.D.,
Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.

A corporate project manager, also known as a corporate PM, holds a key role in their company. They are tasked with the fulfilment and management of one of the many goals of the company, whether it be related to sales, marketing, efficiency, production, or some other element.

In order to achieve these goals, the manager must organize and set aside the resources and budget for it, make a strategy, and develop company processes, policies, and numerous other projects. Unlike regular PMs, corporate PMs are not as limited in time and resources, and usually work on much larger projects.

A candidate for this position will generally need to have a bachelor's or a master's degree in a subject relevant and closely related to the field in which they work. Alongside the college education, they also must have several years of experience in their field, working in similar positions, with similar budgets and on similar projects. They are often asked to have proficiency in different relevant skills and software.

What general advice would you give to a corporate project manager?

Nicole Jones Young Ph.D.Nicole Jones Young Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Assistant Professor of Organizational Behavior, Franklin and Marshall College

Be flexible. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a lot of uncertainty, but has created new opportunities in others. Staying flexible allows individuals to shift focus away from industries or occupations that may be in decline, and re-focus on employment opportunities that may be more aligned with our current moment.
ScoreCorporate Project ManagerUS Average
Salary
7.4

Avg. Salary $95,331

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity
3.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.66%

Asian 8.83%

Black or African American 7.47%

Hispanic or Latino 12.51%

Unknown 4.69%

White 65.83%

Gender

female 36.02%

male 63.98%

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
7.8

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
1.8

Complexity level is simple

7 - challenging

Work life balance
2.8

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Corporate project manager career paths

Key steps to become a corporate project manager

  1. Explore corporate project manager education requirements

    Most common corporate project manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    70.2 %

    Master's

    18.2 %

    Associate

    7.4 %
  2. Start to develop specific corporate project manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Project Management26.01%
    Risk Management7.65%
    Process Improvement5.40%
    Real Estate5.04%
    Project Scope4.96%
  3. Research corporate project manager duties and responsibilities

    • Design, create, and maintain SharePoint sites for every project manage.
    • Lead professional services engagements from assessment analysis to completion by partnering directly with healthcare providers to enhance revenue collection and efficiency.
    • Institute technology processes to compliment the new healthcare facility and current business operations in order to increase productivity and patient experience.
    • Fulfill procurement management including vendor evaluation/selection and contract negotiations and development of SLA's.
  4. Apply for corporate project manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a corporate 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 corporate project manager job

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Average corporate project manager salary

The average corporate project manager salary in the United States is $95,331 per year or $46 per hour. Corporate project manager salaries range between $73,000 and $123,000 per year.

Average corporate project manager salary
$95,331 Yearly
$45.83 hourly

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How do corporate project managers rate their job?

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Corporate project manager reviews

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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.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Pros

keeping the company vibrant in the marketplace and returning maximum shareholder value

Cons

have to change my mindset


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros

I enjoy problem-solving and identifying a path to completing a complex project. I like to ensure that moving parts come together smoothly and communicating successes and celebrating with the team.

Cons

Without the right support from project sponsors, a project manager is doomed to failure. There is an enormous amount of responsibility on a project manager to deliver a product on time and on budget, though without proper authority or backing, it's basically wheel spinning.


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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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